By John Baracani
The Apaches’ 1999-2000 basketball season opened up with a loss on November 2 against nationally ranked Southeast Iowa.
"It was obviously the toughest game to open up with that we could have had," said IVCC coach Mike Riley. His team fell by a score of 95-52 to what he said was a dominating and formidable team
"We wanted to go into the place and find out the different levels of competition," he said. "Most likely we won’t face that kind of talent again. We were able to see what it takes to play."
Sophomore Guard Craig Olson led his team with 15 points and six rebounds.
The Apaches moved on to play at their own level of competition at the Danville Classic on Nov. 6-7, where they split a pair of games, running their overall record to 1-2.
The first game matched the Apaches up against Ancilla College from Indiana. According to Riley, his team started slow, but came on at the end to pick up an 89-66 victory.
"We struggled for the first 20 minutes, playing too fast and too out of control. In the second half we sacrificed speed for control," he said. "We played fairly well for the final 20 minutes."
The coach said that his team, despite the big win, needs to work on both rebounding and getting to the free throw line.
"I’d like to see the 4 and 5 men get more rebounds," he said, adding that the guards are grabbing most of the boards.
Riley also noted that the bench production of the Apaches was key, chipping in for 42 of the team’s 89 points en route to the win.
Olson led all players in scoring with 18, including two of three from beyond the three point line.
"He (Olson) is showing great leadership and playing very well," said Riley.
Freshman Roosevelt Shegog added 14, and both Derek Baird and Charlie Eckhoff chipped in 12 apiece.
"Shegog was super againt Ancilla, just outstanding," he said.
Eckhoff returned to the lineup, after badly bruising an Achilles tendon.
"I’m happy to see him back and in the swing of things," said Riley.
Freshman Forward Jui Wooten suffered a dislocated finger on his right, shooting hand in the game. The injury will not cost him any playing time, according to Riley.
"He’s a tough kid and a good player. He’s not going to let an injury hold him back."
Spoon River provided the competition for the Apaches’ second game of the tournament, handing IVCC a 74-65 defeat on Nov. 7.
The Apaches had a four point lead late in the game before a big three point shot and a costly foul helped lift Spoon River to the win.
"It was disappointing, we had control. It was demoralizing. We lost control of the game on one play," Riley said.
"We should be 2-1, we let one slip away. That happens with a young team. We have to learn to finish."
The team’s shooting also played a big role in the outcome of the game, despite the fact that IVCC outshot the Crusaders 45% to 40%, according to Riley.
"We just didn’t shoot the ball well in the second half, we missed open shots. They just didn’t go in."
The Apaches were just 5 of 20 from the three point line, and attempted just 14 free throws, compared to 7 of 23 on three pointers and 28 free throw attempts by their opposition.
Leading the way in scoring for IVCC were Olson with 12 and Baird with 10 from the bench. The two also shot a combined 4-9 from the three point line.
The next game on schedule for IVCC is against Rock Valley on Nov. 16, a team that Riley knows little about right now.
"I expect to face a good team," he said. "We’ll go up there and play our type of game and try to keep the defensive pressure going."
The Apaches then head home for the first time this season, squaring off against Lake County on Nov. 20. Riley expects his team to be strong.
"They’re coming in to our house. We’ll play well here; we expect to win."