The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 27

3 THE TENNESSON WednewUy, Octobf 14 1998 frfl SPORTS: BASEBALL, HIGH SCHOOLS Larsen ends successful general manager reign By MAURICE PATTON Sports Writer Bill Larsen will relinquish his duties as general manager of the Nashville Sounds, he confirmed last night Larsen, 54, plans to remain with American Sports Enterprises, Inc. the group that owns the Sounds and the Kane County ail.) Cougars of the Midwest League in a consulting role. "I'm going to do some things IVe wanted to do for a while, some more independent things," he 1 Much-needed stadium improvements also took place. "When we acquired the Sounds, Bill went there as a favor to us to get it going," said Michael Murtaugh, vice president and general counsel for ASE. "He's done a great job, getting the operation going in the right direction.

But he has decided he wants to spend more time in marketing and consulting. "We've got two teams, and we're looking for more. He's going to work with us in marketing those two teams, and whatever else we get, and do some consulting on his own. We'll miss his day-to-day involvement, but we'll get his input with two teams instead of one." The change is something that has been contemplated since late August, but details were just finalized in the last few days between Larsen and the Chicago-based ownership group that includes Murtaugh, AJ Gordon and Mike Woleben. According to Murtaugh, there's no great hurry to fill the position.

"We get the benefit of Bill's good work in terms of training and developing a good staff under him," Murtaugh said. "Most of the people down there have had the benefit of one or two years under his tutelage. The entire sales staff is still there, and they know what they're supposed to do. We'll take our time to make sure we get the right person in there. Certainly by January or February, we hope to have a GM in place." The attendance figures and other intangibles indicate to Larsen that the Sounds are on better footing now than when he arrived.

"The numbers don't lie, but I go by what I hear and feel from fans and sponsors," he said. "That's where I know if we've made headway. I think we've taken it from where it was and made people feel good about baseball in this area." Larsen, a Chicago native, will continue to be based in Nashville indefinitely. said. "IVe got to look at where I want to be in five years, and I have to do some things to get there." Larsen had been the Cougars' GM for six seasons before coming to Nashville when ASE purchased the Sounds before the 1997 season from a local ownership group headed by Larry Schmittou.

In the two years under the new owners, Sounds' attendance went from 140,000 in 1996 to 259,000 in '97, to 340,000 this past season. Brentwood boys, girls atop AAA Arrest warrant is taken out on Antioch coach Player says Brown assaulted him kv' I -W-, J' "It wasn't an abusive situation; the only thing hurt was a kid's feelings. I thought there was more horseplay than needed to be and I got onto him, but there was never any harm done." BUDDY BROWN Antioch coach Bv JIM WYATT and ANDREW HUMBLES Sports Writers The father of an Antioch football player yesterday filed an arrest warrant claiming Antioch football coach Buddy Brown assaulted his 16-year-old son before a game Friday at Lawrence County. Burdette Stewart accompanied his son, Jeremy Miller, a sophomore on the Antioch team, to the Lawrenceburg Police Department after the game, when an incident report was filed. Stewart returned to Lawrenceburg yesterday and filed a warrant for Brown's arrest The veteran coach, along with several players, assistants and eyewitnesses, strongly dispute the charge, and an initial investigation by Metro Schools has shown no wrongdoing.

"Right now we just don't think Coach Brown has done anything wrong," said Craig Owensby, Metro spokesman. "We have statements from several people who were there, but obviously somebody else feels differently." But two other players said last night that Brown was too harsh on Miller. In the warrant the coach is accused of grabbing Miller and pushing him down three times. He also is accused of grabbing Miller by the front of his jersey, BvQflPQRlLLO Sports Writers CHAPEL HILL Nearly everything worked out perfectly for Brentwood High yesterday. The BHS boys and girls both took the lead after the first round of the Class AAA state tournament at Buford Ellington Golf Course in Henry Horton State Park Lady Bruins junior Courtney Wood also took the individual lead for the girls and BHS senior Justin Miers was tied for second in the boys division.

