The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California • Page 51

THE SUN D. 1979 D-2- fife r- j. a -i i 11 XV Dont look now Despite a hand in the face, San Francisco Pioneer player Muisette McKinney made this basket in a recent Women's Professional Basketball game. Houston player Vicky Chapman couldn't make the block and her team couldn't stop the Pioneers from winning, 79-75. wlrphot mmmim i I ff.jiji.jv V--j-mm Eagles are impatient to prove themselves Broncos not rushing to get Campbell DENVER (AP) Denver vs.

Houston: a classic duel between the National Football League's top rushing defense and the league's No.l rusher. Right? Well, yes, but that's oversimplifying the matchup, according to Denver linebacker Randy Gradishar. "If we focus in on just one guy, we'll get beat," said Gradishar, ringleader of the Bronco defense which will try to stop Oiler running back Earl Campbell Co. in the AFC wild-card playoff game Sunday at the Astrodome. "Our ability to defense Earl will be a big factor, but it's not our total game plan," said Gradishar.

"(Quarterback Dan) Pastorini is having a big year throwing to (wide receiver) Ken Burrough. (Tight end) Mike Barber is a good weapon for them. And the Oilers have some other backs who can hurt you, too. "When you start to concentrate on one player, it hurts you more than it helps." Gradishar and the rest of the Broncos expect Houston to make liberal use of play-action passes. "They'll give the ball to Campbell three or four times in a row, and then they'll fake to him and pass," said Denver Coach Red Miller.

The effect is to momentarily freeze Denver's aggressive, active linebackers, delaying their ability to drop back into pass coverage. "With Campbell in the backfield, you have to respect him," Gradishar said. "And Pastorini has shown good touch on his passes. He used to get impatient and throw the bomb all the time, but now he hits medium-range passes and dump-off passes to his backs equally as well. I think Earl's presence back there has eased Pastorini's mind, made him more relaxed." Gradishar, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, was troubled by an assortment of injuries earlier this season.

Only in the past month has he felt he played up to his potential. In Monday night's 17-7 loss to San Diego, he led the Broncos with 10 tackles and four assists. While Denver's defense has been solid all year against the run, the Broncos have been more vulnerable through the air. Some have attributed i that weakness to the lack of a pass rush. The Broncos have only 19 sacks this season last in the league.

Houston Coach Bum Phillips attaches little importance to that statistic. "Denver would rather go for the interception, dropping eight men into pass coverage," said Phillips. "They don't emphasize sacks. A lot of teams who have more sacks will be home, watching the Broncos on television this Anderson, Haslett named top rookies NKW YORK lAP) OUis Anderson, who demolished the National Football League rushing record set a year ago by Earl Campbell, was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year Friday by The Associated Press. Jim Haslett, a defensive linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Haslett was a second round draft choice out of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. It was literally a runaway for Anderson, the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder from the University of Miami. Anderson amassed all but three of the 84 votes cast by a nationwide panel of sports writers and sports broadcasters, three in each league city. The three remaining votes went to Phil Simms, quarterback of the New York Giants. Anderson finished the 1979 season with 1,805 yards rushing, shattering the rookie record of 1,450 yards by Campbell, the rushing champion last year and, with 1,697 yards, this year, too.

Anderson challenged for the NFL rushing title before a twisted knee knocked him out of last Sunday's regular-season finale with just 39 yards gained. In Houston, Campbell gained 134 yards to surpass Anderson, who finished third in the rushing race, five yards behind Chicago's Walter Payton. Anderson, nicknamed O.J. (his middle name is Jerome), was the first rusher in the 53-year history of the University of Miami, his 1,266 yards surpassing the school record of 951 set eight years ago by Chuck Foreman, and is Miami's all-time rusher with 3,331 yards. "People said before the draft that there was no Earl Campbell or Tony Dorsett out Brown, another St.

Louis rookie running back and An nil IMIWjfeMWMW I iU vf. -4 WMlmiKS III fWfiMSS i fill i 1 r' i The coach ticks off his reasons, declaring the Eagles are sounder in the kicking game, have a better pass defense, the offensive tackles have developed into Pro Bowl selections, the quarterback is more experienced, the tight end is healthy, rookie linebacker Jerry Robinson has developed into a standout, and running back Wilbert Montgomery has matured. Vermeil also points out that beating teams such as Pittsburgh, Dallas and Washington has built a quiet confidence and resolution within his ranks. He says it's a team that believes it can win against anybody in the NFL. 1 Vermeil says further that this game is at home, and those 71,000 screaming partisans are a part of his game plan.

This is the Eagles' first playoff home game in 19 years. He notes that last year the Eagles were just thrilled to be in the playffs. This time they expected to be there and expect to win. The kicking game is in the foot of rookie Tony Franklin, the barefoot booter from Texas. Franklin is 23 for 31 on field goals and is accurate from 50 yards or better.

