The Daily News Leader from Staunton, Virginia • 14

14 Staunton, Leader, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1971 Sonny Listen Found Dead at His Home nnA at hie rloath and at his death had a record in wino tn Clav. Liston ui fought a listless six rounds, then saw his title slip away when he failed to answer the bell for the start of the seventh round. He claimed he suffered an arm injury. He was blasted to the deck by Clay's mysterious "phantom punch" in Lewiston, Maine, on May 25, 1965, in a rematch.

Some thought it was the punch that ended Liston's career but he launched a comeback in 1966 Lt. Bud Gregg said today there was no suspicion of foul play. An autopsy was ordered to determine the cause of death. Liston's ring career spanned the years 1953-1970. Once considered the strongest of all heavyweights, he won boxing's most cherished crown with a stunning first-round knockout of Floyd Patterson in Chicago on Sept.

25, 1962. Listen defended his title twice. He knocked out Pat- terson in another one-round victory and then lost the crown in a seven-round defeat by Cassius Clay, now known as Muhammad Ali, Feb. 25, 1964. Gregg said Liston apparently was undressing to go to bed when he flopped straight back with such force that a rail of the bench was broken.

He was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Gregg said other clothes were found nearby and that an unfired pistol in a holster was Liston left Las Vegas Dec. 26, and after she was not able to reach her husband by telephone, returned home. She told friends of Liston's death before authorities were notified. Deputies said Liston was in an automobile accident Thanksgiving day in Las Vegas, was hospitalized for chest injuries and facial cuts, was released, but later was readmitted to the hospital when he complained of the chest injuries.

on the dresser in the upstairs bedroom. A fingernail file was on the bed under Liston's 6-foot-1 body. The split-level home in the Paradise Valley residential area two miles east of the Las Vegas Strip has a swimming pool and is next to a golf course. Gregg said Mrs. Liston found the body between 8:30 p.m.

and 9 p.m. after she had returned from St. Louis, where she was visiting her mother. Gregg said Mrs. SONNY L1ST0N Rockets Blast Leemen Romp By Knights 71-51 tes ft if -1 1 my nmf Jl.

mmf if I By JOHN HEDBERG Leader Sports Writer ROANOKE The Fighting Leemen of Robert E. Lee High School stopped thrust after thrust by the Cave Spring Knights here Tuesday night enroute to a 71-51 Western District win. The win was the fifth for Paul Hatcher's quintet in seven contests this season. With the victory the Leemen managed to stay within two games of district leading Jefferson Senior, which was shellacing the Leemen's next opponent, Patrick Henry, in the Salem Civic Center, 57-41. Hatcher said following the game, "I am real happy to win.

We are still in the race and we are looking forward to Patrick Henry this Friday. We fully expected the Patriots to play a ball control game against Jefferson but that didn't work this time. The Patriots were the only team to beat the Magicians last year and used a stall then to drop them 31-30." "We could have played better ball tonight but I am really happy to see our players coming around. We still have some tough games on the card and we get Han-dley again next Saturday," concluded Hatcher. The Fighting Leemen placed three players in double figures led by George Pannell with 20 points and followed by Mark Newlen with 14 and Donnie Darcus with 13.

In all, the Leemen hit on 31 shots from the floor and on nine of 15 from the charity stripe. The Cave Spring Knights hit on shots from the floor and on nine of 14 at the foul line. The Knights had just two players LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) Former world heavyweight boxing champion Charles "Sonny" Listen was found dead by his wife in their luxurious desert home Tuesday night. Authorities said he may have been dead a week.

Geraldine Listen found her 38-year-old husband's body lying across a cushioned bench and their bed in the master bedroom of their $60,000 home, Clark County sheriff's deputies said. in double figures. Leading the Knights was Lee Holpe with 13 points and he was followed by Garland Henry with 11. The game started off as though the Leemen were off to another big win over a lesser talented team, as they jumped off to a 5-0 lead in the opening moments of play. George Pannell tipped in a shot to start the Leemen off and they were never headed after that although the Knights pulled within one as the Knights closed the gap to 5-4 as Henry dropped in a pair of free throws and then Holpe stealing an errant pass from the Leemen and scoring on a snowbird.

