Game Day 1/27/2012

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

Top of her game Tech’s Brianne McClafferty has what it takes on the court, in the classroom

D3

A publication of The Montana Standard and Montana Tech

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D2 THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2012

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Senior plays multiple roles McClafferty comes off the bench with spark, enthusiasm

BY BRUCE SAYLER of The Montana Standard

T

he stats are certainly plenty good enough. Brianne McClafferty is averaging 7.47 points, 3.47 rebounds and 1.35 assists per game, with an occasional block or steal.

There’s the good 73 percent mark on her free throws and the so-so 34 percent rate on her field-goal attempts. Be sure to note, though, the outstanding 35-percent mark (17-for-48) from 3-point range.

Even as her coach, though, Kerie DePell will insist that despite all the basketball contributions McClafferty

has made to the Montana Tech women’s basketball program the past four years, the best state, the highlight entry in the Oredigger scrapbook would likely be the 3.97 grade-point average.

“She’s our best student,” DePell said of the 6-foot senior from Butte, who also happens to be a daughter of the athletic director, Joe McClafferty, a former Montana Tech basketball player himself. McClafferty “She’s represented the school in the best light. She’s already applied for law school. She certainly will be successful in anything she will do in life.”

For McClafferty, herself, however, there’s the matter of a couple hyphens.

“I was an OK student in high school,” she said. “I do manage my time well (studying and playing basketball).

“After my first semester in college

ended, I had all A’s. I wondered if I could keep it up.”

She has, but still wishes she had done better. “I have a 3.97,” she grumbled.

“Couple of A-minuses. Those A-minuses are killing me.”

It’s that search for perfection that caught DePell’s eye as she looked to recruit players for her program in first season at the helm.

“When I was recruiting her, she was a great shooter and I felt she had a natural feel for the game,” the coach said. “What a competitor — she wanted to win in everything she does. I feel that’s the big reason she’s successful (in general).”

DePell, McClafferty and the rest of the Oredigger contingent are 3-2 in the Frontier Conference standings and 8-9 overall heading into this weekend’s set of league games at home versus Rocky Mountain (3-2, 14-6) and Carroll (1-4, 8-10) on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Tip-offs are set for 5:30 p.m. both nights.

ON THE COVER

WALTER HINICK / THE MONTANA STANDARD

BRIANNE MCCLAFFERTY puts up a shot during a Montana Tech game against Lewis-Clark State. Inset: Tyree Haynie jumps for a shot on Kelvin Sampson Court at Montana Tech.

Montana Tech is riding a three-game winning streak.

“It was a good two weeks for us,”

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D4 THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2012

The emergence of freshman scorer Mandy Machinal instigated the change, the one that brings McClafferty off the bench.

Machinal scored 37 in the win over Western and shot her way into the lineup in the pre-conference season.

“Kerie told me in California (during a postChristmas tournament) I’m not starting,” McClafferty said. “I was fine with it and went out and had my two best games of the season.”

Included was a double-double, 10 points and 10 rebounds versus Hope International. “(DePell) told me she’s not starting me again,” McClafferty said with a laugh.

The willingness to yield the starting spot as a senior to a freshman is exemplary, DePell said.

“She’s definitely played a variety of roles for us,” DePell said. “When she first got to college, she came off the bench and gave us a spark, hitting some 3s.

Now, she’s grown into a really important role on our team.

“We decided to start Mandy and Brianne’s attitude was amazing. She said she would embrace coming off the bench and if that was the best thing for the team, that’s what she wanted to do. Now, she is a muchneeded offensive threat and gives us much needed leadership and poise.”

She brjngs enthusiasm, too.

“Mandy was unreal,” McClafferty said about Machinal’s performance against Western. “Every time she shot the ball, I just figured it I wasn’t going to need

Multiple ...

Continued from Page D3 McClafferty said. “Last week (against Montana Western) was a really good win for us. We were looking for some revenge after a disappointing loss to them in Novermber.

