News and Notes: Sunday Edition

Below, some news and notes for Sunday...

• Jeff Foote (Cornell '10) and his Springfield Armor are back in action in the NBA D-League on Tuesday, March 27 at 7 pm in a home game against Maine. All NBA D-League games are available to view online at no charge via the D-League's Futurecast. Last night in action against Canton, while wearing pink uniforms to benefit breast cancer research, Foote scored 15 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. See the recap in the Springfield Republican. Foote is referred to as a possible New Jersey Nets call-up by NetsDaily.com. He is averaging 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in the D-League after being named a starter at the D-League's All-Star Game during February. As of today, Foote is ranked 4th in the D-League in double-doubles. He averaged 1.0 points and 1.5 rebounds per game in 4 games for the New Orleans Hornets during a 10-day contract between March 9 and March 19.

• The Pittsburgh Post Tribune recaps the Cager Classic All Star Game at Highlands High School in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania and the performance of committed Cornell recruit, Nolan Cressler (Plum HS) Plum, PA, 6-4, G. The Tribune writes in part:

The much-anticipated matchup of two of the Alle-Kiski's all-time greats lived up to its billing Saturday night in the 16th annual Cager Classic boys all-star game. Plum's Nolan Cressler was an offensive force for the East team, turning in a record-setting, highlight-filled 38-point performance to earn MVP for his team. But Highlands' Micah Mason won MVP for the West, scoring 21 and dishing seven assists to lead the West to a fast-paced, 118-97 victory at a packed Highlands gym. ...The West used 3-pointers to stave off any East runs, embarking on a 15-3 run to take a 55-41 lead into halftime. The East could only cut it to eight the rest of the way and trailed by as many as 30 in the second half. Cressler, who broke Kittanning graduate Nathan Stolitza's single-game record of 34 points set last season, wanted to win. It seemed, at times, his teammates were watching him rather than their opponents. The Cornell recruit scored 23 of the East's 56 points in the second half. He had two thunderous dunks and drilled five 3s. "It feels crappy to lose," said Cressler, who hit 16 of 24 shots from the field. "It was fun, nevertheless. I just tried to get us back in the game." ..."Nolan just kept getting better and better over the years," [Plum's Tarique] Ellis said. "It was fun for me just to tag along and watch." Mason and Cressler have been picked to play in a second all-star game, the Roundball Classic next month at Geneva...

• There are two articles we omitted to post immediately following the season. First, CollegeHoopsMadness.com selected an All Ivy League team. Cornell's Chris Wroblewski (2nd Team), Drew Ferry (3rd Team) and Shonn Miller (4th Team, Rookie of the Year) were honored by the website. Second, the Ithaca Times pays tribute to Chris Wroblewski's career. The Times' Steve Lawrence writes:

I remember when Chris Wroblewski was introduced to the crowd at Newman Arena as a freshman.

He looked about 14, and as he took his place on the court amongst the rest of the Big Red starters, he seemed a little out of place. His teammates were coming off a season during which they ran the table in the Ivy League, putting up an in-your-face 14-0 record to win their first conference title in 20 years.

It immediately became clear that Steve Donahue knew what he had, as the kid who looked 14 saw the floor as if he were 24, and he made everyone around him better. With Loius Dale at the other guard position, Cornell would win the title that year, and again the next, putting together their now legendary 29-win, Sweet Sixteen season.

While Wroblewski was the new kid on the block when he arrived, a raw rookie surrounded by confident veterans, he spent his final two seasons as the Big Red’s elder statesman. The team looked to him whenever things got tough, and the battle-tested guard continued to deliver. Wroblewski knew that when Cornell graduated eight seniors, then saw Donahue take a job at Boston College, that he would be the one to assume the title of Floor General. There were other veterans on the team, some with another year of experience under their belts, but it was Wroblewski who had been a starter and key player since he first put on the Number 3.

Wroblewski probably knew there was a good chance he would not see the Big Dance again after the Great Eight graduated, but he continued to play hard and put up numbers. On Friday night, his 471st career assist put him one ahead of Louis Dale, and the significance of surpassing a player like Dale was not lost on Wroblewski, who said, “It’s an honor to be mentioned with some of the best players ever to wear the Cornell uniform.”

Friday night’s win against Dartmouth would be Wroblewski’s last at Cornell (http://cornellbigred.com/index.aspx?path=mbball). On As I look forward to next season, I am encouraged by some of what I see. Junior big man Eitan Chemerinski caught fire in a couple of stretches, bringing a complete package of offense, defense and fire in the belly. Freshman Shonn Miller is a gifted athlete, and with some weight training and confidence building, will be a force. I still don’t know who will be the sharpshooter(s) next year, but the frontcourt looks solid.

Cornell also said adios and gracias to Max Groebe, Drew Ferry and Anthony Gatlin on Saturday. I am particularly impressed with the attitude and perseverance of Gatlin, who saw his first playing time of the season on Friday. Given that these guys are carrying an Ivy League course load, finding the time to commit to a varsity sport is no small task, and I tip my hat to anyone who hangs in there despite not getting significant playing time. That takes a lot of character.