OCR Text |
Show SECTION THURSDAY, MARCH 8, SPORTS EDITOR I Darnell Dickson 2007 ddicksonheraldextra.com 344-255- 5 2007 r.ZOUlITAIN WEST COIIFEREIICE TOUIUTAT.IHtrr he's .all (W) riht Jason Franchuk The Front Row ' t iff ; JOHNSEN, THE SILENT ASSASSIN mmmmmm, ' f LAS VEGAS elinda Johnsen is so misunderstood, maybe even a little bit by herself. It's not that she is a bad shooter, it's just that she often won't put the ball up. It's not that the four-yea- r starter for BYU is afraid to make a mistake on offense, but she is concerned with letting her team down by shifting outside her role of contributing everything but points. Coach Jeff Judkins wouldn't trade Johnsen for two flashy Mi k scorers and a passer to be named later. But still, Johnsen is maddeningly shy when it comes to point production. It's a frustrating mindset to witness. "I know, I know," she said after a 0 pasting of Air Force in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Conference tournament Wednesday in which she made 4 shots. "I could shoot more. I just don't see that as my role. I'm the defensive player who gets the tough assignment. I accept that as my challenge in each game. Maybe I'll look back and have some regret about not trying to score, but behind-the-bac- v- ' ,.,..,.'. ... ,.vv,v ., a. ..... ...ir. (....'iV 72-4- GEOFFREY MCALUSTERDaily Universe senior Dani Wright dutches her ankle early in BYU's quarterfinal matchup against the Air Force Falcons on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. The Cougars advanced to Friday's semifinal against Utah. BYU 3-- n She stopped for a second, shrugged, content at her personality. "Coach has given me little pats on the back and told me how appreciated I am, and how no other (MWC coach) understands what I do," John-se- n said. "That's enough for me." It's too bad the other eight league coaches apparently, don't recognize Johnsen's worth. She only made honorable mention on the league's postseason awards announced Monday. No wonder Judkins was voted the best coach in the league, and his team has the best record. He does get it. Without Johnsen, and players like Jennie Keele (not even HM), BYU's in a world of hurt. True, the voting may have had a few prejudices that hurt Johnsen. Dani Wright, the senior center, was voted the See FRANCHUK, B4 Player of the Year leaves game with sprained ankle; set to play Friday in MWC semifinal Co-MW- Darnell Dickson C DAILY points better than Air Force. Last month BYU beat the Falcons by 30 in Provo and this time, the Cougars won 0 in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Conference Tournament. But taking center stage on Wednesday was Wright, HERALD LAS VEGAS Everyone can breathe now. Dani Wright is going to be top-seed- 72-4- OK. BYU women's basketball fans found out on Wednesday what they already knew the Cougars are about 30 See BYU WOMEN, "At first thought, 'Oh crap, this hurts.' Then thought about not playing in the tournament and not letting my team down. It's sore, but I'll I I try to get ready for Friday." Dani Wright On her injury early in BYU's quarterfinal B4 Cougars looking for a second 'Holiday' in Vegas Jason Franchuk DAILY MWC HERALD LAS VEGAS Getting ready for the Mountain West Conference tournament may be similar to a December experience which helped BYU kick-star- t its run as regular-seasochampion. The No. Cougars (23-7- , 13-will face No. Texas Christian (13-1today at 1 p.m. (MT), hoping that it's the first of three consecutive days of men's basketball kind of like the BYU Holiday Classic. "It's basically the same thing," senior Keena Young said as BYU game. prepared for its opening-roun- d "We have to be ready to play a lot in the next few days, and the Holiday Classic showed us what to expect. BYU vs. TCU Today, 1 p.m. TV: The mtn. Radio: 1160 AM (102.7 n 6, ing to BYU, won the Conference tournament on Tuesday to advance to the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year. BYU won all three games at its tournament. quarterfinals "Without question that experience helped," Sutton said of the Provo trip. "It's very similar to a conference tournament setting. The only difference is that at BYU's tournament, we knew who we'd play each night, while in the league tournament you're not exactly sure. That leaves the assistant coaches with FM) There are obvious differences between now and then. The site's different, teams don't know who they'll face weeks in advance. Intensity and understanding of opponents picks up several notches. But take it from one guy, Oral Roberts coach Scott Sutton, the event paid off for this time of year. The Golden Eagles, part of that event Dec 230 in which they beat Set on Hall and Liberty while los HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC some more work and uncertainty. But also, you have played each team in league twice, so you know pretty much what to expect. But that's why coaches want to get in tournaments See ALL-STA- BYU MEN, FILEOaily Herald BYU's Lee Cummard, left gets fouled hard by Kevin Langford of TCU while B4 driving to the basket on Jan, 10. TE Not just a pretty shot, but pretty smart too Lone Peak's Rios Timpanogos' Nielsen has learned how to juggle the books ana sneakers celebrates success in the classroom and on the court Neil K. Warner Jared Lloyd DAILY HERALD DAHYHtMU) One by one, they line up at center court and are introduced to the crowd at the Dee Events Center in Ogdea It's at halftime of the biggest game of the season where the Utah High School Activities See RIOS, B6 JEMMY HARMOMMly Lont Peak's Ryan Wot not only powertd the Knight crown, but he was also named to the Academic i All-Sta- JtRlMY HARMCmDwtf Harold to tht 5A irafe team. TlmpOTogoi' Jennifer KWien pUys two also been named to the Academic E I Hrij tports, but has team. e Time might be the most precious commodity in the 21st century. Most of us certainly don't have enough of it in our busy lives, so we have to carefully decide how to use It. High school athletes are getting See NIELSEN, C6 |