Independent Tribune from Concord, North Carolina • Page 18

JACtTtN-A Your Newspaper THE DAILY INDEPENDENT Kttftnopoltt, THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1955 WOOLPERT NAMED UP COACH OF YEAR The Sportlight By JERRY ARMSTRONG WITH THE WARM SUNNY DAYS appearing more and more frequently, the rivers and ponds around the Kannapolis and surrounding vicinities are beginning to once more come to life with activity. Before long you'll be able to hear the familiar cry of "Man! I've hooked a big one this time; just look at him pull the line!" And many times this shout can be heard from a local angler who has just set the hook in one of the Carolinas' most colorful and unpredictable game fish the Black Bass. Both the large-and the small-mouthed species of this popular fish are stocked in abundance in the streams of the Piedmont section annually. But to the mystification of the local and state conservation and wildlife men the streams of this section are not producing the quantity of bass that should be available with the number of young fry that are placed in the streams every year. THE YADKIN RIVER SECTION, especially from Lexington to the Badin Lake region, is one of the prime areas where the bass seem to be becoming more and more scarcer every season, even with the annual stocking kept at a constant rate.

During the last meeting of the State Department o( Consrvation and Development in Raleigh the Yadkin River problem was brought up and it voted in favor of beginning a project in the High Rock Lake area to be started this spring. Buford Tatum, District Fish Biologist from Albemarle, who is in charge of the counties where most of the fishing for Kannapolis and surrounding areas are located, will start the preliminarv work on the project during the next few jveeks. The full scale operation of the project is expected to get underway around the middle of May or the first of June. It is estimated that it will take from one and a-half to two years to complete the entire work. So the local anglers who have been complaining about the fish-, ing in the Yadkin River may finally be satisfied the project is successful.

This may be a dream, but how would you anglers like to have Santee Cooper lacated at Salisbury? THE BLACK BASS ARE A PECULIAR American fish, being not only native to the country, but embodying the fighting qualities of some of our earlier pioneers. After being hooked, a bass may leap as many as eight to tea times before he will come into the net. Confined originally to the SL Lawrence and Mississippi Rivers, it has now been introduced into almost every state in the union and has been successful in surviving in all but a few. Both the small-and large-mouthed species, of which there are three in all, average around two and a half pounds. But the world's record for the large-mouthed bass is over 21 pounds, which shows the maximum size the fish can obtain if all conditions exist to maintain survival.

BY SPRAINED ANKLE Herb Score Sidelined At Cleveland Camp By UNITED PRESS i exhibition schedule against TUCSON, Ariz. (UP) Herb Washington Senators Dons' Cage Mentor Tops Balloting Adolpb Rupp Second To San Francisco Defense Masler BUCS DETERMINED TO IMPROVE Pirates Have No Place To Go But Up; Added Experience Is Club's Best Hope (This is the first in a series on the major league teams.) By WALTER L. JOHNS (Central Press Sports Editor) FORT MYERS, Fla. Pittsburgh Pirates may have been a bit comical as they lost 101 games last season but there's no humorous touch this spring to the Buccaneer effort to improve. The Pirates, buried in the low- eit dungeon of the National League bastille, as it were, for the last three seasons, are working By NORMAN MILLER United Press Sports Writer NEW YORK (UPJ--Phil Wool pert, who developed a gang of kids! out most vigorously at from the "backyard" of the Uni-! Field, $100,000 production fur- versity of San Francisco into the nished by the city of Fort Myers.

nation's No. 1 college basketball; team, today was chosen United i General Manager Branch Rickey Press coach of tbe year for the and Manager Pred Haney 19S4-55 season. nothing i about the 1955 The 39-year-old Dons coach IO e.m "wSu te the "Solace finish cert's total or votes was re- the last three ears and lh la Sk'ablytgt consMerfni- that le TM terial on the coaches figured in the "Woolpei't. a master at teaching strong defense and sound ball- handling, guided San Francisco through a regular season 23-1 record and the No. 1 national rating of the United Press Board Coaches.

The Dons began their NCAA championship quest Tuesday night with an KM56 victory over West Texas State. Rupp Runner-up The San Francisco coach was such an overwhelming choice for the honor that runner-up Adolph Rupp ot Kentucky received only 28 votes. Dudey Moore of Duquesne, United Press coach of the year in 1952 and 1954. finished third this year with 14 votes. Woolpert's coaching feat this season is considered outstanding because he did it with home-grown talent, a rarity in these days.

