Loyola to play in Central America

[Class of '83]

Loyola men's basketball team prepares for Central America tour
Ramblers will play six games in eight-day trip to Costa Rica and Guatemala, beginning Thursday

Aug. 8, 2006

Chicago, Ill. - With the start of the 2006-07 regular-season fast approaching, Loyola University Chicago's men's basketball team will gear up for the year by taking an eight-day trip to Costa Rica and Guatemala, Aug. 10-17. The Ramblers, who return five starters from last year's team, will play six games on the trip to Central America, and will be the first-ever American team to play in Guatemala.

"This should be a wonderful experience for our guys and something they will remember for the rest of their lives," third-year Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. "We would like to thank our boosters for helping us be able to make this trip. Our guys are anxious to play."

Last season, Loyola posted a 19-11 record, the best showing by a Rambler squad since 1984-85. Whitesell welcomes back a talented cast of players, including Honorable Mention All-America and First Team All-Horizon League selection Blake Schilb. The 6-foot-7 senior guard, who competed at the National Basketball Association predraft camp in Orlando earlier this summer before opting to return to school, averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game in 2005-06.

In addition to Schilb, Loyola also returns a pair of starters in the backcourt, senior Majak Kou and sophomore J.R. Blount. Kou, who was named to the Horizon League All-Defensive Team a year ago, tallied 12.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.6 spg and 1.5 bpg, while Blount contributed 11.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 2.3 apg. Sophomore forward Leon Young, who led the Ramblers in rebounding with 7.2 per game as a rookie, also chipped in 10.4 ppg.

Loyola will face the top team in the Costa Rican League, Liceo de Costa Rica, to open up the tour on Aug. 11, before playing Turrialba on Aug. 12. The Ramblers then head to Guatemala for four games in three days, beginning with an Aug. 15 date with the Guatemala National Team. Loyola faces Leman's on Aug. 16 before wrapping up game action with contests versus Leones de Marte and the Guatemala National Team on Aug. 17.

"We will try out some different lineups and put guys in different spots than they maybe normally would play," Whitesell said. "This is a great opportunity to get our guys some experience in game situations because that is something that cannot be replicated. We really want to dramatically improve as a defensive team on this trip and be able to build our depth."

horizonleague.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/080806aab.html

[wrightguy]

If Loyola already wasn't the favorite coming in this only adds to why they have to be the favorite. To be able to play six games before practice in Oct. even begins is a huge advantage for the Ramblers.

I look for a big season from Loyola.

[Retired Coach]

I believe they were allowed to practice for a week before they left to prepare for the trip.

[Willie]

Loyola Topples Liceo de Costa Rica, 82-67 To Open Trip
Ramblers receive balanced scoring effort in victory


Aug. 12, 2006

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - Led by a balanced scoring attack that featured three players in double figures, Loyola University Chicago kicked off its trip to Central America by defeating Liceo de Costa Rica, 82-67, Friday night. Liceo de Costa Rica came into the game with a 17-1 record and is the top team in the Costa Rican League.

The Ramblers, who played with Leon Young, who is nursing a minor injury, and Darrin Williams, who is expected to suit up the rest of the trip, opened up a sizable 46-31 lead at the break, thanks to contributions from everyone on the roster. Loyola was able to maintain the lead in the second half and emerge victorious in its first part of a six-game trip.

Tracy Robinson and Brandon Woods led the way for Loyola with 15 points apiece, while Robinson also chipped in three rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. All-American Blake Schilb tallied a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists. Dave Telander and Tom Levin netted nine points each and Kye Pattrick contributed eight points and 10 rebounds.

Loyola continues its tour of Central America and faces Turrialba this evening. Turrialba enters the contest with a 2-16 record.

loyolaramblers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/081206aaa.html

[Willie]

Ramblers Roll Over Turrialba, 92-38, To Stay Undefeated In Costa Rica
Majak Kou nets 24 points to lead Loyola to second win in as many days


Aug. 13, 2006

TURRIALBA, Costa Rica - Majak Kou scored 24 points and added three rebounds, two assists and a pair of blocks to lead Loyola University Chicago to a 92-38 victory over Turrialba Saturday night in the second game as part of a trip to Central America. The Ramblers, who played before a nice crowd this evening, are now 2-0 on the trip.

A stifling Rambler defense kept Turrialba in check all night and Loyola raced out to a 50-21 lead at the half before holding its opponent to 17 second-half points. Four Ramblers scored in double figures for the game, led by Kou's 24 points. Dave Telander continued his torrid shooting by connecting on five three-point field goals to finish with 15 points. Kye Pattrick chipped in 10 points, five boards, two assists, two blocks and a pair of steals, while J.R. Blount contributed 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Darrin Williams, who earned a starting nod, tossed in four points and snagged seven rebounds, while Tracy Robinson put together another solid all-around effort with eight points, five caroms and five helpers. Blake Schilb continued to distribute the ball, handing out four assists to go with seven points and three rebounds. Tom Levin dished out six assists as well.

Loyola enjoys a day of sightseeing Sunday before traveling to Guatemala Monday. The Ramblers are back in action Tuesday versus the Guatemalan National Team.

loyolaramblers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/081306aaa.html

[Willie]

Loyola Earns Impressive 86-57 Victory Over Guatemalan National Team
Schilb stands out as Ramblers move to 3-0 on foreign trip


Aug. 16, 2006

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala - Loyola University Chicago used strong second and fourth quarters to pull away and earn an 86-57 victory over the Guatemalan National Team Tuesday night in the first-ever game played by a Division I team in Guatemala. With the win, the Ramblers improve to 3-0 on their Central American tour.

