The Journal Herald from Dayton, Ohio • 8

8 THE JOURNAL HERALD Monday, March 18, 1974 DAYTON, OHIO that he a rue one isfaction out of this season? "No," he said. "I just wake up every day and do the best I can. I Same as always. I don't have any of that feeling at all that YI. 1 ft after the season I always get my head back on.

I've never really been close to quitting. Nobody with the university has ever put pressure on me. And those are the people who count." DONOHER recalled one incident last year during the height of the bumper sticker stickiness. "I pulled up at a light one seemed like an exceptionally long red light," he said, smiling. "But I looked at those bumper stickers in a more humorous light, really.

I considered them more of a status symbol. After all, not everybody warrants a bumper sticker. "But they'll be back on again, when things go wrong. That's coaching. You're up one minute i .1 AmI If trMI can't take it, you should do something else." So there you have it: The story of four men who Just three months ago were cast aside as losers.

But who will be remembered instead with great admiration for their achievements In 1974. None was bitter when times were tough. And each refused to gloat in moments of glory. "I really don't think this season, as successful as It was, made up for the disappointment of our first two years," he said. "We had the talent to do better.

But we got down on ourselves and we stayed down both seasons. This year we got a couple of key early wins and that got us on the right track." AND WHAT about Donoher? Does he feel any vindictive sat- i ve pi veil buiiieuiuig uaui. But Donoher admits there have been many times he thought about quitting coaching, "I've probably quit after 1 VJJk I i 'sv 1 time and the car in front of me i every loss I ve had for the past 1 10 years here," he said. "But By Jim Zofkle Journal Herald Sports WrIUr TUCSON, Ariz. When this college basketball season began, Dayton's Flyers seemed headed toward another dead-end mission.

They were coming off two consecutive 13-13 seasons with virtually the same personnel returning. And the same coach. It was a combination that didn't insure many people. The three seniors on the club Donald Smith, Mike Sylvester and John Von Lehman were iving it one last whirl after failing to live up the the lofty expectations their first two varsity seasons. FLAK, meanwhile, was mounting heavily around the had one of those things on.

It i ana auwn me hcai. nuu jruu Alert UCLA aims at title Flyers provided 'wake-up call the strongest and the swiftest. And that's UCLA. I'd like to book it." win brought UCLA back to reality." Someone then asked Gaillard if he thought UCLA would be beaten in the upcoming national xA AviVi Flyer pilot, Coach Don Donoher. The now infamous bumper stickers urging, "Save UD basketball, Dump Donoher," were circulated last year.

And the "in" word was that another batch was to be printed this season. But Smith, Sylvester, Von Lehman and Donoher refused to By Jim Zofkle Journal Herald Sporti WrIUr TUCSON, to Dayton's wake-up call, UCLA should win its eighth consecutive NCAA basketball championship. That was the opinion Saturday of San Francisco Coach Bob Gaillard after his team was thrashed by UCLA 83-60 in the finals of the NCAA West Regional tournament. "It would have been better for us if UCLA had blown out Dayton by 30 points Thursday in the semifinals," Gafllard said. "Instead, that triple-overtime GAILLARD said he he would have preferred to have played UCLA in the semifinals if he had to play the Bruins at all.

UPI Telepholo finals at Greensboro, N.C. He smiled through his bushy Marquette's Dave Delsman hooping it up ingly they beat USC (Southern California) to win their coherence," he said. "Dayton had the same experience playing Los Angeles State in the first round of the tournament after beating Notre Dame and again here today with New Mexico after the 1 of Thursday's game with UCLA. "I really felt if Dayton had beaten UCLA either New Mexico or us could have beaten them in the finals because they still would be floating." BUT John Wooden, the UCLA "I think they still mignt nave been thinking of convine- mustache and replied: "If you i have to bet, you always go with. 7 Tho BC upsets Cincinnati use tneir parachutes.

