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MCKIE'S MARCH Senior BJ McKie remains cxily 65 points behind Alex English as Carolina's all-time scoring leader. Stay tuned for McKie's march into the record books. lead again, at which point McKie came back in the game. He helped bring the team within six points with five minutes left, and then was benched for the remainder of the game. Never mind the crowd, who implored coach Fogler to put him back in, or Florida guard Eddie Shannon, who had been checked by McKie all night. Shannon then led the Gators on a run to win the game. What were the Carolina players doing? Laughing. I didn't know being a huge disappointment was funny. I will continue to support this team through whatever circumstances they may go through. Just understand that ifs damned depressing to suffer through the likes of former coach Steve Newton, alcoholic George Felton, and several losing seasons, finally become successful. and then drop down into losing again. Wake up, Gamecocks, or your past victories will be nothing but painful memories. } Head Coach Eddie Fogler, who I honestly believe will take Carolina to the Promised Land of the National Championship, has put USC's hopes of an inside game in the hands of Johnson and inexperienced freshman Tony Kitchings, who is hurt right now and will probably sit out the rest of the season. Kitchings has enormous potential, but the Gamecocks need him now. They need a consistent scoring force besides the great BJ McKie, who as always is playing his heart out every night while winding down a career as one of the greatest athletes to play at this university. McKie is a proven playmaker and barnone the finest player on this year's squad. Why then, was he benched at last week's Florida game, right after sinking two consecutive 3-pointers to pull Carolina back into the game? Of course, Florida widened the ? " * ? Vii V* VTtsAA **** VU JVU1. However, for a team that has won 50 total games over the last two years, this year's mediocre 5-11 record is a joke. There's got to be a reason why the Gamecocks can't seem to win over even the weakest of opponents, and I've found it ? the inside game. So far this year, I have been to every home game at the Coliseum. Prom my front-row seat in the Cockpit, I have an excellent view of the wonderful ways Bud Johnson mishandles the basketball. I fail to see how anyone that big can grab a ball, dribble once, and somehow lose it while driving to the basket (Note: the word "driving" is used very loosely here). Bud is 6-foot-10, for Pete's sake! If he raises his arms, he can touch the rim while standing flat-footed on the floor. Yet, all he can manage is a measly five points a game. What happened to the give-'em-hell, getout-of-the-way, ferocious freshman Bud Johnson? He has turned into something resembling a frightened turtle, shrinking his head into a shell at the first sicn of trnnhle. Wednesday, January 20,1999 Carolina's mediocre record is a big 'joke' by David Cloninger From the Cockpit Before I start this week's installment, Td like to send the following disclaimer for all the hate mail I will undoubtedly receive ? I love South Carolina athletics, and know more about it than any of you who will take offense to this column. If vou intend to pet anerv and irate over this message, don't read it. Now, what the hell is going on over at Carolina Coliseum? The men's basketball team, once regarded as one of the top teams in the nation, has dropped six games in a row and is the only Southeastern Conference team with a losing record. Adding to that, the Gamecocks have not beaten a conference opponent, somehow lost to East Carolina, and also blew the Clemson game, which would've at least given fans some hope for the season. I understands team sometimes hflS on nfF-tramo nr avan on nff.vaor MEN'S BASKETBALL The Gamecocks (5-11, 0-5 SEC) lost to Alabama (11-7, 1-4 SEC) 78-70 Saturday. USCs BJ McKie led all scor ^.jjffJBKfcJk-*.!$$**&--:~. '. < ' #> , , *? % - . aBr^ Jr * . ^ ^ |^' Senior BJ McKie drives to the hole in Is look to rebound and grab their first SEC use fin? Sports Roundup Compiled from staff reports The University of South Carolina men' and women's swimming and diving team split with arch-rival Clemson on Saturday with the men winning 134-109, and the wome losing 159-81. The men were led by junior Andrew Ch< who won the 200 breaststroke, 200 buttei fly and 200 individual medley. Freshman Zsolt Gaspar won the 20 freestyle, and senior Jon Waldenmaye took the 200 backstroke. The Gamecocks ai so won the 400 medley relay and the 40 freestyle relay. On the diving side, Gamecock senior Cha Sheldon won the 1-meter competition an freshman Brandon Hulko won the 3-metei The women were led by senior Nikki Ur roe, who won the 1-meter diving, and Kii Woo, who won the 3-meter competition. The men now stand at 5-5 overall and C 2 in the SEC. The women's record is now A 6 overall and 1-2 in the SEC. No. 18 Gc by Nathan Brown