The Times Herald from Port Huron, Michigan • Page 11

TIMES HERALD SECTION Coming Tuesday: Port Huron High and Port Huron Northern kick off the 1 989-90 boys' basketball season Tuesday night with non-conference games. Look for Bob Kourtakis' report on the teams. INSIDE: PRO FOOTBALL: NFL roundup, summaries2B PRO HOCKEY: NHL standings, summaries3B TENNIS: Edberg wins Masters tourney5B BASEBALL: Winter meetings get under way5B MONDAY, DEC. 4, 1989 Wings, Federko skate past Blackhawks, 4-3 up a goal, assist in rare start McKegney heads to Quebec the lineup but still didn't like it. "You know, I still have pride," said Federko, in his 14th NHL season.

"I still can play this game. I said I wasn't going to go out like a bum, and I still say that. It hurts when you sit out. I haven't sat out a game in my life until this season. Now, I sit out three.

"So, I've got two goals in two games, that's not to say I'm going to be a 50-goal scorer or anything. Obviously, I've been watching the game long enough, I know what's happening. I've been averaging 12-15 minutes a game. If someone thinks I'm going to get 100 points with that, they don't know the game." Federko got points No. 14 and 15.

He has 1,088 in his career. ington, Edmonton, Vancouver and Quebec during his 10-year NHL career. He was playing this season for Quebec's AHL farm club in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he had 5 goals and 10 assists in 7 games. McKegney, 31, is playing in his 12th NHL season and was acquired by Detroit with center Bernie Federko on June 15 in a deal that sent center Adam Oates and right wing Paul MacLean to St. Louis.

In 14 games for the Red Wings this season, McKegney had 2 goals, 1 assist and 8 penalty minutes. He had missed the last 9 games with a groin injury. Veteran picks CHICAGO (GNS) Detroit Red Wings' forward Bernie Federko spent three games watching from the dressing room, out of the lineup to allow the younger players a chance. "I've heard a lot of stuff that I'm washed up and a bum," said Federko, 33, after the Wings beat the Blackhawks 4-3 Sunday. "They say I scored 300 some goals before this season, then I can't even sit on the bench.

That's what the so-called experts have said." Because of the knee injury to center Jimmy Carson, Federko was moved back into the lineup for Friday's game at Quebec. In that game, he scored a goal as the result of perseverance around the net. Detroit defense New Orleans in By BRIAN MARSHALL Times Herald PONTIAC Most of the Detroit Lions weren't yet Detroit Lions the last time the team won two games in a row. All of the present Lions, however, were celebrating after their 21-14 victory over the New Orlean Saints Sunday, the first time Detroit has won two straight since 1986. A Silverdome crowd of 38,550 was treated to pretty fair show by the home team, which improved its record to 4-9 and dropped the New Orleans to 6-7, all ending the Saints' wildcard playoff hopes.

The main highlights: A monster day for receiver Richard Johnson, who caught eight passes for 248 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown reception that stood up as the winner. Only Cloyce Box, with 302 yards against the Colts in 1950, has had a bigger day for the Lions. The second straight stifling performance by the Lions' defense, which held the Saints to 169 yards of offense. They gave up only one touchdown, with the other coming on Bobby Morse's 99-yard kickoff return. The continued resurgence of Lions' cornerback Jerry Holmes, who ended a third-quarter Saints' drive with an interception in the end zone, Holmes' fourth-straight game with a theft.

Add it up and the Lions were already looking ahead to trying to make it three in a row next week against the Bears. "It's a great win for this team," Lions Coach Wayne Fontes said. "We're very fortunate to beat another good football team. There's room for improvement, but I believe in my heart we are getting better." New Orleans Coach Jim Mora, whose team fell three games behind the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West, didn't see much he liked. "We won the kicking game, but we didn't win any other phase of the game," Mora said.

The Saints' game plan on de hA A DETROIT (AP) Detroit traded left wing Tony McKegney to the Quebec Nordiques for defenseman Robert Picard and left wing Greg Adams, Red Wings general manager Jim Devellano announced Sunday. Picard and Adams are expected to be in uniform Tuesday when Detroit hosts St. Louis, Devellano said. Picard, 32, has played 12 NHL seasons with Washington, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and Quebec. This year, his fifth season with the Nordiques, he has 5 assists in 21 games.

