Saturday, October 28, 2000
Miami's Shorts out with sprained ankle
Coles hoping F/C will be ready for season opener
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Miami University suffered a major blow Friday when Alex Shorts, one of its top newcomers, severely sprained his ankle at practice.
Shorts, a 6-foot-8, 239-pound center/forward from San Jacinto College, is expected to miss at least three weeks.
Miami opens the season four weeks from today (Nov.18) against Xavier in the new Cintas Center.
“We're hoping he's a quick healer and we can have him ready,” Miami coach Charlie Coles said.
The sprain is third-degree, the severest of the three classifications. That indicates stretched or torn ligaments.
Shorts, who sat out last year for academic reasons, was competing for a starting job on Miami's front line. He's a good inside scorer and is athletic for his size.
“Obviously this is a significant injury for our program,” Coles said. “Alex is one of the keys to our frontcourt. He can do so many things for a basketball team.”
EARLY RISERS: The RedHawks have been practicing every day at 6:30a.m.
“I love it,” Coles said. “I think the kids like it, too. The big thing is getting proper rest. That's not easy when you're living in a dorm.”
Coles made the move so the players were free to schedule afternoon classes.
“Colleges have gone from morning classes to afternoon,” he said. “Three to 5 (p.m.) in the afternoon isn't sacred anymore.”
Miami will go back to a more conventional practice schedule for the second semester.
“I like to do it all year,” Coles said. “I like that I get them first thing. If you practice in the afternoon, you're third or fourth down the line.”
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Miami's Shorts out with sprained ankle