Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 11

Tuesday, January l87-Mttoon, (II.) Journal Gazette- 1 IBoto Spoo imamed football coacli Yf 7iiU.T.iir,Yr tttUiM i t.r I vv YU. appointed head coach at Eastern Illinois University," Spoo said. "They showed a great deal of confidence in me with this selection." Spoo has flair for offense, particularly the passing game. That was one of the four criteria for the new coach. "My background the past nine seasons has been with the pro-style attack," Spoo said.

"I've had the opportunity to coach some extremely talented young men. I believe in the passing game. I would think the young men in this program will be comfortable with this change." Spoo added that perhaps Purdue became "too one dimensional," this season and he plans to run the ball some. He also may be more diversified than Molde was by using more formations, such as the shotgun. Spoo will meet with returning Eastern players this week.

He also will begin contacting potential recruits. He has the list of players being recruited by Molde's staff. "I think the similarity in our styles should make that (recruiting) a smooth transition, too," Spoo "That's a major priority. I think recruiting is the name of -the game." Spoo said he was surprised Eastern has about 10 transfers from California junior colleges. "But we did the same thing at Purdue.

I'm interested in bringing in quality people, whoever that may be. I certainly do not have any aversion to junior college "By CARL WALWORTH SUff Writer CHARLESTON Eastern football coach Bob Spoo doesn't expect to make major changes in a stable program. Spoo was introduced Monday as coach at EIU by athletic director R.C. Johnson. He replaces Al Molde, who resigned in December to become head coach at Western Michigan.

At several points, Spoo praised the work done by Molde and his staff, particularly in bringing in quality players who also are quality people. Spoo also believes in the passing game, which was EIU's forte the past three seasons. "Coach Molde has developed a program here I'm sure you're all proud of," Spoo said. "It was a very significant factor in my pursuing this opportunity. I can't overemphasize how comfortable I am moving into this program kpowlng how it's been run." Spoo said he was aware of some problems Molde faced when he took over.

"I've fought that fight," Spoo said. "I'm to the point in my career I don't want to do that anymore. I expect the problems to be minimal." Spoo said he did not know Molde until a couple of weeks ago. He said he discussed Eastern football with Molde a couple of times and considers their philosophies similar. He said both emphasize five of his six full-time coaches.

He hopes to have-ttif sixth assistant hired this work. He also will have "two or three, graduate assistants. Of the five hired Monday, one a holdover from former Eastern coach Al Molde's staff, another comes from Leon Burtnett's stafjj at Purdue and a third move 'within the Gateway Conference. Spoo named his entire defensive staff, led by defensive coordinator John Smith. Smith has been Ihi assistant head coachdefenslv coordinator at Western.

Illinois the past three seasons. Smith was a graduate assistant at Wisconsin from 1974-77 when Spoo was on the full-time staff with the Badgers. Herd is beginning his fifth full season on the EIU staff. He joined the staff part-time in 1982 after serving as a student assistant at -Lincoln, University under Cal Jones, a former defensive dinator at Eastern. The new defensive line coach Is; Brock Spack, who comes to-Eastern from Wabash College.

On offense Spoo brings with Kit Cartwright from the staff. Cartwright has been the receivers coach at Purdue the last jj four seasons. Offensive line coach MikeJ DeBord comes to Eastern from Ft. Hayes State. I Spoo said the offensive backs! coach likely will be Lou who has been on the staff at In diana, or Deno Babers from (lie! staff at Arizona State.

nold, who both redshirted last year and retain four years of eligibility. Johnson said no terms of the contract would be announced. EIU issues only one-year contracts, but usually accompanies that with a "letter of commitment." No details of the letter were released. "I've not approached this job on that basis," Spoo said. "I'm perfectly content with that." The "support and warmth," about the program were bigger factors.

Community support and the job done by Molde "are even more important than facilities, salary, Spoo said. "The opportunity exists to proceed to play the same type of football that people have come to expect." Spoo's wife's name is Susan. They have a daughter, Katie, who will be five years old in March. players." Like most coaches, though, Spoo prefers the core of the team be developed with high school recurits. "We will continue to recruit the available talent," Spoo said.