Tom Patterson gave the Leemen a little more breathing room as he pumped in a basket from the right corner to give them a three-point edge at 7-4. The Knights pulled back within two with a charity toss and again as the clubs traded free throws. The Leemen started to increase their margin as the quarter rolled on and the play was marked by the steals by Patterson and Phil Ware. Ware and Pannell sent the Leemen into second quarter holding to a slim eight point lead at 16-8. In the second quarter the clubs traded basket for basket as neither team could seem to get rolling.

The Leemen and the Knights both scored 16 points and kept the Leemen on top by eight at the halftime break 32-24. In the third quarter the Leemen started to take their shots as they came and started to pull away from the lesser talented Knights. The Knights gave the Leemen an fine driver. This six-foot, Keyport, N.J. eager will be the key in running SMA's attack and defense.

Reserve strength comes from Bob Hanks, a 6-foot speedster from Dublin, who is recovering from a head injury, but will be pushing the starters. On the boards, SMA will get help from Wilburn Williamson, an all-VMSL football end, who possesses good hands and will do yeoman service in the rebound department. Other key reserves will be Michael Pandak, a 6-foot-l Stauntonian who is gaining experience each game and adds to the SMA attack and board strength despite being only a sophomore. Joe Howard, a 6-fooM Burlington, N.C. junior, Dave Cards The VSDB Cards lost their bid to escape the basement of the Alleghany Highland District standings here Tuesday night in losing 60-49 to the visiting New Castle Rockets.

It was the first win against five losses for New Castle while the Cards dropped to an 0-6 record. The Cards lost two of their starting five when Jack Cornette injured his right leg and had to leave the game in the first quarter and Jimmy Dickens fouled out in the third quarter of action. Both clubs had 19 turnovers while VSDB had the edge in rebounding, 39-31, with Gary Combs and Ed Arnold grabbing 10 apiece. The Cards matched the Rockets in field goals with 21 but lost heavily at the foul line where they made only seven shots to 18 for New Castle. The Cards staged a good first quarter in holding a 16-9 edge but lost their momentum Combs, with 14 points, and Arnold with 19 led the Cards while Rufus Laprad hit 15 and WESTERN DISTRICT Ov.

Jetferson 6 0 Danville, GW 2 0 Halifax 1 0 Patrick Henry 5 1 Lee High 5 2 Franklin County 4 3 William Fleming 3 2 Martinsville 1 1 Amherst 1 1 Andrew Lewis 2 3 Liberty 1 2 Cave Spring 1 4 E.C. Glass 1 4 Northside 0 5 Tuesday's Results Lee High 71, Patrick Henry 41 Jefferson Senior 57, Patrick Henry 41 Franklin County 81, Northside 59 Danville, GW 59, Martinsville 56 Amherst 70, Brookville 50 Halifax County 53, Walter Williams, Burlington, N.C. 51 Wednesday's Games William Fleming at Andrew Lewis CliilWliiiB CLOSED TONIGHT Re-Open Sat. Sun. PLAZA-- STAUNTON 1A SHOPPING CENTRE Continuous Shows Daily 30-7: PM Matinees 1.50 Evening 2.00 Under 12 SO Explosive Qyn'iiuf iiV i liir'-'V -A- Rated early scare in the third quarter as they pulled within four points twice before the Leemen got their offense started.

The Leemen out-scored the Knights 19-14 and held a 51-38 lead at that point. In the fourth and final stanza the Leemen substituting freely started to pull even further out in front as Pannell, Darcus and Newlen began to drop in some spectacular shots. The shots were almost reminiscent of the way the Leemen had been shooting before meeting the Magicians of Jefferson Senior several weeks ago. The Leemen led by as many as 24 points in the fourth period before coach Hatcher yanked all his regulars out of the lineup and played reserves. The reserves, who played almost half of the fourth quarter kept the scoring going and still held a 20 point lead at the final buzzer.