“We’re a young team. We have only two seniors. We start three sophomores and a freshman (and senior point guard Tabitha Tomlinson). It took a while for us to find our identity and what our roles are. We figured we’re more of a defensive team.”

McClafferty was starting early in the season, but began coming off the bench last month. She said she likes the role and DePell said she likes McClafferty in it.

“When I stopped starting this year is when I actually started playing better,” McClafferty said. “I’m playing more now that I’m not starting, because of the rotations. I was averaging 20 minutes a game as a starter and now average about 25 as a non-starter.

“I get to watch (the early part of) the game frm the bench, get the feel of it and see what I can do on offense. I think you tend to forget about the girls on the bench, sometimes. I almost like it.”

BRIANNE MCCLAFFERTY fends off Lewis-Clark State players to pass the ball during a Tech game earlier in January.

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Carroll men’s roster 2011-2012 # 2 4 10 10 11 12 21 22 24 30 32 33 42 42 44 51

Player Ben Nearpass Nick Jones Tony Dalton Tyson Percifield Dan Pearson Jordan Weirick Chris McGrath Dee Crandall Byago Diouf Ben Cutler Chase Godecke Andy Garland Renan Custodio Taylor Janoe James MacIntyre Chris Kiefer

Yr SO SO SR FR JR JR SO SO SR JR SR SR JR SO JR SO

Position G G F G F G G G G G F F F F F F

Ht/Wt 5-11 6-4 6-6 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-2 6-3 5-11 6-8 6-5 6-8 6-7 6-6 6-6

Hometown Billings Melbourne, Australia Moab, Utah Meridian, Idaho Billings West Jordan, Utah Everett, Wash.

Salt Lake City, Utah Dakar, Senegal Kalispell Dillion Missoula Criciuma, Brazil Salt Lake City, Utah Monroe, Wash.

Hillsboro, Ore.

Head coach: Brandon Veltri, 3rd season Associate head coach: Brock Veltri, 3rd season Assistant coach: Sol Jones, 5th season Assistant coach: Ryan McDermott, 3rd season

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2011-2012 Player Tyree Haynie Tanner Neumann Bryan Bock Cole Conway Chet Pannabecker Reid Baerlocher AJ Paine Roman Pruneda-Garza Adam Greger Brian Cummings Trent Thompson Brandon Rydberg Daniel Simon

Yr RSSr RSJr So Sr RSFr RSFr Sr Jr Fr RSJr RSFr Fr RSJr

Ht/Wt 5’9/170 6’2/200 6’3/190 6’3/215 6’3/185 5’11/175 6’0/185 6’1/175 6’6/195 6’2/180 6’8/235 6’3/195 6’6/215

Position PG G/F G F G G G PG G/F G F/C G/F F

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7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

8 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

TBA 7:05 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

8 p.m.

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All Game Times MST

Rocky Mountain men’s roster

Tech men’s basketball roster # 1 3 4 5 20 21 22 23 30 33 34 40 44

Butte, MT Butte, MT Havre, MT Great Falls, MT Butte, MT Butte, MT Butte, MT Lewiston, MT Salt Lake City, UT Butte, MT Butte, MT Orem, UT Logan, UT Dillon, MT Helena, MT Billings, MT TBA Kansas City, MO

2011-2012 Hometown Chico, Calif.

Butte Rialto, Calif.

Butte Choteau Florence Billings Othello, Wash.

Florence Brooklyn, N.Y. Plains Bozeman Ephrata, Wash.

# 1 2 3 5 20 22 23 24 30 33 34 44

Player Joe Stulc* Anthony Carter Nick Longmire Doundrekyc Parham Derek Bartel Kurtis Parsons Nile Finney John Bayo Darryl Alexander Matt Fogarty Joel Barndt Sergio Trocha Danny Little

Yr SO SR FR JR JR FR JR JR JR SR SO SR FR

Position F G G G F F G F G F F C C

* Redshirt Head coach: Bill Dreikosen, 12th season Assistant coach: Wes Keller, 6th season Assistant coach: Len Wilkins , 10th season

Ht/Wt 6-6 5-9 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-7 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-7 6-9 6-9 6-7

Hometown Winifred Chico, Calif.

