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December 16, 2003

Bobcats survive scoreless third quarter to down Brownell-Talbot

From: Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil, IA - Dec 16, 2003

RYAN WEATHERILL, Staff Writer

Iowa School for the Deaf overcame a woeful offensive showing in the second half to edge Omaha Brownell-Talbot 35-28 in a boys prep basketball game at the Lied Center Monday night.

It was just the second time the Bobcats have beaten Brownell-Talbot in 18 years.

"I was hoping we could pull this one out," ISD coach Dan Gradoville said. "I knew it'd be tough, because (Brownell-Talbot) is well-coached and they have some good athletes, but it was good to get the win."

The Bobcats, behind the play of 6-foot-8 center Edlin Dorn, sprinted out to an early 16-5 lead in the first quarter and led by 16 points at halftime.

Dorn accounted for 21 of ISD's 27 first-half points and had 10 rebounds before intermission.

"At halftime I felt pretty good," Gradoville said, "and I think the kids did too."

The Raiders came out of halftime with shutting down Dorn on their mind, however, and they did just that, putting three men on him for the entire half.

The intense defensive pressure led to just two second-half points for the senior, and the Bobcats scored just eight as a team - including a scoreless third quarter.

"We really struggled in the second half. They focused on shutting down Edlin and they did a good job of it," Gradoville said. "I think he was real frustrated, he didn't get any looks, but he kept competing, he worked hard."

Dorn's defensive effort was part of what kept the Bobcats in the game, as he finished with 18 rebounds and six blocks to go along with his 23 points.

Despite coming up with little offense of their own, the Bobcats held Brownell-Talbot to just 17 points in the second half to hold on for the win.

"We talked in practice about how defense sometimes wins it for you," Gradoville said. "And that's what happened tonight. For the most part, our defense played good. They were scrapping and hustling."

Sophomore guard Eric Humlicek, who finished with six points and five rebounds and Mack Weyers, who added four rebounds, each came up with big defensive stops in the second half as well.

Derek Bohlman added three steals for the Bobcats, including two in the third quarter.

The Bobcats, who improved to 5-0 with the win, are on the road Thursday for a game against Great Plains Schools for the Deaf Conference rival Kansas Deaf Monday for their final game before the Holiday break.

"We have some things to work on in practice. We need to keep our composure on offense and not rush our shots," Gradoville said. "And (Kansas Deaf) is a always tough place to play. It should be a good game, we'll have to play well."

Omaha Brownell-Talbot 5 6 7 10 - 28

Iowa Deaf 16 11 0 8 - 35

Omaha Brownell-Talbot: Neil Sharma 3, Phillip Sugimoto 9 (6r, 3a), Rahul Aganwal 4, Sebastian Cherney 0, Philip Pelphry 3 (5r), Andrew Hrvol 0, Jeremy Pace 6, Tommy Scott 0, Jacob Phillips 3.

Iowa Deaf: Moises Arteaga 4, David Arteaga 2, Eric Humlicek 6 (5r), Mack Weyers 0, Derek Bohlman 0 (3s), Tyler Kerger 0, Edlin Dorn 23 (18r, 5bl).

Records: Omaha Brownell-Talbot (na), Iowa Deaf (5-0).

©Daily Nonpareil 2003