ISD, KSD boys set for tourney final rematch

From: Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil, IA - 15 Feb 2003

FARIBAULT, Minn. - Iowa Deaf put itself in position to repeat as the Great Plains Schools for the Deaf Tournament champions in boys basketball by downing Wisconsin Deaf 50-33 Friday in semifinal action on the Minnesota Deaf campus.

The Bobcats will play Kansas Deaf, who upset Minnesota Deaf in the other semifinal, on Saturday for the title. Ironically, it will be a rematch of last year's championship game that Iowa Deaf won.

"Hopefully," said Iowa Deaf coach Dan Gradoville, "we've got one more game left in us."

If the Bobcats play like they did in the semifinals they should be in good shape.

"The kids dominated (against Wisconsin Deaf) from start to finish," reported Gradoville. "I felt it was an awesome display. They were really focused and played aggressive.

"They played great defense in taking Wisconsin out of its game. It was a total team effort."

Iowa Deaf produced a pair of double-doubles. Edlin Dorn finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Nic Upchurch finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Alex Matscho, a 6-foot senior, led Wisconsin Deaf with 17 points.

Wisconsin Deaf 4 4 8 17 - 33

Iowa Deaf 12 15 12 11 - 50

Wisconsin Deaf: Rick Crivello 0, Alex Matsche 17, Roje Cuautie 5, Scott Niebler 5, Williams Jennison 2, Shawn Morgan 4, Toby Stennes 0.

Iowa Deaf: Daniel Lewis 0, Shane Estes 0, Scott Tinkham 6 (5r), Moises Arteaga 2 (3st, 3a), David Arteaga 0, Eric Humlicek 5, Derek Bohlman 2, Michael Hamann 0, Nic Upchurch 13 (12r), Edlin Dorn 22 (14r, 4bl).

Records: Wisconsin Deaf (na); Iowa Deaf (13-6)

© Daily Nonpareil 2003