Selah, Wash.

Los Angeles, Calif.

Lewistown Great Falls Satellite, Fla. Villepinte, France Compton, Calif.

PaloCedro, Calif.

Billings Cartenga, Colombia Billings

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Westminster College* Lewis-Clark State* MSU-Northern* University of Great Falls* Montana Western* Rocky Mountain College* Carroll College*

Butte Butte Havre Great Falls Butte Butte Butte

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

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5:30 p.m.

Lewis-Clark State* Westminster College* University of Great Falls* MSU – Northern* Montana Western* Carroll College* Rocky Mountain College*

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# Player

Yr Ht/WtPos. Hometown

1 Joey O Neil 2 Torrie Cahill 3 McKenzie Scofield 4 Jeni Guertin 10 Alysha Green 12 Kalee Junkermier 14 Alison Sullivan 20 Jackie Mee 22 Jackie Gebhardt 24 Bailey Snelling 30 Jill Jagelski 32 Jordan Johnston 32 Ellie Duty 34 Jordan Bagley 42 Amy Allen 44 Kristen Brandsma

J J F S S F F S J F S F S F S S

6-3 5-11 5-7 6-1 5-7 5-10 6-2 6-1 5-9 5-6 5-10 5-10 5-6 5-10 6-0 6-3

C G G P G G P G G G G G G F F P

Butte Miles City Livingston Bozeman Spokane, Wash.

Spokane, Wash.

Great Falls Libby Cascade, Judith Gap Vancouver, Wash.

Helena Dutton Great Falls Lima Wendell, Idaho

Head Coach: Rachelle Sayers, 1st season

# Player 4 5 12 14 15 22 23 24 32 33 34 40 44 50

Kalli McCloskey* Lindsey Brendgord Haleigh Crnkovich Kelcy Lott Brittany Kumm Alli Blake Austin Hanser Callie Eike Aynslee Stuart Micki Scally Amie Jensen Jillian Stanek Breanna Todd Erin Cooke Brittany Myers

Yr

Pos.Ht/Wt Hometown

JR JR JR SO SO JR SO SR JR SR SR SR SR SR SO

G F G G G G/F G F G G/F F C F C F

5-7 5-10 5-5 5-6 5-4 5-11 5-8 5-10 5-7 5-8 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-2 5-10

Butte Great Falls Big Timber Twin Bridges Great Falls Kaysville, Utah Billings Nampa, Idaho Post Falls, Idaho Billings Ogden, Utah Shepherd Denton Billings Cody, Wyo.

* Redshirt Head coach: Brian Henderson, 11th season Assistant coach: Austin Tait, 7th season

# Player

Yr Pos.Ht/Wt Hometown

2 Jessica Sturm 3 Bryn Hasquet 4 Ivana Lacmanovic 14 Dannielle Devenny 20 Brianne McClafferty 22 Lisa Laslovich 23 Kelsey DeWit 24 Shaye Murphy 32 Mandy Machinal 33 Laini Kalumbi 34 Tabitha Tomlinson 44 Erika Jenkins

So So So So Sr So So Jr Fr So Sr Jr

G G G F F G C C G G G C

5-9 6-0 5-8 6-0 6-0 5-7 6-2 6-1 5-7 5-8 5-7 6-1

Roy Missoula Belgrade, Serbia Perth, Australia Butte Anaconda Columbia Falls Riverton, Utah Richland, Wash.

Provo, Utah Puyallup, Wash.

Great Falls

Head coach: Kerie DePell, fifth season Assistant coach: Lindsie Wilson, first season

D8 THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2012

Another big weekend for ’Diggers In a tight pair of Frontier races, Montana Tech teams are right in the running

excellent play from Bryn Hasquet and Kelsey DeWit as well.

“Our offense has really come along,” DePell said. “Our youth and inexperience lends itself to defense, but not offense. The defense has been there for us, but our team offense last weekend was very good, and not just Mandy.”

