Skip to main content
The largest online newspaper archive

The Times from San Mateo, California • Page 19

Publication:
The Timesi
Location:
San Mateo, California
Issue Date:
Page:
19
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

Ihundny, Mm. 18, 1976 THE TIIHESSon Mateo It Dogged Defense, Smart Offense Presley: Menlo Magician lie is interested iti several of Cuesta's players, especially Its two strongest front liners, Leon Ncai and Jim Hynes, both 3 and close to 200 pounds apiece. Presley instructs his own big men to keep them at buy. to maintain pressure on them. "You must fight through their low post he says.

Naturally, Menlo will employ Its stingy man to man defense which is designed to shut down an opponent's favorite ploys, to foice a team to function in unfamiliar ways. Menlo will try to control the game's pace offensively. Presley says, "We play defense like there is no Weeping tomorrow. We must play with passion." They will. By JOHN HORGAN Times Staff Writer Bud Presley is nervous.

It is 2:30 in the afternoon Friday and he and his team are assembled In the visitors" dressing room in Sellartd Arena in Fresno. Menlo College is preparing to engage Cuesta College in a first round game in the California Community College Basketbali Championships, small school division. The winner of this game will play for the state title on Saturday evening. Presley paces methodically around the locker reluming always to his blackboard where he has tilled it with notations, diagrams and cogent reminders of what lies ahead. Even before the lournamcnt began, Presley com plained (hat the tension was building inside him.

"My wife says uught to be able to relax more, but I can't. It's worse than ever. I really feel It, I'm a nervous guy anyway, but 1 want to win the whole thing more than ever I his year." There is a reason Tor that: Presley's Menlo team wasn't supposed to get very far In 1975 76. The strain left Ms mark on Presley as Menlo clawed its way past Its Coast Conference rivals to enter the state's small college tourney. Presley's face Is craggy, worn by all those endless nights of close games, referees decisions and countless days Df practice.

Presley smokes heavily at times, especially when ho is trying to relax. Moments of calm have been infrequent Ihis season, however. Ten of Menlo's 28 regular season games were decided by seven points or less. Presley seems to he always thinking, calculating another move or two on his own private 90 foot long chessborad where ten young men struggle over a round ball filled with air. Presley had ulcers once, but he has gotten over (hem.

He lias tried tranquilizers but Oiey didn't work, It is difficult, if not impossible for him to keep unruffled when he Is absorbed in his work. To get into the state tournament, rtestey pushed his 1975 7ti Menlo team to the very limits of its strength and capability. Some said Menlo's" 69 35 victory over Monterey Peninsula College in the final game of the Const Conference playoffs was the team's finest hour, a textbook example of the Presley method: grinding, dogged defense, man on man all over the court, and deliberate, intelligent offense. The formula had brought Menlo a surprising 254 record as fhc slate tournament got under way. SPORTS BASKET BARRIER Former Hillsdale player Mike Stockwell of Menlo College leaps high in attempt lo block shot by Carl Whitfield of Butte College in the state Community College bosketboll championships in Fresno last weekend.

Dr. Richard O'Brien On The Field Only It's 'Play BaW their DOSilion that thev wc The Cnesla game begins. The San Luis Obispo school, which lias about ten times the number of slu denLs as Menlo. scores Urst. They won't score again lor nearly 4'i minutes.

B1hal time. Menlo has a fi 2 lead on three' short baskets by Mike Arburn. Hick Michelmore and Lurry Ncal. Cuosta will not lead again. When Ihe score reaches LIMi with eight minutes to play in the flrsl half.

Presley loses his temper. "What are thev running." lie rasps al Ills long suffering assist anl coach Cos tlassapukis. a teacher at San Mateo High Scbil "WluK are they doins." he moans as lie walches his players nilempl to pick apart the 2 3 zone of Cuesta He dues not borate the officials. The intensity ol Ihe Menlo effort has been Incredible. Five limes Michelmore las thrown himself onto the floor after loose balls.

Three uf those surges result in steals for Hie Oaks. The half ends 14 8 in lavnr of Menlo. tlie lowesl halftone score in the history of Ihe tournament as tar as anyone nresent can recall. In tlie Menlo dressine room. Presley tells his team.

Vnu're ton stagnant offensively. Don't lorce up the foolcr. But I want you to look for (lie break siluution. Wally I tie looks at guard Walt lireinondi, I want you lo anticipate. When you think we've got (lie defensive rebound, want you to take off.