OC the 14 players on the Dons' roster, seven come from San Francisco and four others from the Bay Area. Woolpert was known to nave some fair material at the start of this season, few, if any. experts picked the'Dons to finish among the nation's top 10 teams. In Woolpert's first three seasons at San Francisco, bis teams had lack-luster and 11-12 records before finally enjoying a winning season of 14-7 in Defense Country's Best The Dons currently own a streak of 22 victories which is i "alive." And in -the process, they compiled the best defensive record in the country by yielding an average of only 50.7 points per game. Woolpert, a native of Danville, moved to Los Angeles when he was 10 and 'attended Los Angeles City College lor one year and Loyola of Los Angeles for the next three.

He was a star player at both schools. After the lop three in the coach- of-the-year voting came a Nagle of Marquette with. 12 votes; Jack Gardner of Utah and Ozzie Covvles of Minnesota, eight each; John Hydler of Georgia Tech, seven: Taps Gallagher of Niagara and Ken Loeffler of La Salle, six each: and Johnny Wooden of UCLA, Everett Case of North. Carolina State, four each. Twenty-two other coaches received from one to three votes each.

Centerview Lads Retain League Lead can go only up. Haney, starting his 20th year in a managerial capacity in base- is a bit on the 'optimistic Side "I think," Fred said as he relaxed in a hotel room here, we'll have a much better club, based on experience and the return of a few of our boys who have been in the service. Strange, too, is Haney's comment on his pitching staff, which could -win but 53 games last year: "I think we'll have a pretty good -pitching staff. Our pitching last year was strong enough to make a higher bid. But we made more errors than any club in tbe league and we failed to get that punch when needed.

"You know," Haney continues, "we weren't beaten as much last year by the other teams as we were by ourselves. And a year's experience for some ot our boys may do the trick. "We were a determining factor in the pennant race, despite our record. We took Jour straight from Brooklyn when they were but a game behind New York. We beat the Giants more than we beat any team in the league.

"It all proves one thing," Fred added, "and that is we did have days when we didn't make so many mistakes." i i out of the service to help are Dick Groat, the former Duke AH-American cage and baseball star, who probably will be the shortstop. Ronnie Kline, a big righthand- er with no minor league record, is another service returnee. i pilched fine ball in Mexico during the past winter. Figured high in Manager Haney's plans for pitching this spring a i Dick Litllefield, Nelson King, Ben Wade, Roger Bowman, Bob Friend, Vern Law and Matt Sur- kont. Liltlefield, who was 10-11 with the could be the ace He was with Baltimore part of last year.

King, who was quite a hit in camp last spring, had a fine 16-5 record with New Orleans, "The thing that impressed me about Princeton Wins Loop To Meet La Salle In NCAA Friday continues to set the pace in the Gra-Y Fifth and Sixth Pcrsistent Princeton donned its Grade Basketball Lea-ue a the sixth Jvy Lcagye basketba11 crown clubs prepare for the resuming of an(i Coach FrjnWJn (Gappy 1 play on Saturday. Cappon promised the Tigers wall The leaders have a S-0 mark wlU somelhill f. ei ih? a whit McKmght 3 rank TM ne ROGER BOWMAN Ptkhtr) that the boy just doesn't up any bases on balls." 1 Wade Ihas been a reliefer but may be used as a starter. Bowman, a Giant castoff, had a fine 22-13 with Hollywood. Friend, Law and Surkont were Tegulars last year although their records are not impressive.

Two newcomers who may a real bid are Lino Dinoso. a Cuban who won 19 for Hollywood, and a one- eyed youngster, Charley "Whammy" Douglas, who won '28 for Brunswich and was looked at in the early rookie camp. Douglas is on the New Orleans roster. All told there are 17 pitchers on the roster here with, additions from the rookie camp. The catching, Haney believes, will be satisfactory with Atwell and Jack Shepard sharing the duties.

