By Dave Buursma

Staff Writer

Late February and early March is usually the time of year when you can expect to hear people spout off terms like ``Cinderella'' and ``upset-city''. Last year's MIAA tournament witnessed a ``Cinderella'' story of its own, as last-place Adrian rode the torrid shooting of Steve Brooks to their first appearance in an MIAA Championship game. There will be no Cinderella this year, however, as the top four teams in the league all advanced to the semi-finals to be held on Friday night at the Knollcrest Fieldhouse.

Calvin(19-6) took home its fourth consecutive MIAA crown with a 69-55 victory at Alma on Saturday. The Knights were able to gain sole possession of the crown for the third-strait year, as Hope fell into second-place with a tough loss at Albion.

The top-seeded Knights will begin their quest for a NCAA Tournament bid on Friday night, as they square off against a red-hot Albion squad. The Britons were able to advance to the semi-finals with a 76-57 victory of a dangerous Adrian squad on Wednesday night.

Calvin is hosting the tournament for the fourth consecutive season and posts an impressive 10-1 record on their home floor this year. The only loss of the year at home for Calvin: you guessed it-Albion. The Knights will be looking for a way to send the Britons home for the season and move on to their third MIAA Championship Game in as many years.

Albion(17-8) enters Friday's semi-final contest riding a four-game winning streak that includes an impressive win over Hope to close out their season, holding the Dutch to a season-low 39 points. There is no doubt that the Britons are poised to spoil the Knight's tournament, and take yet another game from the Knights on their home floor. Just two weeks ago, Albion ended a disappointing four-game losing skid by handing the Knights their only loss of the season at Knollcrest Fieldhouse. The Britons are also the only team in the league to defeat the Knights on their home floor in the past three seasons, winning their last two meetings at the Fieldhouse.

In the other semi-final on Friday, second-seeded Hope(18-8) will take on third-seed Kalamazoo(17-9) at 6:00 game. The Flying Dutchmen advanced after holding off a pesky Alma squad 86-73 Wednesday night and Kalamazoo posted a 75-67 victory over Olivet in their first-round game.

Hope has had Kalamazoo's number this season, winning both games during the regular season. In their first match-up at the Civic Center, the Flying Dutchmen blew the Hornets out of the gym 87-60. On January 26, Hope became the only team this season to emerge victorious from the Hornet's nest, escaping 75-68.

The Championship game will be held at the Fieldhouse on Saturday night at 7:30 PM, whether the Knights win or lose on Friday.

The winner of the Championship game will be awarded the MIAA's automatic(AQ) bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament and advance to first-round action next week. First-round action of the National Tournament will be held on Thursday, February 28.