The oilier guard goes to the outlel position." TAMPA. Flo. (UPD It's "Play Ball in baseball's spring training camps today but not necessarily at the bargaining table. The logjam between the major league owners and the players was broken Wednesday when the players indicated for the first time they would compromise on the 'one and one" reserve system issue and Commissioner Bowie Kuhn promptly ordered tile camps to be opened. or baseball millions of fans it meant that unexpected progress suddenly was made and the sound of bat meeting hall immediately will be heard from Hie camps here in Florida and those in Ari Kina and California previously shut down ijy the owners.

It also Is almost certain lliat the major league season will o)en un April as scheduled. But the major issue involviim tlie spring training while still burgaining for an agreement. "Because 1 lliink it is now vital that spring (raining get underway without fui ihrr delay," said Kuhn from his New York office. "1 have directed that nil camps be opened at the curliest possible lime." The reaction to Kuhn's announcement was favorable trom both players and owners. have been an outspoken critic of the commissioner." said Brad Curbed, owner of the Texas Rangers.

"But I give him credit for what he did. I think il was a bold move and a good one." "I don't know what sort of an effect ,11 will have on the negotiations," commented I3i.il Frcelian, the Detroit Tigers' veteran catcher and player representative. "All I know is it's going to help baseball." The chief executives of virtually all Hie clubs immediately indicated that they would comply with Ktihn's directive. Mo dissenters were expected. iap reserve system, and therefure the future THEY'RE READY structure ill management's relations with Giants batting instructor Hank Sauer, left, and manager Bill Rigney 'he players, remained unresolved, discuss spring reining plans at the club's siie in Cos.

Grande, The lhe 1 tX SS camp will officially open Saturdoy morning. coaM compromise on the "one and one" NCAA Cage Playoffs College Cage Playoffs Resume Cozy Position for Bruins Al Grpemboro, N.d Risers. 2.Q. vi.ConnfHtir.nl. 16' The verv thought of Menlo running is a provocative one.

It raises all sons of heretical menial pictures ol forbidden basketball pleasures. You gut the feeling thai Dr. Naisnillh is going lo somehow zap Presley for expressing such notions. Of course, there is method in this seeming madness Hassnpukis. for one appreciates il.

He has Seen il till before "I guess I've known Hud for 17 years," Hassapakis said one evening, "lie helped lo give me a start. 1 read his hook and lie introduced himself (o me when I was coaching al liiordan (in San Francisco) Hud is his own man. He is very b'righl. kiiowludgeahle about Ihe game. He has ii very structured mind.

He really doesn't need an assistant, but lie asked me lo join him three years ago. so I did." According lo Menlo's president Dr. Richard O'Brien, Preslev wrote a syllabus for a basketball course al the school which was "the besl syllabus I've ever soon Once. Presley gave his entire basketball class A grades because Ihey had completed his demand ing requirements and there wasn't anything else a fair minded man could do. Presley has even gone so far as lo urge O'Brien and other school officials to scale down their original plans lor a proposed new Menlo gymnasium which is on the drawing board for Hie fuliire.

Piesley told lo hiiild the place to hold no more I ban tm) or 500 spectators het'uuse. as O'Brien explains it. "iind says most JC games don'l draw lhat many people anyway." Still, the new gym, if it is funded, will probably be constructed to one day accommodate as tnanv as l.iliifl il such expansion is deemed necessary. At Louisville, Kv i j.in. rjri 'il Iwu West semifinal games Nevada Vegas lakes on Arizona in I he iillier.

"I'm happv to be home." said UCI.A Coach dene Harlow, whose Hruins look I he Pacific Conference title and won their way inlo the regional semis with an opening round viclnry nver Diego State lasl Sulur day. The Hruins. perhaps not as Mr. me, as in precious seasons when they won 111 national championships in 12 years, will have un easier time gelling out ol the West Mian other learns ill I he far flung NCAA plnv best ever a zone breaking squad that shools well Irom Hie outside, relxiiinds with aiithorilv and runs breakneck speed. The Warriors are solid lacoriles aver Wisleni Michigan.

i lub that won the Mid mcric.in Coiirerenec otii nght lor Ihc lirst lime in more Ihau two divades. Notre I Kline, ranked seventh in the nation, rales as slim favorite in Hie Midwest. Tlie Irish, led by dri.iit Dunllcy. got into the regional semilinals by edging Cincinnati on a last second basket after the Bearcats, who had all but won Hie game, made their costliest turnover of the season. If Hie surprising leant Irom New Hniuswick.

