Hicks
continued from page 7 A
mononucleosis during the Pacific
10 Conference slate and didn’t play
many quality minutes for the rest of
the season.
Take two: Hicks was impressive
during the preseason in 2000-01,
then slowed by an ankle injury early
on during the Pac-10 schedule, and
once again hasn’t played as much
he’s capable of.
Still, the San Francisco native is
dominating enough when he does
play that he has made an impact on
the Oregon record books.
Prior to his ankle injury before the
Ducks’ Jan. 25 matchup with South
ern California, Hicks had 18 blocks in
the previous 15 games. He ranks ninth
all-time in blocked shots at Oregon,
and his 32-block performance this
season is the Ducks’ sixth best ever.
Hicks proved he could play ball
long before he came to Oregon.
Playing with ex-Duck Darius Wright
at West Valley J.C. in California,
Hicks tasted as much glory as pos
sible at the juco level.
Hicks was an all-star and selected
for the all-state team among all Cali
fornia junior colleges. He led West
Valley to a 54-12 record and a North
ern California Championship in two
seasons there. He averaged 14 points
and seven rebounds a game to com
plement a .727 shooting percentage
and a .644 free-throw percentage.
He was such a Juice machine on
the court that Street and Smith
named him a national juco All
American in 1999.
***
But it would take Hicks two more
years at a Division I school to learn
some of life’s most important lessons.
“This whole experience has been
great for me,” said Hicks as he
bounced a belli between his feet at one
of his final practices in an Oregon
uniform. “I’ve learned a lot about life
by being away from home, having re
Julius Hicks
Senior forward/center
6-8
San Francisco, Calif.
(St. Ignatius H.S., West Valley J.C.)
2000-01: Averages seven points, 43 rebounds per game
despite being slowed by injuries.
1999-00: Played in 29 games. Shot 57 percent from field,
second on the team.
Before Oregon: Street and Smith junior college
All-American in second season at West Valley J.C. Led all California J.C. players
with 73 percent field-goal percentage.
sponsibility and playing basketball.”
Others have been touched by
Hicks’ humility as the senior has
discovered it himself.
Ridnour tells a story about the
most exciting moment of his young
college career, when the Ducks were
leading No. 7 Arizona late in the
game at McArthur Court.
“When the game was coming
down to the end, he said ‘You need to
get the ball,’” Ridnour said. “He just
kept telling me, ‘You need to go get
the ball and take this over for us.’ For
someone on the court, a senior, to tell
you that, makes you feel really good.
“He’s always building you up, and
making sure you know you can do it,
and that people believe in you.”
Perhaps Hicks will leave a legacy
that goes beyond statistical bound
aries. Maybe years down the road,
when the player who was mentored
by Ridnour is mentoring another
player, Hicks’ name will come up.
Kent acknowledges that Hicks
has only added to the Oregon pro
gram in his time here.
“I know he would have wished he
could have done more out here,” said
Kent, as he pointed to the basketball
floor at Mac Court. “But he’s been a
very important key to our success the
last couple of years just because of the
leadership and intensity he’s brought
to practice every day. ”
Juice is one of four players who will
leave Oregon after this season to con
quer other areas besides basketball.
Years from now, Hicks said he
will most remember the people as
sociated with Oregon basketball.
“I’m going to take a lot out of it —
a lot of friendships with the new
guys, and also a lot of friendships
with the older guys that are going to
last after I get out of here,” Hicks
said. “I’m going to remember the
people, the fans, Mac Court. I’m go
ing to remember the Arizona State
game, going to the tournament, stuff
like that.”
The future, although uncertain,
looks bright for Juice.
As Hicks focused on the Ducks’
Civil War matchup at Oregon State
Saturday, his thoughts were, as al
ways, with his team.
“We thought we had the talent to
[make the NCAA Tournament],”
Hicks said. “We still have a chance
to redeem ourselves on Saturday.
“I just want to win. If we can just
win and go out on a positive note,
that’ll be enough for me.”
To some, a win at Oregon State
Saturday would seem like a small
consolation prize for an average ca
reer. But to Juice, and all the Ducks
that have been lucky enough to play
with him, it would represent the fi
nal chapter of a success story.
Because it’s never been about
Juice.
Men’s
continued from page 7 A
point guard Deaundra Tanner, who
is averaging 11 points per game.
Ridnour expects Tanner to bring his
“A” game and is looking forward to
the challenge.
“He’s going to go at me,” Ridnour
said. “It’s his last game, he’s had a
good career and I’m sure he wants
to go out with a win — especially
against Oregon. We have to match
Rcggael
fcje'oe gd
House of Records
258 E. 13th
Conscious Productions
flJuUtttoon Party
Fri. Maw 91 It
also featuring
Mad Professor
aRwksrT
at the Hollywood Jaxi
535 Main Street, Springfield
licheh $20 #dv. - $23 dm?
Hollywood Taxi • House of Records • Lazar’s
Bazaar • All Fred Meyer Fastixx Outlets
2 Call 747-0307 or 1-800-992-TIXX
21 and over • Door open 8pm
their intensity.”
For first-year Beavers coach
Ritchie McKay, this season has been
“disappointing,” as Oregon State has
endured much adversity (injuries,
suspensions, violations, etc.) and has
played with a roster that has ranged
from only six to nine players.
“We expected more from our
selves, but success can’t be meas
ured in the number of W’s,” McKay
said. “I expect an incredibly hard
fought battle Saturday, and hope
that we’ll play with the same type of
urgency that we have been lately.”
As for the Ducks, they know that
one final win won’t erase their
many losses, but a Civil War victory
would surely help raise their morale
as they head into the off-season.
“It’s going to leave a better taste in
our mouths if we win,” Ridnour
said. “When I see people on the
street they say, ‘Go beat the Beavers.’
It’s a big deal, and we have to win
for the town of Eugene. ”
Oregon’s Freddie Jones added,
“You never want a losing season.”
011322
New Spring Term Class
April 12th-May 17th
2-5 pm Thursdays
2 credits
A part of the
Recreating Leadership Program.
See web site for program information,
http.//darkwing. uoreaon. edu/~ women
or call Debby Martin at 346-4375
343-4480
683-8101 • 11 th & Charnelton • Eugene
omePizza
Eugene 686-5808
Springfield 746-7666
We accept purchase orders.
I
X-Tra Large
1-Item Pizza
plus
two FREE
22 OZ.
Sodas
Expires 3/17/01 FREE DELIVERY ^SPiZZCI IMpClillC
Large 1-ltem Pizza
w/10-piece order of
Tricky Stix
plus
one free
22 oz.
Sodas
Expires 3/17/01 FREE DELIVERY
IPizza Pipeline
ODE ARCHIVES
Find ODE stories since 1994
@ www.dailyemerald.com