He's kicked one 59 yards, second longest in NFL history. Last year, the Eagles went into the playoffs with a placekicker who never had converted a pro field goal. Rookie Max Runager from South Carolina handles the punting, averaging 39.6 yards, with good hang time, and able to find the out of bounds markers on short punts. PHILADELPHIA AP) The city shoveled the snow from the Veterans Stadium carpet so coach Dick Vermeil could get his team ready for Sunday's first round National Football League playoff game against the Chicago Bears. With the snowbanks on the sideline as a backdrop, gloves on their bands, and a burning Inside to prove they really are one of pro football's best, the Eagles are driving through intensive three hour practices.

Both Vermeil and his team believe this is a much better squad mentally and physically than the one last year which lost to Atlanta, 14-13, in the first round of the playoffs. Defensive back Bobby Howard, the ex-San Bernardino HS star, says the 1979 Eagles won't go to pieces as last year's team did in the final quarter after building a 13-0 lead. Howard says the Eagles now are ready and able to face adversity. Howard told a reporter how the pressure built in Atlanta, how he and his teammates could feel the pressure. "It boggles the mind," said Howard who has intercepted three passes in the Eagles' 11-5 season.

"But it's much easier the second time around." Vermeil tries to hide it, but he exudes confidence that his team can handle the Bears before an expected sellout crowd of 71,000 and a national television audience. He insists there is no comparison between this year's Eagles and the 1978 club. derson's roommate, said. "What they didn't know was that there was an Ottis Anderson." That 193-yard debut started Anderson on the road to a season that demolished Jim Otis' 1975 club record of 1,076 yards. Along the way, Anderson gained 100 yards or more nine times, breaking the NFL rookie record of seven and tying the Cardinals' career record.

It took Otis five years to achieve the same feat for St. Louis. He is the first NFL rookie ever to average 100 yards a game. Ottis Anderson: offensive rookie of the year. Area girls' basketball something to jump about By KATIE CASTATOR Sun Sports Writer SAN BERNARDINO Anyone who thinks competitive women's basketball on the high school level is just another new cockeyed idea to appease those ERA and Title IX types is in for a big surprise.

In 1892, shortly after James Naismith introduced his brainchild in America, Smith College adopted women's basketball (in a modified form) into its curriculum. But after such a promising start, the concept floundered for over half a century. Even as late as the 1950s, the majority of high school girls seemed to think a hoop was something you wore under your prom formal and a full-court press was part of the drive-in-movie scene. But that was twenty years ago. You wouldn't catch today's sports-conscious teen making that blunder.

In 1979, an athletic girl, no longer restricted to golf and tennis, can pick the sport which suits her abilities. And a look at several area athletic programs shows a growing number of Inland Empire girls are choosing the fast and physical game of basketbatl. And they are beginning earlier. Several districts now have junior high programs which feeds the high schools a talented group of freshmen well versed in basketball fundamentals. What can the fan expect from this year's girls teams? Some darn good basketball.

Citrus Belt League In Class 4A, Pacific, last year's No.l Citrus Belt League finisher, appeared strong in the Redlands High School Optimist Tournament, drubbing Moreno Valley, 62-37, in the finals. The Pirates now 2-0 in league, 7-1 overall. "We have a lot of depth and experience this year," said Pacific coach Bill Fox. "There's a lot of talent on this team and they're also a nice bunch of girls." The Pacific starting lineup features 6-f oot-2 Lisa Ulmer (all-CIF senior center), senior center Kristen Kopp (6-1 Vz), senior guard Lori Thompson (5-5), junior guard Jen Timbrok (5-5) and junior guard June Klein (5-5). Fox is justifiable proud when he points out the diversity of talent and brains represented in his 14-member varsity squad.

"Kopp is one of the better backstroke swimmers in the area," he informed. "Lisa is getting ali kinds of letters and calls from colleges some I've a 6-2 forward who made all-American as a freshman. "She's one of those athletes that only comes along now and then," said Poly coach Floyd Evans. "She's an exceptional person," Sara Lewis (5-8) and Meg Gallaher (5-11) also play at forward and Renee Overton and Cheryl Chambers anchor the guard positions. "I just love these kids, they're super talented," said Evans, the former Cal Baptist athletic director and men's basketball coach.

"It makes it fun. I love the game same as teaching guys, same kind of offense and defense as guys. We hope tb repeat as 3A champs." And Poly seems well on its way, defeating Pacific, 6845, in a pre-season matchup with Miller scoring 20 points. Evans sees a great future for women's basketball. "We've just touched the tip of the iceberg," he said.

"In 10 years, there will be a lot of Cheryl Millers around." Class A Twentynine Palms, coached by Peg Craig, finished first in the De Anza League last year and begins this season with six returning lettermen and four starters. Senior Dana Smith (5-10) returns as center, senior Lori Beltz as forward, sophomore Brenda Croonenberghs as guard and senior Tanya Busse as forward. Twentynine Palms is 5-1 in preseason. Its league opener is Jan. 11 at Banning.

