News-Press from Fort Myers, Florida • Page 41

INSIDE NEWS-PRESS SECTION I Scoreboard 2C I Baseball 3C I Pro football 3C I Boxing 6C I Motorsports 6C NEWS-PRESS SCORELINE Call 332-5600 or 1-800-848-0515 Touch tone only POET EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR: MIKE KLOCKE, 335-0357 (Monday Friday, 1 9 p.m.) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1994 NHL ices season for 2 weeks LABOR PAINS A coach Nott to be forgotten There was once a man a respected, beloved man behind the name for that empty, unused swimming pool thousands drive by every day on U.S. 41. The Wes Nott pool may have a name empty of meaning to most Lee County newcomers. For many long-time residents, however, Wes Nott is a name ringing with memories and affection. The current labor status of the four major sports: BASEBALL: Players went on strike Aug.

12 to protest owners' plans for a salary cap and revenue sharing. Rest of season was canceled Sept. 14, and the strike is still unresolved. BASKETBALL: Players have been without a collective bargaining agreement since the end of last season, and no talks have been held. The NBA is reportedly considering a lockout of players around Thanksgiving if no agreement is reached.

A salary cap has been in place since 1984, but free-agency rules are thought to be the sticking point of new negotiations. FOOTBALL: Free agency was liberalized and a salary cap was implemented for this season. Some high-priced veterans were released and many players' salaries have been cut to get under the cap, but the agreement is still in place. HOCKEY: Owners have postponed the start of the season, scheduled for today, for at least two weeks. There has been no collective bargaining agreement since Sept.

15, 1993. Like baseball, a salary cap and revenue sharing are the issues. "I don't think we'll be playing hockey in two weeks," said Stu Grim-son of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. "They'll continue to hold to their position and we'll continue to hold on to ours. By October 15th, we'll be in the same place we are now." NHL commissioner Gary Bet-tman said the league wanted to play a full 84-game schedule with playoffs, but said that games likely would be lost if the season was not started by Oct.

15. At issue are four main points revenue splits to help small-market teams, a rookie salary cap, salary arbitration and free agency. Both sides have offered tax proposals to provide money for the small markets, although the players believe the league's version would translate into a salary cap. just don't see hockey being played this year." The shutdown puts hockey in much the same position as Major League Baseball no contract and no play because of a dispute involving a salary cap. The NHL Players Association said it would return to the bargaining table, but that its members wouldn't practice until an agreement was reached.

"It's an owners' lockout, pure and simple," NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow said. "As you can imagine, under these circumstances, players will not continue formal training camps." Players pledged Thursday not to strike if the owners restored contract givebacks imposed when training camp began, but owners rejected that proposal. By KEN RAPPOPORT The Associated Press NEW YORK There's no hockey now, either. Just one day before play was to begin, the National Hockey League postponed the start of its season for at least two weeks Friday rather than open without a new labor contract. Negotiations will resume, but players said they didn't think much would be resolved by Oct 15 the NHL's target date for the season to begin.

"I guess it's not a big surprise," said Wayne Gretzky, the league's biggest draw. "My only question is, if they can't get something done in 16 months, how can they expect to get something done in two weeks? "Right now," Gretzky said, "there are huge differences and I Nott retired from coaching swimming at Fort Myers High School in 1974. He died in 1984. The pool bearing his name has been closed for two years. Despite all that, Nott Is not forgotten.

Nott reportedly taught about 7,000 children to swim over 31 miDOir GLENN MILLER People By SAM COOK News-Press sports editor years. "Talk to just about any oldtimer In town and he probably taught him how to swim," said Randy Briggs, a 1 967 Fort Myers High graduate and now a library technician for the Lee County Library system. Briggs is saddened the pool, which is on the west side of Cleveland Avenue near Lee Memorial Hospital, will likely never open again. A Fort Myers city of icial said the pool may become a parking lot "I learned how to swim there," Briggs said. "I earned three high school letters there.

I met my wife there. I hate to see it go." Nott died of natural causes at age 78. "Probably the most unique individual you could meet," said George Brantley a 1965 Fort Myers High graduate. "The most unselfish person I ever met. Everything was sideline.

"It was a read play and we tried to improvise," Sarasota coach Eddie Howell said. "But we made a mental mistake. The receiver was screaming for the ball, but he threw too late." On the next play, sophomore Ricky Douglas scooted in for the touchdown. Bruno Ramos kicked the PAT to give Fort Myers a 7-3 lead with 11:07 left in the first quarter. After Baruch's second field goal with 6:57 left in the first half trimmed the lead to 7-6, Vlach, homecoming king with senior queen Nicole Allen, anoited his kingship with a pivotal fumble recovery.