"It feels great fantastic," BHS coach Nick Waggoner said. "It just shows what kind of kids we've got at Brentwood. They're really dedicated and their parents are so supportive." Wood started the Brentwood surge when she fired a par-73 to take a four-shot lead over Tullahoma's Mary Elizabeth Brice. "I was really nervous coming into today, but I knew if I hit my first shot good off the tee I'd be fine," Wood said. "And I killed one down the middle." Wood, who finished second last year, had two birdies and two bogeys.

"The key to this course is no three-putts," Wood said. "It's easy to hit the greens because they're so big, but you have to get close to the pin." The defending state champion Lady Bruins shot a 157 to give them a five-shot lead over Tullahoma, last year's runner-up. Defending champion Amanda Phillips of Northeast had a disappointing round with an 8-over 81 that left her in a four-way tie for sixth place. "It was a long day," Phillips said. "I didn't get off the tee real well and I couldn't get close to the pin.

I had a lot of pressure on me, but there's nothing to lose today." Brentwood's boys shot a 304, which gave them a one-shot lead over McMinn County. "We were shooting for a 300, but we wasted a few shots on the last few holes," Waggoner said. "Even though we're out front it's still wide-open. A 603 won it last year so that gives us an idea of what we might need to win it." Miers shot a par-72 to put him in a five-way tie for second that also included Centennial's Hunter Williams. McMinn County's Blake Bivens, the only golfer to break par, led by one at 71.

If Miers hadn't three-putted the last two holes, it would have been a perfect day for Brentwood, but he felt good to be in the hunt. "It was a weird round," Miers said. "I had five birdies, three bogeys and one double-bogey. I would fall in a groove and then fall out ROBERT JOHNSONSTAFF Defending individual state champion Amanda Phillips of Northeast watches a putt head toward the hole on No. 9 during the Class AAA state tournament Phillips shot 81 and is tied for sixth.

just one of those days that happen in golf." Oakland's Andy Vaughn shot a 73 that put partially raising him and yelling at him. Miller said yesterday the incident began when several Antioch players were "jumping up trying to touch the goalpost" during him in a three-way tie for seventh with Franklin County's Jonathan Walker and Bartlett's Andrew Pratt "My driver was right down the pipe all day long," Vaughn said. "I couldn't ask for anything more. I should have been even par easily, but on eight I had a terrible bogey." Defending champion Germantown was six strokes back with a 310. of a groove.

But I would rather come from behind than maintain a lead. Anybody with a 75 or better is still in it" Clarksville shot a 315 that put the Wildcats in sixth place, 11 strokes oft" the pace. "The boys are disappointed they didn't play better," CHS coach Ronnie Fuqua said. "I'm confident they can play better today. They know they ought to be closer to the lead.

It was BROWN Mondelli returning to the mats Prep Insider Jim Wwtt fa- So, Antioch assistant Jason Bush. "I think Coach Brown was doing his job," Smith said. "I've never seen him be abusive. Miller didn't do it on purpose, but when Coach Brown grabbed him I dont think Miller wanted to hear what he had to say." "Coach Brown was just doing the fatherly thing and trying to teach him the right thing to do," Lankford said. "He's a very good coach who wants the players to do the right thing." 1 "There was never any Bush said.

"Never could that be interpreted as abuse. The player was acting immature." However, while Miller's father wasnt present during the incident last night two players supported his action against the coach. "I saw him grab Jeremy and push him down a couple of times," sophomore Andrew Holt said. "I think he should have gotten a warrant. It was that serious and he had no business going after him like that" "I thought what Brown did was wrong," sophomore Jason Bowen said.

"A lot of people are on Jeremy's side and not afraid to say so. I thought he pushed him pretty hard. Jeremy wasn't expecting it" Miller, a two-way starter for the Bears, said he quit the team that night but would like to return for tomorrow night's game vs. Overton. He hasn't practiced all week, and watched the first half of Friday's game in the stands.

