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Show B5 Hilltop iXS& April 27, 2000 Humble Homaeek heads off court by Steven R. Ford COMMENTARY Hilltop Times staff Now that the NBA Playoffs are underway, another season has come to an end, and for the aging Utah Jazz, so too ends the stellar career of 6-- 4 guard Jeff Hor-nace- k. Since his arrival in Utah in 1994, k has become more than just a team member ofthe local pro team. Hes become a part of Utah, a perfect compliment to both John Stockton on the court and the surrounding community off the court Ahum-bloverachiever, Homaeek embodies the values and work ethic of the Beehive State and became an overnight Hor-nace- e, hard-workin- g, fan favorite. Hornacek was a natural athlete growing up, a national Pitch, Hit and Run champion at nine, but was a long shot to even make the NBA. He entered high school at just and grew a foot to leave at He got few scholarship offers but was able to walk-o- n at Iowa State University only because, according to Hornacek, one of the Cyclones other players kept flunking out of school. He had a good career at Iowa State and got his degree in accounting, but he didnt see a future in basketball beyond college. Hornacek and his wife, Stacy, had resigned themselves to crunching numbers in Des Moines for the rest of their lives. Then the NBA came calling in J une 1986, and the Hornaceks plans began to change. The Phoenix Suns drafted Hornacek in the second round, 46th overall. Not many teams saw anything in the Iowa State guard, but Jerry Colangelo of the Suns says he pulled the trigger because he saw that Hornacek had heart. j Six years later, the Suns made a deal they thought would make them elite, sending Hornacek, center Andrew Lang and forward Tim Perry to the Philadelphia 76ers for Charles Barkley. And for a while it worked out as Barkley led the Suns to the NBAFinals, which they lost to the Chicago Bulls. Golf tips line. One of the best shooters in league history, Horny averaged 14.5 points over the course of Ids career, scoring a career best 40 points against the Seattle Sonics in The pros at the Hubbard Golf Course have decided to help us duffers by providing weekly golf tips designed to tune-u- p our game for the 2000 golf season. This weeks tips come from assistant pros Dwight McNew and Andy Peidl. 1994. He was selected to the NBA Western Conference team in 1992 and scored All-St- ar 11 points on Sof-- 7 shooting. As a Jazz player in 1998 and 2000, Hornacek won the AT&T Long Distance Shootout, and, also this year, Hillside lies The Jazz got smart in 1994 and traded he added the Two-Batitle, competing d aging guard Jeff Malone and a late alongside Utah Starzz forward Natalie draft pick for Hornacek, a bigger Williams. To find out how a hilly lie, ll first-roun- guard with more range. The acquisition of Hornacek moved the Jazz into the upper tier of the league. The last six years have been golden for the Jazz with several Western Conference titles and two trips to the NBAFinals. Homaceks secret wave to his children, where he seems to wipe his forehead three times before free throws, has become as endearing to the fans as his dazzling array oftrickshots. The 64 Jazz guard will leave the game with the third highest career free throw average (.877) just fractions behind the leader, Clevelands Mark Price all-ti- (.904). Even more lethal from the free throw line this season, Hornacek just missed one of the most coveted records in basketball, Calvin Murphys single-seaso- n free throw Tof-3 against record. After percentage going the Kings to end the season, Hornacek fin- ished from the stripe. Thats 95.0 percent, but Murphys record of 95.8 set during the 1980-8- 1 season, will hold up for at least one more year. 171-of-1- 80 (206-of-215- ), Hornacek leaves the NBAwith more than 15.000 points and 5,000 assists. He shot .496 percent from the field and .402 per- cent from behind the NBAs three-poi- nt no-loo- k, Many poor golf shots are a result of a golfer trying to hit the ball excessively hard, which increased the tendency oflosing balance. For a right handed golfer a balanced finish consists of weight on the left heel, torso facing slightly left of target, hands over the left shoulder and balanced on the right toe. Practice hitting balls with a goal of a balanced finish. As balance improves, the swing becomes more consistent and repeat-ablOn the course use one more n club instead of etc.) and make a smooth swing to a balanced finish. Andy Peidl. For additional tips, personal instruction or information on Hubbard Golf Course events and tournaments, contact the golf course staff at Ext. thing when he stepped onto the court. Injured or healthy, Hornacek laced up for 14 years and went to work, e. never complaining about his defensive assignment or how many times he touched the ball. Hornacek, his wife and three children will reside in their adopted Utah, and the Jazz veteran has even talked about coaching a local high school. But for now, hell try to finish out his illustrious career by achieving the one thing that has eluded him for 14 years, the NBA title. (7-iro- n, .") liiEiMmiiMmviiEaca ld4, air conditioner cooler sale PAYDAV thJtliliil M ' Efficiency-Energ- y . W INSTANT CASH Clearfield, 595 s. state st. NO ADDITIONAL LOAN FEES NO CREDIT NO PROBLEM NO HASSLE XU EXTRA Cant , vlJ; NEED $ NOW $ CASH ADVANCE CENTERS 801-774-39- i I CASHES t rADVAUCE Up To TML , Savings All Work Guaranteed Free Estimates Swinging too hard you have to admire a player who gave every- rn uvl High uphill or downhill, will affect you, take a practice swing and make a divot. Note where the club struck the ground, then address the ball so that its in the same position where the club made contact with the turf. Dwight McNew In the Jazz recent playoff game against Seattle on Monday, Hornacek had just six points in limited minutes, but went from the field, including a over the head, backward layup that is sure to make Playoff highlight reels. Hornacek says he wants to be remembered as a team player, and that he was. He averaged 4.9 assists for his career, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals. Sure, everybody wants 20 shots a game, but youve got to do whats good for the team, Hornacek said recently. 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