Nevada hosts Bulldogs on Senior Night

Neavda hosts Bulldogs on Senior Night

BY DARRELL MOODY

Appeal Sports Writer

RENO- Curry Lynch hasn't seen much action this season, but when he's introduced at Senior Night tonight, you could bet the Lawlor Faithful will go crazy.

Lynch, the popular redheaded sharpshooter from Virginia City High School and a huge fan favorite, will be honored with fellow seniors Marcelus Kemp, David Ellis and Demarshay Johnson prior to the game against Louisiana Tech (ESPN pay-per-view/630 AM).

Tip-off is set for 6:05 p.m.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Lynch was recruited by former head coach Trent Johnson, who fell in love with the former Muckers star. Lynch is one of the relatively few area players to ever don a Nevada uniform.

Tonight will mark Lynch's 36th game in a Nevada uniform and his first start in a regular-season game. He's been a part of the Pack's remarkable four straight NCAA appearances, though most of it has been as a practice player.

"It's just been amazing," Lynch said. "The five years have been a whirlwind. I'm sure emotions will be high. I started one exhibition game. I think I can handle myself well enough."

Lynch may have the most difficult job on the team. He works just as hard as the regulars, but because Nevada has been so talented, he's never gotten a lot of playing time. A lot of guys would throw up their hands in frustration and elect not to play anymore.

Not Lynch.

"It's never gotten so bad that I considered quitting," he said. "I'm playing the game I love to play."

Lynch's work ethic has earned the respect of coach Mark Fox, who awarded a scholarship to Lynch this year.

"He's been terrific," Fox said. "He's probably played every position for us and nearly every position on the scout team. I'm going to miss him and Marcelus playing horse before every practice.

"[Lynch] saw [former Nevada player] Seth Taylor work himself into a role. It didn't happen like that for Curry. He cares so much about Nevada."

And Lynch plans to stay in the Reno area. He wants to work in law enforcement and eventually join the FBI.

•••

Kemp's Senior Night should have been two years ago, but he missed two full seasons with injuries.

Kemp bypassed the NBA Draft this season to come back for his sixth season at Reno, and he has helped the Pack to rise within one game of the conference lead with two games left. More importantly, he will graduate in May.

Currently, Kemp is the No. 3 career scorer, the leader in 3-pointers made, No. 8 in career 3-point percentage, No. 4 in career field goals made and No. 4 in free throw percentage. He is the second-leading scorer in the Western Athletic Conference at 20.4 per game and No. 35 in the country.

"It's my final game, I just want to get a win," Kemp said. "I don't want to go out with a loss.

Kemp's biggest thrill, even though he averaged just 13 minutes a game, was the 2003-04 season when Nevada went to the Sweet 16 after knocking off Michigan State and Gonzaga in his hometown of Seattle before losing to Georgia Tech in the third round.

His maturity as a player is evident. He has been the father figure to many of the younger Nevada players. He feels that the hardships that he's had to endure has helped other players.

"When I first came here, I didn't know how to play college basketball," Kemp said. "The maturity comes naturally."

Kemp said he hoped to be playing professionally a year from now, whether it's in the NBA, the D-League or overseas, a route taken by ex-Pack stars Kevinn Pinkney, Kyle Shiloh, Jermaine Washington and Dennis Ikovlev.

•••

Ellis was originally ticketed to go to California out of Capital Christian High in Sacramento, but ended up at Nevada instead.

The 7-foot Ellis will be playing his 102nd game for the Pack. He has a tremendous outside game, and has shot 43 percent, 42 percent, 47 percent and 45 percent from the field over his four seasons with the Pack.

Ellis, like Nick Fazekas before him, has legitimate 3-point range. His career-best game offensively came this year when he went 7-for-7 from the field to score a career-high 14 points in an 83-70 win over Louisiana Tech. Ellis' production came in 15 minutes.

"The four years have flown by," Ellis said. "It's been a lot of fun. Winning three WAC titles and going to the [NCAA] Tournament sticks out in my mind."

Besides the game, Ellis seemed to be more worried whether or not his mother, Diane, would cry, which elicited smiles around the room.

Ellis also hopes to be playing pro ball somewhere next year.

"I'll take it one day at a time," Ellis said.

•••

Johnson was a partial qualifier and left Nevada to attend Diablo Valley College and play for Steve Coccimiglio, who also coached former Pack star Mo Charlo.

Johnson started alongside Fazekas two years ago, but then was academically ineligible last season. He worked hard and got himself eligible. Johnson is averaging around 6.6 points and nearly five rebounds a contest.

"It's a big night, especially because of last year," Johnson said. "I just wanted to play well. That was the biggest thing. I feel like I've done that.

"I wanted to come back here (after DVC). This is the place I wanted to be. It's been a great experience for me."

•••

This is Fox's fourth Senior Night as a head coach. He's been through others as an assistant at Kansas State and Washington.

He admitted it's an emotional time for everybody, especially before tip-off, and that players handle it differently.

Ellis is the only member of the senior quartet that played straight through without an eligibility problems or redshirting.

"I can't believe how fast it's gone," Fox said. "You get so addicted to the next game. You don't realize how quick things go."

Fox said that all four players were a big part of the program. That was a key to the team's success, and that's why he thinks all four will be a success in society.

• Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com, or by calling (775) 881-1281