N.J.. goes all Hie way. Ihc Scarlet Knights will wind up Willi a or one game heller Hian Norili Carolina national chainiious of H57. Ill Hie Midwest Regional ui Louisville. it's N'otrc Dame Mirhi eaii mil Missouri vs.

Tesas tech. An intriguing battle shapes up between Iwo ol ihr nation's In st routers Kenl Benson of Indiana and Leon Douglas nt Alabama, linlli teams have speed and rebounding so it will be ixiwrr against power. Manpielte's edition Ihis year is one of Mcfiuii'e's H. KKN HAPPIIPOIfT AP Spurls Writ it Hiving anything away to Hie Hruins can be cosily, iiiving Ihcni the humeciiiut can I' The perennial NCAA hostel hull champions appear on I lie Ihrrshhold of milliter West Regional Mile Ihis year, given (he odds nt a rrinlivcly weak field and the surrounilirigs of cozv Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. The I iMh raiiked Bruins, wlin won lifi si might games Ml Pauley before a loss to Oregon Lite Ihis season, are heavily favored agnhtsl I'epncrdiilo lunighl in rule Tin si powerful of Ihr.

tieliis will he ill tlie Mideast KcginlVlls Union linage, f. i when. Indiana plays Alabama anil Marquette faces Weslei Michigan. Ml lour loams are ranked in Hie nation's Top Ten No. 1 Indiana.

No. 2 ipielle, li Alabama and No. HI Western Michigan. In tlie Fast, undefeated Itutgers. il.

seems lo he the class of the Held. The rnnrlli raiiked Searlcl Knights play and meets VM1 al Greensboro, N.C. Rutgers, incidentally, can have Hie hi st single season record in llislory hy winning the national eli.inipionship. Skyline Hosts Japan Stars Skyline College's wrestling team will host an all star collegiate contingent Irom western Japan 3 p.m. Friday at the Trojan gym Foaiiired will be freestyle wrestling, in addition lo several (Irero Homau matches, said Skyline Coach eo Allen d.ivJi Gflirir ChftmpWn' CSM Thins Host Meet 'Quakes Beat Warriors Host Braves Dallas, 9 4 The Warriors, with their second straight ft A Pacific Division snfrly tucked mvuv, host buffalo nt p.m.

tonight at the Oakland Arena. A sellout gathering has been assured. There lire nu tickets left fur this one. The ISnu es have Inst two of three previous I975 7B games to Golden Stale thus far. This will he the final regular season meeting between the two highest scoring chilis in Hie league.

Buffalo, of course, pus sesses Ihc number one offensive weapon, ccn ler Bob McAilon, who is averaging neurit 111 pninls per game. Presley's wily shift in offense works to start the second halt. Menlo's fust break surprises Cuesta and the Oaks run up a muck 24 14 lead with 14:25 to play, liremond has scored two easy lay ins and Arburn has another. The Oaks are on Iheir way to a well conceived and neatly executed victory. Hul it doesn't come without a few tense moments Jor Presley, even though the spread never becomes less than eight points Iherenfter.

He slulls uneasily in his seat throughout the second half, popping up now and then to hark hoarse commands al his athletes. 11 ts as il he knows he ought to win this thing, probably will win it. hut still can't rest The very idea thai Menlo ought to win weighs heavily on Presley. The favorite's role doesn't suit him Herore the tournament began, he said he was pleased al Ihis semi final matchup with Cuesta. a team with no Irani line player over 6 3.

ils lallest man was a fi 4 guard. "We got a break this year." lie said, musing over ihe lacl that Barslow had In meet Butte, the other two sural! colleges in Hie four team affair, in the other playoff game. Presley clearly feared both of those exceedingly lasl leujns. I See Page 211. Column College of San Mateo hosts iwo oilier (lolden Cale Conference nick teams seeking Hielr first league viclory ol the season Kriduv al 2 SO p.

while Skyline bank's Marine al 2 p.m. In Salinas lor ihe ('nasi Conference duel meet chamiuunshin CCSF aiid foothill visit the swifi CSM Tartan I rack tor an all melric meet which promises tight coin petit mn. Punning events being at 4fi p. in CSM quai lermiler Hob I'oulke ranks third in Hie stale in the off his 4H.5 clocking behind bhind Wll lard Hamptons S.8 for San lose CC last week and will key die Bulldogs' favored mile relay team Ail oiilslauding high jump duel is eypeeted among CSM's Wright 'H 7'l i. Pofjthili's John l.il tleboy ni T'ji and CCSK's King Wiley' id fii who cleared seven reel last summer.