Adams, 29, has played for Philadelphia, Hartford, Wash The Detroit defense took over from there. The Saints got into Lions' territory only once the rest of the way, and Holmes took care of that chance with his interception of Bobby Hebert's third-down pass in the end zone. Hebert, who completed 16-of-26 passes for just 99 yards, was replaced by John Fourcade in the fourth quarter. "I thought about pulling Hebert at halftone," Mora said. "It's not that it was all his fault, but I felt In Sunday's victory over the Blackhawks, he scored the second goal and assisted on what proved to be the winner, scored by Steve Yzerman.

Early in the first, his shot was blocked upward by goalie Alain Chevrier, then banged off the crossbar. He also set up Gerard Gallant and Yzerman on good opportunities, but each shot hit off the post. "I thought the big difference today was Bernie Federko," coach Jacques Demers said. "It's great to see him playing well, and I know the guys are glad to see him playing well. He had so many good chances." But no one was as glad as Federko, who understood Demers' reasoning for removing him from shuts down 21-14 victory fense was obviously to shut down Lions rookie running back Barry Sanders.

The Saints did slow Sanders down he got 72 yards on 20 carries but left themselves vulnerable to the pass. The Lions looked to the air often and Rodney Peete and Bob Gagliano combined to throw for 343 of the Lions' 401 yards of offense. "This team came in to take Barry out of the game," Fontes said. "With this offense, if you take away something, something else should be there." Peete completed 8-of-18 passes for 177 yards and led the Lions to two touchdowns before reinjuring his left knee on the first drive of the third quarter. Gagliano came on and hit 6-of-13 for 166 yards, including the scoring strike to Johnson.

The Lions scored on their second possession of the game. On third-and-goal from the Saints' 6, Peete found a hole up the middle and raced untouched into the end zone to give Detroit a 7-0 lead. Peete hit Johnson for gains of 27 and 37 yards on the drive. The only touchdown the Saints' offense would score was set up when Peete fumbled the center snap at the Lions' 34. Seven plays later, Dalton Hilliard went in from a yard out to tie the game 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Detroit came right back on the next drive with Peete and Johnson clicking again. Completions of 46 and 36 yards set the Lions up with first down at the Saints' 3 and Sanders scored from there, breaking three tackles to reach the end zone. The Lions' 14-7 lead disappeared in a flash when Morse the second-year fullback from Michigan State signed by the Saints Wednesday returned Eddie Murray's ensuing kickoff 99 yards for the tying score. "Everybody got great blocks," Morse said. "At about the 20, I went through the hole and all I saw was Eddie Murray." Morse easily outran Murray.

Another former Spartan, Morten Anderson, missed a 48-yard field goal just before halftone and the PREP BASKETBALL a 5-foot-ll guard, is comfortable shooting the 3-point shot and averaged about 11 points a game last Ligrow calls senior forward Troy Paionk (6-1) one of his best defensive players and junior Corey Peruski (6-4) can score and rebound. Howard Heilig, a junior, is another forward with decent size (6-2) and shooting ability. Senior guard Kevin Block adds quickness and defense. Senior forwards Ken Morell (6-4) and Clayton Maurer (6-1) figure heavily into Llgrow's plans. Ligrow is pleased with the Bearcats' chemistry.

"We have a good blend of seniors and Juniors," he said. "We should be able to win a lot of BRIAN MARSHALL TODAY IN SPORTS Lion receiver eats up Saints for 248 yards PONTIAC Richard Johnson was the Detroit Lions' hero Sunday in their 21-14 win over the Saints, but a year ago at this time he was impersonating the Pillsbury Doughboy. All Johnson did Sunday was catch eight passes for 248 yards (31 yards a pop), including a 75-yard catch-and-run touchdown that stood up as the winner. Johnson's yardage total is second-best in Lions' history behind Cloyce Box, who gained 302 agains the Colts 39 years ago. Johnson, one of the Lions midget receivers at 5-foot-6, was programming computers for IBM in Los Angeles and eating everything last December when Lions' offensive coordinator Mouse Davis called.

Davis remembered Johnson from his days in the United States Football League, although he hadn't played since 1986. If Davis had been able to see through the phone line, he probably wouldn't have invited Johnson to try out for the Lions. "When Mouse called in December, I was 205 (pounds)," said Johnson, who played his college ball at Colorado. "He said to come to the mini-camp in March. I said 'I've gotta get down so Mouse don't see me looking like I'm I got down to 190 and he ran me and ran me and I'm down to about 180." Johnson caught 218 passes in two seasons with Denver in the USFL, which used a run-and-shoot offense similar to the Lions' Stretch.

That experience gave Johnson an edge in training camp and he not only made the team but won a starting job. Johnson, who now has 55 catches for an even 900 yards and six TDs, was savoring his biggest day, which included catches of 75, 46, 37, 36 and 33 yards. "It seems like a dream," Johnson said. "I'm just so excited that it happened to me." Johnson was cut after playing one replacement game for the Washington Redskins in 1987. At 25, Johnson came to the realization that he would have to get a real job.