Shepard, who was signed off the Stanford campus in 1953, showed progress last year in his first full season in the majors as a member of the Pirates. Vic Janowicz, one-time i listed as an infielder and did some catching for the Pirates the last two years, has given up baseball Triangular Volleyball Meet Slated A triangular volleyball match will be staged between the Kanaapolis, High Point and Charlotte teams this Saturday afternoon on the local court at 2 o'clock. This will be the first outing of the 1955 season for the local i i sec- Wednesday night by Score's debut as the most publicized rookie of 1955 and potential No. 4 man of the Cleveland In- Olson was knocked unconscious! I sst: week's action found Wood- irouncing Columbia in a special when he crashed into the left field 0a ba haiiy ptay fr 86 69 in lhe Rutgers Uni orook oy a 26-8 margin. Little and versity gym.

wall on Tuesday. dians' brilliant pitching staff was JJ 5 I Despite the final margin of 17 feared postponed today as a result rrFARWATER (UPl ie Radsers a Columbia threw i scare m- of a sDra'ned ankle 1CU1L CLEARS ATER. Fla (UP1 Chapman divided the points for the to lhe Tigers by rallying from a of a spramed ankle. Rookies were the talk of both losers. haUtime deficit to seize the The 21-year old southpaw, a 22- squads tod as the Detroit Tigers; T-fth 14 inutefto pliv game winner for Indianapolis in and Philadelphia Phillies opened 1 atu Buii ihonPrinceion TM i CXhibmtm Came contest.

Hicks hit 10 point, sirafchl including two Jump Wednesday wtien he tripped Manager Bucky Harris an-'for the winners while B. Phillips "hois by Hal Haabestad. to go back had 13 for Jackson Park Current league first base during fielding practice nounced tht rookie outfielders J. He was to have started for the W- Porler and John Ulp5 Indians Friday against the world go nort tfle ers and be champion Giants. ved either could make the team, i General Manaser Hank Green- Porter hit ,403 for the For! rview 5 berg announced, meanwhile, that Army team last season SlcKnicht 4 i American League batting chsm- Phillips hil ,345 for the Fort 1 0 yalOaks 4 2 pion Bobby Avfia's arrival was de- 'Jackson team which losf in 1he woodrow wilVo'n 4 layed.

Avjla. who hit .341 last sea-, finals of the All-Army champion- MclvcT 4 3 0 1000 g()0 Ml in front to stay. Haabestad high scorer for ihe Timers i 28 pomK while a a John Devoe added 22. Chet (The JcM Fnne was for Pnnrpton Ifl points. some stiff competition from the two visiting clubs when they invade the local gym.

Each club will play the remaining members oE the field during the day. with tbe winner to be determined by club posting lhe finest v.on- lost record. The local learn consists of only six players at the present time, but several other players will be added to the rosier before the meet on Saturday. The current club is composed of Junior Smith. Tommy Leebrick.

Jerry Sprye. Charlie Sprye. Raymond Hampton and "Ray Clainn, FRANK THOMAS (Ovtfoltftr) for football. The Pirate infield is the biggest problem, according to Haney. Haney has one solid choice, Sid Gordon, but Sid can play the outfield, too.

and he will be Haney's in the hole depending on whether he can complete a good infield or a good outfield. The S64 question in the infield is first base where Dale Long, Preston Ward and Bob Skinner are competing. Haney says Skinner could be a great hitter. This, be only his second year in, the big time. He hit .249 and knocked in 46 runs for the Buos last year.

Gene Freese, on the New Orleans rosier, is expected to be the second baseman although Roberts, who -played it last year, and Dick Smith, from Hollywood, are competitors. Freese was a .300 bitter. Groat, Smith and Dick Cole are the shortstop candidates. At i Freese's brother, George, who hit .324 for New Orleans, will be tested along with Lee Walls, an outfielder from Hollywood. If they don't work out, DICK GROAT (ShortttODl Gordon will get it.

Prank Thomas, tbe home run hitting outfielder is solid choice on the whole club but is now signed at this writing. He reportedly go $12,000 last year a ai wanted 818,000 this season. Thomas batted in 94 runs and is being sought by several clubs. A second outfield spot may to Roberto Clemente, a Cuban drafted from Montreal for 52,300. Clemente played in the winter league and has the makings.

Montreal reportedly gave him a $10,000 "bonus for signing. Gerry Lynch, tbe ball of i sensation in last year's cap, tightened up when lie saw the upper decks in the major league cities, but he may be ready now to play the outfield. Other competitors are Tom Saffell, Hollywood, and Felipe Montemayor, who needs someone to make him hustle. Dick Hall, listed as an outfielder, will get a chance to pitch. He twirled in the Mexican League this winter.

KTEXT- THE BROOKLYN DODGERS FIGHT SET FOR FOURTH City Cage League To End Season Tonight tion. Bonds will start the slate off tonight when they tangle with the third place Belks quintet. Earlier in the week it was be- ihat Childress had wrap- league, hut one of the makeup games was overlooked in the calculations. Solomons still has two games to play in the regular schedule and botb tilts are with Childress. If Solomons wins the game tonight, then they will meet Childress again Friday night, but if they lose tonight the make-up game will be dropped.

