Men face Highland to open regionals
By Erica Granados
IV Leader Sports Editor, Feb. 26, 2004
The Illinois Valley Community College men’s basketball team will open the Region IV Division I Tournament against tournament host Highland at 1 p.m. Sunday in Freeport.
The Eagles played Highland Jan 20 and Feb 12, losing the games by 25 and 26 points respectively.
The winner of the IVCC-Highland game will play the Kennedy-King - South Suburban winner at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 4. The Region championship is slated for 8 p.m. Saturday, March 6.
Coach Mike Riley said the team’s current problem is taking care of its injured players.
“At times, it’s been like a MASH unit,” he said.
The team has had 15 injuries throughout the year, with only 15 players on the team.
At press time, Scott Devore and Steve Winding are presently out with injuries. Devore landed on his back during a game against Highland, and Winding has an ankle injury.
“It’s been a revolving door,” Riley said. “We’ll get one back and then lose one, we’ll have to wait and see.
We’ll continue to practice hard and try to determine which team they are going to be playing and try to prepare for that team. We’ve played everyone twice so we do know them.”
In recent contests, the men lost Feb. 17 to Sauk Valley 61-87.
On Jan 22, they also lost to Sauk, by 9 points. Top scorers of that game were Travis Nunn with 13 points, Mitch Riley with 12 and Eric Heider with 11.
In addition to preparing for regionals, the coaching staff is trying to promote sophomore players to four-year programs. Riley said there has been some interest in several players, including Mansour Mybe.
Mybe is ranked third in the nation in rebounding, according to Riley.