BY PAT RYAN of The Montana Standard

The knot couldn’t be much tighter, as the Frontier Conference basketball schedule nears its halfway point.

The Montana Tech Orediggers play host this weekend to Rocky Mountain College and Carroll College, marking the end of the first round of the home-andhome series for the eight-team leagues.

Tech takes on the Rocky Battlin’ Bears Friday, then entertains rival Carroll on Saturday.

Women’s games tip off at 5:30 p.m. both evenings, while the men are slated for 7:30 p.m. starts. All games are played on the Kelvin Sampson Court of Tech’s “Great Western” HPER Complex.

In addition, the Tech men will celebrate “Senior Night” prior to Saturday’s game.

The women’s Frontier leaderboard has Lewis-Clark State and Westminster tied for first with 4-1 records, while Tech and Rocky — Friday’s opponents — are deadlocked in a two-way tie for third, each sporting a 3-2 ledger.

Montana Western and MSUNorthern are tied for fifth with 2-3 records, while Carroll and Great Falls are both 1-4.

“The Frontier has always been close,” said Montana Tech women’s head coach Kerie DePell. “This year is no exception.

There’s always that element of surprise and excitement after our games when we can look at the other scores in the conference.”

Rocky Mountain’s women’s team is coming off a very successful weekend where the Bears soundly defeated both Great Falls and MSU-Northern in Billings. A win over Rocky on Friday would move the Orediggers a step closer to the team’s goal of qualifying for the National tourney a third year in a row.

“Rocky is a very good team, and we’re going in with a serious attitude,” DePell said.

The Bears have averaged 72 points per game while allowing 63 this season.

Rocky got 17 points from Brittany Kumm and 15 more from Alli Blake in a very convincing 23-point win over

Tech men’s coach Aaron Woliczko is fond of referring to his team’s easiest day as yesterday.

That’s the case again as the Orediggers are in for another important weekend of Frontier play. Following a tough loss to Montana Western Saturday

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MANDY MACHINAL of Montana Tech goes up for a shot earlier this season.

Machinal was named the Frontier Conference women’s player of the week after her 37-point performance against Montana Western last Saturday.

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Northern Saturday.

Saturday’s game against Carroll presents a different challenge, as the Saints routinely bring plenty of fight to the floor.

“Records won’t matter Saturday,” DePell said. “Carroll-Tech rivalry is more than just football, and even though Carroll’s been depleted by injuries, we’ll need to be at our best.”

The Saints are coming off their first Frontier win of the season, a 73-60 win over Great Falls. Torrie Cahill went off for 21 points, while Jeni Guertin tallied 14 points and nine rebounds in the Carroll victory.

DePell’s young team has come together more quickly than she expected this season, as was clearly shown in the Orediggers’ win over Montana Western last Saturday at the HPER. Tech got a huge 37-point performance from freshman guard Mandy Machinal, and saw

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’Diggers ...

Continued from Page D8 at the HPER where a Tech comeback attempt fell just short.

The win gave Western a 4-1 record, a No. 20 national ranking, and a firstplace tie with No. 13 MSU-Northern.

Tech fell to 2-3, but the Orediggers are far from alone, as the record put them in a six-way tie for third place.

“We have to remember that anyone can beat anyone,” Woliczko said. “The Frontier is arguably one of the best conferences in the NAIA, but there’s so much basketball left. Teams can’t be worried they’re 2-3, and they can’t be comfortable at 4-1.”

The Orediggers begin the weekend on Friday against a hungry Rocky Mountain team that dropped games to Great Falls and MSU-Northern last weekend.

Saturday night’s game pits Tech against a Carroll team that handed Northern its only Frontier defeat of the season, then turned around and fell to Great Falls two nights later. Both of the weekend’s opponents pose problems for the Orediggers.

“Rocky Mountain and Carroll both

MONTANA TECH’S BRIAN CUMMINGS takes a jump shot over Western Montana's Kyle Perry during the first half of their game Saturday night.