Sports Editor Some things in life are just hard to come For some, it's love. For others, it's that c cutie from Five Points. But one thing that has proven more elus for the Gamecocks this school year has bee The winless streak started during the f continued to plague both the men's and won The combined conference record of these tl The most recent Carolina team to fall vi( ponent was the Lady Gamecocks (9-7," 0-6 S Florida (14-6,3-2 SEC) 78-66 Sunday. USC kept the game close for the first1 like it might be able to pull off the upset. B first half was the beginning of the end for < With the Lady Gamecocks trailing by Gators pulled together a 15-6 run to end t the edge heading into the lockerroom. "The momentum was shifting just a b Head Coach Carol Ross. "I think for kids, ble-digit lead is a lot better than a nine-pc were real fortunate at that time. We had a instead of me ranting and raving." Despite her team's loss, USC Head Coa also cool and composed, at the end of the gi "I felt like we played hard as a team," V pressed with our effort. I'm proud of this bi ers with 28 points. Carolii (Bamecoi 3pm r The Gamecoc la looks ^SStiBbik Til * A |y^aP#** ? jst Wednesday's contest against Florida. The < win tonight against Vanderbilt. illy beats The USC men and women compete next against Alabama on Jan. 30 at 1 p.m. in Columbia. s Sophomore Michelle Davison did not com s pete at the Clemson meet because she is competing in New Zealand. Davison come in secn ond place overall at the Cajun Diving meet in Baton Rouge, La. She will rejoin the team 3 in time for the Alabama and SEC Champi/ onship meets. She has already qualified for the NCAA Diving Championships. 0 Track and Field r South Carolina sophomore Terrence Tram1 mell started the 1999 track and field season 0 Saturday like he ended it last year ~ on top. Trammell won two events at the Joe Hilton d Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C. d Trammell won the 60-meter dash with an NCAA automatic qualifying mark of 6.62 seconds ? just .01 off Corey Bridges' school record. Trammell later won the 60-meter hur dies with an NCAA provisional mark of 7.87 seconds. CJ Anderson placed eighth in the hurdles at 8.23. 1- South Carolina's track and field teams ended competition at the Clemson Invitaitors devoui Walvius' team was le man. Gortman took sole neuvered past Florida < by. For some, it s a job. chee^ during a hunt, o me-mght fling with a .Itho?;htshaun(G< ive than the Holy Grail score f?r us at the p( nan SEC win. great defense ...I think ootball season and has serves consideration for aen's basketball teams, point guard." iree teams is 0-19. n , ? Gortman said snc h< ctim to a conference op- ?T /- > EC), who lost to No. 18 1 feel more com^rta 11 ii or 11 rainer peneiraie on me L5 minutes and looked Not only was Gortm ut the 4:33 mark of the her teammates, but sh Carolina. leagues with a team-hig only three points the A|, ^ om of ^ L he half and give them game. it there," said Florida Freshman Shannon psychologically, a dou- cocks' effort. >int lead. I thought we Coming off the bene i composed lockerroom bounds and racked up 1( , ? t,t , man, Jocelyn Penn. ch Susan Walvius was ame For their next conte falvius said. "I was im- Va., to take on George M asketball team." a two-game homestand SCHEI ^ "Men's h 8:30, a, V Women 5:00, at G k ~ for firs ^X .jaAMtfMMHMI * .'SMpi^HHpSpi^HRMU^K w4 if *% V V Sean Rayford Photo E Samecocks lost this weekend to Alabama Clemson tional Saturday, winning two events and set ting the school record in another. Columbia native Bert Sorin won the 35 pound weight competition and threw 67 feet 8 3/4 inches to qualify provisionally for th< NCAA Championships. It was a personal best for Sorin. Team mate Ryan Harrison was second with ar INCAA qualifying mark of b4 feet, 1U d/4 inch es. Freshman Char Foster was third in the 60-meter hurdles at 8.81. Freshman Clint Crenshaw was second ir the men's 60, at 6.81. Shah Mays was fourtl at 6.92. Freshman Melissa Barber didn't take long to get her name etched in the USC recorc book. Barber bested Tonique Williams 60-meter dash record (1997) at 7.45 to finis! second in that event. Later, Barber was sec ond in the 300-meter, at 39.06. The women's mile relay won with a time of 3 minutes, 44.81 seconds. Sophomore Kristi na Brown was second in the women's 1000 meter at 3:00.78. Loren Thouvenot was sec ond in the 20-pound weight category, at 5; feet, 11 3/4 inches. r Lady Ga: d by freshman sensation Shaunzinski Gortcontrol of the point guard position and madefenders with the grace and agility of a n her way to scoring a team-high 21 points, irtmanj made great decisions and was able )int position," Walvius said. "She played Shaun Gortman stepped up today and de[SEC Freshman of the Year]. She's a great is no problems playing the point, ble playing [the point]," Gortman said. "I'd dribble, so I think I'll be better at the one." lan able to score more points than any of e also spread the wealth among her col;h four assists. I ady Gamecocks who played scored in the Segres contributed soundly to the Game :h, Segres grabbed a team-high seven re) points. Also scoring 10 was another freshst, the Lady Gamecocks head to Fairfax, [ason on Jan. 20 before returning home for against Arkansas and Vanderbilt. ' )ULE NA1 asketball, tonight, Nate anderbilt. score s basketball, tonight, reorge Mason. 