Abilene Reporter-News from Abilene, Texas • Page 112

Wildcats Open Spring Grid Drills 4-C THE ABILENE REPORTER-NEWS Abilene, Texas, Sunday Morning, February 11, 1973 Abilene Christian College football spring drills gel under way Tuesday, according to AGC 'athletic director and head football coach Wall) 1 Bui- linglon. "We're very optimistic at this point and expect to have a good group working out in the spring," said Bullington. "We have some fine returning lel- lermen from last year and some new recruits." are 53 prospects including 28 leltermen. Among the top returnees will be ju- nior two-year letterrnan quarterback Clint Longley (6-1, 190), senior three-year letterman defensive tackle Sonny Movers (6-1, 225), and defensive end Steve Ricks (6-1, 210). "We have several men seeking the backup quarterback slot behind Longley," said 1'iulliiigton, "and we feel we have the men to fill the vacancies on the line left by graduating seniors." Those seeking the quarterback slot with Longley will be sophomore transfer liaymond Crosier (6-4, 215) from South- Methodist University: Jim Reese (5-11, 155), a redshirt last year from Abilene High; and Steve Gillmore (5-10, 175), a transfer from Blinn junior College.

With only three returning offensive linemen, tackle Don Harrison (6-2, 220), guard Mike Layfield (6-2, 205) and tackle Garry Moore (6-1, 200), much help will be sought from sophomore guard Bob Harmon (5-11, 215), a fall transfer from Staff Praised, Blasted IT'S BEEN a busy week, letter-wise, for the sports staff. First a couple to Art Lawler, who at times tends to put his "best" fool forward. From Larry Crisman, SID at Howard Payne concerning last Sunday's tongue- in-cheek column concerning a reply to an Abilene radio station concerning McMurry basketball. i "There's still room in today's journalism for good work. You had a choice example of.it in Sunday's column about McMurry and.the KNIT letter.

Just brilliant. Thought I would laugh my head off 'at some of tlie lines both in the letter and i -your f.fforts. Hang in Ihere, Art. It's refreshing occasionally to see a little creativity and effort in the pages of today's papers." Next is from Coach Bill Pringle, the very capable boss at Albany High School. "I want to congratulate you upon receiving Ihe 'Sportswriter' of Ihe Year Award! We as coaches of Ihe Region believe your coverage and articles are the best.

Keep up the good work!" Coach Pringle, has let the cat out of the bag, so to speak. Lawler has been nominated from Region II as a candidate for state sports writer of the year honors. But, it has not been officially released. Winner of the state vote will be released at the coaching school in August. A complete list of candidates have not been released yet.

Now comes Ben Sudderth of Comanche In a letter lo area basketball writer Verle Englerth. "Well, you blew it! Joe Bailey, President of the School Board at Early, wrote you a letter commending you for the fine manner in which you publicize area sports and you respond, four days later, by writing an article covering the 'Brownwood Early' basketball successes. So far as I know there is no such place. Early is an incorporated city of about 1,500 people adjacent to Brownwood. Early has its own separate school system which has existed since 1929.

This may appear to be picky- picky, however it is not necessary to refer to Brownwood in reference to Early, its school system or other attributes. "Now in regard to 'When Early last won a bi-district In 1950 the Early High School basketball team won regional championship and played in the State tourney at Austin. Let me tell you something about the men who played on that team. The outslanding member of the team was Damon Miller, who in addition to being an all-stale basketball player was an all-district football end and won the state track meet in high hurdles and high jump. Incidentally, he set a high school record in the high jump.

Miller later played basketball at Howard Payne College where he was All-Texas Conference and he is now Dr. Damon Miller, head of the Psychology Department at Southwest Texas State University. at was not the tallest man on the team. Marlin Dodds, at 6-7, was the tall man. Marlin later played basketball at Howaid Payne College and is now high school principal at Kermit Bv CARL DLNGLER Two other tall boys were Murray Flowers and Bob Shannon.

They alternated at starting and they each stood about Bob Shannon is now Associate Justice of the Court of Civil Appeals in Austin and Flowers is a lieutenant in the police force at San Angelo. The two guards were Don Davis who was 5-11 and is now high school superintendent at Novice. At was the smallest man on the team and I now labor at Ihe law in Comanche. "Now, let me say this, you and Ihe rest of the slaff of The Abilene Reporter-News do a superb job of reporting the news, not only sports news, but all other news in this area. The people of Early, Comanche, Coleman, Goldthwaite, Rising Star and all of the rest of the smaller towns in this area appreciate the work that you are doing.

