Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 January 2004 — Page 30

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D SECTION FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2004

The other Manning looks to shine in Cactus Bowl

Ces’are Manning star wide receiver from U of I

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON StaH Writer

If Indianapolis Colts fans thought Marvin Harrison was the best receiver in the state, they better watch out for Ces’are Manning, the University of Indianapolis’ (U of I) star wide receiver. A standout and 3A champion at Chatard High School, Manning has been invited to play in the Whataburger Cactus Bowj to be played Jan. 9 at Javelina Stadium in Kingsville, Texas. He becomes only the third Greyhound to play in the Division II All-Star game. “I’m honored and I feel blessed that I did so well this year and that the hard work paid off,” said Manning. “I’ve been practicing since March up to this season and it has been worth it.” While in 2003, Harrison had 94 pass receptions for 1,272 yards and 10 touchdowns; Manning was on his tiptoes breaking a Greyhound season record for 84 pass receptions for 1,220 yards and nine touchdowns. He also broke individual game records with 14 receptions for 246 yards^ against

Michigan Tech. And more impressively. Manning ranks fifth in Division II with 7-6 receptions per game, seventh in the country in receiving yards per game (110.9) and 24"' in all-purpose yards (14f>.6). “Ces'are is a fantastic young man,"said.Ioe I’oh/vi. head coach. “He has added so much to our program. His hard work ethic, talent level and leadership abilities has had a positive impact on our program for the last four years." Only the best players in the Intercollegiate Athletic Conference are voted to play in the Cactus Bowl and I’oli/./i thinks Manning is the perfect man. "He has been a great example for our younger players to follow and he has had a huge impact on everything we've done,” he said. “It is awesome for me to have a very talented, skillful athlete such ;ls Ces'are who is also the hardest worker on the team. That combination has been spectacular for us." Although Manning has set Greyhound football records and has been noticed by NFL teams, he remains humble. ► SeePMANNING, Page D5

The world of sports in 2003 By ERICKA P. THOMPSON StaH Writer

In a year when the Pacers fired Isiah, and the Knicks rehired him as president, and LeBron and Carmelo gave new excitement to the NBA, this year in sports was unbelievable. Also, who can forget how the Falcons lost almost every game due to Michael Vick’s injury, the Cubs were an inch away from the World Series, and the Mailman along with the Glove joined the Lakers? Isiah Thomas is the new Who put money on Syracuse winning the president of the New NCAATournament, who thought IUPUI, York Knicks would make it? This year in sports was also unpredictable. Throughout 2003, sports fans have witnessed the many ups and downs of their favorite players from the Kobe Bryant scandal to Zo’s kidney transplant to Dontrelle Willis’ pitching in the World Series to Jamal Lewis rushing for 2,066

yards.

Even in Indiana there were surprises such as both the Pacers and the Fever hiring new head coaches and no one from an Indiana school getting drafted in the NBA (although Notre Dame's Matt Carroll was signed as a free agent to Portland). The surprise most fans could have done without was the Pacers trading Brad M iller

to Sacramento for Scot Pollard. While Kobe Bryant is in the Brad Miller is playing 38 minutes and last year of his averaging 15.7 points, 10.50 rebounds and contract.

5.0 assists, Pollard is playing 10.8 minutes and averaging 1.6 points, 2.50 re-

bounds and 0.2 assists.

While the Pacers couldn’t make it to the second round of the playoffs, the Fever didn’t even play in the playoffs. The Colts are on their way as Peyton Manning is having a MVP season, but they Haven’t had good luck in the post season since they made it to the AFC Championship game in 1995 against the Steelers. The Warren Central Warriors football r team will never forget 2003 as they ran over most of their opponents and captured the 5A-state championship as their quarterback, Desmond Tardy was named

Mr. Football.

It was no surprise that the Pike Red Devils would once again win another 4Astate championship in basketball as their leading rebounder, Justin Cage was named Mr. Basketball. And we can’t forget to mention the craziness of March Madness. While Carmelo Anthony led Syracuse to the title and Odell Bradley led IUPUI totheirfirst ever visit to the tournament, Indy's own, Jason Gardner along with Channing Fry e helped Arizona to a double overtime win against Gonzagaduringthesecond round. The game was voted the best in college basketball in the 2002-03 Season. In a year when Bush sent our troops to war and Gov. Frank O’Bannon passed, fans could always count on the world of sports to provide excitement, distractions, enjoyment and of course, game points.

