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THEVISTA
November 21, 1996
SPORTS
Bronchos try to cope with early adversity By Richard Tortorelli
, Sports Writer
Central Oklahoma senior Mack Tuck will try to pick up the slack for UCO after the loss of Tyrone Hopkins. (Staff photo by John Clanton)
The Central Oklahoma men's basketball team must cope with the loss of senior forward Tyrone Hopkins as the Bronchos enter the new season tonight against Texas College in Hamilton Field House. Hopkins suffered a torn ligament in his elbow during the Bronchos' first exhibition game Nov. 4. The NCAA Division II All-American shared the Lone Star Conference Player of the Year award with two others. He could return to play in three to six weeks, but UCO men's basketball coach Jim Seward said the team will have to play without the 23.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game he contributed last year. While Seward said he was pleased with the team's play without Hopkins, the Bronchos have to compensate for his
rebounding in particular. "In a way, this could be a little bit of a blessing to see that our kids don't rely on a Tyrone Hopkins," said Seward, who enters his ninth season at UCO with a 162-98 coaching record. Seward said this team looks like a good team on paper. "We think we have a lot of balance and some reasonable depth. We've got a lot of versatility among our players." This year's Bronchos will feature seven new players. Senior forward Mack Tuck comes to UCO from the NCAA I ranks, averaging 17.1 points and 5.4 rebounds a game for Colorado last year. Meanwhile, junior center Ronnie Lane has averaged 23.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in two exhibition games. Junior guards Patrick Fisher and Joe Newton have each added 18.5 points. Seward said guards Londaryl Perry and David Factor, both
Experienced Lady Broncho squad looks forward to new season with newcomers By Darrell Weidner Student Writer
With the return of the team's experienced starters and the two recent acquisitions, the Lady Bronchos are looking forward to a great season, said head coach John Keely. The team has several returning starters that have gained in experience over the last few years. Junior forward Mandy Carlson is returning with a 12.9 scoring average and with 4.3 rebounds a game. She earned honorable mention in the AllLone Star Conference last season. Another returning junior, Christy Heavin is returning at forward. She returns with a scoring average of 12.1 points a
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL game, while averaging a teamhigh of 7.7 rebounds. Heavin also received honorable mention in the All-LSC. Last year's Lone Star Conference freshman of the year, Mary Rhodes, is returning to play guard. She averaged 12 points a game. She landed 67 3pointers. Senior Angela Flynn is returning at center for the Lady Bronchos. Flynn averaged 9.4 points a game last year. Two part-time starters are also returning to the squad. Senior Christy Bailey, who will see action in three positions, averaged 7.3 points and 3.4 rebounds last year.
99 ...we are looking for great things. — John Keely
UCO Head Women's Basketball Coach Kelly Seikel, a sophomore, averaged 9.8 points and 3.9 assists a game. -Sophomore center Alisha Hall isr/s6ritturning. She played in all 27 games last year and scored four points a game. "The returning players are coming into the season strong and experienced," said Keely. "We have also been able to get Courtney Berry from SNU (Southern Nazarene University)," Keely said, "...we are looking for great things." The Lady Bronchos are sixth
in the pre-season poll voting by the conference coaches. "But this was before we had Courtney and Arwin (Schneider)." Schneider just finished volleyball and will play guard. The Lady Bronchos finished last season with a record of 1017 to finish seventh in the conference. With the experience of the returning starters and the talent of the newcomers the Lady Bronchos may end this season in the top three or four teams in conference, Keely said. Central Oklahoma will open the season against Central Arkansas on Nov. 22 and Cameron on Nov. 23. "Both of these teams should be a real test of what we can do," Keely said.
returning starters, must help the new players adjust to the Bronchos' style of play. "Those two must show their experience and knowledge of our system early," he said. UCO is ranked 19th in the preseason NCAA II basketball poll. Conference officials picked UCO to win the LSC title. Seward said the team must draw motivation from the high ranking observers have given UCO. "I'm hoping (the team) realizes there are expectations. I don't mean to put pressure on them, but I hope it gives them confidence." The Bronchos went 19-10 and finished runner-up in the conference tournament to Texas A&M-Kingsville. Seward said he was disappointed to see the Bronchos miss out on the 48-team national tournament last year. "We were definitely one of the top six in our region," he said. UCO comes off its fourth straight year of leading NCAA II in scoring. Seward said the Bronchos take pride in scoring the most points and also winning. Seward said he'd like to win 20 games, but seeing his team reach their potential is another goal of his. "I hope we reach our potential. When we do that, a lot of times those things take care of themselves."
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be battling to be UCO's eighth four-time All-American. The Tulsa Union product will also be trying to defend his national championship., Bateman is also looking to defend his national title and claim All-American honors for the third time. "These two indivduals have been around the program for five years now and will do anything it takes for us," said James.