I know because I have heard many people express Iheir feelings. And I know that my good friend Joe Bailey has not changed his opinion, even though you did refer to his fine school as 'Brownwood All of the aforementioned is duly noted and is hereby amended, thanks to your prudent efforts Mr. Sudderth. A few words of praise for some out- slanding Big Country performances. Dean ie Beasiey of Hawley scored 68 pionts recently in one game.

Terrie Eddington of Cross Plains had 56. Coach Freeman Lamkin has turned in an outstanding season with his basketball team, going 21-4 for the year and 12-2 in district. One of those loses was a forfeit when Lamkin stuck to his guns in a disciplinary move and didn't have enough players to start a game. All the more credit to this coaches' character building and professionalism. Coach Rusty Hackler at Hermleigh also has done a great job, going 13-1.

Too, Coahoma is having a great year, winning district in football and now the boys and girls have won district in basketball. In 40 seasons of Lnne Star Conference basketball competition, Sam Houston has never won an outright championship. The Bearkals tied for LSC honors in 1933-34, 1936-37, 1947 48 and 1970-71 Kathy Whitworth Leads NAPLES, Fla. (AP) Veteran Kathy Whitworth struggled to a four-over-par 76 Saturday in the wind-blown second round of the $25,000 Naples-Lely Golf Classic but took-- a six-stroke lead into Sunday's final 18 holes. Miss Whitworth shot 68 in Friday's first round for a 36- hole-tolal of 144.

Shelly Hamlin, alone in second place Friday, skied to a 79 Saturday to fall into a four-way tie behind Miss Whi- at 150. With Miss Hamlin in Ihe runnerup slot were Debbie Austin, Joann Carner and Joyce Kazmierski, who had Ihe low round of 73 as the LPGA stars battled 40-mile- an-hour wind gusts and chilly Dean Inks Aggie Grid Infent Letter COLLEGE STATION, Tex. (AP) Jimmy Dean, a 6- foot-5, 240-pound All-State tac kle from Brazoswood, said Saturday he will sign a Southwest Conference football letter of intent with Ihe Texas Ag- gies next Tuesday. Dean is a first team all-stat- er on both offense and rin fense and was the No. 2 ranking blue-chip prospect in a Dallas Times Herald poll of SWC coaches.

weather. Patty Berg and amateur Paulette Lee, who had par-72 rounds Friday, shot themselves out of it Saturday with 87 and 88 respectively. Miss Whltworth three-putted a trio of greens on the front side to make the turn in 39, then recovered somewhat for 37 on the incoming nine at the Lely Country Club course. CLINT LONGLEY Wildcat passing ace North Texas State; junior tackle Bryan Smith (6-1, 270), a transfer from San Bernardino Valley (Calif.) Junior College; sophomore Bobby Turnbeaugh (6-2, 210), a transfer from Western New Mexico; junior guard Rick Hales (6-3, 210); redshirt tackles Rand Baker (6-3, 210) and Charles Lawson lG-3, 230), and redshirt guard Finis Vanover (6-1, 220). Along with Moyers and Ricks on the defensive line wiii be one-year lellerman senior tackle Odel Crawford (6-2.

225). Hopefully filling the vacancy of letterman defensive end Chip Marcum will be sophomore Kevin McLeod (61, 200). "We feel our offense will be complete when one looks at the returning lettermen we have and the new recruits'we were able to get," said Bullington. There should be an interesting contest for the fullback position between returning lettermen Dan Cobb (6-0, 200), junior David Haynes (6-1, 200) and sophomore Mike Burk (60, 195). The only other returning letterman in the backfield is sophomore tailback Hubert Picket! (6-2, 205).

The race for backup tailback will include sophomore Cassy Garza (5-10, 170) Kentwood a High School standout freshman Ellis McKnight (5-10, 180); and Blinn Junior College transfer Frank Lynch (6-0, 175). Trying to fill the shoes left vacant by letterman Wolfgang Halbig at the wingback position will be Tyler Junior College transfer Reginale Hunter (5-10, 170) and freshman Harold Sparks (5-9, 160). "We were hurt when we lost Phil Martin, our big middle linebacker last year," said Bullington. "That was one of our main objectives when we were recruiting for the fall." The 'coaching staff is hoping freshman Ron Dick (6-0, 215), who just completed three years in the service, will be able to fill the position. Also trying out for the middle linebacker spot will be sophomore letterman Skeeter Martin (510, 190) and freshman John Usrey (6-0, 215).

"We feel our secondary is fairly sound with the experience we have coming back from last year's squad." Rounding out the secondary will be leltermen halfbacks senior Jan Brown (5-10. 180), junior Mark Culwell (5-11, 165) and sophomore Bob Strader (5-10, 170). Playing at safety will be lettermen senior Richard Lepard (6-1, 200), sophomore Monty Tuttle (6-0, 185), scnior Allen Wilson (5-9, 170) and redshirt freshman Jim Reese (5-11, 155). "After our quarterback position is determined we, will be able to work on our offense. We are going to try and develop our passing game because of the receivers we have." Again the lettermen are back to fill their positions.

