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Sports Phil Clark Hawks face uphill battle in NBA playoffs I'm writing this column on Thursday, so by the time you read it today, the Atlania Hawks-Indiana Pacers semi-final NBA playoff series will have gone two games, both at the Omni in Atlanta. Indiana won the opener 96-85 over an Atlanta team that had to ex tend itself to the limit to beat a stubborn Miami team. Observers believe the series too too much cat of Atlanta They are too tired, t>o leg weary to beat the Pacers. The matter isn't helped any by the weekend schedule. You see, television has decided there will be game Saturday and Sunday, mean ing the Hawks and Pacers will play three games in four nights, the Pacers, more rested than the Hawks, would seem to have an advantage. The Hawks have been miserable shooting from the field in the open ing scries against Miami and in the first game of the semi-finals. Mookie Blaylock has been effec tive in just one game, the final game of the Miami scries. He must shoot better if the Hawks are to have any kind of a chance. Danny Manning will need to get off around 20 shots a game, mean ing he;ll have to make his shooting decisions quicker. Atlanta won't get any points from Jon Koncak, meaning Indiana, with Rik Smits, will have the ad vantage there. That puts more pres sure on Manning and Kevin Willis up front. But, it all goes back to Blaylock. He is a good shooter who is simply in a shooting funk. He appeared to be coming out of it in the first Indiana game, and must continue to shoot effectively. The weekend games will be played at Indiana. The Hawks were not an exceptionally good team on the road this year, winning 21, but losing 20 away from home. Against Indiana, they were 1-1 away from home. But, that is all academic now. The series is best four-of-seven. After the two games at Indiana this weekend, it is back to Atlanta for a single game, than to Indiana, and than back to Atlanta —that is if all seven games are needed. To say Lenny Wilkens has done a good job in Atlanta is an under statement. Nobody thought the Hawks could win the west, but they did. After long-time Hawk favorite Dominique Wilkins was traded for Manning, many Hawk fans thought that was the end of the season. But, Manning has come around, and is now contributing his part for Atlania. Wilkens has said it usually takes a player 20-25 games with a new club to adjust to the other players and establish chemistry. That has happened. Manning is not the problem. Inconsistent shooting from the guards, including the usually sharp shooting Cragi Ehlo, has been the nemesis. Should guard shooting improve against the Pacers, the Hawks could go all the way. Indiana is on a roll after sweep ing the Orlando Magic in three games, and they play at home this weekend. But, they are unpre dictable—inconsistent, if you will. They have been miserable enough to score just 61 points at Cleveland, yet hot enough to seep the Magic. Hopefully, the hot streak they arc on will end this weekend. The Hawks will use their tena cious defense to stay close, as they did Tuesday. Just how much the five game series against Miami has taken out of the players, we'll have to see. If they can regain their stamina and get a couple of wins by the end of Please see Clark, oaae QA Westfield banquet scheduled for May 17 Westfield Schools will hold their fall sports banquet in the gymato rium Tuesday, May 17, starting at 7 p.m. The banquet will be a cov ered dish supper. For more informa tion, call the school at 987-0547. Area Athletes to take exams May 21 ... £ I t ff IJKf Athletic trainer Chip McCarty checks out Westfield's Michael Davis. McCarty and the staff of Perry Hospital will offer physicals to area athletes May 21. HI rKOVEDwfIH •torn*. -r * « jH Ray Freeman (left) receives a check from Hur ricane Tour founder Dana O'Neill after winning the Perry Open. 40 Hornets dress for football By VETO F. ROLEY Sports Editor Everybody wants to be a winner. Last year, Westfield cut a swath through the G.I.S.A. AAA ranks, finishing as the state runnerup. This year, Ronnie Jones has been joined by 40 players in spring drills, up from 22 players last year. "When you win, everybody wants to come out and be part of it," said Jones. "We are pleased with the turnout. We have a big group and great numbers. "We started a tradition last year. I think these kids are bent and de termined to keep that tradition go • _ ti ing. If the Hornets are going to repeat last year's success, they must fill 17 starting holes left by seniors. "It’s going to be a tough job to replace all those seniors," said Jones, who said next year was a re building year. "It's hard to replace them and you're not going to do it during two weeks (of Spring prac tice). "Some of the new folks have to come through," said Jones. "I've been surprised by some of the new kids. If we see that somebody is aggressive, doesn't mind contact; Perry A's to start season By VETO F. ROLEY Sports Editor The Perry Athletics will attempt to build on the success they had last year as the scmiprofessional base ball team starts its 20th year in ex istence and its second year in the Macon-based Middle Georgia Base ball Association. Last year, the A's set a path through the league, winning 17 of 21 games and finishing second in the league. "We hope to win it all this year," said Eric Zellers, general manager of the team. "We arc going to be very competitive." Five pitchers return from lajft ~ t:-.'l—k IsP " ~WM •J_ i- ___ - * Todd Rigdon breaks free In a Westfield scrimmage Thursday after noon. then we are going to find him a place to play in the fall. But, you really can't do that much in the spring." Next year the Hornets will be moved out of Region 3AAA and into Region lAAA of the G.I.S.A. Westfield will be the smallest school in the region, having only 60 percent of the student body the next smallest school, Windsor, has. The Hornets will be less than half the size of Stratford and Southland. year's team. Larry Whitfield returns after a season where he went 4-2. He will be joined on the mound by Keith Ragin, Virgil Newberry, Keith Newberry and Chris Hill. "Last year," said Zellers, "we had a good pitching staff. "They kept us in many ballgames.” William West and Corey Nor wood will return to anchor the of fense. Both players hit over .400 last year. Zellers said that team had good power and "a lot of speed.” "We look real good," said