2004: Xavier PriceXavier Price is currently averaging 17.3 points per game through six games as Belleville West continues to be undefeated at 7-0.
On Friday, Belleville West's J.B. Jones, who had been averaging 13 points per game, exploded for 24 points in a 82-55 win over Alton. Price finished with 14 points.
In a tough three-day, three-game series a week ago, Belleville West defeated nationally-ranked Lanier, and followed it up with two conference wins against East St. Louis and Granite City.
Against Granite City, the Maroons used a 26-11 run in the third quarter to put thier opponent away. Price had 11 points. Against East St. Louis, the Maroons used a 27-10 scoring run in the second quarter to win against the area's No. 3 team, 77-53. They beat Granite City by the exact score. Price had 17 in the win over East St. Louis. Most impressive in the East St. Louis win was the limiting of East St. Louis' star Tommie Liddell to only nine points and a 3-of-17 shooting performance.
In the KMOX Shootout, Belleville West built an 18 point lead through the middle of the first half, then fought off Lanier runs of 14-0 and 15-1 to win 54-44. Lanier took a one point lead briefly at the end of the third quarter until Price hit a three at the buzzer to retake the lead for Belleville West. Anthony Sargent led West with 14 points, while Xavier Price added 13.
West forced 28 Lanier turnovers, and pressured them into shooting a mere 31-percent from the field for the game. Lanier's leading scorer, Monta Ellis, was held 10 points under his season average, and 6'9 post Charles Rhodes had a season low 10 points.
2004: Gary Ware
The Dodge City Community College men's basketball team currently has a record of 8-5 going into the Christmas break, giving them until January 3rd to help stop a skid that had led them to lose four of their last six games.
Purdue signee Gary Ware is averaging 10.1 points, good for second on the team, while shooting 56-percent from the field and a miserable 44-percent from the freethrow line on 45 attempts. He is also averaging 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. Over the five games the Conqs have lost this season, Ware is averaging practically the same points per game is in the eight wins. He has had season highs of 10 rebounds twice, and a season high of 18 points against Otero on November 18th.