"On the list I got a couple of names popped up that 1 had invited to Purdue." He said he will not recruit those who aren't qualified academically. "I've been burned by marginal student-athletes," Spoo said, vi look for the higher quality young man academically, and I hope to succeed in that area." With four quarterbacks coming into spring practice, Spoo indicated it's unlikely he will recruit a quarterback this" year. "He'd have to be really extraordinary," Spoo said. The quarterbacks returning" are Kurt Simon, a transfer from Hawaii with two years of eligibility; Pat Carroll, who was the backup to Sean Payton last season, and Burgess Watts and Eric Ar Bob Spoo discipline, unselfishness and team play. Spoo spent the past 14 seasons as an assistant coach in the Big Ten; He has been offensive coordinator at Purdue the last two seasons.

He has worked with quarterbacks Scott Campbell, Mark Herrmann and Jim Everett. Becoming a head coach at the collegiate level has always been a goal. "I'm very privileged to be Spoo hires 5 assistants CHARLESTON New Eastern football coach Bob Spoo has hired Wave at Ef ffmglLiiam Lakers, Lady Wave play at home By JIM KIMBALL JG Sports Editor Bloomington, Normal and Danville." He added, "It will be important to be able to handle any kind of adversity. We ve got to keep ourselves motivated to play hard." Senior guard Tony Simmonds leads the Wave scoring with 164 points for a 14.9 average. Steve Otto is next with 120 points followed fellow starters Bart Tate 98, iil-tet'' atf sk jt $mf'M in LukoxKiiBSi and JohfluShepley.

MATTOON Mattoon's Green Wave will be at Effingham tonight while the Lady Green Wave will be at home against Rantoul. A third local basketball team will see action. Lake Land's will host the SIU-Edward- ville i ayveo vsquad 'in the I Laker "ieldhouse. Tipoff is set for p.m. A rundown on each of the three games: 8 p.m.-Wave at Effingham following a 6:15 jayvee contest.

Coach Bob Avery's team, 4-7 ffingham's attack centers und hard-playing 6-4 senior ter Darren Campton, an all- Charleston Holiday Tourney pick. Rounding out Effingham's starting lineup will be ex-Wave Kurt rock, who has been switched after being eliminated (52-41) by from point guard to a front-line eventual Charleston Houd position, Steve Wendling, Ty half of the season. "I wish we could have had a couple more victories," he said. "I guess it's easy to think that way after dropping a couple One-pointers (Wabash 79-78 and Illinois Central 76-75) like we did. You always figure there was something we could have done to win those games.

"On the other hand I don't think there was any games we won that we shouldn't have won," he added. The average point spread of Lake Land's six losses is a slim difference of 79.3 to 74.5. Overall, the Lakers are averaging 80.7 points while relinguishing 75.6. "That (75.6) defensive average is getting closer to the 72-point average I would like to see," Lockett says. The Lakers are outshooting their opponents both from the floor (50-47 percent) and free throw line (70-69).

And, they enjoy a 31.2 to 29.3 per game rebounding advantage. A rebounding breakdown shows the Lakers with 149 offensive rebounds and 289 defensively in comparison to 163 and 248 for tlfroppo-nents, respectively. "In looking at the offensive-defensive ratio we were giving up three defensive rebounds to every one offensive rebound for a long, long time," Lockett points out. "We're working to cut that down to more of a 50 percent ratio and are slowly getting there. "But, we do not rebound strong enough off the offensive glass to suit me," he says.

"We're just not hungry enough. It might have made a difference in some of those close games." Teutopolis freshman Bob Zer-rusen, who is ailing with an ear infection and may not be at full strength for tonight's game, is the leading rebounder with an 8.5 game average. Effingham sophomore guard Jack Jansen tops the individual Laker scoring with a 15.2 average stemming from 213 points. Fellow Effingham sophomore Ted Gardewine is next with a 14.7 average (207 points) followed by Charleston freshman Darrell Hite, 12.8 (180); Zerrusen, 12.5 (176) and Neoga sophomore Mike Roy, 10.5 (147). "It's pretty nice to have all five starters averaging in double figures," Lockett says.

