Iowa Deaf presents Gradoville with win No. 200

From: Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil, IA - 31 Jan 2003

JEFF DELUCA, Staff Writer 01/31/2003




Iowa School for the Deaf delivered career victory No. 200 for head coach Dan Gradoville Thursday night, as the Bobcats posted a 69-38 prep boys basketball victory at the Lied Center.

"It's a reflection of the kids and what they have done," Gradoville, who is in is 22nd year, said of the milestone. "It's been a lot of kids, a lot of faces and a lot of fun."

The Bobcats held a 19-14 lead after one quarter then scored the first nine points and went on a 20-2 run to open the second frame to pull away.

Edlin Dorn had 16 of his game-high 36 points in the quarter, despite constant double-teams by the Eagle defense.

"He's our first option," Gradoville said. "(Being double-teamed) is kind of the norm for him."

Dorn, who made 17 of his 21 shot attempts from the floor, also had 15 rebounds and three blocks in the contest in just over three quarters of play.

The 6-foot-8 junior pushed the lead to 29 points with 7:20 left in the fourth quarter by taking the ball the length of the floor and converting a reverse slam dunk.

Nic Upchurch also had a big game for the Bobcats with 14 points, as he made seven of his eight field goal attempts.

"That was the best game of his career," Gradoville said. "I'm really happy to see him step up at this time of the year."

Upchurch also pulled down 10 boards for the Bobcats, who will begin defense of the Great Plains School for the Deaf Tournament title in less than two weeks.

Moises Arteaga added eight points and four assists in Thursday's victory.

"They played well as a team," Gradoville said. "I thought they did a nice job, they were very unselfish and did a good job defensively when they needed to."

Clarinda Academy 14 8 6 10 - 38

Iowa Deaf 19 22 12 16 - 69

Clarinda Academy: Kirk Harps 11, Willie Ketton 15, Jessie Sulivan 2, Glen McDuffie 1, Philip Hagedorn 3, Marvin Trejo 2, Jason Reynoldson 2, Darnell Pierce 0, Josh Griffin 0, Dusty Merrill 0, Chrtis Jackson 0, Justin Sharp 2.

Iowa Deaf: Eric Humlicek 3 (3r, 3b, 3a), Moises Arteaga 8 (4a), Nic Upchurch 14 (10r), Scott Tinkham 2 (6r), Edlin Dorn 36 (15r, 3b, 3s), Derek Bohlman 4, Daniel Lewis 0, Shane Estes 0, David Arteaga 0, Michel Hamann 2 (3r),

Records: Clarinda Academy (na), Iowa Deaf (10-5).

©Daily Nonpareil 2003