Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 6

I CiialcGton Suppr-Ssctional mm Jut mm Wm rzj with 6 seconds remaining and in possession of the ball. However, Ok The Ball By JIM KIMBALL Journal-Gazette Sports Editor CHARLESTON, 111. A hustling gang of Belleville West Maroons refused to be totally awed by Effingham's number-one ranking or superior height here Tuesday night in the Charleston Super-Sectional game at Eastern Illinois -University's 6,441 fan-filled Lantz Gymnasium. The Southeastern Illinois Conference school, with its tallest starter standing only 6-2, led the unbeaten Hearts through the By Jim Kimball Charles (Chuck) Dickerson, it i "it 1 I 5 '1)1 lis. mi- well-known in collegiate coaching circles.

In fact, a letter from Cahill helped sell the Mattoon school board on Dickerson. The letter read: Dear Dr. Wargo: It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to recommend Chuck Dickerson for your football coaching job in Mattoon. As I told Mr, Gaines on the phone, I realize how difficult it is to select the right man for the job. However, after being associated with Chuck Dickerson for two years, I am firmly convinced that you could not secure a more knowledgeable coach or dedicated man.

Chuck made a very substantial contribution to a winning football team while he was as sociated with me as a player and coach. He has great leader ship qualities and a fine football intellectI-also told MrXiaines that had I had the opportunity, I would have hired him on my present staff. If I can help you further, on Chuck's behalf, please do not hesitate to call one me. Sincerely, Leo H. Cahill Head Coach Toronto Argonauts Dickerson said Monday during the noon luncheon held in his honor, "Leo Cahill is an ex cellent teacher a master organizer.

And, you either wanted to win or you weren't with the team very long." This columnist views Dicker-son as the type who can pull MHS out of its football dold rums. Certainly, I liked hearing phases from him such as ''pride is everything, you can't win without it. "When the kids make a mistake I. want them to make it full speed. I'm sure we can find 11 boys who want to play hard-nosed football.

"I eat, sleep and dream football. "We'll be tigers. on defense, we will be going after the ball." "I want the type of boy Mattoon's new varsity football who will be moving here in early June to undertake the big job of putting the Green Wave back on its feet in the gridiron sport, certainly is blessed with plenty of experience in the sport both as a player and coach. He lettered two years at the University of Forida (1955-56) and one season (1961) at the University of Illinois upon returning to school after spending three years in the United States Marine Corps. Dickerson was one of the bright spots in Illinois' win-less (0-9) season in '61 being chosen to the all-Big Ten Con ference team.

That was Pete Elliott's second year as chief of the mini. He was chosen Associated Press Lineman of the Week for his play in Hlmois'narrowJ4-10 loss to rugged Southern Cali fornia in the fourth game of the season. That was Illinois' closest call to victory that sea son. After brief playing stints with the Boston Patriots and Buffalo Bills, Dickerson's playing con4 tract was purchased by the Day-tona Beach Thunderbirds of the Southern Professional Football League. In 1963, he joined the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Foot ball League.

After one season there, the Cleveland Browns purchased his contract and he was again sent to the Thunder- birds where he played both offensive guard and defensive tackle. He earned all-pro recognition on both line units plus being chosen the most valuable lineman in the league for the second time '-uit three --yearsif After serving as defensive line coach for the Tmnderbirds the following year he joined the Toronto Rifles a similar capacity for two seasons before landing the head job at Hall High School in Spring Valley. Dickerson served at Toronto under head Leo Cahill, Wooden -JOtJJSSi-. 4 Rebound Struggle who wants to win." will work as a unit, we can't function separtely and be successful." "We may not have the best team in the league, but we'll be the best hitters." Dickerson sounds like a man who knows' what it takes to be a winner. Now, if only the parents, downtown coaches, school officials and influential people in general that ex-Wave coach Chuck Oyler spoke of in his answer, to a charge of being "unprofessional" will just leave the man alone.

Let him do the job he'll be paid to do he just might be the one to whip Mattoon's downcast situation in to a football paradise. A' thorough search conducted almost throughout the state by MHS Athletic Director Harry Gaines and Principal Roy Sheppard to produce the best football coach possible for the schooL Chuck Dickerson was the man selected after plenty of telephone calls, interviews, per sonal visits, etc. by Gaines and Sheppard. He was the man nominated to head up Gaines' so-called new regime. I say let him have uninterrupted control of the en tire football program without the slightest bit of outside inter ference.