Before the game, the team visited in the locker room with the U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala and the Director of U.S. Press and Culture. In front of a boisterous crowd of about 1,500 fans, Loyola took a 19-13 lead after one period of play before outscoring the Guatemalans, 27-14 in the second quarter to take a 46-27 lead at halftime.

After Guatemala cut into Loyola's lead in the third quarter, the Ramblers outscored their opponent 27-14 in the final stanza to earn their third victory in as many tries on their foreign trip. The highlight of the evening was a thunderous, fourth-quarter dunk by Darrin Williams off a pretty no-look feed from Tracy Robinson.

Blake Schilb put together an impressive performance, racking up 18 points, six rebounds, eight assists and four steals to lead Loyola. Majak Kou chipped in 15 points and five boards and Leon Young, who was seeing his first action on the trip after missing time with a minor injury, totaled 14 points, seven rebounds and a pair of steals. Robinson had another solid all-around effort as he went for 11 points, five boards and four assists. He was the last of four Ramblers to score in double digits. J.R. Blount chipped in nine points and Williams, who has continued to show signs of progress on the trip, kicked in four points and five rebounds.

Loyola looks to stay undefeated on the trip when it faces Leman's, Wednesday morning.

loyolaramblers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/081606aaa.html

[Willie]

Loyola Improves To 4-0 On Foreign Trip With 78-49 Victory Over LeMans
Dave Telander pumps in 14 points, hitting four treys in winning effort


Aug. 16, 2006

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala - Dave Telander's long-range shooting helped lead Loyola University Chicago to a 78-49 victory over LeMans of the Guatemalan Club League today in a contest played in front of over 1,000 spectators at Don Bosco School. The win improves the Ramblers' ledger to 4-0 on their six-game tour of Central America. After winning a pair of contest in Costa Rica over the weekend, Loyola is now 2-0 in Guatemala.

Telander continued to shoot the ball effectively on the trip, as he buried four three-point field goal attempts en route to a team-high 14 points, while also kicking in a pair of rebounds, three assists and four steals. Majak Kou was the only other Rambler in a balanced attack to reach double figures as the slender guard netted 10 points and four boards. Leon Young added nine points and seven rebounds and Brandon Woods, Tom Levin and Tracy Robinson tallied eight points apiece. Blake Schilb, a candidate for Horizon League Player of the Year, tossed in six points and contributed three boards, a team-best eight assists and two steals in the winning effort. Kye Pattrick scored seven points, J.R. Blount added five, and Darrin Williams ripped down six rebounds to go with three points and three steals.

Following the game, the Ramblers hosted a two-hour kids clinic and signed autographs for students at Don Bosco School. Loyola wraps up its tour by playing a pair of games tomorrow, starting with an 11 a.m. meeting with Leones de Marte and concluding with rematch against the Guatemalan National Team at 8 p.m.

loyolaramblers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/081606aac.html

[Willie]

Loyola Pulls Out 80-70 Victory To Move To 5-0 On Foreign Tour
Kou and Schilb key victory over Leones de Marte


Aug. 17, 2006

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala - Blake Schilb and Majak Kou scored 16 points apiece to lead Loyola University Chicago to an 80-70 victory over Leones de Marte today in a game played at Sagrado Corazon de Jesus High School in front of approximately 1,500 fans. The Ramblers move to 5-0 on their Central American trip with the victory.

Today's game against the top Guatemalan club team, was Loyola's stiffest test of the trip as the Ramblers never led by more than eight points at the end of any period. In fact, the Maroon and Gold entered today's action having outscored its opponents, 84.5-52.8 in the first four games of the tour.

Loyola held a slim 17-15 lead after one quarter of play before taking a 44-36 lead into the locker room at halftime, a lead it was able to maintain throughout the second half. Schilb and Kou netted 16 points each, while Leon Young (11 points, 9 rebounds) and Tracy Robinson (11 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists) also recorded double-figure scoring efforts for the Ramblers. J.R. Blount also had a solid all-around effort as he totaled nine points, five boards, four assists and six steals for the victors.

Following the game, the Loyola coaching staff conducted a one-hour clinic for some students in attendance at the contest.

The Ramblers conclude game competition tonight when they face the Guatemalan National Team for the second time in three days. Loyola won the first meeting between the teams, 86-57 on Tuesday night.

loyolaramblers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/081706aaa.html

[Willie]

Loyola Concludes Trip On Winning Note, Tops Guatemalan National Team, 88-63
Fast start propels Ramblers to victory as they wrap up trip 6-0


Aug. 18, 2006

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala - Loyola University Chicago used a fast start to open up a comfortable lead and roll to an 88-63 victory over the Guatemalan National Team in front of 1,200 fans at Teodoro Palacios Arena Thursday night. The win, Loyola's second in three days over the Guatemalan National Team, gave the Ramblers an unblemished 6-0 mark on a Central American tour that included stops in Costa Rica and Guatemala.

Torrid long-range shooting helped Loyola to a 29-13 lead after one quarter as J.R. Blount hit three three-pointers and Blake Schilb added two treys himself, although Darrin Williams provided the highlight with a rim-rattling, one-handed slam dunk in the post.

Loyola received another balanced offensive attack, with Blount's 13 points leading the way. The sophomore guard also added three rebounds and a pair of assists. Schilb was impressive at both ends of the floor, tallying 10 points, two boards, four assists and three steals. Kye Pattrick recorded eight points, hitting all six of his tries from the foul line, and grabbed a half-dozen caroms. Tracy Robinson capped off an impressive week by contributing eight points and four boards and Williams provided a lift off the bench with six points and seven rebounds.

The Ramblers return home today and look forward to the official start of practice, Oct. 14.

loyolaramblers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/081806aaa.html