Freshman Tyrone Davis and Vlach both drilled Sarasota running back Frank McKay as he was trying to control a handoff running up the middle. The ball popped loose and Vlach covered it. "It was just a swarm defense and I happened to be In the right place," Vlach, a senior co-captain, said. "The defensive coach (Frank Sirianni) was making some good calls on blitzes." Three plays later, a couple of underclassmen did their part. Junior quarterback David Travis (10-for-13 for 107 yards) hit tight end Nate Farnsworth for 12 yards and a first down at the Sarasota 44.

Two plays later, Travis froze the defense with a good play-action move and arched the ball to the speedy Davis, who See FORT MYERS 5C Homecoming is supposed to bring out the best in seniors. So it was no accident Friday night when defensive back John Allen, linebacker Mark Vlach and running back David Church all provided pivotal plays as the Fort Myers Green Wave defeated the Sarasota Sailors 20-9 at Edison Stadium. Fort Myers, which ho-hummed its way past Riverdale before winning squeakers from Charlotte and Mariner, improved to 4-0. Sarasota, a Green Wave rival which dates back to the 1 930s, dropped to 2-3. Although Sarasota dominated the early going with a surprising running attack, Allen, a 5-foot-10, 145-pound senior defensive back, literally came off the bench to steal a Sarasota pass from punt formation and return it 32 yards to the 3-yard line.

"I wasn't even supposed to be on the field," Allen said about the Green Wave's punt return team. "But somebody got hurt, so I ran on the field. I saw the punter (third-string quarterback Jason Baruch) waving his hands and I knew something was up." After throwing three incomplete passes on its own 23, Sarasota lined up to punt. Baruch, who accounted for Sarasota's nine points with three field goals, straighted up and attempted to float a pass to Oliver Vasquez. Allen, however, tipped the ball into the air, controlled it and took off down the left NOTT forthekids." "He'd look you right in the eye," said Dr.

Bo Kagan, who remembered Nott was only about 5-feet-6 or 5-7 and wore about a size 60 sport coat because of a massive upper body. "He was a wonderful person. When he said hello to you, you knew you were said hello to." "I don't believe I ever heard Wes LL a Nott raise his voice to anybody," said MARC BEAUDINNews-Press TIME FOR A TURNOVER: Fort Myers' Tyrone Davis jars the ball loose from Sarasota's Frank McKay. Mark Vlach recovered the fumble for the Green Wave. Estero edges Cypress in OT Curt Bradbury, a 1965 Fort Myers High School graduate.

Now the pool bearing Nott's name is fading into history. Will anybody raise a voice to save it? Keeping score Three players with Southwest Florida connections will be on the field today in Normal, 111., when the University of Central Florida plays Illinois State. ByGLENN MILLER News-Press staff writer UCF quarterback Darin Hinshaw is a Charlotte High graduate. Illinois State's offensive tackle Corey Mackey is a Port Charlotte grad and defensive end Clarence James is a Cypress Lake grad. Hinshaw is close to setting a -V.

i 1 r' played," Hampton said. "They never quit. They made the pressure plays." Cypress Lake interim coach Ted Kozinski still seemed somewhat shocked 15 minutes after the game ended. "It was a great game," Kozinski said. "Too bad we lost." The game began on a great note for Cypress Lake when senior Sher-win Watkins returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.

Watkins also scored in overtime on a 3-yard pass from quarterback RickLangley. Estero lost to Lely 26-20 in overtime last week, an experience that may have helped against Cypress Lake. "We've been in this situation before," Young said. Summary 5C for a 2-yard touchdown, and freshman kicker Steve Millan, in his first varsity game, booted the winning extra point. Young just thought about making the catch as he watched Henry's pass spiral his way.

"I didn't have time to get nervous," he said. Millan, who turned 14 on July 31 and was 3-for-3 on extra-point attempts, was awarded the game ball. "That was a gut check," Estero offensive guard Mark Shelly yelled. "We came through." "That's what it's all about," offensive guard Mike Woolf shouted to his teammates. A few steps away, Estero coach Joe Hampton talked in a softer voice.

"We played the best we've record for most touchdown passes by Estero High had run out of just about everything Friday night. No more time. No more downs. Two yards to go. But the Wildcats had enough left for a good pass, catch and winning extra point for a 21-20 overtime victory over Cypress Lake.