I hey stayed with the ship and got the jets whining loud and clear. They earned an NCAA tournament bid and wound up with a successful 20-9 season. The misleading aspect of their magnificent achievement is that they will best be remembered for a loss Thursday's classic triple-overtime setback to UCLA. "Quite possibly," Donoher! said, "it would have been the greatest upset of all time." coach, refused to blame a let mpson to play in NIT down for his team's close game with underdog Dayton. "Give Dayton credit," Wooden said, repeating a statement he had made Thursday.

"I thought RALEIGH, N. C. (AP) Top-ranked North Carolina State got the happy word yesterday that injured superstar David Thompson was feeling fine and will play against UCLA in the NCAA semifinals at Greensboro, N. next Saturday, "His condition is entirely satisfactory," said team physician Dr. A.

E. Harer. "We don't anticipate any delayed aftereffects 5 p1 from the injury. NEW YORK (AP) Reserve Bill Collins contributed two key baskets and Jere Nolan scored the killing points with a field goal at the 26-s mark, leading Boston College to a tense 63-62 basketball upset over Cincinnati in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament last night. Dexter Reed's free throw with 30 seconds remaining gave Memphis State a 73-72 victory over Seton Hall in the second game.

In an afternoon doubleheader at Madison Square Garden, Utah beat Rutgers 102-89 behind DONOHER spoke those words following his team's 66-61 loss to New Mexico Saturday in the consolation game of the NCAA West Regional tournament. While the UD coach talked, sounds of fans watching UCLA and San Francisco warming up for their championship match filtered into the UD locker room. They were sounds, Donoher knew, that nearly were for his ball club. "It has been an amazing season in a lot of ways," Donoher said. "The kius deserve all the credit in the world.

They were fantastic. You have to have a special place in your heart for this team." game victory streak, has a 28-1 record, the only loss being to UCLA last at St. Louis. IN NEXT Saturday's other semifinal game, Marquette meets Big Eight champion Kansas. Al McGuire, the fiery coach of The high-soaring, high-scoring Thompson crashed to the floor, landing on the back of his head, after going up for a rebound against Pittsburgh Saturday.

There was instant fear that he had broken his neck or back. STATE'S Phil Spencesaidhe was trying to block for a rebound when Thompson "went ,1. k' Tricky Burden's 34 points, and Jim Foster poured in 27 points eighth-ranked Marquette, over my back. When I saw what seemed puzzled by it all after happened, man I was scared. I steering his Warriors past Mich-panicked.

I cried and I prayed." igan 72-70. in the Mideast Re- to power Connecticut past St. John's 82-70. Although the score was close throughout, the real drama of Dayton's shooting was most outstanding, even better than that. Those kids made good moves and tough shots under terrific pressure." Terrific pressure.

That's what Wooden feels North Carolina State will experience for its national semifinal game with the Bruins Saturday. Wooden was asked if he thought NC State had a psychological edge over his team since UCLA soundly eat the Wolfpack in St. Louis during the season. "I want them to remember we won by 18 on a neutral court with (Bill) Walton playing only half a game and then think if they have a psychological edge," Wooden said. Was Wooden trying to usa some psychology himself? "Oh no, he replied, breaking into a sly smile.

"It's just fact. But I was afraid someone might not mention it." IS WOODEN concerned about playing North Carolina State in its own backyard? "My mother came from Winston-Salem and I love to go back there," he replied, cunningly. "People there are most hospitable. And I assume they will be this time, too. "We are playing well now.

We played against San Francisco today as we did in years when Thompson was rushed to a gional. the Cincinnati-Boston game was it marked tne tirst time in I nine NCAA appearnaces that the hospital where 15 stitches were taken to close a cut in the back -4, 1 AND THE three seniors. What were they thinking? "You got to start someplace and you got to stop someplace," philosophized Smith, who was named to the all-tournament Warriors have manged to reach the national semifinals. "The funny thing is, this isn't packed into the last four minutes. 1 1 i 's four points helped Boston moved into a seemingly commanding 62-56 lead with 1:48 of his head.

