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Athlete update

Loss of football career leads to title on court

By NANCY MORGAN
Published February 13, 2005

A high school knee injury transformed Cardale Talley (East Lake/Hillsborough CC) from a football player to a basketball athlete.

Kennesaw State is grateful for the change. The college relied on the 6-foot-9 center last year to help lead the Owls to the NCAA Division II championship and looks to Talley this season as they attempt a repeat. "I never played basketball until I hurt my knee in football in the 10th grade," said Talley, 26. "I had to stop playing football, and the basketball coach invited me to join the team at East Lake," Talley said. "By the 10th grade, I was already 6-5."

Talley, the third oldest of eight siblings, sat out a couple of years after high school graduation then entered Hillsborough CC. He was Co-Freshman of the Year and finished his second season with All-America honors.

When a friend at Hillsborough told him about Kennesaw, Talley visited the program, talked with coach Tony Ingle and enrolled at the Georgia school.

"It was a pretty big transition to Kennesaw from Hillsborough, because all the guys were good," Talley said. "I worked hard to learn how to use my body to get in postion and to get down low. Probably 90 percent of my points come from inside, but every now and then I step out and get a three." This season, Talley is Kennesaw's second leading scorer (13.3 average) and has a .560 field-goal percentage. His .760 mark at the free-throw line is somewhat unusual for a big man. "Coach has us practice free throws every practice and all throughout practice," Talley said. "Free throws can win or lose a game." In December, Talley was chosen the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week after averaging 18.3 points and 11 rebounds in a three-game series. He totaled 33 boards for the No. 7 Owls.

Winning the national championship was a dream come true for Talley and his teammates. "We lost three guys from last year's team, and two of those were starters," the senior said.

"When we first won the title, I couldn't believe it and I couldn't explain the feeling I had realizing we had won," he said. "It did sink in as we got back home and got a lot of congratulations."

After shooting for another title and graduating, the criminal justice major wants to play overseas then pursue a career with the FBI.

MORE BASKETBALL: Dominique Redding (Clearwater) came off the bench to score 11 points for Tennessee in a 99-67 win over Ole Miss.

Rice four-year letter-winner and volleyball standout Catherine Dupont (St. Petersburg Catholic) is practicing with the Owls basketball team. Originally recruited by Rice for basketball, the senior plans to return next year to play for the squad.

Embry-Riddle sophomore center Nick Miller (Clearwater) surpassed his 8.1 average with a 12-point game against Webber International.

Sophomore guard Deon Troupe (St. Petersburg) recorded 12 points and five rebounds in a 64-63 Rollins win over Nova Southeastern.

Sophomore center Jordan Kolosey (St. Petersburg) has played in all of Rollins' games.

Sophomore forward Jacob Loucks (Clearwater) scored 10 points for the University of Mobile in a 85-77 victory over Dillard. It was the team's 10th consecutive win.

FOOTBALL: Kicker Brett Kitenplon (Admiral Farragut) was ranked 21st nationally in field goals with 10 in 11 games. The sophomore was selected for the Empire 8 All-Star second team for the second straight year.

TENNIS: Kelly McCain (Canterbury/Saddlebrook/Duke), who turned pro in 2003, is world ranked 125th in singles and 142nd in doubles. The two-time All-American is coached by her father, Dave.

McCain's older brother, Danny (Canterbury/Michigan), begins his second season as a women's volunteer assistant coach at Illinois State while working on his second degree. Florida freshman Alexandra Liles (Saddlebrook) of Largo scored singles and doubles wins, helping the No. 2 Gators to a 7-0 victory over Florida International.

Natalie Tirapelli (Canterbury/Connecticut) is among three seniors on Florida State's squad. In her third season, Tirapelli has a 15-7 singles record.

Michigan's Monica Sly (Shorecrest) won a three-setter in the team's invitational. The freshman had a 4-5 singles and 3-5 fall doubles record.

Kelly Nelson (Shorecrest) is in her third season at Notre Dame.

Shawn Heinchon (Thom Howard/Southwest Louisiana) is an assistant at East Carolina and coaching the men's squad. He was an assistant for Wake Forest the past six years. In 2002, Heinchon was selected the ITA Region II Assistant Coach of the Year.

BASEBALL: Tommy Kidwell (St. Petersburg/Yale) is returning for a second season as manager of the Johnson City Cardinals and his fifth as a minor-league coach in the St. Louis organization.

Stetson senior right-handed pitcher Ryan Heacox (Shorecrest) is a preseason Atlantic Sun Conference selection.

Senior right-hander Ryan Dixon (Seminole/Miami) is vying for Stetson's closer position. Against Bethune-Cookman, Kris Howell of Tierre Verde connected for South Florida's first home run of the season.

WRESTLING: Freshman Dominic DeNunzio (Countryside) posted an overtime victory in the 149 weight class against Princeton to help Harvard collect its first win in eight matches.

DeNunzio's older brother, Dustin (Clearwater Central Catholic/Harvard), a two-time All-American, is in his sixth season as a Harvard assistant coach.

[Last modified February 13, 2005, 01:07:16]