The Panthers (2-2) had scored a touchdown on their third play of the Kansas tiebreaker, but led only 20-14 when a bad snap ruined the extra-point attempt. Estero (2-3) was down to the fourth and final play of its tiebreaker when quarterback Anthony Henry fired a pass to the back of the end zone. Receiver Brian Young snagged it about helmet high a Florida collegiate quarterback. Hinshaw has thro wn for 7 1 TDs, three behind former Florida quarterback Shane Matthews. Fort Myers High graduate Rod Gadson, a redshirt freshman at Syracuse, has 1 0 tackles and an interception and has caused a fumble as a backup cornerback.

Gadson had a chance to meet another Lee County player today, butBishop Verot High School THOMAS A.PRICENews-Press CAN'T STOP ME: Immokalee's Edgerrin James turns the corner during the Indians' 12-0 win over Bishop Verot. Story 5C graduate Dwayne Thomas, a running BOTTOM OF THE FIRST College football Baseball Prep football back at Virginia I ecn, is injured ana won't play against the Orangemen. Thomas is fourth in the Big East in rushing with 351 yards. Five formerSouthwest Florida football players will be in on a bit of obscure college football history today when Cumberland College plays Cumberland University in Williamsburg, Ky. It's the first football game between the two schools.

"If you're abetting man putyour money on Cumberland," said Cumberland University sports Information director David Sherman. Bishop Verot grads Mike Marciano and Shawn Berner are starting offensive linemen for Cumberland College. Verot graduate Trey Willie is a backup linebacker for Cumberland University, located in Lebanon, Tenn. LaBelle grads Eddie Upthegrove and Hal Bennett are backup linemen for Cumberland University. I Immokalee 12, Bishop Verot 0 I Cape Coral 48, Venice 0 I Estero 21, Cypress Lake 20 (OT) I Fort Myers 20, Sarasota 9 I Lehigh 22, Naples 19 I North Fort Myers 48, Riverdale 6 I Barron Collier 49, Key West 14 I Charlotte 14, Lemon Bay 0 I LaBelle 38, Cardinal Mooney 13 I Miami Pace 35, Lely 29 I Moore Haven 51, Santa Fe Catholic 7 I Roundup 5C Miami at Rutgers TIME: Noon.

TV: WBR. RADIO: WDCQ-AM (1200). LINE: Miami by 19. Florida at Mississippi TIME: 12:30 p.m. TV: WINK.

RADIO: WWEJ-FM (100.1), WODX-AM(1480). LINE: Florida by 20V4. Stanford at Notre Dame TIME: 2:30 p.m. TV: NBC. RADIO: None.

LINE: Notre Dame by 15. Previews 4C GIVE US MORE: The number is up to 91. This is the fourth Saturday the News-Press has printed updates on local athletes playing college football, and four more have been located this week. The additions: Andrew Atkinson, a Bishop Verot High School graduate and senior tailback at Kentucky Wesleyan. He has two carries for 11 yards thisseason.

Earnell Battle, a Clewiston graduate and freshman strong safety at Union College (3-0). Battle had eight solo tackles, intercepted a pass and blocked a punt last week in an 82-1 4 victory over Chowan. Tim Melton, a Cypress Lake grad and senior wide receiver who has played intwoofUnion's games but has yet to catch a pass. Lem Teal, a Fort Myers graduate and freshman defensive tackle who has 1 2 tackles in three games for Mississippi Gulf Coast College (2-3). We want to add even more names.

Call 335-0358 or 335-0360 after 3 p.m. Monday or fax us any time at 334-0708. Complete list 4C DEION PLEADS: Fort Myers native Deion Sander pleaded innocent to a misdemeanor charge stemming from an altercation with a police officer at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium. Sanders' lawyers entered a written plea on his behalf to a charge of failure to comply with a police officer's order. SANCHEZ TO SIGN: Chicago Cubs infielder Rey Sanchez will sign autographs from noon-1 p.m.

today at Joe's Sports Cards and Comics, 4425 E. Tamiaml Trail in Port Charlotte. Autographs will cost $3.50 each. Raffles will be held for a jersey and bat signed by Sanchez and a ball autographed by the entire Cubs team. Info: 743-7114.

Glenn Miller Is a News-Press staff writer. You can write him at P.O. Box 1 0, Fort Myers, FL 33902, call him at (813) 335-0358 or fax him at (813) 334-0708..