Zellers. "We have some good play ers." Zellers said the team was look- By VETO F. ROLEY Sport* Editor Perry area high school and middle school athletes have to pass exams Saturday, May 21, if they want to play sports next year. Doctors from Perry Hospital will be at Perry High School Monday conducting sports physicals. These physicals are required by the Georgia High School Association and Westfield Schools. "Any athlete who participates in any sport has to have a physical," said Chip McCarty. "It's manda tory —no ands, ifs or buts about it. "It's just as important as the 'No pass, no play' rule. It carries that much weight—no physical, no play." The physicals will cost each player $5, said McCarty. At doctor's offices, physicals can cost SSO or more. The physicals will be done at Perry High School. Athletes should go first to their school, where they will be transported by bus to Perry High School. Each school will have an hour to complete the physicals. Perry High School physicals will start at 6:30 a.m., Houston County High School at 7:30, Westfield at 8:30 and Perry Middle School at 9:30. McCarty stressed the importance of being on time for the physical since doctors would be performing around 600 physicals Saturday. "There is a possibility that they would be turned back or away," he said of athletes arriving late for the physicals. "They would at least have to wait until last." Athletes who have a problem with making the time assigned for their school should contact their coach. "The coach can work something out with me,” said McCarty. "If it is legitimate, we will work something ut." McCarty said that he would have little sympathy for someone who overslept, saying he would be at Perry High School around 3 a.m. getting the area prepared. Freeman shoots 61 By VETO F. ROLEY Sports Editor Ray Freeman of Lexington, N.C., burned up the course at Houston Lake Country Club Wednesday, finishing the second round of the Perry Open with a round of 61,11 under par. Freeman just missed a national record on nine consecutive birdies during his round, converting birdies on holes six through 12. After making par on the 13th, Freeman used two drives to get to the hole, where he putted for an eagle. He also birdied the 16th hole. Using the cushion given to him by the strong second round. Freeman played conservatively Thursday to finish the 54 hole Hurricane Tour tournament five strokes in front of the second place finisher. For his win, Freeman took home the first place prize of $5,000. Second was a tie between Gary March and Bill Smith, who finished with a three day total of 204, 12 strokes under par. Russell Fletcher, Johannesburgh, South Africa, added an international flavor to the tournament, finishing in a tie for fourth with Brett Quigley with a score of 206. Second paid Please see Perry Open, page 94 iM mm Dawkins Ennis tackles the one-man sled at Perry High School. Houston Times-Journal Page 6A Saturday, May 14,1994 "Houston Times-Joumal McCarty said the doctors were donating their time to give the physicals, with all the money collected from the fees going to the Houston County Board of Educa tion to provide for equipment The school board does not fund extra-curricular activities such as sports from tax money. The physical will includ height, weight and blood pressure checks. A pulse will be taken resting and after exertion. An orthopedic exam will also be given. "The physicals (given May 21) will be as good as physicals major colleges give their athletes," said McCarty. The purpose of the physical was to give discover problems that could hurt the athlete in competition. "The big thing is detecting problems and preventing injuries down the road," said McCarty. "When we find a problem, we can work with them during the offsea son to correct a problem." There is a chance that an athlete could be barred from competition because he failed the physical. "If we detect a health care problem that puts a child at risk, or his life or limb at risk, we will not allow him to participate," said McCarty. "The whole purpose of the physical is to screen kids and make sure that they are not in danger." However, failing the physical is unlikely. "Ninty eight percent of everyone passes the physicals," said McCarty. "It is unfortunate that we have to rule somebody medically ineligible. If they want to get in volved in athletics, we can find some other way." If an athlete fails the physical, McCarty said that he or she could get a second opinion. "Before they return to the field, before they take a step on the field, they must have a release from a physician saying that physician assumes full responsibility." McCarty said the physical is good for one full year, and is good for all sports, including cheerleading. Tommy Lowe puts on the 18th hole ot tne Perry Open. Lowe led all local golfers. Graffiti goes to 7-0 By JIMMY SIMPSON Staff Writer Close finishes appeared to be the name of the game at the conclusion of girls' junior softball league action Thursday at Ochlahatchee Field, as one team narrowly escaped defeat, and two others had to postpone their outcome until a later date. Graffiti Hair Salon put its six game winning streak on the line against Pennington 111 Plumbing, only to have to rely on a late inning rally to squeak past their opponents by a 15-14 score. In an earlier battle, First Family Finance and Family Footwear were locked in an 11-11 tie after the final frame of play. That outcome will be decided when those same two teams take the field again next week. Please see Graffiti, page 9A Stephens excited about PHS By VETO F. ROLEY Sports Editor Coach John Stephens is excited about Perry High School football. "There is a lot of enthusiasm," said Stephens about the team's spring training. There are 55 play ers out for the Panthers this fall, with another six or seven still involved in track he said. "This group we have right here is great, very pleasant," said Stephens. "The attitude out here has been great. We are well pleased with the attitude and performance." Stephens will have to fill many holes in the Panther team left by graduation. A baker's dozen will be leaving the team in May, with many of the 13 filling key posi tions on the defensive line, linebacking corps and offensive backfield. The Panther staff will also have to shore up some areas of the offensive line due to the deci sion of some players not to play this year. Please see Parry, page 9A