TROJANS NO. 1 IN POLL

Allegany College tops Tallahassee

STEVE LUSE

Times-News Staff Writer, Wednesday, February 19, 1997

CUMBERLAND--"We're No.1! We're No. 1!"

Allegany College basketball fans will be able to chant that at tonight's home game against Potomac State College as the Trojans have replaced Tallahassee Community College of Florida as the nation's top-ranked team in the NJCAA Division I poll this week. The Trojans defeated Garrett Community College, 99-69, Monday night at Allegany to tie a school record with their 25^th straight win and will be taking a 27-1 record in tonight's 7 p.m. game. They also have clinched at least a tie for the Maryland JUCO Conference title with a 15-0 record.

Allegany finished second to Sullivan College of Louisville, Ky., in the NJCAA National Tournament, last season in Hutchinson, Kan., suffering a tough 104-98 loss in the finals. With three starters back from that team and a pair of outstanding transfers the Trojans were picked to be the No. 1 team this season in the NJCAA coaches' preseason poll. A 65-64 loss in the third game of the season to Vincennes University in the finals of the Kiwanis Trailblazer Invitational in Indiana quickly knocked Allegany off the top in the first regular-season poll. That left the Trojans in a position where they needed the teams ranked ahead of them to lose to regain the No. 1 position.

The Trojans, who have been No. 2 for three weeks, got that help last week when 19^th-ranked Chipola (Fla.) College handed Tallahassee its first loss in 27 games. This is the first time Allegany has been No. 1 in a regular season in the school's history. The 1989-90 team was also No. 2 for several weeks. "I think this is great for our program, our players and especially our fans who are a big part of our success," says Allegany Coach Bob Kirk. "This poll goes everywhere in the country and is great recognition for the school.

"Our players are also so deserving of this honor," adds the Trojans' coach. "This is the best group of 10 players we have ever had. They work hard and play so well together. But this will put a lot of pressure on them and everybody plays better against the No. 1 team."

Allegany received eight first place votes and 108 points, while unbeaten San Jacinto College of Pasadena, Texas, moved up to No. 2 with a 24-0 record, four first place votes and 101 points. Tallahassee dropped to No. 3 with two first-place votes and 96 points.

Unbeaten Champlain College of Burlington, Vt., remains at No. 4 with a 26-0 record, one first-place vote and 84 points. Indian Hills Iowa, is ranked fifth with a 28-1 Record, 82 points and the other first-place vote.

Champlain could end up playing Allegany in the new District 3 playoffs in Vermont if the Trojans win the Region XX Tournament next week in Hagerstown. The 16 district winners go to Hutchinson for the national tournament.

Allegany is also third in the nation in offense with 103.3 points a game and tied for fifth in defense, allowing only an average of 64 points an outing.

Allegany will host arch-rival Hagerstown Junior College in the regular-season finale Saturday at 8 p.m. and will be out to claim the Maryland JUCO Conference title outright.