ST. JOSEPH – As the fanfare of March Madness nears and fans converge on Municipal Auditorium, this year marks the 15th Anniversary of the MIAA Basketball Championships in Kansas City. The inaugural year will always be special for Missouri Western as both the Griffon men’s and women’s basketball teams advanced to the championship games, including a 75-65 victory over Washburn in the title game for the Griffon men.

As part of the commemoration of 15 years of the championships in Kansas City, the MIAA will recognize the 2003 tournament champion Griffons as part of the tournament on Saturday, March 4 during a semifinal game to be determined.

The 2002-03 Griffons were led by head coach Tom Smith who won his fourth title that season, second most in MIAA history. Statistically, the team was paced by the one-two punch of seniors Damon Bailey and Larry Taylor. Bailey (6-5, Forward, San Antonio, Texas) averaged 18 points and six rebounds entering the tournament and excelled even further on the big stage, scoring 74 points during the weekend, including a 27-point effort in the title game and was named the tournament MVP. Taylor (6-1, Guard, Chicago, Ill.) ran the point guard position for the Griffons and was also named to the All-Tournament team after a 17-point, six-rebound, five-assist effort in the victory over Washburn. In all, the team finished with a 23-8 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament which was Smith’s ninth at MWSU.

2002-03 – Griffon Men’s Basketball Roster
#1 – Altaurus “Tee” Mason – Guard
#3 – Lynn Stevenson – Forward
#4 – Jay Gentry – Guard
#10 – Lou Chapman – Guard
#21 – Levar Grace – Forward
#22 – Cy Musser – Guard
#23 – Mario Davis – Forward
#24 – Larry Taylor – Guard
#25 – Matt Grove – Guard
#33 – Tyrice Mitchell – Forward
#34 – Damon Bailey – Forward
Head Coach – Tom Smith
Assistant Coach – Mike Nicholson
Graduate Assistant – Brett Esely
Manager – Shannon Petsche

In addition to the 2003 appearances, Griffon teams have appeared in the title game of the MIAA Basketball Championship three additional times. Below is a recap of tournament championship game history along with All-Tournament Team members and record holders from the Kansas City portion of the championship.

March 9, 2003 – Washburn 71 Griffon Women’s Basketball 60
After a low-scoring first half in which the Griffons trailed at halftime, 22-18, more than 90 points were scored combined by both teams in the second half. The Griffon front court of Nicole Lindsay (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Steph Jones (23 points) paced the way.

March 4, 2007 – Washburn 71 Griffon Women’s Basketball 70
After trailing by 21 points late in the first half, the Griffons stormed back to take a late lead. However a foul and a free throw late earned the Ichabods the tournament title. Guard Yanique Javois led all scorers with 21 points while guard Tiffany Davis grabbed 12 rebounds and dishing out 6 assists.

March 8, 2009 – Central Missouri 86 Griffon Men’s Basketball 84 – OT
In a true Cinderella-like weekend, Griffon Men’s Basketball entered the 2009 MIAA Championship as the 8-seed, and limping in by all accounts after two sizable road defeats the week before. The slipper certainly fit during the weekend as they upset No. 1 Southwest Baptist and No. 4 Fort Hays State in route to one of the most exciting finals the tournament has ever seen. Six players scored in double figures led by forward Marcus Rhodes as the Griffons were defeated by No. 2-seeded Central Missouri in overtime, 86-84. It was the second consecutive year that the No. 8 seed had advanced to the championship game.

ALL-TIME KANSAS CITY ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM MEMBERS – 2003 – PRESENT
WOMEN:
2003: Nicole Lindsay – F, Steph Jones – F
2004: Danielle McKinley – G
2006: Jill Johnson – F
2007: Ashleigh Curry – G, Tiffany Davis – G, Yanique Javois – F

MEN:
2003: Damon Bailey (MVP) – F, Larry Taylor – G
2004: Robert Bishop – G
2009: Lonnel Johnson – G, Marcus Rhodes – F

ALL-TIME SINGLE YEAR RECORDS, KANSAS CITY PORTION – 2003 – PRESENT
Men:
Points scored 2nd – Damon Bailey – 74, (3 games) – 2003

Women:
Assists 1st – Tiffany Davis – 27, (3 games) – 2007
Blocks 4th – Inga Buzoka – 12, (3 games)

ALL-TIME SINGLE GAME RECORDS, KANSAS CITY PORTION – 2003 – PRESENT
Women:
Assists 1st – Tiffany Davis – 15 vs. Pittsburg State – 3/2/07

— MWSU Athletics —