Viola Trochimowicz

Anna Ozgo Zawatski

By VAN ROSE vrose@leader.net
 Wednesday, January 29, 2003 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3B 





The King's-Wilkes men's basketball rivalry has always been heated. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's not just a cliche when both coaches say "you can toss the records out
the window." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; However, there's more at stake than pride for the Colonels when they host
the Monarchs at 8 tonight at the Marts Center. Wilkes needs to win on its home
court in order to stay in the race for the Freedom League regular season
title. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``It's almost a must win for us,'' Wilkes coach Jerry Rickrode said. ``I
don't like to put that kind of pressure on our players, but in this league
you've got to protect home court.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes is 12-4 overall and 3-3 in the Freedom League. The Colonels are in
fifth place, one game behind fourth-place DeSales. King's (12-5, 5-1) is tied
with Lycoming and Scranton for first place. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Colonels dug themselves an early hole when they lost to Lycoming at
home on Dec. 4 in their second league game. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We talked in the preseason about balance, and you can see it already,''
Rickrode said. ``It's still wide open, but now it's absolutely imperative to
win at home. It's very difficult to win on the road in this league.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes lost to Scranton at the Long Center last Saturday, but the Colonels
rebounded with an 84-78 nonconference road win over St. Mary's (Md.) Monday
night. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I think having a game Monday night actually helped us,'' Rickrode said.
``We're regrouping a little bit, and it gave us the opportunity to try some
new things and play some new people.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The sudden emergence of freshman swingman Rashawn Pressley has helped
offset the recent loss of point guard John Yanniello, who is out for the
season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Rashawn continually comes up with a rebound put-back, and he's a good
defensive stopper,'' Rickrode said. ``He scores around the basket real well
and cuts well. Most of all, he plays within himself.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes is led by shooting guard Mike Morgan (16.6 points per game). Center
Phil Bonczewski (12.3), guard Dave Plisko (12.1) and forward Alex Hairston
(10.4) give the Colonels a balanced scoring attack. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In order to beat King's, the Colonels need to cool off the Monarchs'
outside shooters, Rickrode said. ``They're shooting the ball well, so you've
got to play them straight up.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 King's hottest shooter is guard Dannie Evans, who has been deadly from
three-point range in recent games - especially in the Monarchs' win over
Lycoming last week. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Dannie's playing very well,'' King's coach J.P. Andrejko said. ``He's not
only shooting the ball well, he's running the team extremely well. He provides
a lot of leadership on the floor for this team.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Evans, a 6-foot-1 junior, is King's second-leading scorer with a 14.1
points-per-game average. But he's been the Monarchs' most reliable offensive
threat in the clutch - almost singlehandedly mowing down Scranton with a
career-high 35 points. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Monarchs have one of the premier players in the conference in senior
forward Kasim Holloman (16.2 points per game), and have gotten strong inside
play from sophomore forward Marty O'Hora. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Andrejko is especially concerned about Wilkes' two big weapons - Morgan and
Bonczewski. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We recognize that Morgan's a great shooter,'' Andrejko said. ``You can't
give him open looks at the basket. Bonczewski is bigger than anyone we have,
but that's been the case most of the year.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Andrejko anticipates a close game. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I think all of our kids know each other well,'' Andrejko said. ``The
rivalry that exists sets it up for a great game.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 * * * &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The King's and Wilkes women square off at 6 p.m. in a game in which the
powerful Lady Monarchs will put their lofty 14-2 record and No. 12 national
ranking on the line. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 King's, 5-1 in the Freedom League, is tied with Scranton and DeSales for
first place. The Lady Monarchs recently handed the Lady Royals their only loss
of the season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 King's is led by senior center Jen Wozniak (15.8 points per game). The Lady
Monarchs have one of the best backcourt duos in the Freedom League in
sophomore Tiffini Varrasse (12.9) and senior Nikki Kingston. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes (11-5, 3-3) has one of the top players in the country in 5-foot-11
senior center Whitney Bull. The former Berwick star averages 16.7 points and
13.5 rebounds - tops in the league. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Lady Colonels also rely heavily on sophomore forward Andrea
DeMaranville (14.1 points per game). Wilkes' lack of depth may be a problem
against King's, because of season-ending injuries to point guard Rena Bolan
and Janae DiPippa. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Wilkes/king's Match A Must-win For Colonels Wilkes Men's Hoop Team Needs A Victory To Stay In The Race For The Freedom League Championship.