Cajon entered last year's playoffs as the San; Andreas League's No.3 team but faces a building; year this season, losing its top players to graduation. "This is a building year for the varsity," said Cajon coach Bob Lange. "We have a very strong JV but the varsity is young and inexperienced." Cajon is still reeling from its 86-15 opening loss, to San Bernardino but hopes to mesh into winning unit. Dottie Harris' Needles team finished No.3 in the Chaparral League last season. Despite a young team this year, Harris believes they could end this; season as one of the top two.

The starting lineup includes two freshmen centerforward Tammy Hanks and; guardforward Julie Crass. Junior Robin Retzlaff (5-9) is the starting center" and sophomore Sharon Sampson is at Seniors Sandy Pacoronpe and Jamie Jackson play; at iiuard. that, she'll probably come out for basketball. I do need her." Eisenhower uses a patterned offense and a press on defense. They are 1-1 in league, defeating Redlands, 43-26, in the league opener and losing Thursday to San Bernardino, 66-37.

Redlands was 7-7 in CBL last year, finishing fourth. This year they are 0-2 in league. Coach Ray Cruickshank has two returning starters Susan Trunnelle (5-7 junior forward) and Heidi forward). Sally Moore (5-11) plays the center position and junior Barbara Tompkins and senior Teri Sweginnis are the guards. "We don't have the size, the 6-foot-2 girls," said Cruickshank.

"But we have some good outside shooting talent. I think we'll be competitive." Redlands is running a single post, sometimes patterned offense "governed by what zone they throw at us." Class 3A Alta Loma (San Andreas League) and Riverside Poly (Ivy League) generated basketball powerhouses last year each finishing No.l in its league. After sweeping the CIF preliminary playoff games, the two met in the finals where Poly topped Alta Loma, 57-44, to capture the 3A championship. Alta Loma coach Harley Lovitt has five returning varsity lettermen (not all were starters) and hopes to put together another winning season. And he's off to a running start.

The Braves captured the title in the Alta LomaUpiand Invitational tourney, besting Upland, 60-54, in the finals. The Braves' 64 center Janet Davis was named the tourney's MVP after scoring 105 points in four games. "Janet was all-CIF last year," said Lovitt. "I think this year she'll be all-American. She can go anywhere (college) she wants.

I'm bugged with letters and phone calls about her. "I also have some new people breaking into the lineup," said Lovitt. "There's a freshman girl, Shelda Arceneaux (5-11) very talented, very quick, excellent coordination." The remainder of the Alta Loma squad boasts senior guard Dawn Duffy, returning sophomore forward Michelle Boyette (5-9), junior guard Christy Yeager and forward Tammy Towle (6-2). Riverside Poly has four returnees from the 1978-79 championship team, Marsha Overton, the lone player the Bears lost, is starting for San Diego State this year. Leading the lineup is sophomore Cheryl Miller, guard) is the third best long jumper in the state -she jumped over 19 feet as a sophomore.

And, as a team, they have a 3.2 grade average this year that's for 14 girls!" Fox, using the talent to its best advantage, has developed a double-post offense (two centers), running all plays off the point guard. On defense, he goes with a man-to-man or zone coverage --depending on the situation. "I try to keep it simple," he said. "We run a philosophy a system. We don't have plays, just a lot of options." San Bernardino is a new arrival into the CBL.

Last year the Cardinals finished third in the 3A Ivy League. This year the improving Cardinals waltzed through its season opener by burning Cajon, 86-15. They then followed that up by drubbing Colton, 111-8, to establish a CIF record for most points by a girls' team. They are 2-0 in CBL, 60 overall. "We'll be out there fighting this year," said coach Dolores Dudek.

"We lost three starters but our best players last year are doing well this season." Jackie Cunningham, a 5-11 junior, returned as forward. La Veda Anderson, a third-year starter, is at guard. Senior Lavora Marshall, one of the team's best bench players last year, is starting at center. Junior Kriss Frelix is a first-year starting guard and senior Candi Nation completes the squad at forward. "We're a balanced team," said Dudek.

"Everybody pulls their own weight. The bench is improving. We'll have some depth." Eisenhower put together a 9-5 season last year good enough for third in CBL and a CIF playoff spot. This year's starting lineup features many new faces. Junior center Lori Dietsche (5-11) started the last half of the 1978-79 season.

Senior forward Odessa Clawson (5-7) played two years on the JV squad before moving up to varsity this year. Junior forward Myrtle Long (5-10) played in ninth grade but didn't play last year. And Jane Matthews (5-9) is a possible starter at forward. The guards are sophomores Tracy Glass (54) and Kristen Nicholson (5-5). "I don't have a solid starting lineup," said Ike coach Jeff Perkins.

"It's such a young team it takes awhile," Perkins is hoping to get two-year varsity let-terman Kelly Knowles (guard) back into the fold. "She's trying out for the Junior National Olympic Team in volleyball," he said. "If she doesn't make never even heard of. Velma McClain (senior 4 i I.