Roy, by the way, has shaken off the ankle injury he suffered in the last game of 1986 against Olney "and will be 100 percent" for tonight's game. PhAf A hw JaII BaJiu Tony Simmonds (32) leads the Green Wave in scoring with 14.9 average Tourney champion Belleville Althoff in a second round game in its last outing on Dec. 27, gets a second crack at Effingham. The Flaming Hearts, an impressive 10-3 and consolation winner of the Charleston Tourney after entering at the No.l seed, defeated Mattoon 57-53 in the opening game of the 1986-87 season, v. The meeting came in the tipoff contest of the five-team, Effingham Round-Robin Turkey Tourney and wasn't decided unti (be game's dying minutes.

The Wave outscored the Hearts 33-28 in Cbe second half but it wasn't enough to wipe out a 29-20 halftime teficit. "We obviously can't let their pressure bother us like it did early (a that game," Avery said in looking forward to a second meeting dith coach Jim Maxedon's club. Mattoon committed 14 of its 20 turnovers in the first half, including eight in the opening quarter, an average of one per minute. Effingham took advantage to open up a 13-8 first quarter lead and was never headed. Avery Is counting on the provements his club has shown in several areas to make a difference this time.

"Our shot selection has improved even in some of our losses," he points out. "It has been more a matter of us simply not hitting rather than throwing up bad shots when we haven't hit. "And, we've shown good tenacity Nohren and Chris Kreke. Randy Ebeling, a rugged-playing 6-3, 220-pound senior who started at center against- Mattoon in the Turkey Tourney meeting, is no longer with the Hearts. He has transferred to Dieterich High School where he will gain eligibility with the Maroons later this month.

There's a possibility Mattoon and Effingham could meet a third time before the curtain comes down on this season. They are both entered -in the Charleston class AA regional along with the host Trojans and Paris. 7:30 p.m.-Lakers host SIU-Edwardsville jayvees. Coach Wayne Lockett's club will be making its first playing appearance since smacking Olney Central Community College 88-69 -in the Laker Fieldhouse on Dec. 16, 20 full days ago.

"Before the break we were starting to play fairly consistent," he recalled of his club's first half showing which resulted in an 8-6 record. "The kids were starting to learn what I expected from them and what they expected from themselves." the improvement Came against the toughest part of their schedule. As Lockett pointed out, "I think we had a very respectable first half considering we didn't play a bunch of cup cakes. "The schedule can't be any tougher than the first half although we've still got Lincoln and No.l offense vs. No.l defense in Lady Wave game By BRIAN NIELSEN Staff Writer holiday tournament, have relied heavily on junior front-liners Barb Blume and Stephanie Newman, the area's 1-2 scorers with averages of 21.0 and 20.4 respectively.

Hood, who likes to play mah-to-man, feels he has players to challenge those two main guns. "We have a girl (Heather Golns) listed at 5-11 but she's more like 6-1 and another girl (Sue Wilken) with title by just splitting their 'two games with Mattoon and winning all its other league games. "I think truthfully we're the two top teams in the conference," Ran-, tout coach Dick Hood said. "But it's awfully tough coming to Mattoon." The home court advantage might not be as big of a key as tempo. The Lady Wave, relying on a fastbreak offense, are the highest scoring team in the Big 12.

They average 64.7 points while allowing 52.0. Rantoul has the best defensive average in the league at 31 8. The Lady Eagles average 52.3 points. The Eagles, coming off the Mahomet-Seymour Holiday Tournament championship, are 12-1. They lost to Champaign Centennial in a Thanksgiving Tournament but avenged that loss in a Big 12 game.

"I think the thing we've done consistently is play defense," Hood said. "On the other hand, that's going to be tested. This will be the first time we'll be confronted with a transition game. We've got to make sure we get back and make them get their points off their offense." Perry said "We'd definitely like to get our running game going. He (Hood) likes to play a patterned of- fense.

