Newspaper Page Text
Grangers
stop Griffin
Luke Kelly made 27 points
and Franklin Pickett scored 25
last night to spark the highly
rated LaGrange Grangers to a
64-56 victory over the battling
Griffin Bears.
Griffin traded point-for-point
with LaGrange in the first half
and threatened to whip the once
Gordon wins. 101-90
The Gordon Generals play
DeKalb Central tonight at
Clarkston and will be at home
again next Wednesday when
Dalton, which is ranked in the
top 20 in the nation, comes to
Barnesville for a 7:30 p.m.
game.
The Generals shot down South
Valdosta coach quits
VALDOSTA, Ga. (UPI) - A
two-year record of 17-3 would
get most football coaches a
sizable raise.
But at Valdosta High School,
Charlie Greene learned the fans
would settle only for perfection
as he attempted to replace the
legendary Wright Bazemore as
the school’s football coach.
Bazemore gave up his
coaching duties after the 1971
season with a 30-year record of
290-65. His teams won 15 state
championships.
A fork in rhode to success
WASHINGTON (NEA)
Tom McMillen, star basketball player at the University of
Maryland, and a scholar chemistry major, is a young man
who is about to come face to face with himself. Privately, he
has given every commitment toward accepting the
prestigous Rhodes scholarship that was awarded him two
weeks ago. Publicly, however, he hedges the issue, saying
that any positive announcement would be like “predicting
tomorrow s s weather.”
McMillep is a young man groping for his own identity. Re
portedly he has been advised to keep his options open, play
ing a charade with the press and public over the Rhodes
offer, in order to assure himself a spot in the spring basket
ball draft that will pump up any pro offer that might come
his way.
“I don't want to make any decisions until all the facts are
in,” he said some two weeks after he was awarded the
scholarship. “As far as anything goes, I have a Rhodes
scholarship, and I’m delighted to have that.” He conceded,
however, that “the general policy is that when you receive
this award, you accept it.”
One of his closest advisors reportedly is his coach, Lefty
Driesell, but Lefty staunchly denied that he was influencing
McMillen to use the Rhodes as a contractual bellows. “I’ve
told him to say his mind is on basketball and finishing col
lege,” Driesell said briskly. “I told him to leave his options
open; he doesn’t have to choose right now.”
Those close to McMillen seem to feel that he has a chance
of bettering his famous Rhodes predecessor (Bill Bradley of
the New York Knicks) in capturing the best of both possible
worlds. The hope seems to be that McMillen will have his
scholarship and a pro contract before he commits himself to
two years at Oxford. Lefty Driesell, however, was uncertain
of McMillen’s attractiveness in the draft. “He isn’t no Bill
Bradley," the coach said. “Bradley was the number one pick,
and you can’t compare McMillen with him. I m positive Tom
won’t be that high in the draft. But he’s 6’11” and white; and
that makes him a commodity. If he were black he wouldn’t
be a pro prospect.”
“But he shouldn’t be in any hurry; some pro team might
say, look we need you right now, and not in two years. Would
you pass up lifetime security?” he asked me plaintively.
Bill Bradley, who was tra’cked down in Detroit where he
was preparing to go against the Pistons, was happy to put the
issues into focus. It’s one of his favorite subjects: the young
scholar-athlete in search of himself.
“The Knicks drafted me with no assurance on my part that
I would ever play,” he recalled. “I had lunch once, before the
draft, with Ned Irish, the Knick’s president. I affirmed then
that I would take the scholarship. I had very good personal
years in Oxford. It was a time of self-exploration for me.
“I would hypothethize that Tom McMillen would accept
the scholarship,” Bradley went on. “I would assume that the
committee asked him in their interviews if he would accept.
They asked me, and I told them I would accept. That was my
Henry Block has
17 reasons why you
should come to us
for income tax help.
Reason 3. We take all the time we
need when it comes to preparing your
return. We conduct in-depth
interviews to make sure we
understand your personal tax
situation. And we keep all
information completely confidential.
KKJ2BLOCK
the income tax people
129 WEST TAYLOR
Open 9 A.M. -9 P.M. Weekdays —9 A.M. -5 P.M. Sat.
OPEN TONIGHT - NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
beat Grangers until Pickett
perked up the Troup County
team with a 13 point outburst in
the fourth.
Ken Boatwright, LaGrange’s
big center, was held to four
points but Kelly and Pickett
made up the difference.
