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Show SpORTS by Dan Dickson Sports Editor ? I knew there was a reason why teams played each other in athletic events, but after reading what the papers had to say about the Jazz-Nuggets game, (game four) I thought why even play? After all, weren't the Denver Nuggets supposed to blow the Jazz right out of McNichols Arena? Wasn't a Denver victory just a formality? The Jazz hadn't won in Denver in nine straight games, and why should last Tuesday's night's game have been any different? The same words were being written about the defending NBA champion Philadelphia 76'ers. After losing two straight at home to the New Jersey Nets, the Sixers were supposed to be finished. What chance did they have of winning two straight games on the road? After the Nuggets beat the Jazz last Sunday to take a 2-1 lead in the best of five game series, the Denver press went to work on the Jazz. There was no doubt in anyone's minds that Denver would advance to the second round of the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Nuggets, the Jazz must have read their press clippings. The Jazz not only showed up at McNichols Arena they embarrassed the Nuggets with a 129-124 victory. After trailing throughout most of the .1 T 1 game, tne jazz got some timeiy shooting from Darrell Griffith and the Tazz scored the last eight points of the game to steal the victory. The Jazz played Denver in the Salt Palace last night, and whether or not they won or lost, the Jazz proved they are a team of character. With their backs against the wall, the Jazz won what many have now called the biggest win in the history of the franchise. No team has won back-to-back championships in the NBA since the Boston Celtics did it some twelve or thirteen years ago. The Sixers are now proving it will be tough for a team to beat them. After losing two straight at home, the Sixer's arose from their deathbed to win two straight games in New Jersey. Whatever happened to the homecourt advantage which is normally so prevelant in the NBA? The only series where the home team hasn't lost a game is the Milwaukee Atlanta series. The Boston Celtics won both of their home games, then won a game on the road to win their series, as did the Los Angeles Lakers in winning against Kansas City. Detroit and New York have taken turns winning on the other's homecourt, as have Dallas -Seattle, Portland -Phoenix and the Jazz-Nuggets. Both Philadelphia and New Jersey has yet to win a game at home going into last night's game. The playoffs bring out the best in teams and so far, the officiating has been fairly consistent. The home team seems to have less of an advantage in the playoffs. And as has been the case so far when the ball is tossed in the air it is anyone's game. 1 ' -' '4. Shirley Kay Wilcots (right) edges Valynn Spafford during a recent track meet. Wilcots, who was named MWAC Signpost photoDennis Miller Runner of the Week, and Spafford will be in action this Saturday in the BYU Invitational Two Weber Runners Garner Top Honors Weber State track athletes Farley Gerber and Shirley Kay Wilcots have been named "Track Athletes of the Week" in the Big Sky Conference and Mountain West Athletic Conference, respectively, based on last week's performances. Gerber, a senior from South Jordan, Utah, won the Washington Invitational steeplechase last week with a time of 8:25.8. The mark is the fastest time this outdoor season by an American runner, and the second fastest in the world this year. It was also a Weber State school record and bettered Gerber's Big Sky record of 8:27.66 set last spring. His time also qualified him for the upcoming NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Wilcots, a freshman from Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been named as the MWAC Runner of the Week for her performance at the Bob Gibb Invitational at Boise State University last Saturday. Wilcots won the 100-meter dash in a WSC record time of 12.7, won the 200-meter dash with a meet and stadium record time of 24.82, and was a member of the second place 4x100 relay-team at 47.61. This is the second Athlete of the Week award that Wilcots has won so far this season. Gerber and Wilcots will be in Provo Saturday, along with the rest of the men's and women's track team to compete in the BYU Invitational. It is a non-scoring meet against a partial BYU team, Utah State, Utah, and Adams State College from Colorado (a top Division II contender). Events are scheduled to get underway at 11 a.m. TO! sure jaeeded The WSG Special Olympics program is looking for volunteers. For information and sign-up forms, contact the ASWSC offices or phone 626-6349. Haircut $2.50 . Manicure $1.50 Perm Wave $10 and up in for Appointment Call 626-6309 hours: 9:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday Cosmetology Weber State College Tech. Ed. Bldg. Rm 101 |