Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 13

Thursday, January 10. 1991 Mattoon. (IJ.V journal flwtto-l Lakers may need more magic tonight S-A -ttl got a tough ball club." "By the end of the season we should have a pretty strong team," Wabash coach Scott Rendel says. "Right now, we're struggling with inconsistency in our offense. "Some nights we shoot well and other nights we just can't put the ball in the hole," he complains.

"For example, we shot 60 percent against Belleville and had a great game. Then, we turned around and shot 35 against John Logan, but were still fortunate The Lakers turned up their defensive pressure a noteh or two in the final 20 minutes and "we wore them down" to outscore Southeastern 55-39 for the win. "We didn't make any particular changes," Dudley said of the second half success. "The kids just simply went out and played a little harder. "I think a lot of them went home during the Christmas break, did a little soul-searching and came back with a little different attitude toward what it takes to win at this level," to win." added.

"At least, I'm hopingythatTfcThe Warriors' other wins have Oakley netted 31 points and White 23 to key the win at Southeastern. Jeff Tomlinson (50X one of three starters back from last season, is still nursing a hip-pointer, but will see early playing time along with Keith Johnson (134) and Chad Graves (44). "Well haye itr handle their defensive pressure they like to deny the pass-in plus keep them off the boards," Dudley says of his team's victory chances. "They obviously want to get the ball off the boards and run with it." Lake Land will be minus two players. Anton Little, 6-6 Chicago (King) freshman and a starter, is scholastically-ineligible for the second semester, while 6-6 Teutopolis freshman Jason Thompson is still suffering with a possible fractured vertebra.

He suffered the injury against Malcolm-X College in the Laker Classic. Lake Land returns to action Saturday at Lincoln Land Col- lege in Springfield. The game is a makeup of last Saturday's cancellation due to the icy road conditions By JIM KIMBALL JG Sports Editor MATTOON Is basketball coach Jim Dudley-starting to revive some of the old Lake Land Laker magic? His team dug itself out of a 61-51 halftime hole last Saturday at Southeastern College in Har-risburg to pull off a memorable 106-100 win. Southeastern home losses are about as rare as Chicago Cub World Series titles. It was Lake Land's first-ever Great Rivers Athletic Conference contest since joining the nine-team loop last spring and left Dudley dreaming of a second half turnaround.

i The Lakers, now 6-5 overall, struggled to break even in their gfirst ten games prior to Christmas break. "That was really a nice win especially coming down there which is a tough, tough place to play," Dudley reflected Wednes- day on the come-from-behind vic-! torv. "I told the kids at halftime that 51 points were not too bad, 561." 5 'Lady Wave in or a laugher Bird sidelined with bad back a. much stronger team," Kendel says. The two additions are 6-4 freshman Dana Pope from Evansville, and 6-6 sophomore Dwight Pewett from Owensboro, Ky.

The latter contributed 13 points in the win over Logan. They will be two of "eight or nine players I regularly employ," according to Rendel. The Warrior starters most likely will be 5-6 Ron Moss, from Owensboro, at the point guard and 6-2 Marcus Harris, Louisville, at the off guard with 6-3 Corwyn Lewis, St.Louis, 6-5 Tony Overton, Jay County, and 6-7 James Dockery, of Cincinnati, across the front line. Manny Rogers, from Evansville and averages 14 points, will see plenty of action along with 6-7, 230-pound sophomore Randy Ballard from Youngstown, Ohio and a 13-point scorer, plus Pope and Pewett. Dudley will counter with leading scorer Brad Oakley (148 points), Rodney White (118), James Gilbert (112), Ed Cobb (106) and Darnell Smith-(92) for his starting lineup.

Photo by Mile Burke action against Charleston bus ride to a regional basketball game were eased Wednesday, as Mattoon was seeded No. 2 in the 16-team regional. "We were smiling after it was over," said a happy Lady Wave coach George Reed. By virtue of a top four seeding, the Lady Wave are assured of at least one home game during the regional, and if they win a second game on friendly grounds as well. Cross county rival and 14th rated Charleston was voted the ly the coaches, with Mascoutah No.

