Category: Uncategorized

AP Wire | 01/19/2005 | Rendell wants to extend Penn State law school’s campus life:

“HARRISBURG, Pa. – Gov. Ed Rendell said Wednesday he wants Penn State University to make a longer commitment to keeping its current law school campus in Carlisle if it opens a second campus in State College.

“The university has proposed making the Dickinson School of Law a two-campus school, opening a new facility at its flagship University Park campus by 2010. The plan received preliminary approval from Dickinson’s board of governors on Saturday.

“The agreement, which awaits action by the Penn State trustees on Friday, calls for the Carlisle campus to remain open for 10 years, but university officials have made no promises beyond that.

“‘We’re looking at extending that, making it a more significant number of years,’ Rendell said during a news conference, declining to be more specific. ‘That’s a matter of negotiation.’ …”

No doubting HoJo: He can ball:

“When he was in grade school, no more than 12 years old, his teachers and nuns looked him straight in the face and told him he’d never go to college.

“When he enrolled at St. Thomas More Prep School after high school, college coaches said he wasn’t athletic enough to play at the Division I level.

“After walking on to the Penn State men’s basketball team, he wasn’t expected to amount to much more than the last man on the bench.

“Even as the Big Ten’s leading rebounder and the league’s ninth-leading scorer, people continue to doubt Aaron Johnson, as well as his dreams to play basketball professionally after college.

“But Johnson doesn’t mind the criticism. In fact, he loves proving people wrong. He’s done it his whole life and said he’s not finished yet.

“‘I know that everyone doubts that I will,’ said Johnson, now a junior forward on the Penn State men’s basketball team. ‘They just think that I am a great story for college, and after this, I will work at the MBNA Center and be a coach here. That’s not gonna happen. I will play professionally somewhere.’

“He says that with the boldest look in his eyes and not the slightest bit of doubt in his voice. He’s quick to admit he’s not ready right now, but promised by the end of next season he will be on his way to the next level….”

Fun hard to find for Lions, Claxton:

“It’s never fun to watch a team struggle.

“However, for those strong enough to stick with the Penn State men’s basketball team during its current losing streak, fans can see a real star-in-the-making in freshman Geary Claxton.

“The forward from West Haven, Conn., has been the Nittany Lions’ most consistent performer in Big Ten play thus far and has been one of the few bright spots in what is turning out to be yet another disappointing season.

“‘That kid Claxton, I think he’s an outstanding player,’ Michigan head coach Tommy Amaker said after Saturday’s game. ‘He’s tough to guard and I think he plays tremendous defense.’

“The forward registered his fourth straight double-digit scoring performance Saturday and had a strong defensive effort against the Wolverines as well.

“Claxton even showed Penn State fans something they had not seen in a long time: a meaningful dunk. (No, Brandon Hassell’s dunks against Division II East Stroudsburg do not count.)

“With three minutes left in the first half, Claxton had a two-handed slam after a great pass from Travis Parker. Just one minute later, Claxton finished a pretty alley-oop, again after an excellent look from Parker.

“The freshman also tied a season-high with three blocks on the day, helping the Lions have one of their best overall defensive performances of the season. Fans could see a maturation process before their very eyes, as Claxton only thinks he can get better.

“‘I just have to keep playing more games,’ he said. ‘As I play more games, I’ll become more comfortable.’

“That’s a good sign of things to come. If Penn State is able to recruit more players like Claxton, the team’s prospects could change faster than many may think. …

“…Another important battle took place during halftime when members of the media squared off against each other for charity.

“Former Daily Collegian sports editor and current Centre Daily Times writer Jeff Rice took the court for the CDT team, along with Penn State men’s basketball super-journalist Dave Jones of Harrisburg’s The Patriot-News and Dan ‘The Fan’ Victor. The trio took on members of Beaver 103.1 FM in a shooting competition. The CDT combo came out on top with a score of 35-21. ‘I have no idea what I was doing,’ Jones was heard saying in the media room afterward. …”

G-MA rebounds at hoops tourney (phillyBurbs.com):

“…’Our kids were down Friday night, but they came back and showed what they can do. This team we played, I was told, has nine Division One signees on it and also the best unsigned big man in the country.’

“That big man, 6-foot-8 inch Nigerian-born center Uche Echefu, who has narrowed his college choices to Duke, Kentucky and Michigan, was limited to just nine points.

“‘(Junior) Andrew Ott played the game of his life,’ Fenerty said. ‘He took an elbow to the mouth with two minutes left and lost a tooth, but he’s OK.’

“Ott finished with 17 points and seven blocks.

“Lost in Ott’s heroics was the game-winning 15-foot jumper by Ryan Ayers with five seconds left that broke a 61-61 tie. Ayers had 14 points and 10 rebounds while Brian Grimes had a team-high 18 points to go along with 12 rebounds. …”

Blood clot causes Smith to sit out rest of season:

“Penn State sophomore guard Marlon Smith will miss the rest of the season due to a blood clot in his brain, Penn State Director of Athletic Medicine Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli said Saturday.

“After what seemed like endless days of blood tests, doctors determined that Smith had a small, transient, partial blockage of an artery in the part of his brain that controls upper and lower extremity strength; it is related to a small blood clot.

