Some hoop dreams continue … some end

Rock Valley College rallied from an early 20-9 hole to defeat Northland Community College, 56-50, Friday night, advancing to the NJCAA Division III women's title game at RVC's PEC Center.

It was a tough night for Rockford East grad Madi Hecox (three points), former Boylan star Jessie Schirro (four points) and Harlem's Madison Vicencio (three points), but they can redeem themselves Saturday night against Hostos Community College of the Bronx, New York. Game time is 8 p.m. Nearly 500 showed up Friday. Let's try to double that Saturday night.

Former Christian Life and Rockford East star Isaiah Box's college career came to an end Saturday. Dalton State (Georgia) lost to William Penn (Iowa), in overtime in the NAIA Division 1 National Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. Box, who led Dalton State in steals and assists this year, hopes to continue playing professionally overseas.

The game before Box, Graceland (Iowa) knocked off Langston (Oklahoma), 67-59, to move into the Elite Eight. Graceland is coached by former RVC men's coach Craig Doty and Doty has several former Golden Eagles on his squad. Former Jefferson star L.T. Davis is the most prominent and L.T. had a huge game Saturday, scoring 29 points to lead all scorers.

Nevada knocked off UC Irvine, 70-60, Thursday night in the first round of the Women's Basketball Invitational. The Bulldogs will play Fresno State on Monday. Nevada is coached by Belvidere great Amanda Levens. Levens is in her first year as head coach at Nevada.

UC Davis lost Wednesday in the first round of men's NIT tournament. Garrison Goode, the son of Rockford East and Northwestern star Andre Goode, plays for UC Davis. Goode had eight points and four rebounds in the loss to LSU. Goode has a senior season to go.

Notre Dame clobbered Cal State Northridge in the first round of the women's NCAA and will play Villanova Sunday. The Fighting Irish, a No. 1 seed, got 30 points, five rebounds and five assists from Arike Ogunbowale. Arike is a finalist for the women's Wooden Award, which goes to the country's top player. Ogunbowale is the daughter of Harlem great Yolanda Block. Block was a volleyball and basketball star for the Huskies and the star pitcher on Harlem's first state champion softball team in 1980.