3 and Highland No. 4. The regional is slated to begin Feb. 5. The IHSA -will announce pairings at a later date.

Phil Glosser i 'f i By MIKE BURKE SStaff Writer MATTOON If Mattoon girls' basketball coach George Reed, or the 15-2 Lady Wave for that matter, don't aeem excited about etonicht's matchup with Cham paign Central, don't be surprised. In the season's first meeting between the two Big 12 Conference foes, Jody Sanders Joutscored the entire Lady Maroons' team. The 5-7 sopho-Jmore poured in 15 to lead Mat- toon to a 69-14 blowout and the title in the Champaign Centen- Jnial tournament. A month later Central made it Jpast 20, but still lost by 63 points, 86-23. In tact the past two seasons the Lady Wave have swamped i Central by an average score of "However, Reed" sees the game as important one for his conference leading team.

"We're just going to go out and play our tempo, said Reed. "Hopefully we can keep up a con-tstant level play and reach that BOSTON (AP) Larry Bird will be sidelined indefinitely with back problems in the first complication for the Boston Celtics this season. Bird missed Tuesday night's game in New York and Wednesday night's home game against Milwaukee. He also is expected to sit out games Friday night' against the Los Angeles Clippers and Saturday at Washington. "When Larry Bird is healthy and sound again and ready to play, he'll play," Dave Gavitt, the Celtics senior executive vice president, said at a news conference before Wednesday night's game.

"When that is, your guess is as good as mine, and I'm not going to guessr "We are deliberately putting no timetable on this." Jordan scores point PHILADELPHIA Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls scored his point Wednesday night, joining 53 other NBA players who passed that is the case." Part of the answer may come tonight 'when a strong 8-4 Valley College team from MtCarmel invades Laker Fieldhouse for a 7:30 GRAC bat, tie. Lake Land's Lady Lakers (0-9) will kick off the evening's action with a 5:30 meeting against' Wabash's women's team. "Wabash is 2-0 in the conference and those wins were over Belleville (110-90) and John Logan (74-69), the defending (GRAC) champions," Dudley reveals. "So, they've undoubtably level we need to get to." Also if you're going to keep stats, take a big scorebook. "I think you're going to see a lot of kids get a lot of playing time," Reed admitted.

Despite two losses this season one each to Class A No. 1 Sullivan and Class AA No. 14 Charleston Mattoon isn't ready to throw in the towl yet. "The girls are getting better each time out," said the coach. "Our kids are playing hard and are handling adjustments real "(Tuesday) our press wasn't working so we went to a man-to-man, then we got into some foul trouble and switched to a 2-3 zone," he added.

"We handled it very well and got the job done on defense." In 17 games this year the Lady Wave have gotten the job done on defense to the tune of 40.2 points per game allowed. The figure drops even more in league games to36.9ppg. One of the reasons may be in 5-3 senior Stephanie Morris. It would seem that Morris could be deemed Mattoon's "shot-in-the-arm" player. 2sE Kimball Is sports editor of the Journal Gazette.

The starting salary in those two divisions of play "is somewhere around $1,800 plus expenses," according to Glosser, "while major league umpires start at $42,000 plus $167 per dav expenses." Glosser knows the chances of earning a major league job are slim. As he points out, "After looking over the list of those who made it to the major leagues, it took at least seven to 12 seasons." Still, Glosser is not completely ruling out his chances of making it to the top. "I'm going down there with the idea of making it as far as possible," he says. "If you don't go with that idea, the school will be worthless as far as helping develop umpiring skills. "If nothing comes from the school except experience, I think the local school and summer baseball programs will benefit from my umpiring.

"And, my students, at Neoga will get a first-hand look at a baseball umpiring program. "Very few people are great athletes in high school, college, and most of all, pros. Officiating can be a way of participating in athletics without having to be an athlete. "I know my track and field officiating (he has worked the NCAA finals plus some other major college meets) has had a positive effect upon my own children as well as my kids at school. "And, I can say the same for the students I have involved in local, state and national art shows.