"I realized football wasn't for me and that I had to go on with my life," Johnson said. So it was into the world of computers, but Johnson couldn't put football out of his mind. "I gave it up, but there was always hope," Johnson said. "I'd see a guy on TV and say 'man, I know I'm better than "I knew I had the ability to play in this league, I just needed the opportunity." Johnson, who still looks a bit pudgy, has made a believer of Lions head coach Wayne Fontes. "Richard Johnson continues to perform well," Fontes said.

"He's a player no one wanted. We gave him a chance and he's catching the ball. He keeps getting better." It looked bad when Lions quarterback Rodney Peete reinjured his left knee in the third quarter. Peete's leg got caught under the 290-pound body of Saints' defensive end James Geathers and the rookie quarterback squirmed in agony for several minutes. Fontes walked over to Peete, who said the pain was easing up.

Said Fontes: "I said to Rodney 'if you get up and walk off the fpotball field, you'll give the team a big Rodney said 'I'll get Peete did walk off the field, Bob Gagliano did a nice job in relief and the Lions held on for the win. Fontes said Peete will be the starter next week against the Bears if healthy. Lions trainer Kent Falb said Peete's injury is no worse than it has been at any time this season and Peete's status will be day-to-day. Brian Marshall li a Timat Herald sportswrlter. Tht Anoolalad Prut Detroit Lions Ray Crockett brings down New Orleans Saints Dalton Hilliard during the first quarter of Sunday's game at the Pontiac Silverdome.

The Lions earned a 21-14 victory, their fourth of the season. teams went into the break tied, 14-14. Detroit went ahead 21-14 midway through the third quarter when Gagliano hit Johnson in the flat and the 5-foot-6 first-year player hit the sideline, picked up a crushing block by fellow receiver John Ford and sprinted to the end zone. "It was man coverage and John Ford threw a great block that sprung me for the six," Johnson said. Bearcats shoot for Thumb title Skipper women claim title; Shaw receives MVP award like we needed a change." The Lions got the ball with 4:11 left in the game and Gagliano completed two key passes to Jason Phillips to keep the drive going.

Then on third-and-8 at the Saints' 28, Sanders reversed his field and rolled 27 yards to the one. Fontes chose to run out the clock rather than punch in another touchdown. "All I wanted to do is win," Fontes said. "I don't care by how much." Clair, was named the a-ment's most valuable player. Fasbender, a sophomore from Mary-sville, was named the top Ann Shaw offensive player.

The Skippers, 6-2, return to Eastern Conference action Wednesday with a key game against Oakland Community College. The 7:30 p.m. game is at Port Huron Central. By BRIAN MARSHALL Times Herald Ubly's Fred Ligrow hopes his 13th year as the Bearcats' basketball coach is a lucky one. Ligrow likes his team's chances in what he belives will be a very competitive Thumb Conference race.

"We've got good balance, scoring and size," Ligrow said. "I think the league will be balanced again. Anybody can win it and I'm planning on us being right in there." Ligrow brings back two starters from last season's 12-9 team which finished 5-5 in league play. Ligrow is counting on senior Darrin Klahon and junior Marty Swartzentruber to provide much of the scoring. Klahon is a 6-foot-l forward who can power inside or hit the jump shot.

Swartzentruber, games. The Bearcats open their season by hosting North Huron Tuesday. SANDUSKY Most coaches talk of what they lost from the previous season in terms of players. Redskins' Coach John Guttowsky takes it one step further. By Guttowsky's calculations, Sandusky lost 73 percent of its points, 78 percent of its rebounding and 68 percent of its assists from last season's 13-9 team.

The main players responsible for those numbers were Neil Hayes, Dave Brown and Jeff Nolan. Despite their absence, Guttowsky is optimistic. "I believe we'll have a very Please see THUMB Page 3, this section Thumb preview, 3B FLINT The St. Clair County Community College women's basketball team finished off a 3-0 weekend at the Lady Bear Classic by beating Genesee Community College 77-52 Sunday. Shannyn Fasbender scored 20 points and had seven rebounds for Coach Paul Jackson's Skippers.

Ann Shaw added 16 points, seven rebounds, five steals and five assists. Carrie Hickson of Sandusky chipped in with 14 points and Marysville's Julie Maryon had 11. Leanne Etsler and Melissa Frawley each had 16 for Genesee. Shaw, a freshman from St..