A neursurgeon was called in and X-rays were quickly taken. Dr. Harer said UPI Telepholo Thomoson suffered a cerebral a good team," jvicuuire said. left. concussion.

But he added: "Itisj'Tve had great teams before team along with Sylvester, mv oDinion that he will resume we didn't win the regional. "I knew it couldn't last for- Maybe the game is passing me ever. It's reen a nice four years practice this week." by." for me at UD. I just wish we Indiana's Jim Crews sitting down on job Mike Parker a step ahead of Hoosier Indiana nips Toledo could have done the previous KANSAS COACH Ted Owens two years what we did this vear. Thompson's teammates, motivated and inspired to win for their fallen star, went on to crush Pitt 100-72 and win the NCAA Eastern Regional crown.

brought his own "miracle man," I always wanted to play UCLA. It seemed like a dream. It took in the person of Tommie Smith, to the Midwest Regional staged at plush Mabree Center, home of Oral Roberts University. "The first time we came in a while Thursday to get myself together, and say, 'This is for And we almost pulled it out." HIS HEAD bandaged, eyes filled with tears, Thompson ST. LOUIS (AP) Towering made a dramatic return to Rey nolds Coliseum late in the sec-the building to practice I saw I 's thoughts also But the Bearcats came back behind field goals by Bill Franklin and Hal Ward to trim the lead to 62-60 with about a half-minute remaining in the game.

Then Nolan scored his foul shot for Boston's winning but the Terriers almost gave the game away in the last nine seconds after Cincinnati's Lloyd Batts sank two free throws for the Bearcat's 62nd point. Boston College, in possession of the ball, was not able to in-bounds the ball, and as a result, turned it ovor to Cincinnati with nine seconds on the clock. The Bearcats were not able to capitalize on 'he situation, however, as they missed several shots at the basket. Bob Carrington scored 15 points for Boston, 19-8, and Batts had 17 for Cincinnati, 19-8. we won some other champion-j ships.

We played with more ond half. The crowd of 12,400 let that sign on Oral Roberts' dress- dwelled on the UCLA game, out a deafening cheer. Play had. ing room," recalled Smith. "It "We should be out there right to be halted.

a a si said, 'Expect a Miracle' and I now warming up for this cham- pionship game instead of them," Mike said. "We literally gave send 15th-ranked USC past Bradley 76-73 in yesterday's second game. Jim Kindle's layup put Toledo on top 67-65 in the overtime before the Hoosiers came back behind the marksmanship of junior forward Steve Green. Green's two baskets and a goal by reserve Tom Abernethy boosted the Hoosiers on top 71-69, but a tip-in by Toledo's Mike Larsen tied the score again. Green then missed a jump shot, but the 6-foot-10 Benson followed it up with the game-winning shot.

Larry Cole had a chance to win the game for Toledo, but his shot with three seconds to go was off target. 1 1 a by continued poor shooting, Indiana squandered nine-point leads in the first half and was pressed to tie Toledo at the end of regulation. Green scored 20 points to top Indiana, 22-5. Cole led Toledo, 19-9, with 18 points. freshman Kent Benson's follow shot snapped a deadlock with 1:28 left in overtime and lifted lOth-ranked Indiana to a 73-72 victory over Toledo yesterday in the semifinals of the Collegiate Commissioners Assn.

basketball tournament. Benson's basket advanced the Hoosiers into tonight's finals against Southern California. Senior Dan Anderson and sophomore Bob Trowbridge combined for nine points in overtime to thought right then that's what I'm going to expect. And I guess that's what happened a miracle." Smith scored two buckets in the final 28 seconds of overtime crowded around him. After the teammates lifted Thompson to the rim and he went through the ritual of cutting down the net.

Later he returned to Rex Hospital where patience and intensity. "At halftime when we were in front by 12 points I reminded our players very carefully that we were ahead by 12 at the half Thursday against Dayton and we had to fight for our lives." Wooden seems determined that his team will not need another wake-up call. the game to f'iem. After that, it was impossible to get up for New Mexico. I tried as hard as I could, but it meant nothing to me." Then it was Von Lehman's turn.