Chuck Dunn was Griffin’s
Georgia 101-90 this week at
Douglas.
The starters played only 15
minutes in the first half and not
at all in the second
Gordon was ahead by 23
points, 59-36 at halftime.
Eleven Gordon players saw
action and all scored
Greene, a former star player
and assistant coach under
Bazemore, said being named to
replace his old coach was the
realization of a “life-long
dream.”
But Friday Greene resigned
despite losing just three games
in two seasons. Valdosta had not
made the state playoffs during
his two-year reign and he had
been unable to silence the
critics who compare him to
Bazemore.
Bazemore, athletic director
high scorer with 18 points. Bean
Coggins made 12, Ken Crawford
and Keith Daniels eight, Gary
McDowell six and Richard
Sanders and John Slaughter
two.
Griffin will be at home
Tuesday against Forest Park.
Moyce Choates paced the
scoring with 17 points and
Griffin’s Joe Coggins had 15.
Larry Hodges made 11, Harold
Lockhart six, Willie Finch
eight, Herbert Gaines two,
Rutherford King 11, Wayne
McCants eight, Jerome
Freeman eight, David Ward
three and Gregg Horton 12.
for all Valdosta schools, has the
tough task of finding a new
coach.
“A man would have to be
crazy to take that job,” said a
coach at a nearby school
“You’d always be looking over
your shoulder. Wright might
have to take the job again
because no one else will want
it.”
But Bazemore insisted Friday
he would not return to his old
job.
W ¥
word. After all,” Bradley gave a short laugh, “the Rhodes
scholarship is not just a merit badge.”
It all boils down to how well Tom McMillen knows Tom
McMillen. It’s beyond the control of the committee and the
trust. It is totally a decision on his part. It is characteristic of
a lot of people that they don’t take chances with their lives.
But you only learn through your mistakes. At age 21, you
can’t hedge all your bets. You have to take a chance. You
decide to play or not to play; to go or not to go. If it’s the
wrong decision, you learn. If it’s the right decision, then it’s
all right.
“Given Tom McMillen’s background and position in the
eyes of his peers as well as the vultures he’s been exposed to,
I don’t think he’s had time for self-evaluation. Os course, I’m
just hypothesizing.
“1 don’t think the scholarship should be used overtly as a
negotiating tool. A man has to take a chance on himself. It
McMillen’s good enough in two years, there might even be
more intensity for him to play. I’d say his chances are as
good in two years. I’m hypothesizing again, but he probably
figures to try for a five-year contract with the pros for three
years of playing time. That would give him a nice annuity
while he’s in Oxford. But there’s no lifetime security in pro
basketball. I don’t know one player who has a lifetime
guarantee.”
Bradley had addressed a group of scholar-athletes in May
of 1971 with these words: “The greatest obstacle blocking in
dividuals from putting their trust in life and influencing
society as fulfilled men is the security syndrome. It destroys
youthful idealism and makes true self-realization impossi
ble. To chance a society, one must have the personal courage
to accept risks.” His philosophy applies now to Tom
McMillen, who has privately accepted his scholarship but
publicly has given in to his counsellors’ advice to play both
ends against the middle.
6 8 9 girls rip
Lamar, 33-27
The Griffin High “B” girls
defeated Lamar County 33-27
yesterday.
Cowboys,
Pistons win
The Cowboys bumped the
Bears 39-31, the Pistons outshot
the Rockets 28-19 and the
Bombers beat the Tomboys 19-
16 yesterday in the Ricky Barry
Basketball League.
Bubbay Andrews scored 23
points for the Cowboys and Jeff
Schenk made 20 for the Bears.
David Barkley scored 10
points for the Pistons and Chuck
Scott made seven for the
Rockets.
Julie Ward made eight points
for the Bombers and Dot Butts
had eight for the Tomboys.
ATLANTA — It was a mad scramble for a loose puck as Red Wings goalie Jim Rutherford
(27) scoops it up as teammates Brent Hughes (24) and Larry Johnston (3) pin Flames Rey
Comeau (18) between them. Flames Leon Rochefort (11) comes in to break them up in
second period action Jan. 25. Atlanta played Detroit to a 2-2 tie. (UPI)
Peashooters
VFW 8480 nipped Varsity
Sports Center 69-67 yesterday in
the Men’s Basketball League.
The Peashooters downed
Borden Chemical Co. 102-59.