Pending'on Woodrow Wilson's Blue "Devilsithe fact that Solomons could pos- The City Basketball League end the regular season's action tonight with a highlight contest on lap between Solomons and Childress. 7hese two teams have been for possession of fourth the league and the will decide whether or Solomons has a mathematical of gaining a tie for the posi- Blue Devils Still Lead remain in first place in the Gra-Y (Seventh Grade Basketball League chase but must fight off a determined bid by Woodrow Wilson Hornels during the closing weeks of play. The Bhie Devils extended their record to 8-3 last week by taking a 23-17 victory from Aycocfc. Rich- ardsozi set the pace with 15 points while Miller and Trott sparked the losers with six each. sibly win both games then the fourth place in the league will end in a deadlock.

After Friday's tilt, if it is necessary, the date for the playoff game will be announced. Bonds "will be trying to add another win to their crown in ths first game when they take on ihe upset-minded Belks five. Belks has been the unpredictable club all Red Devils Hold Daily Workouts Over Thirty Boys Report To Drills During First Day By JERRY ARMSTRONG Independent Sports Writer CHINA GROVE Coach Bob "Lope" Under opened daily workouts this week with cine returning lettermen and over 30 other boys reporting to practice for the 1955 China Grove baseball team. A complete infield will be this season to boost the Red Devils and Coach lander is confident of fielding a strong Grover nine. He commented about the coming season: "We have a good infield returning to form the team around and our potentialities of becoming one of the best teams fielded by China Grove in the.last few years seem to be good." The lettermea returning to squad include Kay Barleyson, catcher; Buddy lappard, pitcher; Dick Sayder, third base; Larry Patterson, short stop; Carl Drye, second base; Frank Houck, first base; Buddy McChire, outfield: Gary Beaver, infield, and Johnny Bame, infield.

Other outstanding prospects reporting for tbe squad were Johnny Overcash, catcher; James Shinn, pitcher; Pete Burleyson, pitcher; Rand Yost, outfield; Roy Propst, outfield; Steye Morrison, outfield; Sammv Safriet, outfield, and Kluttz, outfield. Coach lander wUl bold daily practices with his full team lor the next two weeks and then ii expected to play several practice games -with Rockwell Granite Quarry before opening seasoa Landis at the Grover field on March 29. Larry Patterson and Johnny Bame have not reported to practice drills this week because of practicing for the County All-Star cage game Friday night. Bo(b boys are, expected to report nest Monday. season and they will be trying toiory.

Stocks Roll Sunday At WilkesOval HICKORY Drivers from the Hickory Speedway will journey to North Wilkesboro Sunday afternoon, for a big data against Other top sportsmen drivers of the Carolinas and Virginia when a big racing program officially opens 1955 season. Last Sunday's event at Hickory was halted by rain after sportsmen stock car races had been run. Ralph. Earnhardt of Kannapolis, defending track champion, rolled to -victory in the first heat over Dink Widenhouse of Concord and Shorty York of Mocksville Pee Wee Jones of Winston-Salem nosed out Billy Myers in the second beat. Ived Jarrett won rain-soaked consolation race, with Max "Wallburg second and Homer Nantz of Mooresville third.

Promoter Charlie Combs then called tbe race due to ths slippery track. A full program of NASCAft-sane- tioned sportsmen and hobby division races are slated for the North Wilkesboro Speedway with Glens Wood of Stuart. the defending champion, heading tbe field. All oE the Hickory regulars are expected' for the Sunday eveatj. State Class AA Play Opens Today SANFORD (UP) Eight high school basketball teams hegan play- here today to determine a new Class AA champion.

Tri-City. winner of the title for the past two years, did not qualify for the tournament and Kmston. which bowed to Tri-City in lasf year's finals, was favored to go all the way this time. The only other team hack from last year's tournament was Canton which lost to Kinston in the opening round last year and went on to win the consolation finals. Today's pairings: Clinton vs Charlotte Harding.

North Davidson vs Chapel Hill. Kinston vs St. Stephens of Hick- DRILl FOR OPEMJVG TILT son, had been expected Wednes- ships. ackson Park day. He has not yet signed his Manager Mayo Smith of the Aycock 1 contract.