“Sebastianelli pointed out that it was not an aneurysm, meningitis or any kind of infectious disease.

“Because of the clot, Smith has been placed on blood thinners for three months. Smith will be on a needle form of the medicine until the pill form arrives, which Sebastianelli said usually takes three to five days.

“Penn State men’s basketball team physician Dr. Doug Auckerman said playing is out of the question for the Nittany Lions’ second-leading scorer while on the medication. …”

Lions lose another Big Ten matchup:

“This year was supposed to be different.

“This team was supposed to be far improved from a 9-19 season.

“Take away the misfortunes, such as guard Marlon Smith now sidelined for the season with a transient blood clot. Forget about the players who departed the team for different reasons, leaving Penn State coach Ed DeChellis with a not-so-deep 10-man roster. And take away the adversity the Nittany Lions have faced, and things could be different.

“But until then, Penn State (6-11, 0-4 Big Ten) continues to struggle, most recently with its 14th consecutive Big Ten loss and ninth loss in its last 10 games — a hard-fought 66-62 defeat to Michigan (12-5, 3-0 Big Ten) on Saturday.

“It’s a defeat made worse by the Nittany Lions week off next week.

“‘You got a horrible feeling in your stomach and a horrible taste, and you get to be miserable for a whole week instead of four or five days,’ DeChellis said. …”

FightOnState.com: Rudel Column: Hoop Woes Continue:

“Shortly before tipoff Saturday afternoon at the Jordan Center, Penn State coach Ed DeChellis was informed starting guard Ben Luber had been vomiting in the restroom.

“DeChellis, presiding over a program crippled by injuries and defections for two years, could only sigh.

“‘We’ll see what else we can come up with,’ he said of the Nittany Lions’ hard luck. …”

Young Michigan marksman chills PSU:

“STATE COLLEGE – It wasn’t as if Ed DeChellis had much reason to be afraid of Michigan’s 3-point threat. Three-fourths of the way through yesterday’s game at the Jordan Center — eventually won 66-62 by Michigan — the Wolverines stood 3-of-17 from the arc.

“So, as his Nittany Lions stood tied with U-M 42-42, the PSU coach was toying with a classic dare-you junk defense — the triangle-and-two.

“It was designed to put man pressure on the Wolverines’ most lethal weapons, guards Dion Harris and Daniel Horton while daring any of the U-M wingers to hoist a bomb.

“The defense was working, too. After combining for 18 points in the first half, the Michigan backcourt duo would finish with two free throws, by Horton, in the second half and no field goals at all.

“Moreover, freshman forward Ronald Coleman had ballooned an embarrassing airball late in the first half, had followed it with a walk, and looked thoroughly flustered when coach Tommy Amaker pulled him.

“But just like everything else in this squalid Penn State season, even reasonable coaching moves are blowing up in DeChellis’ face.

“Without warning, Coleman, a .340 3-point shooter on the season, caught fire when it mattered. …”

Smith had brain artery blockage:

“STATE COLLEGE – Marlon Smith’s 2004-05 basketball season is over and it’s unknown if he’ll play again.

Penn State’s sophomore guard and leading scorer from a year ago met with reporters yesterday after PSU’s game with Michigan and announced he will not be able to play again this year.

“The reason is what PSU doctors termed ‘a small, transient, partial blockage of an artery in his brain related to a small blood clot.’

“Smith collapsed at practice on Jan. 7 and felt numbness in his hands and feet. He entered the hospital that night after Penn State physicians suspected an arterial blockage. He spent the week in Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center undergoing tests designed to pinpoint the cause of the clot and blockage.

“He will spend the next three months taking blood thinners that will prohibit him from any athletic activity during that span, according to PSU team physician Dr. Doug Auckerman:

“‘When someone is on blood thinners, any hard contact can cause a huge bruise or even bleeding.’

“Smith made only a brief statement and chose not to answer any questions for now:

” ‘I’d like to thank everyone for their concern and support,’ said Smith, who appeared in perfect health. ‘I feel good and I just feel blessed to be back with the guys.’ …”

Centre Daily Times | 01/16/2005 | Wolverines hold off Nittany Lions:

“UNIVERSITY PARK — The final minute couldn’t have summarized the half, and the game, any better.

“With Michigan clinging to a 59-57 lead, freshman forward Ron Coleman drilled his fourth 3-pointer of the half, and junior forward Graham Brown drew a charge on the following possession, slamming the door on a game Penn State team as the Wolverines went on to win 66-62 Saturday at the Bryce Jordan Center.

“Coleman scored all 12 of his points in the second half while Brown added his first career double-double off the bench with 13 points and 10 rebounds as Michigan (12-5, 3-0 Big Ten) withstood a late Nittany Lion charge and won for the ninth time in 11 games.

“‘We didn’t take advantage of our opportunities,’ Penn State men’s basketball coach Ed DeChellis said, ‘and (Coleman) made a couple big shots, and that’s what this league is, and that’s what this game is all about. You’ve got to make big shots when they arise, and if he misses the shots, it’s a whole different story.’ …”