With Apologies

Clyde Lovellette, Wilt Chamberlain, Walt Wesley, Dave Robisch, Paul Mokesi, Greg Drelling, Danny Manning, Mark Randall, Greg Ostertag, Eric Chenowith, Scott Pollard, Raef LaFrentz, Nick Collison, Darrel Arthur, Cole Aldrich, Wayne Simien, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris, Jeff Withey, Thomas Robinson, Perry Ellis, Udoka Azubuike, the list of great Kansas big men is pretty staggering when you look back over the last 70 years. Kansas fans have been spoiled by incredible post play.  That's especially been true since Bill Self took over the program but the last couple of seasons, not so much.

I've been one of David McCormack's harshest critics.  He followed in the massive shoes of Dok Azubuike who may have been the best post player five feet and in since Wilt Chamberlain roamed the floors of Allen Field House.  McCormack is a solid shooter from 15 feet in.  But he never developed the incredible post footwork or strength of a Simien or Robinson.  He's not even been a great rebounder.

He's nine points away from making it to 1,000 points.  He will finish behind other good Kansas bigs like Kelly Knight and Rick Suttle.  McCormack lacks the explosive dunking ability of Robinson, LaFrentz or Aldrich.  He doesn't have the consistently smooth turnaround jump shot of Robisch.  The big man sometimes plays at a frustratingly, frenzied, out of control rhythm that makes him ineffective.  But what I've come to realize over this last month, McCormack plays with heart.

He's finally become a really effective rebounder.  That being said he won't finish anywhere close to the top ten all time rebounding list in Jayhawk history.  He never developed the footwork that made the Morris twins and Withey so effective.  But he's still serviceable around the basket.  It's a good night when big Dave gets 15 pounds and 10 boards.

The thing that I've noticed over these past four weeks is McCormack has become more vocal.  He's showing the kind of leadership that you would hope to see from a four year senior.  Watching he these last few games talking to his teammates, owning his mistakes and his relentless hustle on the boards made me realize that he's become a pretty good player.

Kansas has Final 4 talent this year save for their post play.  If McCormack can find a way to take his good game up just another notch a deep tournament run isn't out of the question because lets face it, there aren't many great post players in college basketball anymore.  

I felt like I needed to write this because I have bashed McCormack in most of my Jayhawk threads.  I just want to say that I'm happy that we've had four years of David McCormack.  He's represented the program well... unlike other heralded recruits like Cliff Alexander and Silvio DeSousa.  Being a good guy should count for something.

Pre-season three things #1

The track and field season kicked off unofficially in Southwest Florida at Gateway High School on a cement track.  How in the hell does the Lee County School District spend millions on a new high school and not install a new rubberized track when the district says it's going to install new tracks at every high school that needs one.  Oh... so far they've installed four tracks by our count in three years by our count.  

1.  Kolton Pickard made his season debut at Gateway.  The Wildcat senior ran anywhere from 1:55 to 1:57 since there was no timing system no one seems to know for sure.  Everything was hand timed.  What year is this?!?  Pickard also blasted 50 low in the 4 x 400 relay.  This is a nice start to what could be an impressive senior campaign.

The big meet was Saturday at Dunbar High School... proud home of one of those four new tracks in Lee County.  Kudos to the meet organizers to having the 3200 races go off in the morning and avoid the later day heat.  It made for some good racing which leads to this.

2.  Mackenzie De Lisle is a beast.  The Bishop Verot freshman pulled off a quadruple with a win at 3,200, a second at 1,600, a hand in the winning 4 x 800 team and a she handled a leg of the Vikings' third place 4 x 400 team.  De Lisle's 3200 was an impressive 11:40.86 and her 5:34.71 after running the 4 x 800 is equally impressive.  

3.  Craig Allard, Jr. could be the next big deal on the boy's side of Lee County distance running.  In his first varsity track meet he finished second in the 3,200 running 10:06.57.  He came back later in the day in the boy's JV 1,600 with a 4:48.15 for the win.  You never know how a season is going to go but if Junior doesn't run sub 9:50 and sub 4:35 before the end of the season... I'll be shocked.

Tis the Season for Track and Field

High school track and field gets underway on Saturday as Dunbar hosts the pre-season opener at its fine facility.  Some of the most talented athletes to ever compete for Lee County high schools last spring headed off to college to begin the next stage of their careers.  But the cupboard is hardly bare.

Because of what I cover cross country for the News-Press and the fact that I sell running shoes by and large to distance runners,  I want to focus on the three distance aces as we head into the spring. I'm sure as the season progresses I will have a chance to write about some of the outstanding sprinters, jumpers and throwers.  

First there is Estero senior standout, Kolton Pickard.  I'm sure Kolton has one goal in mind.  He would like to break 4:10 in the 1,600.  If he can do so he would firmly cement his place as one of the distance greats in Lee County history.  Kolton has the range and ability to run sub 9:10 for 3,200 as well.  Assuming he has a chance to run at the FSU Invite and at the Florida Relays, Pickard will face the kind of competition needed to achieve those goals.

The top girl in Lee County is ECS junior Ava Povich.  Following her gutty performance at last year's State outdoor track and field championships, Povich looks to be ready to run a sub 11 minute 3,200.  The longer distances seem to suit Povich but breaking 5:10 in the 1,600 should be well within her wheelhouse as well.

The final one to watch is Lehigh senior Evan Meyer.  He's got a wonderful coach in Ben Pignatone and the youngster isn't afraid of work.  With someone to chase like Pickard, Meyer could run 4:15 in the 1,600 and has a fair shot at 1:55 in the 800.

There are a half dozen or so young men and women who deserve a mention but their time will come as our blog gears up for an exciting season of high school track and field.