Skvline expects to cut iulo liarineirs iradilionallv strong field events with new sciinnl discus record holder Dan Johnson Ui8 3' and jumpers Charlie Kind and Mason l.arkin Seals Blow Lead and Game Effort Rapped Seals Scoring Oaks Player All America I he San Jose liorth quakes showed why they're the defending NASI. Indonr chnmpions Wednesday ninhl as they easily defeated the Dallas Tornado in an exhibition al Ihc Cow Palace. "We were nut as quick as I thuught we should have ticen." commented striker Paul Child "However, we cre quicker than most o) ihe Dallas players, anil Ihey seemed to quit lifter il while." San hammered Ihe Dallas goal with 7:1 shots, while the Tornado onlv managed J3. Child scurch iwioe as did Dave Kemp ind Kjell Sainuelssun. Dallas striker Dove Chadwlck ed all scorers with three.

Diillus' Kyle Rule Jr. nusn'i effective most ol night, as San Jose telenders marked him lightly. Hole had two shots in goal. Just bclore the end id Ihe hoeimd period, however, Karthquake midfielder Inhnny Moore received a oneussion in a collision with Dallas goalie Matt tVeiss and was rushed in Help Hospital. l'riday night, the NASI.

Regional playoffs hegin with the San Jose Karih ipinkps hosting the Vancouver Whiieeaps in 9 p.m. maichup. Sun Diego meets Dallas at 7 p.m. TOUCH AS ALL OUTDOORS Menlo College guard Walt Hrcmond has been named lo (he California Community and Junior Col Oil tflnnud. water repellent luatliLT uimcs, Vibram" luq sOlu ariO rie.il, lony l.istinrj 14 edjt Ml lurl Cumti iry un a uair OAKLAND (API "Wo had a two goal lead, but we were still doing a lot of Ihings wrong.

There was no hitting and the passing was poor, California Coach Jack Evans summed up his Seals' loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The Seals' 2 0 first period lead changed lo a 3 2 deficit in the second period and the Sabres won Wednesday night 5 3 to close oul the National Hoekev League season series between the twii clubs with five victories and a tie. Buffalo's Danny Garc. whose 43rd goal of I he season at 6: 30 nf Hie second period tied the score at 2 2, said. "This was a game we had to win, because il means so much to us tur the home ice advantage once (he playoffs start." "The Seals wen' with us most of the game, and even had us scared in the third period." said Garc.

"They are a voung club and will probably be much tougher next year." Al MacAdam scored California's lir.st pnai and Rnh Murdoch gor the sec ond, and each had an assist on Ihe olher's goal Dennis Maruk assisled on bulh. Money had an unassisted goal for California In the game's final minute "1 thuught we played as well as they did in fact, even better In the first period." said Dave Gardner of California "But they have the big goal scorers, and just skating with them is tough. They only got two shots against mv line all night, hut I hey were both goals. How do you explain lhat?" Josh Guevremont got Bull a Id's first goal on a long ship shot, and Garc set up Craig Ramsay break away goal al 111:16 ol Hie second period as Buffalo went ahead to slay. In the final period Don Luce and till I'erreaull lired goals past California, goalie (lilies Melodic within a minute and IH seconds.

Knr Perreault il was Ihe 15th consecutive game in which he has scored a point and the Irst time in his career he has reached 40 goals. lege Association first tenm auii.no. Our All Ameriia lor small divi 't sl ''n1 two fun in Players have been p. O.I honored on the second 36 team SAN BRUNO 430 Snn Mateo Art. 873 770S Litler choices arc Skyline guard Frank Denucci, a ij ft soph from Capuchino.

and Menlo Imntliner Rich Michelmore. soph from lesui le High in SAN MATEO 179 VI i5th Ave. 574 G954.

Get access to Newspapers.com

  • The largest online newspaper archive
  • 300+ newspapers from the 1700's - 2000's
  • Millions of additional pages added every month

About The Times Archive

Pages Available:
435,324
Years Available:
1925-1977