He was as the Javhawks captured the he spent the night. Midwest championship with a discharged yesterday. State's Wolfpack, riding a 26-1 93-90 victory over the Titans. sqer Get Discount Sears onyour next catalog shopping spree! Journal Qports my own mind, I was going to make spring training, so I didn't let the Tigers know it had happened." Of course Hiller never made it to spring training. Instead, he wound up at the University of Minnesota hospital to have an operation to help salvage his career.

The surgery is a by-pass technique involving his arteries and stomach. "It controls appetite and cholesterol intake," Hiller says. Fortunately for Hiller, the Minnesota medical team was determined that he would pitch again. He was never in uniform in '71, but his return was set for the spring of '72. Fetzer remembered Chuck Hughes His baseball employers were much less enthusias- '5 i Call Sears JXlHonie Shopper 226-1900 I it i Sears By Ritter Collett Journal Herald Sporti Editor LAKELAND, Fla.

Norman Cash is baseball's oldest active first baseman who appropriately happens to be playing for the oldest baseball team in captivity. Stormin' Norman, as Detroit Tiger broadcaster Ernie Harwell calls him, has sharpened his wit at the ripe old age of 39. The other day Cash casually walked up to John Hiller and remarked. "John, if you feel a heart attack coming on while you're pitching, remember to fall backwards. That way they can't call a balk on you." A year ago even Cash would have been wary of making jokes about a coronary in the Tiger clubhouse.

Canadian-born John Hiller is the first baseball player too have rebounded from a coronary to become an active competitor again. The competitive load Hiller carried last season would have staggered many a healthy athlete. He was called from the bullpen 65 times and worked 125 innings. He broke the major league record for saves (38) and posted a 10-5 record and a fantastic 1.44 ERA. That earned him all sorts of honors, including the Hutch Award, Comeback Player of the Year and Tiger of the Year.

A trim six-foot. 170-pounder, his hair is black and so is his mustache with nary a trace of gray. He didn't tell the front office Hiller was having breakfast at his home in Duluth, when the seizure struck him on the morning of Jan. 11, 1971. "All of a sudden, I had these awful chest pains and when my left arm started going numb, I told my wife to call the rescue squad," Hiller recalled.

He was dispatched to a hospital and into a coronary unit. The official diagnosis was "moderately severe" which meant he wasn't on the critical list more than a day or two, but at age 28, his baseball career should have been over. "I'm a stubborn sort of gy," Hiller says. "In 4 Spring through Sumnff $5 off any order of $50 or more from The Big Book-1974 Spring-Summer Catalog. Start i' 5 i shopping now MUVyMl.

Ill IUIUI 1- JIUJVI UIIU piVJVVVVU comeback nearly didn't get off the ground. John E. Fetzer, the owner of the club, insisted that Hiller be examined by a medicai team at the University of Michigan hospital. "It seemed that Mr. Fetzer was in the stadium the day a Detroit Lions player (Chuck Hughes) had a fatal coronary," Hiller explained.

"He was really shook up by the idea of that happening to me." The doctors at Ann Arbor found Hiller in excellent shape but said they couldn't recommend that he be allowed to pitch again. Hiller had to threaten to get the Players Assn. involved in his case before the Tigers agreed to accept the ruling by a third hospital team. This group, which examined him for a week in Atlanta, agreed he should be allowed to pitch. His 1972 effort was modest and he concedes the Tigers handled him with "kid gloves" even though he earned the confidence of Billy Martio, then the manager.

Last season was different. Martin, finding hirt effective, made him his No. 1 fireman and counting his wins and saves, he contributed to 48 of his team's 85 victories. Perhaps the Cleveland Indians should look for a coronary patient to use in their bullpVn! A Epire April 1, 1974 r-, iivm KKr.isroMKRs si kiu im vn t.ill-hiiiWn Trm ua ii.i.iih.ih rm. JTi-ThM tTA-M-VM W2I2III Call 226-1 )(M John Hiller.