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Show Page 6 - THE DAILY HEflALb, Y roarhPQ find center in Finland fcrW, UthfiSporte Extfd, Friday, October 27, VVUI ! mom o loom i Daily Herald Assistant Sports Editor By DICK HARMON Daily Herald Sports Editor When 0 freshman Bret Jcpsen announced he would go on an LDS mission last spring, BYU began looking for a replacement center, a big guy. Jcpsen was going to be the Cougars' starting center this season and because of 0 Australian Cory that, Reader transl erred to Metro State. Then Jepsen announced he had put in his papers to go on a mission. it was Once again, rebuilding and recruiting time for the Cougars. Trouble is, springtime is not the right time to begin looking for players, most of the great and good ones have been courted, recruited and signed during the course of the year. So BYU went global. Roger Reid asked Lynn Archibald to search the world for a replacement From Brazil to player. Europe and specifically Germany and Finland, Archibald searched rosters and teams for amateur basketball talent. He finally zeroed in on old Jarkko Ahlbom, a 245 pound center on the Finnish Junior National team. In a process thai still is not complete with the NCAA to determine the number of years of eligibility (at least three arc already granted), Jarkko arrived in Provo two days before school began. And he is a Cougar. 7-- Results, not predictions, were on the mind of BYU women's basketball coach Soni Adams as she slopped for a few minutes after practice recently to talk about the 1995-9- 6 Cougar cagers. "I'm not making any predictions this year," said the second-yea- r coach after her squad finished a spirited practice session in the Marriott Center. "But I'm feeling very positive right now. The kids are working hard, and the team concept is the most important thing to them. That makes me happy." " 11 -i- n in- -w m late-minu- te ar "I'm doing alright. I'm getting Albom. served years in use to it." said who has already his mandatory two the Finnish Army. Albom said American basketball, specifically the NBA is available and popular in Finland. In other words, he knows who Dennis Rodman is. Since coming to Provo. Ahlbom has enjoyed meeting his teammates a;nl learning what he could playing rat ball in the Smith Fieldhouse with other players. "They are all class guys and have been fun to he with. I've been anxious to get basketball started. I've also rccn anxious to play in front of more than 20.1AW lans in the stare ww. j four-yestarters and selections Debbie Dimond (center) and Thais Kidd (guard) to gradua- ing ar tion. The departure of the Dimond (now married to Jim Free-lan- d and playing her final year of eligibility for the Cougar volleyball team) leaves BYU with a big hole in the middle, and no "true" center to fill it. Junior Amanda Wixom has the but she has little expesie, at rience in her first two years and is currently on the sidelines as the Cougars practice, still recovering from surgery this summer to remove bone spurs. "It's just taking time for her to come back," Adams said. "We're not sure when we'll have her back. "We just have to accept that we center like don't have a pound-it-i- n Debbie this year. We'll try to do some other things to make up for that." Filling the middle right now are a pair of sophomores. Sheri Quin-to- n (6-and Ann Olpin (6-2-). had some good moments Quinton in relief of Dimond last year, proving that she was willing to fight for position and for the ball. Olpin is more of a finesse player, but put on some good moves and showed she had potential around the bucket in her brief appearances last season. "They both know this is a it's not often chance for them that a sophomore really has a chance to play such an important role on a team," Adams said. "We expect they will step up and answer that challenge. We'll do some different things with the center position, but we feel we have people w ho can handle the job. "They both have grown so much from even that little experience they got as freshmen last year. Shari is very strong inside we just have to keep her believing in herself. She can be an impact player. Ann is very intelligent and works hard on lite fundamentals." Kidd is leaves another hole that is tough to fill, as she played both shooting and point guard during her tenure. But Adams thinks 0 sophomore Kan Gallup, a sometime starter last season in her rookie year, has the talent do the job. "Kari is so athletic and so tal- 6-- 4. i'' ' b 1) Son! Adams 0. Ahlbom is adjusting to life at an American college campus, studying business, and trying to figure out all the nuances of college basketball. icaiuiuu together on a common goal." The Cougars will need everyone to contribute if they are to be successful in the tough WAC after los- By DOROTHY KNOELL The 1995 The Cougars had a veteran team when Adams took over last season, but stumbled, finishing overin the WAC after winall and 0 ning the conference title the previous season. This year, BYU features a mix of experience and youth, but Adams still feels the Cougars have one advantage already over last year's team. "The kids know what I want after one year here, so I don't have to start with square one. That's a real plus." Adams said. "I can tell you, I'm anxious to get the monkey off my back, and so are they. 'The feeling is very positive from everyone. Every one is working very hard. Preseason conditioning is better, and they are all just very hungry to win. And they seem to know ihat if they aren't they won't be successful, so everyone is working 8-- 4-1- team-oriente- The Daily HeraWJasJ Sophomore Shannon MacCormac, 14, goes up for a shot duj game last year in the Marriott Center. The Ccuqars will need ev to contribute if they are to be successful In the tough WAC afti starters and selections Debbie Dimond (aP ing four-yea- r r ii i ndis ruuuj 4i iu TL.:. iguaraj 10 graduation. C : Getting Married? ALARD & LOSE JEWELERS Only in CottonTree Square 2230 North University Parkway Pioo 373-- 1 1 d, krKUXtSR (See WOMEN, Page 7) CENTRAL rftTiRrf-hirru- l LLLl Vanities & Bath Fixtures J use this COUPON FOR East Bay 225-853- 5 965 So. Univ. Ave. 373-02- 4 11 I ITT T n rr4 I off your 8 INSURANCj nFnliCTIB UP TO apply Orem No. State I r prntfirc VALUABLE COUPON 'Restrictions mm$M LUMBER I MOST ALU UTAH WITH ALL QUALITY &USS iNSURAMCE mm mm Can for oei' |