1996 won Tenn c iby Jared Kelowitz Senior Writer This evening the Gamecc travel to the home of countr But these guys won't be dogs dying; instead, they'll characteristic of a. 5-11 seas* Still looking for their first ference, USC will face Vand In the past three season; beaten the Gamecocks once i ir?nr fn Kiefntni fnni rrVi liig IU lcnuit Iiiobui j buiiigu Last season, Vanderbilt mm ; overall record of 20-13, but v jl ers, this looked to be a rebui With the departures of Dr Billy DiSpaltro, the Commo HR and rebounding leaders, an "Hj soned veteran leadership th gflfl their recruiting class may has ever seen. Also, with the quick dev and Greg LaPoinfe, along w side from 6-11 big man Dan 1 El turned many heads and may RE* into a legitimate shot at eith ment. Forwards LeBlanc and L combining for 35.6 points.pe Vanderbilf s big men are teams in the SEC, in that th down 35 to 40 percent of the "Instead of the physical choose to play big men who shots. Langhi, a 6-11 for most 3-point attempts on the afraid to shoot them either," LaPointe, who shot 44 pe son, has bettered that mark this year. Given his shooting ability prove an interesting test for A characteristic of Vand defense, and this year is nc guards whose thieving skills These grand larcenists of th James Strong and Atiba Prc Strong is currently fifth aging 3.3 per game. Prater iditor the top 10 of Vandy"s all-tim Strong, who is fifth with but 133. VU's all-time leader is Despite their hard luck tl maintaining a positive frame bodies aren't cooperating wi At Tuesday's press confe that there are at least five 1 juries. "We are a little banged [DamienJ Kinloch with a no eye goggles, Bud Johnson \ [William! Gallman with an j [Tonyl Kitchings' ankle." Things aren't all bad for McKie is still on his quest f i tering of the all-time scoring In Carolina's last game a| 28 points, making him curre just three behind John Roc! 1,910. 1 With his outstanding pt 1 McKie also climbed closer to Hall-of-Famer Alex English. 65 points. Things are looking pretty J some believe he's playing tl Tliat'c Viarrl tr\ rlicrmta JL 11UV O 11U1 U tU VUO^UVVt He's second in the SEC i ; ence opponents, he's making the field, 52.2 percent of his i his shots from the charity st At his current pace of 1? } estimated tol>reak the recorc Arena against Alabama. mecocks r!ia?v\ \1 : ~re~hman Shaunzinski Gortman sc E SAYS... says the last school to ; 100 points or more ist the Gamecocks was lerbilt back on Feb. 17 . The Commodores 107-97 in Nashville, L win ick men's basketball team will y music, Nashville, Tenn. singing sad songs about their be singing the blues that are jp. ; win in the Southeastern Conerbilt tonight at 8:30. s, the Commodores have only :n seven tries and will be lookt. finished with an impressive nth'the loss of three key playlding year. ew Maddux, Austin Bates and dores lost their three scoring id more importantly the seaat made them successful, but be one of the best the school elopment of Michael LeBlanc ith solid play inside and outLanghi, the Commodores have have turned a rebuilding year ler the NCAA or NIT Tournaanghi and center LaPointe are r game. i different from the rest of the leirs have the ability to knock :ir attempted 3-pointers. players of the past, they now can knock down the outside ward, has taken the second 4. 1 n. t x. ; u ' IC dill dilU VJI Cg IJCLL UllltC loll I said USC Head Coach Fogler. rcent from downtown last seato an unbelievable 47 percent and good quickness, he should USC's Bud Johnson, lerbilt teams has always been i exception, as they have two are unprecedented in the SEC. e hardcourt are junior guards iter. in the nation in steals, aver- # and Strong are also ranked in ie steals list. 134, is trailed by Prater with Drew Maddux, with 214. his season, the Gamecocks are ! of mind. Unfortunately, their th their spirits, irence, coach Fogler revealed JSC players with nagging inl up," Fogler said. "We've got se guard, [AaronJ Lucas with vith a sprained right thumb, injured wrist, and of course, . 4-U ~ 1? 1. D T a uie vjcuiietucr.s, uiuugii. do or 2,000 points and the shat\ record at USC. gainst Alabama, McKie scored ;ntly at the 1,907-point mark, le's three-year career mark of irformance against the Tide, breaking the career record of McKie now trails English by good for McKie right now, and he best basketball of his life. n scoring, and against confer52.2 percent of his shots from i-pointers, and 87.8 percent of ripe. $.1 points per game, McKie is 1 on Jan. 30 at Frank McGuire 78-66 V? - I Sean Ray ford Photo Editor :ored a team-high 21 points.