WALTER HINICK / THE MONTANA STANDARD

have a strong inside game and they’re tough matchups for us,” Woliczko said.

“We’ll have to throw the kitchen sink at them defensively to combat their size.”

Rocky suffered a 73-45 loss to Northern Saturday, but got a sound 11point showing from Matt Fogarty, while Sergio Trocha netted eight points and 11 rebounds.

In their 60-51 loss to Great Falls Saturday, Carroll saw Ben Cutler put together a 17-point game, while James MacIntyre hit for eight points and 10 rebounds.

Montana Tech got another great game from senior Tyree Haynie, who scored 19 points — mostly in the stretch — against Western.

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Woliczko is happy to be home again at the HPER, as he marveled at the crowd and atmosphere last Saturday.

“From what I’ve been told, that was maybe the best crowd in the last 10 years,” said Woliczko, who is in his second year leading the Orediggers. “It was just raucous.

Senior Night will be held to accommodate other events going on during Tech’s final scheduled home games in two weeks. The ceremony will honor Tech’s three players who are in their last season competing for the Orediggers — Cole Conway, Tyree Haynie and A.J. Paine.

“It’s my goal to surround myself with great kids,” Woliczko said. “I knew Tyree before I came here, and I’ve gotten to know Cole and A.J. very well.”

Woliczko recalled his first meeting with Conway, who underwent surgery the morning of the then-prospective coach’s interview.

“Cole’s been struggling with injuries, but he’s so tough,”Woliczko said. “A.J. and I have great communication, and I’m so impressed with all he’s able to do.

Ty was second-team all conference last year which is quite an accomplishment in this league.”

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Multiple ...

Continued from Page D4 to rebound and just had to run down the court.”

The versatility has been an unexpected plus. “She’s basically played two through five (shooting guard to post) for us,” DePell said. “Most people don’t play more than one position. She’s very versatile and very valuable to our team in a lot of ways.”

“In high school, I was more of a guard — a two or a three (small forward),” McClafferty said. “Now, sometimes I go from guarding the 6-(foot)-1, 230 (-pound) post to the point guard. Any spot, if that’s what we need, I’m willing.”

The player will graduate with a degree in business management soon.

She is hoping to attend law school at the University of Montana. She likes school and it seems it might be a signal to continue her education, while the desire for it still burns.

“It’s been a great fit,” she said. “I love the environment at Tech, how it is informal with the professors who are concerned with your learning. They’re really helpful. They work with us and spend extra time with us.

“It’s nice to be in small classroom sizes. You’re able to have classroom discussions everyday. (The instructors) are really awesme about helping you get internships and helping me try to get into law school. They want you to succeed.”

So, a difficult time in her life is approaching.

“It is going to be tough to leave,” McClafferty acknowledged. “That’s why I don’t want to start in the real world yet. It is such a great experience in school.

“But it will be so weird to not be playing basketball — hanging out in the locker room and training room and talking with teammates. I’ve always been around it. Ever since I was little, it’s been a big part of my life. When it’s gone, it’s going to be crazy.”

McClafferty said she is considering administrative possibilities, or maybe a career as a sports agent, something involving her gaining knowledge in business and law. She might still play, too, in pickup leagues and so forth.

Basketball has filled a lot of memory space.

“Going to nationals has definitely been the highlight of my career,” she said. Two years ago, it was awesome because we had never been there before.

Last year, when we went, we didn’t think we would be going.

“We had already said our goodbyes, to the ones leaving and even to our assistant coach (Michele Van Dyk), who was leaving at the end of the season, too.

Then I was at home on the computer, watching the (NAIA Tournament) selections as they filled the bracket. I kept hitting the refresh button and our name popped up.”

The crowds will be missed, too. A couple McClafferty remembers are the state-record attendance turnout for Butte High’s state championship game at the Civic Center her senior year, and last weekend’s rivalry renewal with Western.

“It was awesome to see all that purple in the stands (in the high school game),” McClafferty remembered. “Butte always supports. I’ve always felt it was special to play in Butte.”