John Martin scored 22 points
for VFW and Phillip Sisk made
28 for Varsity.
Willie Ison scored 22 points
for the Peashooters and James
Lawrence made 15 for Borden.
Although the final score
shows only a six point dif
ference, the game actually
wasn’t that close.
Miss June Handley, Griffin
coach, pulled most starters and
reserves played nearly the
entire second half. Griffin led
by 10 at halftime.
Beth McGee paced Griffin
scoring with 11 points. Kathy
Murphy made eight, Laura
Edwards and Lisa Green had
four each and Debbie Sanders,
Lisa Ward and Regina Mays
scored two.
Griffin was scheduled to play
North Clayton here this mor
ning.
The local team will face
Forest Park here Tuesday at 4
p.m.
Flames tie
Detroit, 2-2
ATLANTA (UPl)—The Atlan
ta Flames, smarting under the
wrath of Boom Boom Geoffrion,
responded Friday night with 40
shots on goal and a 2-2 tie with
Detroit.
At the rate Flames have been
sagging, a tie was welcome and
Coach Geoffrion said after the
game “I’m very pleased for the
40 shots, and I’m pleased with
the desire they showed me to
night.”
After losing Wednesday night
to the Rangers in New York,
Geoffrion marched the Flames
straight from the plane to the
rink in Atlanta for an unsched
uled practice.
“Their wives were waiting for
Griffin Academy
boys, girls lose
Griffin Academy dropped two
games this week to Tri-County
Academy of Shiloh, Ga.
The girls lost their game 43-35
and the boys were beaten, 74-27.
Dale Martin scored 12 points
for Griffin Academy. Debra
Smith made eight, Kay Lan-
\ irL,. r
\ i. lufli '
"a «•
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — This alligator, called “Alli”,
is sunning himself on the bank of the canal along side of
the Bonaventure golf club just west of Ft. Lauderdale,
Fla., doesn’t realize that he will soon be having a goodbye
party, says Herb Sadkin of the golf club. (UPI)
Russian returns
AUGUSTA, Ga. (UPI)-Chess
Grand Master Victor Korchnoi
of Russia returns to the table
tonight after gaining his first
victory of the World Chess
Championship quarterfinal
match against Brazilian Hen
rique Mecking.
Mecking resigned the fifth
WORTHAM ELECTRONICS
NEW LOCATION
Across from Griffin Suzuki,
at Pomona Mobile Court.
Approximately 4 miles north of old location on North
Expressway.
We appreciate your business and will be happy to continue
to serve you. Please give us a call at the same telephone
number (227-9676) or come by to see us at our new shop.
Thanks, John ’Wortham
Page 7
them but they couldn’t go home.
I gave them ... yesterday.
There were a few fights on the
ice. They showed me something
tonight.”
Keith McCreary put the
Flames into the lead early in
the first period with his 10th
goal of the season, which was
answered late in the same per
iod by Mickey Redmond’s 26th
goal for Detroit.
The Red Wings took the lead
in the second period on Marcel
Dionne’s goal, but the Flames
tied it up 22 seconds later when
Jacque Richard knocked in a
rebound.
The Flames took 40 shots at
the Detroit goal compared to
Detroit’s 22 shots.
drum nine, Cindy Maddox four
and Janice Gilstrap two.
Jimmy Fain led the boys with
12 points. John Stovall scored
five, Bobby Willis four, Bob
Landham four and Matt
Crossfield two.
game of the match Friday, tele
phoning his resignation an hour
and a half before the game was
to resume. Korchnoi had moved
into a heavily commanding po
sition after five hours of play
in Game Five Wednesday night.
His 45th move left him with a
clear pawn up in a one-piece
end game.
— Griffin Daily News Saturday, January 26, 1974
SPORTS
★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Papa Bear has
new Goldilocks
By Murray Olderman
The tipoff:
Among the NFL teams supposed to be hunting for a
head coach are the Houston Oilers — but aspiring can
didates can forget it. Sid Gillman’s determined to try a
final year of coaching — or at least that’s what he’s
been telling friends.
Q. Can you tell me the names of the last pro football play
ers elected to the Hall of Fame? I am particularly in
terested in Jim Ringo, the great center from Green Bay. —
Harry Hill, Newbury Park, Calif.
The 1973 electees were Raymond Berry and Jim Parker of
the Baltimore Colts and Joe Schmidt of the Detroit Lions.