Help him only when he asks for it Dickerson expressed a like for placing signs in the dress ing rooms and hallways with slogans aimed at helping promote pride and spirit among the players and students. I sug gest he hang one over his office door saying, "If I need help or advice, I'll ask for it." There has to be some football material in a school of 1,300 enrollment which strongly indi cates to me something besides lack of talent is holding back progress. I say let the program see prosperity or adversity under Dickerson, but leave he and his assistants alone with the job of coaching the Mattoon Green Wave football team. He scoffed at any idea' that UCLA might try to stall against his squad although-Wooden had suggested the possibility earlier. Coach Dean Smith of fourth-ranked North Carolina, said the Tar Heels have been playing their best defense of the year in recent games.

54 49 la overtime with Powles rebounds to help spark the on at the left is' the Hearts (34). (J-G Photo) Effingham's Stan Powles (40) and Gale Lister (44) two-time Belleville West's Jim Munden in the straggle for a rebound during action from Tuesday's Snper-Sectional battle in East era Illinois University's Lantx Gymnasium. vansion Raps Top-Rated first three quarters before final ly losing in overtime 54-49. Belleville held 21-14, 33-22 and 38-33 quarterly leads before Ef fingham managed to seize its first lead in the opening minutes of the final stanza. The Hearts have never been closer to de feat this season.

All-State guard Roger Arnold led Effingham's comeback drive with Dave Ring, possibly the best sixth man in Illinois prep circles, adding a big as sist. The senior pair scored back to-back baskets in the final 26 seconds of the third quarter to slice Belleville's healthy 38-29 lead to 38-33 at the three quar ter-buzzer. With the many Hearts fans chanting, "Keep the Faith, Baby," Effingham made quick work of Belleville's lead in the opening portion of the payoff quarter. Arnold teamed with Steve Klosterman on a 2-on-l fast-break bucket off the tip to whit tle Belleville's lead to three counters, 38-35. The pair teamed up agaiirJ7771his-timeoM ra defensive two-time with Klosterman making a steal and turning it into an easy layin.

Ring, who has bailed Effing ham out of several jams this season, according to coach Jim Maxedon, came through with a basket from the deep corner to give the Hearts their first lead of the evening, 39-38. It came with 6:57 exciting minutes left to play The lead swapped hands five different times leading into the game's dying moments before Belleville's Glen Chinn hit two "must" free throws with 31 sec onds left to 'tie the score at 47-47. Ji Effingham called timeout First Round Scores By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (FirsTRoundr At Hinsdale Crane Tech 73, Lyons of La grange 61 At Evanston Evanston 70, Lockport Central 58 At Carbondale Carbondale 68, Mount Vernon 66 At Peoria Peoria Central 83, Springfield Lanpluer 72 At "eKalb DeKalb 73 'Rockford Auburn 53 At Macomb Galesburg 61, Quincy 60 (ot) At Normal La Salle-Peru 77, Danville Schlarman 68 At Charleston Effingham 54; Belleville West 49 Effingham won pulling down 18 victory. Looking Forrest Holland Central Lockport Central and eliminated the Porters 70-58 with relative ease. Carbondale, Crane of Chi cago, Peoria Central, Labaiie- Peru, DeKalb and Galesburg also advanced to Champaign.

Carbondale, stuck with the weakest record in the tour nament, downed Mount Vernon 68-66; Crane ousted LaGrange eliminated Springfield Lanphier 83-72, LaSalle-Peru whipped previously undefeated Schlarman of Danville 77-68, DeKalb trounced Rockford Auburn 73-53 and Galesburg overcame Quin- cy hi overtime 61-60 Friday's quarterfinal roundup finds Carbondale (20-9) facing its effort to win in regulation time went down the drain on a missed shot by Ring from near the free throw circle. The Hearts operated in the overtime period a little more tike the state-contender they're tabbed to be. Maxedon's club scored the first six points of the three-minute extra period and that was the ball game. Klosterman, Stan Powles, who led the rebounding with 18 retrieves, and Arnold each tallied for the winners. The Hearts led 53-47 with only 26 seconds left when Mark Kroenig canned two free throws for Belleville.