Missoula Big Sky edged Butte High 69-60 that state championship game and Machinal led the Orediggers past Western this past weekend.

“Our preseason was really, really tough,” McClafferty said. “It is hard being young, too. We went into the conference without the awesome record, but (DePell) told us we’d be all right and we’d compete with any team in the conference.

“We still have the goal of getting back to nationals. I’m excited for the last Tech-Carroll game at home and a chance to move into third place. We’re tied with Rocky, and Rocky has been getting (natioal Top 25) votes.”

McClafferty pointed out that the Orediggers upset Montana StateNorthern and Western after each had received attention from the polls.

“Now, we have to knock off Rocky, too,” she said.

McClafferty and her dad collaborated on the Charlie Oredigger book being sold on campus and around town, and also have been involved in the Spectator magazine found on local racks.

They’ve also collaborated on her career. While the daughter practiced her shooing, the father rebounded and coached. Hours passed.

The basketball ritual still continues in the McClafferty family.

“He says when I’m done with college basketball, I have to rebound for him because he rebounded for me for so many years,” Brianne McClafferty said.

“My little brother (6-foot-6 Gabe) is a sophomore at Butte High and plays. I’ll be in the gym with him.

“I used to be able to beat him, but now he blocks every shot I take.”

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THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2012 D11

D12 THE MONTANA STANDARD, BUTTE, FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2012

GREAT SAVINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR! SANSUI 19�LED TV SLED1928

SOFT PILLOW BACK SOFA

399

$

Matching Love Seat $349

Big game big deal!

Buy a LCD TV from Steele’s and get a

499

$

DARK LEATHER LOOK SOFA

$

FULLY RECLINING SOFA Matching Love Seat $549

599

$

159

HAIER 32� LCD TV

$

799

$

2 PC SECTIONAL

2 PC CHAISE SECTIONAL

1,099

$

299

FREE*

$ MICROFIBER RECLINER

229

$

LA Z BOY RECLINERS

$

299

LA Z BOY ROCKERR $ RECLINER

BU-20290370

299

$

42� ALMOST BLACK TV CART

319

$

STONEY CREEK 56�

ENTERTAINMENT STAND

$

399

RUSTIC OAK & TILE 62�

ENTERTAINMENT CENTER

$

599

399

699

499

BUTTE 3 7YOMING s DEER LODGE -AIN s /R #ALL 4OLL &REE WWW 3TEELES&URNITURE COM 3/-% )4%-3 ./4 %8!#4,9 !3 3(/7. !,, )4%-3 35"*%#4 4/ 34/#+ /. (!.$

If you been hearing about how amazing Blu-ray entertainment is, You’ve heard right. The thing is, you need 1080p Full HD to get the most out of both. With the LK450, you can.

LG 50�

PLASMA TV 50PT350

$

NATURAL BIRCH TV STAND

L32F1120 This 32 LCD HDTV from Haier is the perfect centerpiece to your home theater Multiple AV inputs make connecting a variety of high deďŹ nition devices like a cable or satellite box Blu-ray player or game console easier than ever

LG 42�

LCD TV 42LK450

Domino’s or Papa y Pizza Party!

Murphy’s

*MINIMUM PURCHASE 499.00 AND ABOVE.

The SLED1928 features a super slim LED display that can be placed virtually anywhere in your home. LED technology features a stunning picture quality, a wide range of colors, and an incredible range of brightness.

LED technology also features a signiďŹ cantly lower use of electrical energy.

This 720p TV features a 600Hz sub-ďŹ eld drive, giving it the ability to handle even the quickest action with so much as a stutter. It’s also capable of 1:1 pixel matching on sources up to 1080p It has three USB ports, so you can easily enjoy all of your own media with the PT350.

TOSHIBA 55�

LCD TV 55G310U Catapult your

$

1,099

living room into the realm of HD home theater with Full HD 1080p! Thanks to ClearFrame 120Hz processing, this LCD HDTV delivers even fastaction sports and movies with exceptionally lifelike, uid motion. 3 HDMI inputs, a PC, and a gaming mode.