At split end will be sophomore lettermen Toby York (C-2, 170) and Roy Churchill (5-10, 160), along with Blinn Junior College transfer junior David Henson (6-2, 180). York, who was assigned to the quarterback slot at the first of last year, made the receiving position his home after Churchill was sidelined with a collarbone fracture. At the tight end position will be lettermen senior Todd Walker ifi-5. 220) and sophomore Greg Stirman (6-4, 210). The spring practice schedule runs through March 10 with the final spring scrimmage tentatively set for Saturday, March 10.

Clown Prince of basketball Meadowlark Lemon and the rest of the Harlem Globetrotters will bring their unique form of basketball to the Taylor County Coliseum Wednesday at 8 p.m. Since joining the team in 1954, has become the feature attraction of the Globetrotters. ABILENE WEDNESDAY obetrotters Love Hear Fans Laugh "My mom and dad say that it is not nice to laugh at people. But you are- so funny, I can't help it. If I hurt your feelings I am So wrote one boy who is only one of millions of Harlem Globetratter fans.

For over 30 at 273 PALM' Calif, A Young Johnny Miller cdme from five strokes off the pjce with a blazing nine-under-par 63 and tied Jack Nicklaus for the fourth-round lead Saturday in the Bob Hope Desert Golf Classic. Miller-no relation to Allen Miller, who shared the lead at the end of 54 holes-made His move, at Tamarisk, probably SwiSSf the toughest of the four cours- Lce es used durin" the first four w'n dv ()U nds of this marathon yc i 90 hole, five-day event SS He had a 72 hole total of 273, K' 15 under par Bob Barba Nicklaus, who has led or shaied the lead all the way, Iffir ih Dar five holes four pa SMST tniee-en route to his 68 at Beimuda Dunes and also was TomlT1 Aar ft 273 Kl a WIS Saus, incidentally, beat S35T and $320,000 in earnings. Arnold Palmer, meanwhile, remained just one stroke off the pace. The 43-year-old master. seeking his first triumph since 1971, recovered from a double bogey six with birdies BSv on his two holes, as he forged a 68 for 274.

Abilene's Charles Coody put together a three-umler par 69 (,, pu even Lee Wykle at 279. The two are tied for eighth place. He was matched by veteran Gay Brewer, a 40-vear-old former Masters champion who HOPE CLASSIC LEADERS 7 we T.SS? 1 TM 1 p-72-67-69-279 smj mli-wffs-m Si" 11 fS "'KMi sJacobs 66-76-70-70-282 Jod c-oidstrand "Son TM- "w-m Keaior 72 Sr, 5 ToKano Barber SSSJfcS SffjEST 0 1ST. I'SSf CH birdied the final noie for a 68 and a share of second place 01 lnl the fmal round ln tn8 cnase for a 132,000 first rlze John the surprise winner of last week's Hawaii- an Open, was next with a 70- 277 under ar and four st es I Jim Wiechers and John Ma- a we TM at 278 wiecllel had a solid 66 at Tamarisk and Mahaffey took a 68 at the same course. British Open Le Tr vino had a was but out ot ll at 73.73-71-73-290 7.1.72-72.73-291 Allen Miller, a lour sopho- mo et T' tied with Nicklaus when the th TM a completed but three sixes on his card on llls way to a Iat 75 a dropped him back in the pack "Slaus has chved tho Sunday's final round will be at Rp rm a 0 tesn' mi I green in his las two divs and nnl! hasn't mariP a on fou" iTthe 1-? holes.

Ira Girls Earn Crown By VERLE ENGLERTH Reporter-News Spurts Writer IK A The small community of Ira (120 high school slu- dents) isn't the most well- known place in Texas, but ketball team is working like the devil to put their town on h'ict 10-B champion. Last year the girls advanced lo the Regional tournament before losing in second round play to Follet, 69-51. First round action saw Ira defeat Balmorhea, 52-30. a 1 1 's girls bombed McAdoo, 53-31, And, it'll be McAdoo versus Ira in bi-district again this J' nar Ira is presently 21-4 or, the year after a i swept through district play with a 12-0 record. This year marks Ihe fourth straight for Ira to win the Ipague tide, and the third con- scciilivo lo go against Me- Adoo.