Stewart believes more Antioch players are afraid to step forward, fearing their playing time would be cut. "If they said anything against Coach Brown, they're pretty much not going to play that's just the way he is," Stewart said. "It's either his rules or no rules, and what he's doing is intimidat-. ing the kids." Stewart said he wanted to get "the word out about" Brown, and feels Brown should be suspended for the rest of the season. But he said he'd be satisfied with a "formal apology" from the coach in front of the team.

"I'm not dropping the assault charge because he assaulted my son," Stewart said. "The school board needs to take some kind of action and I dont think it should just be a slap on the wrist "If a student did something wrong, he would be suspended for several days and coaches should be disciplined, too." Melinda Brewer, a warrant officer for the Lawrence County sheriffs department said yesterday a copy of the arrest warrant will be sent to Davidson County, which will serve the warrant Davidson County warrant officer E.B. Byrd said he's not sure when the warrant will be acted upon. When the warrant is served. Brown will be required to post bail in Lawrence County, where the incident occurred.

There is no Tennesee law restricting a person from filing a warrant againrt. a before the game. Miller, who's 6-foot-2, said when he grabbed one of the goalposts it tilted, which angered Brown. "Coach was cussing and stuff and I was on my knee looking down on the ground and he came and pushed me on the ground," Miller said. "I tried to get up and he pushed me back down.

When I tried to get up again he pushed me down again. When I finally got up, he jacked me up and started cussing me more, saying, "What right do you have to embarrass me like "It kind of scared me. I was wondering what he might do next I just don't think being a coach gives you a right to feel you can do things like that" Brown, in his fifth year at Antioch and in 26th year coaching in Metro, explained in a letter to Metro Athletic Director Scott Brunette, a copy of which was obtained by The Tennessean, that he was informing Miller of inappropriate behavior. Brown said when he pushed the kneeling player's shoulder, Miller lost his balance. He wrote that Miller told him 'don't ever touch I was surprised by his reaction as he continued to become upset about me touching him." "It wasn't an abusive situation; the only thing hurt was a kid's feelings," Brown said yesterday.

"I thought there was more horseplay than needed to be and I got onto him, but there was never any harm done. "We're trying to run a program at Antioch where we have high expectations of our players as a person first and then as a football player," Brown said. "I think the truth will come forward. It wasnt hitting a kid, not even close just a young man that has an attitude no one can put his hands on him. YouVe been around football long enough to know a coach can put hands on a kid and it not be in a harmful way." Antioch senior players CJ.

Smith and Deitrick Lankford backed up their coach, as did school's new girls coach. Maxwel honored Former Marshall County star Jason Maxwell will be honored tomorrow at a 9:30 a.m. ceremony at the school, at which time a strip of road will be named after him in Lewisburg. Maxwell, who was called up to the Chicago Cubs at the end of the season and saw both Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa eclipse Roger Maris' home run record, also will have his numbers retired in baseball (No. 9) and basketball (No.

4). The strip of road next to the school will be called Jason Maxwell Boulevard. GAbie signs: Jackson County post player Emily Gribble, a first-team All-Midstate selection by The Tennessean a year ago, signed yesterday with David Lipscomb. Gribble averaged 14 points and seven rebounds per game as a junior. Van Ungen to M3A: Brentwood's Peter van Lingen, a former world ranked player who has played Wimbledon and the U.S.

Open, has joined the Montgomery Bell Academy tennis program as a non-faculty coach. Van Lingen, one of Nashville's foremost teaching pros, will work under MBA Coach Clay Bailey. Last year Russell Buchi, winner of several Nashville titles, served inthepositioa Golfing news: Father Ryan captured the Division II Middle Region golf title Monday with a familiar name leading the way Gallant It was freshman Michael Gallant however, and not his older brother, Matt, who finished runner-up in the Division II state tourney last season. The Division II state tourney is scheduledforOct 20-21 at Pine Creek MBAs Brandt Snedeker, the defending Division II champ, shot the lowest score (70) of any player from the Midstate in the Region and has to again be considered the favorite despite suffering a broken knuckle last month. Also, Brentwood Academy's Margaret Horton, daughter of Tennessee PGA executive director Dick Horton, is the Midstate's favorite in the girls competition after finishing as low medalist in the region.