I think the baseball Tyrf I- rlXn come at the expense of Lincoln College (107-80), Knoxville College, (92-74), Whitney Young, (123-67), Clinton, Iowa (83-75. Sullivan, (81- 79) and St.Catherine College, Ky. (99-85). The three losses have resulted to Vincennes University (99-84), Mineral Area, (97-86) and Danville College twice (70-61 and 71-60). On a comparative note, LLC has lost to Lincoln (87-77) and Danville (91-45).

"We've added two players at semester break which will add to our depth and hopefully make us Stephanie Morris in recent Whenever Reed feels the team needs a little more, in comes Morris and it's a whole new ball game. "We know she is always going to go all out all of the time when she's out there on the floor," Reed said about Morris. "When ever I feel the tempo's not quite what we want it to be I'll put Stephanie in." Morris only averages 4.4 ppg, but just her very presence transforms Mattoon into a bunch of thieves and Reed wouldn't have it any other way. The jayvee game.Btarts at 6:15 p.m. at' the Green Wave 'Gym with the varsity contest to follow.

Lady Wave seeded No. 2 CENTRALIA Fears of a long school could have the same results." Glosser asked to publicly acknowledge his wife Diana "for all the support I am given in all of my track and field, art and now baseball endeavors. If if wasn't for her encouragement, all the positive things that have happened for this family wouldn't be possible." KTMBALLS BITS: ILLINOIS-NORTHWESTERN basketball tickets and a game ball are among the items to be awarded for Neoga's 'Pack The Place' basketball game Friday. The Indians host Brownstown with a freshmagame scheduled for 5 p.m. followed by a jayvee contest at 6:15 and the varsity battle at 8 o'clock.

Any fan wearing red and white will be eligible for a raffle to win the game ball or two tickets to Illinois' Feb. 4 home game with Northwestern. Also, Neoga's fifth and sixth grade basketball teams will be introduced at the game. THE TRILLA METHODIST CHURCH captured last summer's Men's Church Softball League with a 17-1 record and league tourney in four straight games to finish with an impressive 21-1 overall mark. Members of the.

team were Lincoln Andrews, Gary Otto, Jeff Otto, Kevin Figgins, Sam Ewing, Wayne Andrews, Darwin Spencer, Bill Janes, Jeff Hutchinson, Mike Randolph, Robert Spencer, Roger Ewing, Edward Spencer, Steve Otto, Jim Ball-inger, Wes Andrews and Jim Hutchinson. CHARLESTON WILL BE facing a boys' basketball team that's had a players' boycott and coaching change this week. Mt. Zion's Don Steers resigned Tuesday after playersrefused to practice Monday and Tuesday. Athletic Director and former coach Ed Neighbors is returning to the bench for the Braves, who host Charleston in an Apollo Glosser at umpiring school St.Anthony No.l for NTC Tourney Photo by Jay Kimbl Rodney White Bird, Jordan milestone.

Jordan accomplished the feat in 460 games. Only Wilt Chamberlain, who scored tiis in his 358th game, did. it faster. Jordan's point came on a free throw with 25 seconds remaining in the first quarter. He waved to the Philadelphia fans as they gave him a rousing standing ovation.

The Spectrum also was the site of Jordan's point and his Friday 9. 6:30 p.m. -Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6 1 0. 8 p.m.

-Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 6 Saturday 11.1 p.m. Consolation Championship 12. 2:30 p.m. Third Place 13.

7:30 p.m. NTC TW Game NJHS advances ALTAMONT Neoga' seventh grade boys' basketball team advanced to the consolation championship of the National Trail Conference junior high tourney Wednesday. Adam's 14i2oints led the Warriors to 82-28 bombing of Sacred Heairtr Neoga will play the winner of Teutopolis and St. Elmo tonight. Neoga 14 10 18 20-62 Sacred Heart 2 16 4 628 NEOGA: Jacob Adam 14, Craig Haskett 12, Aaron Lane 8, Brian Abel 8, Chris Salinger 8, Mark Riddle 6, Ben Snyder 4, Tim Bartlow 2.

conscious from returning to a game without the written permission of a doctor. The committee also said that any attempt to hit, kick or elbow an opponent was grounds for ejection, even if ncK contact was made. "The entire issue of sport- smanship the taunting and baiting by players is of I great concern," said Dck? Schindler of the "Striking and kneeing always been disqualifying'-: fouls, but swinging and ing, or kicking at but were not. The committee; believes both acts are senousj fiection." enough to warrant 1111,1111 I II 1.11 1 i if i -i ii- 'i, ih i-h ALTAMONT Effingham St. Anthony is the team to beat here in next week's National Trail Conference boys' basketball tournament.

