Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 October 2005 — Page 33

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2005

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE D8

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Make way for the Space Pioneers

North Carolina Aggies win Circle City Classic

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer

The Northwest Space Pioneers have gone under the radar all football season. Why? They’ve only lost one game, the season opener against Lebanon in which they competed with only half of their offensive line because of an attendance mix up. They’re talented, quick, disciplined, focused and determined to win. Is it because they don’t have a burly nickname like the Warriors, Panthers or Wildcats? “(Nobody) respects the conference,” said coach Ken McMitchell. “The explanation I’ve been given is that our conference scheduling is weak and the team’s don’t do well therefore if there’s a good team in the conference you’re held accountable for everyone else being weak.” Since the Lebanon mishap, Northwest (6-1) has devoured its opponents by an average of 48.8 points per game. Their defense has only allowed a total of 24.3 points a game. Their quarterbacks are accurate, the runningbacks are effective, the offensive line is one of the most underrated in the state led by 6 foot, 4 inch Robert Battle and the defense takes pride in stopping the other team. Is it the competition? “You shouldn’t be held accountable for everyone else’s misfortunes,” McMitchell said. “People should base our talent off of what we’re doing on the field. I don’t think people pay close attention to the work that we do in the public schools. We don’t seem to get that nod and all we’re looking for is a small one.” Compared to the Warren Central Warriors (7-0) who are the two-time defending state champs, the North Central Panthers (6-1) and the Lawrence North Wildcats (6-1), the Space Pioneers are small fish in a big pond and they’re not part of a township school system that has won state championship after state championship. They’re part of the Indianapolis Public Schools system that hasn’t hoisted a trophy since Washington won back-to-back titles in 1974 and 1975. Still, McMitchell believes anything is possible. “I’m not going to short our team,” he said. “I’d put us up against anybody.” Northwest will host Bishop Chatard (6-1) Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.

High school football sectional pairings

Class 5A Sectional 4 Bye: Lafayette Jeff at Kokomo-Hamilton Southeastern winner Kokomo at Hamilton Southeastern Carmel at Anderson Noblesville at Anderson Highland Sectional 5 Lawrence North at Richmond North Central at Franklin Central Warren Central at Broad Ripple Lawrence Central at Arlington Sectional 6 Decatur Central at Pike Ben Davis at Southport Manual at Northwest Tech at Perry Meridian Sectional 7 Columbus North at Brownsburg Terre Haute South at Avon Martinsville at Center Grove Bloomington South at Terre Haute North Class 4A Sectional 12 Jay County at Pendleton Heights Delta at Connersville Muncie Southside at New Castle Greenfield-Central at Muncie Central Sectional 13 McCutcheon vs. Cathedral, site TBA Lebanon at Harrison (WL) Zionsville at Roncalli Plainfield at Westfield Sectional 14 Bye: Owen Valley at Greenwood-Northview winner Greenwood at Northview Bloomington North at Mooresville Franklin at Whiteland Sectional 15 Madison at Jennings County Shelbyville at South Dearborn Seymour at Columbus East East Central at Franklin County Class 3A Sectional 18 Bye: Frankfort at Benton Central-Western winner

Benton Central at Western Hamilton Heights at Tipton West Lafayette at Twin Lakes Sectional 21 Yorktown at Mississinewa Howe at New Palestine Mount Vernon at Elwood Blackford at Rushville Sectional 22 West Vigo at Washington Brebeuf Jesuit at Danville Crawfordsville at Beech Grove Greencastle vs. Bishop Chatard, site TBA Class 2A Sectional 29 Cascade at Tri-West Cloverdale at South Vermillion South Putnam at Southmont North Putnam at North Montgomery Sectional 30 Scecina at Western Boone Delphi at Eastern (Greentown) Heritage Christian at Taylor Northwestern at Speedway Sectional 31 Brownstown Central at Providence Indian Creek at Union County Clarksville at Charlestown Lawrenceburg at Triton Central Class A Sectional 36 Tri-Central at Clinton Prairie Sheridan at Carroll (Flora) Lapel at Wes-Del Frankton at Clinton Central Sectional 37 Tri at Union City Hagerstown at Knightstown Shenandoah at Northeastern Cambridge City at Eastern Hancock Sectional 38 South Decatur at Indiana Deaf Milan at Edinburgh Ritter at North Decatur Monrovia at Park Tudor Note: When: Oct. 21 and 28, Nov 4; kickoffs 7 p.m. Admission: $5

North Carolina A&T celebrate its 16-3 victory over Tennessee State during the 2005 Coca-Cola Circle City Classic last Saturday.

Tennessee State quarterback Richard Hartman tucks the ball as North Carolina linebacker Chamar Milton tries to prevent him from picking up extra yardage. Under pressure throughout the game, Hartman completed only five of 13 passes for 49 yards and threw two interceptions.

PACERS Continued from D6

Jamaal Tinsley ran the Pacers offense until an injured foot forced him to miss the bulk of the season. (Photo/W. Thomas)

position and guys really came to camp in shape competing for time and that’s what we have right now.” With Artest back in the line up, Jackson can switch to his true position at shooting guard. The two can possibly swap positions at times since both are equally talented at the small forward and shoot guard spot. “I’m definitely comfortable at the (shooting guard) spot,” Jackson said. “We’re both interchangeable and can play both positions. Ron is the stronger guy and I’m the quicker guy. We compliment each other.” Pacer rookie Danny Granger whom Artest gives high praise can also play multiple positions at the small forward and shooting guard position. Indiana’s point guard situation is slightly unique having four - Tinsley, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Eddie Gill and Anthony Johnson - under contract. Tinsley though will likely be the starter with Jasikevicius backing him. “We’re going to make running an emphasis this year because we believe we can be a better fast break team particularly with our depth and abilities at the point guard position,” Carlisle said. “All of our point guards can play up-tempo and they all have a high enough basketball IQ to make the right plays.” With everyone seemingly healthy (except JeffFoster; hip) andin shape - David Harrison lost 25 pounds - the Pacers just may be worth the hype. “We have all the talent in the world. It’s unbelievable,” said O’Neal. “If we go out and compete every single night and I mean really compete we have a chance to win every single game.”

Championship thoughts O’Neal is the leader ofthe Pacers. There is no doubt. Two days after Indiana lost to Detroit in the conference semi-finals he and Larry Bird, president of basketball operations, had a conversation that concluded with just that: he is the leader. “It’s Jermaine’s team,” Bird said during media day. “Jermaine always looked up to Reggie; now it’s his turn to lead.” And O’Neal plans to lead the Pacers to a championship, something he promised to Miller but never delivered. “We don’t need a babysitter on this team. We’re not dealing with a first year team, we’re dealing with a team that’s been together and that has been through a lot of different things,” he said. “The point of emphasis this year is that you can’t stay with the team, be with the team and on the same page as the team then you will be left behind.” Artest understands. “It’s a realistic goal; God-willing that we stay injury free,” he said. “We just have to do the right thing; but actions speak louder than words.” So does Tinsley. “The sky is the limit,” he said. “If everyone can stay healthy and stay on the same page our goal is to win the championship.” And so does the coach. “We’re in a position now where one of our major goals has got to be to reach a high level of team unity,” said Carlisle. “I don’t think you can get to the highest levels in this league without having a group of players that are not only talented but completely committed to each other and committed to winning.”

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