The Leemen are now idle until Friday night when they meet the Patriots of Patrick Henry at home in Staunton's John Lewis Gym. The Patriots will be smarting and will surely have blood in their eye after losing to Jefferson for their first loss of the year. Lee Patterson Ware Darcus Pannell Newlen Wymer Vaughn Hanger Totals Cave Spring Buckland Kenney Caldwell Corvin Holpe Henderson Henry Taylor Totals Lee Cave Spring FO FT TP 3 4 01 0 1 0 8 6 2 1 1 4-4 J3 00 0 1 71 31 14 FO FT TP 01 0 1 22 11 12 22 33 0 1 14 lt It 20-71 It 14 13-51 Season Cardwell, a 6-foot Newport Sews eager and Roger aines, a 6-foot youngster from Allentown, round out the SMA roster and have seen a good deal of service and should continue to strengthen SMAs aspirations. Due to the lack of size, SMA has drawn an underdog role in the VMSL. Fork Union (4-0), Massanutten (3-1) and Hargrave (4-2), are in the leading challenger positions due to their pre-league successes.

Augusta will be heard from as the Streaks possess one of the tallest front lines in the league. Greenbrier at (1-3), will utilize its running West Virginia tactics to frighten its VMSL foes. The first inter-league contest finds SMA at Hargrave Saturday. of 48-3. Liston, 38, was almost constantly in the news, either because of his stunning ring exploits that included 36 knockouts or because of his frequent runins with the law.

"I have been in the limelight two ways-good and bad," he once said. "Ever since I was born I've been fighting for my life." Even before his pro boxing career began, he was involved with the law. 60-49 Jim Hutchinson 16 to pace the winners. New Castle Laprad Hutchinson Bostic Greenaway Crawlord Hutlon Anderson Totals VSDB Combs Arnold Dickens Inabmell i Burton Totals Newcastle VSDB Jayvees 45 44 overtime. F6 Pts 6 4 6 4 0 11 FO Pts 7 2 2 2 21 9 15 21 IS 60 14 10 14 9-49 New Castle.

In one HELD OVER DON'T MISS IT! I (Theatre opens 6:45 p.m.) Two shows 7 and 9 p.m. VE SEEN THIS YEAR!" VINCENT CANBV, N.V. TIMES "IT'S ONE HELL OF A FILM! A COLD, SAVAGE AND CHILLING COMEDY! Firmly establishes Nichols' place in the front rank of American directors." -Bruce Williamson, PLAYBOY "Viewing Arkin is like watching Lew Alcindor sink baskets or Bobby Fischer play chess. A virtuoso player entering his richest period! A triumphant performance!" -time magazine 'CATCH-22' says many things that need to be said again and again! Alan Arkin's performance Yossarian is great!" -Joseph NEWSWEEK nan A MIKE HOLS FILM mm 4 Nil JtSlPWUfR tWK KtABIlN BALSAM. WO BENJAMIN.

tIBIMH, mm. tumim.m mm, mwmm, PHULA PRtrtTISS MARTIN SHEfN. JOM VtHGKT ORSON WELLES sdrudu nmuBMim PfiODUCEO BV JOHN CHLLEY 6 MARTIN RANSOKOf DIRECTED BY MIKE ATICHOLS mwmvm mnmm RATED On under 18 yrs. of age 5 now "VII 7:05 4 P.M. Chicago Sun Ttmw LEEMAN DONNIE DARCUS (50) goes high for this layup In Tuesday's win over the Cave Spring Knights.

Darcus broke a scoring slump and showed little effects of an early season Injury that slowed his play. Darcus scored 13 points and is expected to see considerable action when Patrick Henry invades John Lewis this Friday for a Western District game. (Photo by John Hedberg) Chargers Halt Rebel Rally SAAA Opens Home the Rebels in tow the rest of the distance. Indeed when you analyze the statistics you wonder what kept the Rebels as close as they were to the Chargers. Jack Hales young kids only connected for 13 field goals the entire evening with a cool 19 per cent from the floor.