The Bulldogs were seeded No. Teutopolis No.2; Neoga No.3 and Windsor No.4. The tournament runs Monday through next Saturday. National Tral Conference BaAKbal Tournament Monday 1.6:30p.m. -NalAllamonlvt No.

lOBeecherCty 2. 8 p.m. -Ha7Brownstown vs. No. 9 Sewerdiort- srasburgJ Tuesday 3.

6:30 p.m. -No. 1 Effingham St Anthony Vs. No. 5 St Brno 4.

6 pjn. -No. 4 Windsor vs. Winner of Game 1 Wednesday 5. 6:30 p.m.

-No. 2 TeutopoHs vs. No. 6 Cowden-Hsr- rick 6. 8 p.m.

-No. 3 Neoga vs. Winner of Game I Thursday 7. 6:30 p.m. -Loser Game 3 vs.

Loser Game 4 8. 6 p.m. -Wlnnet Gam 3 vs. Winner Game 4 'MATTOON Neoga track-: cross country coach and art instructor Phil Glosser is currently fulfilling a longtime dream. He is undergoing training at the Brinkman-Froemming Umpiring School in Cocoa, Florida, -j If vou recall, the former Charleston High School basketball-baseball letterman and EIU infielder, tried for two years before finally being granted a leave of absence from the Neoga school board to engage in the five-week school.

The school opened the first of this month and Glosser dropped me a postcard outlining his first ive days of training, i "A lot of intense work. We are vgoing section by section, part by JJpart, and these guys are really "On Monday, Charles Kuralt is showing up for CBS. I have no idea when it will be aired." Glosser chatted during a break Sin the Charleston Holiday Tournament action about the specifics of enrolling in the fBrinkman-Froemming Umpiring School. "You must have a high school diploma, be of reasonable weight and have good eyesight with 5jor without glasses," he said. "The entire five-week school includes 57 hours per week working on your own.

Each student receives 285 hours of instruction, and they are evaluated upon appearance and attitude as well as their ability to umpire in game situations both behind the plate and on the bases." Glosser says the ratio of instructor per student at the school "The instructors include sever al major league umpires as well as minor league umpires," he says. Glosser enrolled in the school with no thoughts of grandeur. "No one is guaranteed a job in pro "baseball," he points out. "It is based upon on how well you do at the school if you get an assign- ment in the Class A and Rookie -Leagues." Prep goalposts to remain same width Conference game Friday. The Decatur Herald Review reported that Mt.

Zion players were unhappy with Steers after he had them run for about 45 minutes following Saturday's 72-64 loss to Decatur MacArthur. The players met with Neighbors, Mt. Zion Principal Jack Blickensderfer, and Superintendent Ken Hendricksen Tuesday afternoon. The three administrators later met with Steers, who then announced his' resignation. In a press release statement, Henriksen said: "Don Steers is one of the most honest and hard-working -coaches I've been associated with during my 18 years in education.

Coach Steers is certainly to be complimented on being an excellent teacher and quality individual." Steers said in the press release: "It is my sincere hope that the current players will continue to progress and purse the best in team efforts for this year's program. The community has always been supportive of our athletic endeavors and I'm sure it will continue to be a major part of our successes." In six years at Mt. Zion Steers was 72-66 with two Apollo Conference championship and a regional title. This year's team is 7-8. KANSAS CITY, Mo.

(AP) A national high school football rules committee has decided to keep football goalposts wider than those used in college and the pros. High school goal posts will remain at 23 feet, 4 inches. The NCAA will narrow goal posts to the NFL standard of 18 feet, 6 inches next year. An exception to the rule adopted by the National Federal Football Rules Committee will be made when a high school team plays on a collegiate field. The committee also adopted a rule that would prevent a player who is knocked unconscious or apparently un.