Four years ago it was KItusl i rl argc Ira against Meadow in bi-dis- Irict. Sallec is in his ISIh year at Ira and has holler than a 75 per cont won-loss record. His teams have won 10 district ti- ties and finished second six oilier times. Leading Ira's offensive show is 5 9 S(in fimvard Jan Kruse. A starter for all four vears of high school cligiuilitv, Jan been Coach Sallee's leading scorer and rebounder 1Iiuin (i2 cent from the fl Jiln 1 3 28 a In llcr scnior vear Jan has a soasotl llis 4(1 mi lls while seldom falling under 20 noints a game.

She averaged 25 oinls a ne as a junior with a 1j of 42 her sophomore season with a 22.5 l' ro(luclinn Her freshman year saw Jan average 17.99 for thn season with a high of 36. As a junior Jan was named to Ihe Forsan All-Tournament loam; AIl-Dislrict; loam All-Areas iRcpnrtor- News); and Outstanding Play- or in tin' Hardin-Simmons L'ni- vcrsity Tournament. Jan Kruse is mil only a lead- cr on the cage floor for Ira, in the classroom, on the cindcrs and anywhere she's needed, as well. She participates in girls' track, choerlcadinj! and other school activities including having held the position of class treasurer and class secretary in her freshman and sophomore years. Jan could feasibly average 1(1-15 more points a game, but that's not Coach Sallei-'s philosophy about girls' basket- bil11 Ira success has come from solid teamwork.

Jan is not the c'tiliro team, nor does she Iry 10 be Other starling forwards in- elude sophomore Paula Slerling (5-7). sophomore Susie Hester and junior Rhonda Tee! who became eligible Jan. lr Paula, according to Coach Sallee, is one of Ihe most improved players. She's avei'ag- ing IS points a game, is a lop rebounder and Mils 58 per mil of her charily losses. The quickest forward on Ihe team is Miss Hester Averaging 13 points a game, Susie is very instrumental in Ira's forward press and contributes her share of the rebounding.

Her free throw percentage is 55 Rhonda is a lop acquisition to the team. She's an excellent outside shooter and averages 20 points a game. Her free throw reading is a fine 87 per cent. Defensively, starting guards are scnior Gale White, junior Phyllis Solomon and sophomores Nancy Sterling and Danita Layne. At 5-10, Miss White is the leading rebounder on Ihe guard end, while Miss Soloman is noled for tough de- frnse.

Nancy Sterling is otic of Coach Sallee's quickest players. Miss Layne, also 5-10, has shown tremendous imprnve- nient throughout (he year and is ratal a lop asset' lo Ira's team. That's Ira. I-R-A. You'll hearing more about the com- miinily, lo be sure.

years, folks have been laughing at the Harlem Globetrotters, and the Trotters love it. Abilene will get its chance to chuckle Wednesday night. One big reason people like to laugh at the Globetrotters so much is Meadowlark Lemon. Commonly known as "The Clown Prince of Basketball," Meadowlark may well be one of the most popular athletes in the world. Since 1954, Meadowlark has been the central figure in the Globetrotter lineup.

In that time, he has missed two games not being able to play, and was late for only one other. Meadow Lemon was his real name, and he was born in Wilmington, N.C. When he went out for basketball as a high school sophomore, he was cut from the squad in deference to a 6-5, 235 pound center. An assistant coach nn the team, E.A. Corbin, said, "The big center couldn't jump very well, and even then Meadow was a fantastic jumper and had those tremendous hands." But the head coach disagreed.

Midway through the season, though, the big center dropped out of school. Cnrbin went to the Boys' Club where Meadow was playing, and pur- suadcd him to join the team. Lemon worked hard on the team, and developed into quite a prep ball player. When he was a junior in high school, he saw a movie called "the Harlem Globetrotter Story." From then on, he knew what he wanted to do. Lemon contacted Abe Saperstein, the owner of the Globetrotters, and asked for a tryout in his senior year.

But he wound up with a two year hitch in the service, and didn't get his chance at the Globetrotters until he and the team met in Germany during his tour of duly. The rest is history. What does Meadowlark Lemon think about his role as a Globetrotter? "In my own way 1 feel as if I can help bring peace to the world. Before I die, I want to see all the wars ot the world fought in arenas, in stadiums, on a a 11 courts, and not on battlefields. I sincerely think this will happen if all people learn to laugh.

I want to clown with a basketball to make people laugh and to make them happy. That is what I was born for." Meadowlark and the rest of the Globetrotters will be In action Wednesday, 8 p.m. at the Taylor Counly Cnlesiuni. They will be -playing the Boston Shamrocks, a professional loam which often travels with the Globetrotters. The halftime show will include an expert juggler, a dancing learn which does parodies on classical dances, two' acrobalic bicyclists, and two of Ihn top table tennis players in the world,.