National Highlight Reel: Bryce Alford follows in father Steve's footsteps

Steve Alford grew up in New Castle (Ind.) hoping to be a basketball star for the Indiana University Hoosiers under legendary coach Bob Knight. He did lead the Hoosiers to an NCAA title, won a gold medal with the USA in the 1984 Olympics and played four years in the NBA before launching his coaching career.

His youngest son, Bryce Alford, however, is growing up in a completely different environment, perhaps wanting to become a University of New Mexico Lobo some day. That's because his father is the head coach there and Bryce has spent countless hours at the Lobos' arena, aptly nicknamed "The Pit."

Bryce has no real ties to Indiana, because his family moved to Missouri when he was 6 months old.

Now a 6-foot-3, 165-pound junior guard, Bryce exploded for a school-record 44 points in the season opener as La Cueva (Albuquerque, N.M.) nipped Cibola (Albuquerque, N.M.) in an overtime thriller, 78-74. He scored his final eight points in the pressure-filled overtime. His big game included six 3-point baskets and a perfect 16-for-16 showing at the free throw line.

The previous school record was 37 points by A.J. Bramlett, who later helped the University of Arizona win an NCAA championship.

Even as a sophomore, Bryce Alford averaged 16 points and five assists to lead the Bears in both categories.

The rising star told MaxPreps, "I put in a lot of hard work during the summer. I knew I was due for a good season, but I didn't expect to break the school record in the first game. I worked out with the Lobos three times a week during the summer and my dad worked with me on my shot."

Veteran La Cueva coach Frank Castillo wasn't surprised by Alford's school-record night.

"I wish I could tell you it was a shock," he laughed. "He has that confidence. When he takes a 3-point shot, it's like a layup. He made big shots at the end. He wants the ball and wants to make the big play. He's a really good shooter. I can't imagine Steve being much better. He's a real leader and really has fun playing the game. He's a good role model."

Bryce has one advantage over his famous father: He is quicker and more athletic. He noted, "One of my biggest strengths is good ability to get around people. I like to get out and run."

This is the first year that Bryce isn't playing alongside his older brother, Kory, who now is a 6-4 redshirt freshman at - you guessed it - the University of New Mexico.

Nevertheless, Cibola coach Ray Rodriguez had the last word when he told the Albuquerque Journal, "Alford is gonna be awesome. He had a lot of veterans around him last year, but now he's the guy."

* Eldorado (Albuquerque, N.M.) defeated Rio Grande (Albuquerque, N.M.), 85-69, behind Cullen Neal, who scored a career-high 40 points and dished out 11 assists. Neal also has ties to the University of New Mexico Lobos program, as his father, Craig Neal, is an associate head coach.

* In a preview of the future, Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.) defeated Lake Central (St. John, Ind.), 79-64, as Michigan State University recruit Gary Harris amassed 25 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. Game honors went to University of Michigan recruit Glenn Robinson III of Lake Central with 30 points and 14 rebounds.

* Tevohn Gist poured in 49 points as Juarez (Chicago) defeated Chicago Academy, 81-76.

* Butler University recruit Kellen Dunham shot 14-for-26 from the field and finished with 40 points as Pendleton Heights (Ind.) defeated Alexandria (Ind.), 73-46.

* Six-foot-11 Chad Rykhoek scored a school-record 40 points to lead Fort Worth Christian (North Richland Hills, Texas) to a 59-44 victory over Roosevelt (Dallas).

* Cameron High scored 42 points as Lebanon (Tenn.) defeated White County (Sparta, Tenn.), 77-69.

* Point guard Stephen Clark of Douglass (Oklahoma City) had 42 points in a 90-80 loss to Kimball (Dallas).

* Don Dziagwa posted his 400th career coaching victory as Tampa Catholic (Fla.) defeated New Dimensions (Kissimmee, Fla.), 86-68.

* On the girls side, Tyra Buss exploded for 46 points as Mt. Carmel (Ill.) rolled past Guerin Catholic (Noblesville, Ind.), 79-53.

GEHRIG DIETER FINISHES RECORD-BREAKING YEAR WITH ANOTHER MARK

Senior wide receiver Gehrig Dieter climaxed his football career at Washington (South Bend, Ind.) by setting an Indiana Class 4A championship game record with 168 receiving yards during a 42-7 loss to Indianapolis Cathedral (Indianapolis, Ind.).

Earlier in the year he set a national record with 437 receiving yards in a single game. He also finished with a national record of 26.8 yards per catch (previous record was 25.8) and is second all-time with a career average of 22.5. He also leaves with six Indiana records.

* Though he's just a sophomore, Arkeel Newsome already has stamped himself for greatness by scoring a state-record 50 touchdowns this year for Ansonia (Conn.).

* Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas) star Zach Peters did double duty last week as he practiced basketball in the morning and football in the afternoon so he could play in both basketball and football tournaments. The 6-9 senior has signed with the University of Kansas.

* Junior Olito Thompson scored four touchdowns and rushed for 457 yards to break the school record for the second time in two weeks as Concord (Calif.) defeated Las Lomas (Walnut Creek, Calif.), 42-16, in the quarterfinals of the North Coast Section Division II playoffs. Thompson played linebacker as a sophomore.

* Talk about defense - South County (Lorton, Va.) senior linebacker Devin Vandyke had three sacks, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and blocked two punts during a 37-13 victory over Yorktown (Arlington, Va.) in the Class AAA Northern Region Division 5 finals.

* Sussex Central (Va.) set what is believed to be an all-time state playoff points record with an 88-8 rout of Covington (Va.) in the Division I East Section semifinals. The margin was 74-8 at halftime and both schools agreed to shorten the second half to a pair of eight-minute quarters.

* Tanner Trosin passed for 377 yards and three touchdowns while running for 125 yards and one touchdown to lead Folsom (Calif.) to an impressive 42-28 victory over previously unbeaten Elk Grove (Calif.) in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinals. In his first year as a starting quarterback, the 6-1 senior now has 4,778 passing yards, which is a Northern California record and No. 3 in state history, according to the Sacramento Bee.

* Though legendary quarterback Johnny Manziel has graduated from Tivy (Kerrville, Texas), Parks McNeil is doing a great imitation. During a 50-43 Class 4A playoff victory over Calhoun (Port Lavaca, Texas), he had a career-best game by passing for 336 yards and two touchdowns and running for 216 yards and four more touchdowns.

* Harlingen (Texas) intercepted six passes - four returned for touchdowns - en route to a 53-28 Class 5A playoff victory over Warren (San Antonio).

* National passing record holder Maty Mauk continued a quest for his first state championship while leading Kenton (Ohio) to a 36-6 victory over Clinton-Massie (Clarksdale, Ohio). The fourth-year starting quarterback passed for 412 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception. The 14-0 Wildcats will play Norwayne (Creston, Ohio) on Saturday for the Division IV state title.

* Pembroke (Mass.) gave coach Bob Bancroft his 200th coaching victory with a 27-14 triumph over Silver Lake Regional (Kingston, Mass.).

* Middletown (Del.) outlasted Dover (Del.), 63-40, in the Division I state semifinals despite the efforts of Ian Gory, who passed for 449 yards.

* Sophomore AJ Long passed for 404 yards and six touchdowns to lead Pius X (Bangor, Pa.) to a 55-20 victory over Calvary Christian (Philadelphia) during the opening round of the Class A state playoffs.

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