If we can get a lead and get our running game going it might be to our advantage, but I've seen teams be able to do both." The Lady Wave, 8-2 overall after winning their own round robin to stay in most of our games even when' things aren't eoine too well. In several games it looked like we Kankakee left to play. However, I MATTOON The top scoring team meets the top defensive team for the top spot in the Big 12 Conference girls basketball race tonight. Mattoon, 5-1 in the Big 12, hosts league-leading Rantoul, 6-1, at Green Wave Gym at about 7:30 tonight following a 6 o'clock junior varsity game. With a month still left in the regular season the game won't decide the conference championship, but it will make put the title picture clearer.

"I'm not saying our chances of a conference championship are riding on this game, but it sure would help," Mattoon coach Dwight Perry said. "We aon't want to put ourselves in a position where we have to hope someone else beats someone. We'd like to control our own destiny The Lady Green Wave didn't help themselves when they lost to Decatur Eisenhower last month. But they still know they can win the Big 12 all by themselves by winning their last 10 conference games, including a Jan. 27 rematch at Rantoul.

Rantoul, however, could win the feel we can reach our goals if we the agility to do a good job," the Rantoul coach said. Coins leads Rantoul with 13.8? points and 11.6 rebounds per gamej'A. while Laurie Johnson adds 10.2 points per game. The Lady Eagles have everyone A back from the team that spoiled Mattoon's Big 12 title hopes a year ago. They upset the Lady 60-54 at Rantoul after Mattoon ha won the first meeting 73-45 season.

Track presentations 1 Mattoon state track finalist Almee Allee and Cheryl Glenn wflf be honored at halftime of tonight's varsity girls game. Former assistant coach Teres Lane will present pictures to the school that will go on the hono-a-wall. Allee finished seventh in the state long jump in 1983 and fifth in 1984. Glenn was eighth in the 1983 high jump. Wendi Racette, who finished.

eighth in the 800-meter run at last-, year's state meet, hat returned to Ball State University and will be honored later. ture bUt we fought back. I think it has been a result of good overall team discipline." Naturally, Avery would prefer a better-looking record, "But I think we've done some things a lot better than I thought we would," he said of his club's play in the first half of tlic season "We'll have to do a better job of rotvumrfintr a era i net simp of the continue to progress. We certainly haven't reached our peak." The January portion of the schedule will certainly favor the Lakers. They will appear in the friendly confines of the Laker Fieldhouse for eight of their nine playing dates this month.

Lockett's guys are 6-1 in home games thus far this season. The lone loss was a 79-78 heart-breaker to Wabash Valley. Three of the wins came en route to capturing the Laker- Classic which Lockett tabbed "the highlight of our play" in the first Jansen also tops the Lakers in shooting with a 58 per cent mark (87 of 150) while GardeVine is the top free thrower with at 80 per cent (450f56). The Lakers host arch-rival Parkland College of Champaign Thursday before invading Cen-tralia Saturday to face Kaskaskia College in their lone road game in January. bigger teams and cut down on some of our fouling in the second half of the season because we'll be facing some of the stronger teams on our schedule like Lincoln, TODAY 8 p.m.-MHS boys basketball team at Effingham (sophomore game at 6: 15 p.m.) 7:30 p.m.-Lake Land men's basketball team hosts Southern Il linois University-Edwardsville at Laker Fieldhouse 7:30 p.m.-MHS girls basketball team hosts Rantoul at Green Wave Gym (junior varsity game at 6 p.m.) Sports Monu 6:30, p.m.-MHS wrestlers host Champaign Central at Green Wave Gym 7:30 p.m.-Lake Land men's basketball team hosts Parkland WEDNESDAY No events scheduled THURSDAY 6 p.m.-MHS freshmen boys and girls basketball teams host Stephen Decatur at Central Gym College at Laker Fieldhouse i( FRIDAY 't, I p.m.-MHS boys basketball team at Danville i..