Published: October 05, 2009 11:54 pm         

Ramblin' Reck: Indianapolis is alive with Colts, Fever mania

More than 85,000 fans watched two of the city’s pro teams record nice victories.

The Colts again were impressive in their 34-17 victory over Seattle to move to 4-0. They are one of the five undefeated teams in the NFL. And that was before unbeaten Minnesota played Green Bay in the Monday Night Game.

Some fans think the Colts are playing better right now than they ever have. Could be.

They’ll face the frustrated, winless Tennessee Titans next. That team may be playing at its worst. And has lots of injuries.

The Indiana Fever moved a step closer to its first WNBA championship by beating Phoenix 86-85 before a sellout crowd in Conseco Fieldhouse.

They can wrap up the title by beating Phoenix on Wednesday in another home game. Otherwise, it will be back to Phoenix on Friday for the deciding fifth game.

The future of this team — maybe the league — was uncertain before the season started. It certainly looks better now.



• Some win, some lose — High school sports teams were busy in several sports. In case you missed it, North Central and Owen Valley both got their first football victories by beating Riverton Parke and West Vigo, respectively, while Vincennes Lincoln lost to Washington and could be headed for the second winless season in school history.

Northview moved closer to another WIC championship with its victory at South Vermillion, which still could have its best season in school history.

In Illinois, Casey and Marshall were easy winners in LIC games on the road. The Warriors appear headed for yet another undefeated season while the Lions won their fifth in a row since losing to Casey in the season opener.

• Martinsville won another girls golf championship at The Legends of Indiana. The Artesians and Carmel each shot 662 in the two-day event and Martinsville took the title with a better fifth score.

To give an indication again how tough the Martinsville Regional is in the sport, the Artesians won and Columbus North took ninth. Teams from this area compete in the regional.

Meghan Potee of Noblesville took medalist honors with 3-over-par 147. Taylor Gohn of Columbus North was third with 152.

• Bloomfield had a 17-1 record in boys tennis and won the sectional at Loogootee for its first sectional title since 1977.

North Central was undefeated in the regular season in boys tennis.



• Two cagers sidelined — Two college basketball players have been sidelined, apparently for the season, both with torn ACLs in their left knees.

Bobby Hill is out for Illinois State for the second straight season.

Scott Martin is done at Notre Dame. He was going to be eligible this season after sitting out a season following his transfer from Purdue.

On a positive note, Butler got a commitment from 6-foot-7 Khyle Marshall, who attends Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Fla. He averaged 26 points and 12.5 rebounds as a junior and was considered a top-100 recruit.



• Tom-Cattin’ It — Grand Valley State cross country teams had top finishes in one of the races Friday at the Notre Dame Invitational.

The men’s team was second and the women’s team won.

Anthony Witt, a sophomore from Shakamak, placed ninth overall with a 25:11 time.

• Former Bloomfield baseball player Tyler Evans was strength and conditioning coach for the Chicago Cubs’ Class A team in Peoria, Ill.

• Wabash beat Allegheny in football 37-3 and now has won 600 games. Notre Dame is the only other team in the state with 600-plus victories.

• Zach Spiker has been named the men’s basketball coach at Army. He has been an assistant at Bucknell, winner of Patriot League titles the past two seasons. He succeeds former Evansville coach Jim Crews, who was let go after seven losing seasons.

• Ron Geary, owner of Ellis Park, says he will request dates for the Kentucky 2010 horse racing season. He says he is not sure of how many days he will ask for his season.

• Sporting News Today has chosen its major award winners in baseball.

In the American League, it is Joe Mauer of Minnesota for MVP, Zack Greinke of Kansas City for Cy Young and Mike Scioscia of the Angels for manager of the year.

In the National League, it is Albert Pujols of St. Louis for MVP, Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals for Cy Young and Jim Tracy of Colorado for manager of the year.



Tom Reck may be contacted by telephone at (812) 232-3231, by email at tm_reck@yahoo.com or by mail at 4284 South 5th Street, Apt. 3, Terre Haute, IN 47802.