Rick Carlise was named head coach of the Pacers.

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Former Pike Red Devil, Justin Desmond Tardy of

Cage was named Mr.

Basketball.

Warren Central was named Mr. Football,

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Tamika Catchings led the Fever in points, rebounds and assists.

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> v 4MB _ 4 flUUM 1 Carmelo Anthony led the Orangemen to the NCAA title.

He was also the No. 3 in the NBA Draft. lnd V' s own Jason Gardner.

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GAME POINTS

The Spurs All hail bucked the new them all King By ERICKA P. THOMPSON By JOSHUA COHEN Staff Writer staff Writer

Fundamentals. That is how the San Antonio Spurs won the championship last year and that’s why they are my top pick for the greatest sports moment of 2003. As I tried to recount all of the great things that happened this year in sports, the Spurs' ride to the crown continued to pop into my head. To me. the best thing about the Spurs' 60-22 season was how they won, quietly. There was no fancy passing from point guard Tony Parker, when MVP Tim Duncan dunked he made no funny faces or noises (unless he was playing Kevin Garnett), David Robinson graciously allowed Duncan to he the franchise player, and Emanuel Ginobili added just the right spark at just the right time, all of the time. As t he Spu rs c< intinued to win game after game, there was still doubt because the Lakers had won the past three vearsand the Nets. Mavcricksand Kings were playing just as well. It seemed as if only a few wanted to put their money on the Spurs, Even though they had the best record practically all season, because they played with fundamentals ajul not flash, the championship was given prematurely to the teams mentioned above. Duncan and his cowboys didn't have an easy ride in the playoffs, but they bucked Phoenix. L A. and New Jersey.each four games to two. Now let me ride my point home. In the championship game Duncan scored 21 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, dished out 10 assists and blocked eight shots, he also took home the Finals MVP Award while David Robinson hid a farewell w ith 13 points and 17 rebounds. The Spurs bench < mtscored the Nets, 31-17 and they out rebounded the Nets 55-35. Incacli playoff ggmc Duncan was either the high point man or t he leading rebounder, in the team's eight playoff losses they averaged a deficit of 4.8 points w hile they w on by a margin of 11 points. I'm tellingyou those boys were ruthless last season. 1 loved the fact that the Spurs Availed tocelobgatc until theend, when it counted. While teams were celebrating their oxertime losses and one-point wins, the Spurs celebrated their wins quietly and won the championship with a lot of noise.

The year 2003 was a great year for sports, but then in my opinion every year is a great year for sports. But like in sports, there can only be one winner. This year’s winner of the single greatest moment in sports was the signing of the No. 1 draft pick straight from high school to the pros - LeBron James. James is No. 1 not only because of what he has done so far in the league, but what he means to the future of the NBA. Ever since Michael Jordan retired for the second time after winning his 6th NBA title, Commissioner David Stern has been looking for a player to replace him. Especially now’, since the league’s attendance and viewer ship is on the decline. It was once thought that Kobe Bryant was the successor to Jordan’s throne; with his recent rape charges he doesn’t have the clean image Stern needs to be the face of the league, regardless if he’s innocent or guilty. In this world, unfortunately all you need is an accusation. Vince Carter, the most fantastic dunker since the days of Jordan and Dominique Wilkins, does not have the heart of a champion. As great as his play might be, it is too obvious he doesn't have the competitive desire to take his team to the next level. A recent plague of injuries has also given him a reputation for being soft. Enter LeBron. He even has the perfect nickname: King James. I was skeptical when James came into the league. There were many question marks whether he'd be able to not only handle the level of play in the pros, but could he handle the extraordinary amount of hype behind him? The answer to both is yes. I can’t imagine being able to be as level headed and focused as James seems to be with all of the talk surrounding him. In a recent commercial for his new’ shoes, James is depicted as a "messiah" of sorts with a starstudded cast, including Bernie Mac playing a reverend in the church of King James. On ESPN.com, there’s even a page called The LeBron Line, where James' progress is compared to other great player’s rookie seasons in the past. So get ready for the new era. All hail King James, your future NBA poster-hoy supreme!

Have you been enjoying Game Points? Let The Recorder know who you think has had the best predictions and opinions: Ericka Thompson or Joshua Cohen? You can either send an e-mail to newsroom(a)indyrecorder.com or call 924-5143 ext. 324.