Woodstock duo shines at Dubuque
Woodstock graduate Jennifer Nichols' time as a college basketball player is winding down.
As a senior forward at NCAA Division III University of Dubuque in Iowa, Nichols is entering the final month of her career.
But if Nichols has her way, she won't be away from the game for long.
"That's my dream, to be a college coach," said Nichols, who leads the Spartans in scoring at 15.8 points a game.
Nichols got some experience with recruiting last year when she hosted fellow Woodstock grad and current Dubuque freshman point guard Mollie Whiting on campus.
"When I gave Mollie and her parents a tour of campus, they fell in love with it," Nichols said. "She didn't have to fear the unknown. I told Mollie, 'I can guarantee you a great education and a great career.' "
So far, Nichols has been right on target.
Whiting is the team's leader in assists (49) and second-leading scorer at 10.9 points a game for the Spartans (11-8).
"I've never seen a freshman who is so comfortable on our team," said Nichols, who teamed with Whiting as a senior at Woodstock. "It's like my senior year in high school. We got really close that year."
Along with sharing some of the scoring load, Whiting has helped get other players more involved, Nichols said.
"We've got five girls on our team who can all score in double figures," said Nichols, who ranks second on the team with 38 three-pointers and 4.6 rebounds a game. "That's what really makes us dangerous."
The Spartans are tied for fifth place in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference at 5-5 with six league games remaining.
A strong finish would put the team into the IIAC Tournament for only the second time in school history.
"Not only making it, but winning in the first round and getting to the championship game - which we've never done - is a big goal for me," Nichols said.
Front and Central: D-II Central Missouri's men's basketball team has gotten a lift this season from Dundee-Crown grad Ryan Harris.
A junior guard for the Mules, who are ranked No. 4 in this week's D-II National Association of Basketball Coaches poll, Harris is averaging 8.3 points a game and ranks third on the team with 33 three-pointers.
Harris has started 13 games for the Mules (18-1), who are in second place in the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
St. Norbert ranked: Dundee-Crown grad Paul Mallers is part of a St. Norbert men's basketball team that is ranked No. 12 this week by D3Hoops.com.
Maller, a junior guard-forward, is averaging 6.2 points and 3.2 rebounds for the Green Knights (15-1), who are leading the Midwest Conference with a 9-0 record.
Top gun at Illinois: Crystal Lake South grad Erin Johnson was honored with the Jimmy and Jeane Seyler Top Gun Award at Illinois volleyball team's postseason banquet.
The award is given to the Illini player with the highest attack percentage.
Johnson, who was named to the Big Ten Conference's All-Freshman Team, hit .314 with 113 kills.
Johnson and junior setter Hillary Haen of Prairie Ridge helped the Illini finish 26-6 during the fall season and make the NCAA's Sweet 16.
Barry Bottino writes a weekly column and a blog about local college athletes for the Northwest Herald. Write to him at BarryOnCampus@hotmail.com and check out his On Campus column every Saturday in the Northwest Herald sports section.