Klosterman closed out the scoring with a charity success and just six seconds remaining. Belleville hit at a fantastic .600 pace from the floor in the opening half to enjoy a 33-22 half time lead and leave the jam-packed crowd dreaming of an upset. Chinn, who topped Belleville's scoring with 15 counted 10 of his 12 half-time markers in the first quarter. Gale Lister, Effingham's sec ond team All-State forward, ramrodded the Hearts' offen sive show in the opening half, He accounted for 11 of his team's 14 firsi quarter points and added two free, throws in the second quarter. The 6-5 standout sat out most of the second half after failing to find the shooting range in the opening minutes of the third quarter.

Ring, his replacement, came through with six points as a "defensive" replacement. The Maroons were a com pletely different outfit in the second half after their eye-opening shooting performance in the first half. Coach Dave Shannahan's club counted only four buckets in 24 shots. Arnold finished with 18 points to lead Effingham's scoring Lister totaled 13 and Ring t. Forrest Holland and Powles, Effingham's pair of 6-8 giants, combined for only 10 points.

tt.M I a nouana puueu down just 5 re bounds. Effingham, now 30-0, is the only unbeaten team remaining in the field which has now been whittled to eight Belle ville finished with a 19-12 rec The Effingham victory avenged its loss to Collinsville in last year's Charleston Super- sectional. The complete box score: Effingham FGFTAFTTP Arnold, 3 2 18 Klostermanrg 2 i Holland, 1 5 8 1 Powles, Lister, Ring, Totals 23 15 I 54 Beflevfflr West FG FTA FT TP Wiley, 4 4 2 10 Chinn, 5 7 5 15 Kroenig, 2 2 2 6 King, 2 2 2 6 Munden, 6 2 0 12 Totals 19 17 11 49 Score by quarters: Effingham 14 8 11 14 7-54 Belleville 21 12 9 9 2-49 Shooting Percentages: Effing ham .430 (53-23); Belleville .400 (48-19); Rebounds Effingham 40 (Stan Powles 18): Belleville 30 (Ray Wiley 13); Fouls Effingham 14; Belleville 12. 20-9 is the worst mark. Evanston is 27-1, DeKalb 28-2, Gales burg 25-2, LaSalle-Peru 27-4, Peoria Central 24-5 and Crane 23- 'rT "'V' CHAMPAIGN, 111.

(AP) Effingham is aiming to become the sixth team with a perfect record to win the Illinois State High School Basketball Champi onship. The Hearts take a 304 record to Champaign and face Gales burg in the ciuarterfinals. Other undefeated teams to win out were Taylorville in 1944, Mount Vernon in 1950, LaGrange in 1953, Marshall of Chicago in 1958 and Collinsville In 1961. CHAMPAIGN, HI. (AP) Six of the remaining eight teams In the Illinois State High School Basketball Championship will be looking for their first title, Of the eight quarterfinalists only Peoria Central and Gales- Lburg have, won previous titles Central did it 1808 and Gales Lockport By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Undefeated Effingham and once-beaten Evanston hold the high cards in the Illinois State High School Basketball Tournament which resumes Friday at Champaign.

Effingham, seeking to become the sixth undefeated state cham pion, and Evanston, searching 70 50 Crane (23-7); Evanston (27-1) vs. Peoria Central (24-5); LaSalle-Peru (27-4)- against DeKalb (28-2) and Galesburg (23 2) vs. Effingham (3(H)). Except for overtime victoria by Galesburg and Effingham plus Carbondale's slight trt umph over Mount Vernon, quarterfinalists had it easy first round-playr Evanston took a 38-31 half- time lead and had no furthei Says UCLA Will for its first title, havelandedjLyons 73-61 Peoria Central Advantaq Have Court in separate brackets and could meet for the title Saturday night Effingham slipped past' Belle ville West 54-49 in overtime to boost its record to 30-0 for the season. JtogerAraold paced Et fingham with 18 points.

Evanston took on top-ranked pects a high scoring affair when his club, led by Hayes, and the Lew Alcmdor-paced-Bruins meet this second time. think UCLA will score more points and shoot better," he declared during a telephone interview Tuesday. "We'll shoot better." trouble with Lockport Central at Bob Lackey scored 24 points. Jeff Hickman had 28 for the Porters but they never threat ened afterWowing afirst ter lead. Crane trailed in the opening minutes but finally took the lead and stayed ahead the rest of the way as Jerome Freeman scored 22 points.

