Highland men's basketball notes strong field awaits host Cougars in Classic

Strong field awaits host Cougars in Classic

After two weeks of practices, interrupted by a four-day Thanksgiving break, the players are itching for a return to competition.

"I'm getting tired of playing the guys over and over," said sophomore center Aaron Spears. "You want play some guys other than your teammates."

Today, Highland (5-0) gets its wish as Moraine Valley (5-3) visits for the second of two semifinals at the Prime Table Classic at Larry F. Kahl Gymnasium.

Preceding the 5 p.m. tip-off between the Cougars and Cyclones, Cincinnati State (5-1) plays Black Hawk East in the other semifinal at 3 p.m. The championship game is at 5 p.m. Sunday, with the third-place matchup at 3 p.m.

As excited as the Highland players are for the tournament, coach Pete Norman is just as worried.

Two of Moraine Valley's three losses were to national powers Wabash Valley and Lincoln Trail. The Cyclones nearly knocked off Lincoln Trail and upset Olney Central, 77-75, at the North/South tournament. Highland, which didn't play Moraine Valley at the North/South, beat host Olney,

72-57, and downed Lincoln Trail, 63-59.

The Cyclones also boast one of region's best players in Christopher Hobson, a 6-1 everything who is averaging

26.1 points per game.
"In the two games I've seen of theirs, I thought he was as good as anybody down there (at the North/South)," Norman said. "He plays all over the floor. They use him everywhere. They announce him as a forward, but he runs the point sometimes, shoots 3's, penetrates."

Should Highland win Saturday, Sunday's opponent is less known and potentially even tougher. Cincinnati State's only defeat came at perennial power Vincennes, by only three points.

Injury update

Sophomore guard Ray Parker is mostly recovered from a bruised collarbone, but his wrist is bothering him and he sprained his ankle in Friday's practice. Norman expects Parker to play today despite the ailments.

"He's back mentally," Norman said. "He's playing well. He struggled through those first few games. ... He wants to do so well, sometimes you put pressure on yourself and you're fighting it, rather than just going out and leaving it all on the floor."

Tiago DePaula (Bronchitis) and Spears (back spasms) are also expected to play.

St. Johns probation doesn't hurt Spears

Spears said he was well aware of St. John's internal investigation into wrongdoings when he committed and later signed with the Red Storm in early November.

The university levied self-imposed sanctions that included a postseason ban this season and a loss of a scholarship this season and next, after it discovered a former player was given cash by an athletic department employee.

The infraction took place before first-year head coach Norm Roberts took over the program.

"Coach (Roberts) told me they were going through some things, but it wasn't nothing that was going to effect me," said Spears, who will play for St. John's beginning next season.

Spears happy for former team

Illinois' thrashing of No. 1 Wake Forest on Wednesday caught the attention of Spears, who spent two seasons with the Illini.

"They're the best guards to me," Spears said of Dee Brown, Luther Head and Deron Williams. "I don't see any team better than them right now."

Former Cougar update

Jacksonville's B.J. Surry (2004) hit a game-tying 3-pointer to send the Dolphins and Georgia State into overtime Thursday. Jacksonville went on to win 78-75 on the road over the Atlantic Sun favorites. Surry finished with nine points on 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc. Surry is averaging 12.8 points per game and shooting 63 percent from long range for the 3-1 Dolphins. ...

Chris Mitchell (2004) moved into the East Tennessee State starting lineup for the first time Wednesday and had eight points and five rebounds in the Bucs' 114-77 loss to Alabama. Mitchell is averaging 9.6 points and 8.2 rebounds for 2-3 East Tennessee State. ...

Trevor Lawrence (2004) is the starting center for New Mexico State. Lawrence is averaging 11 points and 5.2 rebounds per game for the 3-2 Aggies. ...

Jerry Echenique (2003) is scoring 10.3 points and grabbing 6.5 rebounds per contest for 2-4 High Point. Mark Wilson (2003) becomes eligible later this month for the Panthers, who are considered the favorite in the Big South. ...

McNeal Thompson (2004) has seen his playing time increase lately for Boise State. Thompson, the Broncos' backup point guard, started and played 30 minutes in Boise State's loss to Utah Valley State on Nov. 27. Thompson is averaging 1.8 points in 12.4 minutes of action. Boise State is 3-2. ...