Phillies, meanwhile, praised rookie Shadybrook 0 The Indians open their Grape- pitchers Jack Meyer and Tommy. Iruii League schedule a Qualters for their 'performances in against tbe Chicago Cubs, who will Wednesday's mlra-camp game, be without the services of second- Meyer hurled three mtless innings' baseman Gene Baker. Baker, who and Quakers, a $40.000 bonus baby lias a stiff arm, was left behind yielded only one in three frames. in Mesa, Ariz. ,000 1,, 111 Six Veterans Form Nucleus For Landis Baseball Team LANDIS Returning to form! Outstanding candidate? for )he pull a surprise over Bonds tot Canton vs The Hwne'is 'stayed one game! contest.

IMs the fouraaraesf ap- back of the leaders by capturing a The tourney will be-, pearance for Kinston's Red Devils, 34-23 victory over elver Collins' gin next week if the top four places, perennial powers in Class AA cir- sparked the winners with II he league have been determin-'cles. I-aunnburg is in the tourney while Hicks and Marlow each a iime. for lhe fourth -time- four for Mclver. fho nucleus for thj? year's Landis PHOENIX. Ariz.

Pau! Memorial Methodist and Center Hiffh baseball team will be three MIAMI. Fla. (UP)--Gene Con- Giel. former Minnesota football Grove Lutheran will he fighting outfielders, one pitcher and two ley, who beat Brooklyn five times star and a $75,000 bonus baby. for a he rth in the championship 'infieltters.

in 1954. will start for the Mil- proved a disappointment in his'found of ihe YMCA Church Bowl- Larry Cook. Sammy Johnson and waukee Braves tonight in their ex- Spring debut for the world chani-' in League tournament Friday! Jimmy Freeze will be back in the night they clash in a loser's'outfield, with Harold Roseman hibition opener against the New York Giants. Giel was hanged for five a three runs in an inning and SARASOTA, Fla. (UP) Out- a half during Wednesday's intra- squad game, won by the a i i i i uj i i uurvjua, TIM ft A i WesWestrum and Willie Mays nea sax reported ntmseif com-i nornere ij rt the vareLiiv pletely recovered from his duel! for the varsity.

t0d BEACH, Fla. Hjggins wasn tak- Rookie Rinold Duren was name(1 ing any chances. by Manager Paul Richards today The winner of the contest wil! advance in undefeated the losers wiJi be eliminated from the meet. and Dolphus Ca'stor manning two The standings show: Blue Devii; 8 Horneis 7 Mclver 5 learn during (he first practice were, AVCOC(C 2 Bobby Sprye. Kenneth a Bichard Honeycutt.

Freddie Ar-, I cher. Allen, Eric Ennis, Jerry Sicies. Gary Tuck. Billy Carrier, Benny Cook and Gordon Cook, .727 .636 .455 Willard Thompson, Pete Keller Deal. Gary Cline.

Results I Of 'DO Wili lr i a i i i me a I I I MUCH ne -into the finals against ihe returning Iiurlcr for the squad wili hold workouts only with ihe M. Columbia St, John's club whilp l)c James "Bug" Hmson. ers and catchers this week and will rr. Delawa Tom Jones commented about the coming season, "Well, ihe loser's John's Reformed during the special pUy- I'm offs. some of my new irpflrt 4 i 4 4 Said aye Thioneb hurl for the Baltimore Orioles! championship round nisht 15 of (he season with ihe Brown first practice session this week.

open full scale practice Monday of next week on the local field. The Yellow Jackets will hold daily workouts on (he practice field until (heir opening game with Browa High at Kannapolis on March 22. Coach Jones said hh squad would not play any practice tilts becaifce of the nearness of tbe the season. Delaware 71. Strourisbure 80, WilVes 6t NAIA TOURNNF.NT Second Round Gus Adophus 76, Texas Southern 53.

Beloit 110. Florida Slate 88. Altjcrson Broaddus Qumcy 84, SteubenviJe M. Louisiana Tech 65 E. Oklahoma 106, Neb, Wesleyan S9.

i Texas State 94, Snuthwesteni Kan. Tftxas St, M. Southwestern Kan. 78. Western Illinois 86, N.

Missouri 85, Ark. Atlantic ChrUUtn 7k SPECIAL Brand New U. S. ROYAL TIRES 95 Plut Tox and Rtcappoblt 9 $19.95 Widenhouse Tire Recapping Store 1010 $. Main St.

Phone 2-9736.