Page B8 ®l|e JJortíanó ©baeruer April 23, 2003 Advertise wuh diversity in S ports _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ The Portland Observer culi 5O3.3KX.OO33 tv email: adsapnrtlandobserver.arni Ilir JJurtlattò (Dhscruer IF o fírí Fast Ball Impact! «z A u to s I ll'll« '' <>\ |\t|||M , MW tu litu s in UH «OKIIIS II UHM, MISI I U IIIIIKS The 2003 Nissan Xterra Price Tested: $27014.00 T ransm ission: Automatic The Nissan Xterra sports a rugged exterior with a thick tubular aluminum roof rack and step rails to match. The appearance o f the vehicle is muscular with the sense o f functionally including the first aid kit in the rear door. The interior offers plenty o f room for front and back passengers. The front seats provide good lumbar support with a comfortable fit. The center console has a modified cockpit style, however the shifter is on the high side. My first impression o f the vehicle was that it was ready for the off-road adventure. I l offers the consumer functionally for those active in outdoors recreation but for the everyday driving it does not have the car-like handling. With thè High School Star Dazzles S a m m y S o s a o f th e Chicago C ubs recoils S u n d a y a s a fa stb a ll from S a lo m a n Torres o f th e P ittsburgh Pirates sh a tte rs his h elm e t. S o s a left th e g a m e, apparently okay. (AP photo) Blazers Must Unlock Scoring Deficit Davis says Dallas’ defense shouldn’t be a problem (AP) — Statistics indicate the Dallas M avericks have drastically improved on defense. Portland cen ter Dale Davis thinks otherwise. “Some o f the things they do are a little different, but they’re pretty much the same Dallas team," Davis said. “It shouldn’t be a problem.” But the M avericks’ defense was a problem for the Trail Blazers in Game 1 oftheir first-round series. After scoring 31 points in the second quarter, Portland had just 34 in the second half, turning a 10- point lead into a 10-point loss as the Mavericks won 96-86 Saturday with game two o f the best-of-seven se ries scheduled Wednesday night, also in Dallas. To Davis, that only proves that the Blazers have some kinks in their offense to work out. Game 2 in the pretty good. When wi stand around, w e’re no that good o f a team. Wi have to move the bal and play together." The Blazers know tha breaking down Dallas defense is the key to vic tory. They scored 73 anc 88 in two regular-seasor losses to the Mavs anc had 100 and 112 in twc victories. Game 1 followed that same pattern. “I think they kind ol buckled down a little more,” Portland coach M aurice Cheeks said. “They made a concerted effort to try to defend and rebound the ball. When they stepped up their level, we didn’t step B lazer Dale Davis up ours.” best-of-seven series is Wednes Nelson expects the Blazers to day night. bounce back - hard. “We just have to move the ball “T hat’s been their motto all and keep cutting on them,” he said. along," he said “That’s fine by us. “When we do that, w e’re usually T hat’s playoff basketball.” Engine: 3 .3llterS O H ( l2-valveV 6 High sch o o l all-star LeBron J a m e s m a k e s h is m o v e to th e b a s k e t during th e Jordan Capital C lassic in W ashing ton, D.C. Thursday. Ja m e s, s e le c te d th e g a m e s m o s t valuable player, is e x p e c te d to forego college a n d e n te r this J u n e 's NBA draft w here h e 's p ro jected to b e th e top pick. (AP photo) concern on safety in SU V ’s it surprises me that Nissan bui It the Xterra with high ground clearance. When turning com ers I almost feel liku it would tip over if the wind blew to hard. However it does have a quiet ride on the freeway. Surprisely the Xterra exceeded the original expectations and hopes o f Nissan. It has been a huge success since it’s introduction in 2000. It ’s often easier to pick out the vehicle . . . than the financing! For an answ er you can tru st, let your cred it union help! Serving all who live, work, worship or attend school f/y 1 L A l\/l F T I F in the Portland communities o f Arbor Lodge, Boise, Bridgeton, Buckman north o f S E- Hawthorne, Cathedral Park, China Town, Concordia west o f N.E. 33rd Avenue, Concordia University, Downtown Portland, East Columbia, Goose Hollow, Humboldt. Irvington west o f N.E. 17th Avenue, Kerns, King west o f N.E. 24th Avenue, Laurelhurst west o f N.E. 32nd Avenue. Northwest Portland, 2151 N.W. 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In M ilan, he finished w ith the sam e tim e as tw o others but was declared the w inner by an edge. This tim e, he w asn ’t challenged over the final five m iles to win by m ore than two city blocks. miles. “I said, ‘OK, I’ll win this." “ I w as ready to face anything," C h e r u iy o t is th e e ig h th said C heruiyot, who felt he had a K enyan to win Boston since his chance to win at about 15 1/2 country began its dom ination in CREDIT REPAIR Robert Cheruiyot o f Kenya raises his arms as he crosses the finish line at the 107th running o f the Boston Marathon in Boston Monday. (AP Photo) ALTO LOAN CENTER Loans by Phone 6>7 lo ursrlf Some Wheels While Your Credit lleals! Does Your C re d it Need >4 Touch O f MACK ?? Because of Credit Problems 1991. K enyanssw ept the first five spots in the race, and eight o f the top nine. Benjam in K im utai was second, M artin Lei third. ♦ Collections ♦ Bad Credit ♦ bankruptcy A ll S t a r F o o tb a ll C la s h S c h e d u le d An all star high school football game will take place in Vancouver this summ er thanks to local spon sors. T h e in a u g u ra l S o u th w e s t W ashington All Star Football gam e w ill be held July 12 at 7:30 p.m. at K iggins Bowl. The con test is being m ade possible with support from the G atew ay Shrine Club, V ancouver School District, the G reater St. H elens and Trico L eague, lo cal m e rch an ts and M asonic Lodges in the greater V ancouver area. The player selection process has already begun among the 2A, 3A and 4A schools. The West Team will be represented by players from Columbia River, Skyview, LaCenter, Battje Ground, H udson's Bay, Fort Vancouver Ridgefield, and Wood land. The East Team will be repre sented by players from: Mountain View, Evergreen, Camas, Prairie, Washougal, Heritage, Stevenson and White Salmon. 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