Galesburg got a 19-point effort from Ruben Triplett to down Quincy despite 17 points by Ben-nie Hickman. Carbondale, having lost to Mount Vernon twice during the regular season, turned the tables as Bob Pankey scored 25 points. Carbondale, winning by a slim score, took an early lead and never relinquished it. DeKalb took an early lead and turned the game Into a rout as Ron Shoger scored 25 points and Jim Boner added 21. Willie Gandy topped Auburn with 18.

Superior height and offensive, strength helped push LaSalle-Peru to victory over Danville Schlarman. Greg Davis scored SO points for Danville but Gary Windy carried the ball for LaSalle-Peru with 23." Peoria Central got into the quarterfinals as Scott Michel -scored 33 points and Rhea Taylor added 26. Scoring honors, however, went to Rich Schultz of Springfield Lanphier with 35. i 7f. 1 Slate Tourney Briefs LOS ANGELES (AP) -Coach John Wooden of UCLA admits'lhere will be an advan-ltage to his basketball team in playing Houston at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

"We'd rather be playing, in the Sports Arena than in the Astrodome or on their home court," Wooden said today. "But there isn't the edge at the Sports Arena that there would be if we played at Pauley Pavilion." The latter is the home court of the Bruins, who battle Houston Friday night in one of the two semifinal games of the NCAA's championship In the other, the University of North Carolina meets surprising Ohio State at 7 p.m., PST, with Houston and UCLA following at 9 p.m. The winners meet Saturday night to decide the national collegiate title won last year by UCLA. Wooden's reference to the Astrodome went back to last Jan. 20 when Houston's All-American Elvin Hayes scored 39 points as the Cougars won 71-69.

They went on to finish an undefeated season and were No. 1 in The Associated Press poll followed by UCLA in the No. 2 spot. The Astrodome was not ton's home court and Wooden says the advantage for Houston there is comparable with that of the Sports to UCLA, which plays its borne games in Pauley Pavilion on the school's campus. Houston Coach Guy Lewis ex CHAMPAIGN, 111.

There doesn't appear to be much of a threat to the individual scoring record in the ,1968 Illinois State High School Basketball Championship. The record of 152 points in the finals was set by Dave Robisch of Springfield in 1967. That's an average of 38 points a game. Scott Michel of Peoria Central is closest with his 33 points Tuesday night against Springfield Lanphier. Others who are close are Bob Pankey of Carbondale with 25 points, Ron Shoger of DeKalb with 25 and Bob Lackey of Evanston with 24.

CHAMPAIGN, 111. a powerful field which will be contending for the Illinois State High School Basketball Championship this weekend. The remaining eight teams have a combined total of 204 victories and ,30 Josses. Effingham leads the pack with a 30-0 record while Carbondale's Elite 8 Pairings CHAMPAIGN (AP)-Quarter. final pairings and records for Friday's games: Carbondale (20-9) vs.

Crane (23-7) Evanston (27-1) vs. Peoria Central (244) LaSalle Peru (27-4) vs De Kalb (28-2) 'Galesburg (25-2) vs. Effing-ham' (3(H)) Successful Pass Belleville West's Glen Chinn (21) tosses a Jump pass over, the outstretched arms of Effingham's Dave Ring during tome mid-court action from Taesday'i Super-Sectional game at Eastern Illinois University's Lantz Gym. Effingham won 54-41 in overtime to ears a berth at thisweekend'i 'Elite Eight' tourney-ia Assembly Hall 00 the University of Illinois campus. (J-G Photo) NIT Scores By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Toanumeati NIT Quarter-Finals Dayton 6L Fordham 60 Notre Dame 62, LIU 60 Top Scorer Scores Glen Chinn.

(21), who led Belleville West's scoring Tuesday Its disappointing 54-49 overtime loss to Effingham ta the Charleston Super-Sectional game a EIU, is shown above accounting for two of the 15 points he tallied. Behind Chinn is Effingham's Steve Klosterman. To the right is Belleville's Mark Kroenig. burg in 1913. A.