The committee to select a new batch has already met.
Almost a cinch to make it is Lou Groza. Ringo isn’t in the run
ning yet, although his old Packer mates, Jerry Kramer and
Jim Taylor, got strong consideration. My own pet nominee is
Frank Gifford, the former versatile Giant great who was
more than just a future foil for Howard Cosell.
Q. Is George Haias getting his memoirs in order, like I’ve
heard? — Michael Mann, Chicago, 111.
The septuagenarian Papa Bear has finally consented to
tell it all, collaborating with Chicago columnist Jack Griffin.
But the problem is getting Papa Bear to sit down with his
porridge. Even a hip operation last year didn’t slow him up.
The widower is gallivanting all over the map with his 65-
year-old girl friend.
Q. Johnny Miller looks like a plastic personality to me.
He never seems to smile. What’s he like? — Carl Felder,
Fremont, Neb.
What you see is what you get. He’s a cool, confident young
man and definitely hair apparent (both blond) to Jack
Nicklaus. His whole world is bounded by golf. He’s a devout
Mormon who gives 10 per cent to the church, who doesn’t
drink tea, coffee or wine, who has traveled all over the world
and seen only the hotel and the golf course, who leaves din
ner parties promptly at 9:30. But he sure can hit a golf ball.
Q. Has a starting quarterback ever had to miss a game be
cause of laryngitis? — Ben Finnegan, Berkeley, Calif.
I’m sure. The most significant laryngitis case that comes to
mind was Craig Morton in the 1970 playoffs for the Dallas
Cowboys. He not only had laryngitis but a sore throwing arm,
and Coach Tom Landry sent in all the plays — which led
Dick Young to describe him as being reduced to a butler
silently serving the guests their hats. Along the same line, I
remember a No. 1 draft choice of the Browns, Bob Garrett,
not making it because he stuttered.
Q. How come professional golfers are always complain
ing about being forced to play too many tournaments? How
much work is it to play 18 holes of golf a day? — George
Day, Pittsburgh, Pa.
There’s a lot more to it than just playing 18 holes. I talked
to Jack Nicklaus and he said, “It’s easy to play every week if
you’re not in contention. I played 18 tournaments last year and
was at a good emotional pitch for maybe 14 or 15. Lee Tre
vino went from 35 to 20 tournaments faster than anybody I’ve
ever seen.”
Q. What’s ever happened to Ron Mix as a football execu
tive? I thought I’d be hearing more about him. — Fred
Haynes, Hawthorne, Calif.
Ron’s not exactly twiddling his thumbs as executive
..ounsel for the San Diego Chargers, signing veteran and
rookie players and negotiating trades. The all-time AFL
tackle has already been rumored as a general manager for
three teams in the World Football League. And he’s got the
right sense of humor for high level football. After a super
long hassling session last summer with Abner Haynes, who
was the agent for Duane Thomas, Ron announced, “It would
be premature to speculate on the status of negotiations now
because we’ve onlv been negotiating for 48 straight hours.”
Q. Do the football Giants still have their No. 1 draft choice
this year? — Peter Kolakowski, Linden, N.J.
They certainly do. They’ll toss a coin with San Diego for
the privilege of picking right behind Dallas, which has
Houston’s first pick. And the guessing is they’ll go for either
offensive tackle John Hicks of Ohio State or defensive line
man John Dutton of Nebraska.
Parting shot:
If you know of any young, energetic, knowledgeable
black coach with aspirations for a head job in the NFL,
I know where there s a terrific opening as an assistant
with a current NFL winner.
Got a tough question about sports and the people who play them?
All you got to do is ask Murray Olderman. Write him at (name
and address of this newspaper). The most interesting questions will
be answered in this column. Olderman regrets that he cannot write
personal answers to all questions.
(NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISE ASSN.)
I WRESTLING *
Mid-South l-
Promotions
J SPORTS PALACE *
* BMB main event *
£ LIGHTS OUT MATCH £
O* Not Sanctioned By The N.W.A.
* w Robert FuHer Vs. Phybpy Gary Hart
Special Grudge
* Ma,ch *
i Rlck « J "° -k
IF Gibson Garvin
£ RON AND TERRANCE GARVIN I
* VS J
TIM WOODS AND BURR HEAD JONES
J JERRY LAWLER VS ROY LEE WELCH
ALIVAZIRI VS MIKE JACKSON ~ £
* $