Bath had a more respectable hit mark of 34 per cent but from the Santa stripe things were different. Bath went to the line 30 times, 10 limes in a one and one bonus situation but only converted 13 free throws. Rockbridge, while a terrible shooting club from the floor converted 20 of 33 attempts from the Charity stripe. COUGA Tee Couple Everybody's Talking About! The big Bath gun was Dennis Cauley with 20 points, four in front of Frankie Neff with 16. Rader Ogden and Lloyd Miller were the only Rebels in double figures with 17 and 10 points respectively.

The victory was the third in seven starts for the Chargers with Natural Bridge next in sight there Friday night. "We did a lot of things wrong," commented winning coach Charles Cauley, "But we never quit scrapping and had the desire to come back after trailing late in the game. This was my first win over Rockbridge ever." "I'm happy that whammy is over," he added. WAYNE WAYNESBORO. VIRGINIA 942-5139 NATIONAL ENTERPRISES, INC.

By JOHNNY GAZZOLLA HOT SPRINGS Bath County's Chargers refused to bow to adversity here Tuesday night and using a blend of grit and hustle honed out a 55-46 Alleghany-Highlands victory over Rockbridge High School. The nine point win came the hard way as the cold shooting and mistake prone' Chargers allowed Rockbridge not only to come back from an early nine point deficit but to clutch the lead at 40-39 with slightly more than four minutes left to play. Enter now, Richard Johnson, Rickey Fry, Frankie Neff and Tommy McRoberts who among them produced a six point barrage in the next minute and a half to suddenly perk in front by five. Almost there, the Chargers made certain the rest of the game as they kept up their full head of steam while holding to right, Pat Kennedy, Chuck at H)nc of this ycar'f top pictwes." "A tricBpLThe cast is Bcthingsbrtcf perfect" (Highest Rating) I love it." Staunton Military Academy's hoopsters will open its 1971 home season Thursday night at 7:15 p.m. "on the hill" when they play host to Madison College's JV team.

The SMA quintet posted a 2-3 record before Christmas, playing all their games on away courts. Coach Bill Pandak's basketballers are not tall, but can play aggressive defense which will have to carry them in the ever tough Virginia's Military League. John McNelly, a 6-foot-2 guard from Statesville, N.C., has led the SMA five in scoring to date, with a big 37 point spree against West Point Prep. Jim Sixsmith, a 6-foot-2 forward from Pittsburgh, Pa. has come along to abet the Hilltoppers by hitting 21 points in their last outing against Bullis Prep.

Jim Lesher, a 6-foot-3 center from Claymont, and Chuck Hess, a 6-foot guard from Dowagiac, are the returning lettermen who have hit in double figures in the final "game prior to the holidays. Pat Kennedy, is the Hilltoppers' playmaker who possesses good hands and is a ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS DISTRICT Natural Bridge 5 Parry McCluer 4 James River 4 Highland 4 Bath County 3 Rockbridge 1 New Castle 1 VSOB 0 Tuesday's Results New Castle 60, VSDB 49 Natural Bridge 63, Buena Vista 47 Bath County 55, Rockbridge 46 Vatley District Turner Ashby 1 0 Broadway 6 1 Waynesboro 5 1 FortDctiancc 4 3 Harrisonburg 4 3 Lexington 4 3 Buffalo Gap Vuarts Dratt 1 5 Wilson 1 6 River heads 0 Tuesday's Results l-ort Del Ante 4. Stuarls Draft 43 Turner Ashby 11, Broadway 75 (over time) Lexington 7S, Buffalo Gap 74 Harrisonburg 66, Rivcrheads 54 Waynesboro 8), Wilson 55 A FILM FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY FOLLOW "WHISKERS," an independent and curious young cougar, through two exciting years in a mountain wilderness known as "COUGAR COUNTRY" A true wildlife adventure story STARTS TODAY Bring The Entire Family! "jo" (and the missus) Features: Weekdays: Saf. I A PRODUCT OF AMERICAN coioo A CAtMON KLIASC SET TO HELP SMA open its home season Thursday night are, left Hess, Jim Lesher, Jim Sixsmith, John McNeely and Bob Hanks. RESTRICTED No Oh Under 11 Admitted.