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February 15, 2004

Bobcats capture third-straight GPSD title

From: Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil - Council Bluffs,IA,USA - Feb 15, 2004

FULTON, Mo. - The Edlin Dorn era for the Iowa School for the Deaf boys basketball team came to an end Saturday, but not before he led the Bobcats to a third straight Great Plains Schools for the Deaf Conference Tournament championship.

The 6-foot-8 senior blocked a 12-foot jumper as time expired to secure a 41-40 win over Kansas Deaf.

"Edlin went out in style," said Bobcat coach Dan Gradoville. "He came out to play.

"They're (The Great Plains Conference) going to remember his play for a long time."

The back-and-forth contest was tied at 38-38 with 25 seconds left when Dorn found Mack Weyers for a layup.

Weyers was fouled on the layup and connected from the free throw line to give Iowa Deaf a three point lead.

Kansas Deaf's Dean Muszynski hit a jumper to pull the Jackrabbits to within one.

After Iowa Deaf turned the ball over on their own end of the court, Kansas Deaf took the ball the full length of the court with five seconds left, but Dorn was there to send the shot back.

Dorn finished with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and eight blocks.

"He's a once in a lifetime player that not many coaches get a chance to have," Gradoville said. "He's been a real leader and a positive influence on our school.

"He made other players better. We're really going to miss having him in our program.

"He's a kid of good character. We're real proud of him on and off the court."

Dorn was named to the all-tournament team, along with teammate Moises Arteaga.

Weyers and Derek Bohlman both finished with five points. Arteaga scored four points and dished out six assists, while David Arteaga scored three.

The win caps the career of six Bobcat seniors, as Dorn, Moises Arteaga, Tyler Kerger, Travis Thomas, Joshua Scherling and Shane Estes all finished their careers by hoisting the conference championship trophy for the third straight time.

"It was a great way for the seniors to go out," Gradoville said. "They're a great group.

"I'm proud of them."

Kansas Deaf 12 14 9 3 - 40

Iowa Deaf 18 8 10 5 - 41

Kansas Deaf: Greg Lewandowski 0, Justin Brown 17, Dean Muszynski 6, Chester Kuschmider 0, Michael Storms 0, Tim Schwarzenberger 1, Michael Harper 9, Greg Carlson 7.

Iowa Deaf: Moises Arteaga 4 (6a), David Arteaga 3, Eric Humlicek 0, Mack Weyers 5 (4r), Derek Bohlman 5 (3r), Edlin Dorn 24 (16r, 8b).

Records: Iowa Deaf (14-4).

©Daily Nonpareil 2004