Coaching cSnk: Christ Presbyterian is hosting "The Legends" basketball coaching Clinic on Saturday, Oct 31, with guest speakers Don Meyer of Lipscomb, Aquinas' Charlie Anderson and former Pearl High coach Cornelius Ridley, among others. MTSU coach Randy Wiel will conduct practice during the clinic's final two hours. The cost is $35 (pre-registration) and $50 at the door. All coaches are invited to attend. For more information, contact Doc Shelton at 3293406.

Thursday games: There will be well over a dozen high school games played tomorrow night including big contests between Glencliff-Dickson County, Smyrna-Brentwood High, Springfield-Pearl-Cohn and Antioch-Overton. Other games tomorrow include Cannon County at Nashville Christian, Clarksville Academy at McEwen, Fairview at Stewart County, Gordonsville at Red Boiling Springs, Hillwood at Franklin, Lawrence County at Centennial, McGavock at Hillsboro, Red Boiling Springs at Gordonsville, Riverdale at Warren Waverly at Houston County and Westmoreland at Jackson County. Top Inemarc East Robertson defensive end Bill Pearson has been named the Cotton States Lineman of the Week for Week 6. In the Indians' 24-13 loss to Davidson Academy, Pearson had 11 tackles four behind the line of scrimmage and a sack Jm Wyatt overs hjpji school aMefcs tor The Temessean He can be reached at 259-801S Harold Hugghs contributed to report Former Father Ryan star athlete Matt Mondelli is expected to return to school next semester, though his hope of reclaiming his state title in wrestling took a severe blow recently. Mondelli, the 1997 state champ in the 171-pound division who was also a finalist for Mr.

Football in Division II last fall, underwent surgery last week after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while playing football at Shelby Academy Mondelli was suspended from Father Ryan last November for violating school rules and was ruled ineligible to participate in athletics for a 12-month period. But Mondelli, who said he has spoken to Ryan principal Eddie Krenson recently, again will be eligible to wrestle this winter. Krenson said a decision should be made in the next month or so after he formally sits down with the Mondelli family. "I'm looking forward to coming back to Ryan and having a chance to redeem myself," said Mondelli, who rushed for 150 yards in his first game for Shelby Academy. "I've missed it and I'm excited about coming back, especially since I didnt get to wrestle last year." But there is no guarantee Mondelli will be ready to wrestle this season, as doctors have told him he should be out ZS months because of the injury.

He is in a soft cast that extends from his foot to above his knee. "I plan to wrestle and if my rehab goes well I should be able to," Mondelli said. "The doctors have said I should be out for a while, but my goal is to get back and win again." Recruiting news: Donelson Christian's MJ. Garrett, one of the Midstate's top wide receivers, is drawing attention from several Division I schools. A 6-foot4, 193-pound senior, Garrett is currently waiting to see if he meets Vanderbilt's academic I-' requirements and if he does hell be offered a scholarship, he said.

He's also being recruited by Georgia Tech and Kentucky, among others. "I'm going to weigh my options, but I'm really leaning toward Vanderbilt" Garrett said. "I know they're having a tough season, but I like what they're doing over there." Brentwood Academy's Ian Bass and Josh Willoughby both attended Saturday's South Carolina at Kentucky game on an unofficial visit Bass, who has been rated as the No. 1 linebacker in the state by one recruiting expert, said he's most seriously considering Tennessee, Ohio State, South Carolina and Georgia. Willoughby, a mammoth lineman, is strongly considering UK Springfield back Tremaine Turner, who broke the school's all-time rushing record this past Friday, is still hearing from Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and N.C.

State. "I'm pretty much just sitting back and waiting to see what's going to happen," Turner said. Coaching changes: Lawrence County has hired Stacie Childress, an assistant last season under Willie Joiner, to lead the school's charge toward a second straight Class AAA title this winter. Childress took the Lewis County head coaching job at the end of last season, but then left Hohenwald to return to Lawrenceburg when Joiner resigned to accept a teaching position in Alabama. Kathy Dye, formerly an assistant at Lewis County, will take over as the.