• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1982-03-04_Vol46_No22_07

[Sports 7 March 4,1982/ Western Carolinian / The Bulldogs of the Citadel shocked the Cats, 66-62, Saturday night in Reid. photo by Mark Haskett EndTo Post Season Dreams Citadel Stuns Cats "Stunned" probably best describes the feeling ol the overwhelming majority ol those in attendance in Reid Gym last Saturday evening. They were stunned by not only the final score that showed I he Citadel has won by a 66-62 count in overtime over Western Carolina, but by the manner in which the Catamounts lost the game. lhc excellent perimeter shooting and deadly tree throw accuracy that had carried Western to so manv of its 19 victories during the regular season turned their backs on the Catamounts Saturday night and paved the way for The Citadel's upset in the first round game of the Southern Conference Tournament. Les Robinson, a former WCU graduate assistant coach (1968-69 season) who now serves as The Citadel's head coach, labeled the win "the greatest win I've experienced in my eight years at The Citadel" as he savored the victory before preparing the Bulldogs lor a semi-final meeting with Davidson in Charleston. West Virginia Friday. Conversely, the loss has to be one of the biggest disappointments in Steve Cottrell's five years as W C I *s head coach. The Catamounts have completed their finest Southern Conference season since joining the league five years ago by finishing in second place with a 11-5 record. I posting a winning record on the road ' (6-5) and had the best record (19-7) ot anv WCl basketball team in II seasons. Ihe rubber game with f I Chattanooga seemed inevitable to many followers with an NCAA lournament berth riding on the outcome and an Nl I bid waiting as a consolation prize. Cottrell was warv ot I he Citadel despite his team's two wins in regulai season over the seventh place Bulldogs and the thought-to-be home court advantage "I was verv worried, as I stated several times last week, about the wav we had been playing defense, but I never dreamed we would be as ineffectively offensive!) as we were against I he Citadel."said Cottrell. "I don't remember us ever missing that many open 16 and 17-foot jump shots. We live and die with our perimeter game.we died Saturday night." he added. I he Catamounts had shot 62', from the floor five days earlier in a 83-75 win over The Citadel and hit 16 free throws in the last three minutes to ice the victory. Saturday night, Cottrell watched in disbelief as his team connected on 39$ ot its field goals and missed on key free throw attempts in the closing moments. Never in the season had Western's all-conference duo of Greg Dennis and Ronnie Can been as ineffective. Dennis, who ended his career as WCl 's fourth all-time scorer with 1.793 points and 15th on the Southern Conference's career scoring list, scored on only one of 12 attempts from the floor. Carr tared better by hitting eight of IX trom the floor, but did not score in the clutch as he has done so manv times this season. "Greg did not have a good night and that is a shame because he has meant so much to this basketball program for four years. Ronnie had not practiced all week because of the back strain and he was definitely oft his game." offered Cottrell. Sophomore forward/center Pat Sharp was one of the bright spots for the Catamounts as he scored 15 points and gave Western one of its more effective inside offensive performances of the season. Recruit List Goes To 27 The latest list of WCU's 1982 high school football recruits, which now numbers 27. appears below: ERIC BR VI CHI R. oil del back. 6-0. 160. nsboro(NC), I astern Guilford High: JON A I H \N CROOKS, fullback linebacker. 6-2.224. Asheville (N( I High; DAVID Dl NN, tight end. 6-7, 210. Mableton bblebrdok High: I R \Nk GRAHAM, def. tackle. 6-2. 220. Columbus ,-ver High: Mlkl HI RNDON.off.lineman.6-3.235, Macon(GA)Central High; TIM HILL. off. lineman. 6-3.210, Jefferson (GA) High: I Will KELLY.off. del. end & fullback.6-4 Gilbert (SC) high: SIl ARI I W wide receive. 160. Athens (GA) Clarke Central High: Jill LITTLE. wide receiver del. back. 6-0. 155. I'agcland (SC) Central High; SCO! 1 MCADAMS. wide receiver del back.6- 2. 180. Canton (NC) Pisgah High: RODERICK MOORI . linebacker. 5-10. 190. Columbus(GA) Carver High. KANin mosi II I I R. runningback.5-ll. 182. Hayesville (NC) High: Wll I 11 PI RKINS. quarterback. 6-0. 165. Robbinsville (NC) High; Al PHILLIPS, wide receiver. 5-7. 150. Decatur Columbia High; MARTY Rl ACAN. lineman Robbinsville (NC) High: CHUCK REVIS.off. lineman. 6-1. 240. Brevard (NC) High; CHRIS SCO I I .fullback. 6-1. 210. Wilmington (N() New Hanover High; H \N WOOD SMITH, wide receiver. 6-1. 155. Charlotte |NC) Harding High: I I RRl N SMI I II. del lineman. 6 J. 215. Greenville (SC) Carolina High; CHARLES sit PHI NSON del. lineman. 6-3. 222. Bryson City (Nl i Swam High; SUM SW M NC.IM. lineman. 6 4. 220. Enka (NC)High. ODI I I WILLIAMS, wide receiver, 5-10. 160. Statesville (NC) North Iredell High; .11 Nil I HICk. tight end dot end. 6-4. 200. Anderson (SC) II Hanna High: JOHN PRES ION. fullback linebacker. 6-0. 190. Decatur (GA) Shamrock High. RAYMOND SANDERS, defensive back. 6 2. 185. Decatur (CM High. KENM I RAZ1ER.defensive back. 6-1. 180. Decatur (GA) Shamrock High Gymnasts Travel To ETSU Saturday by Russ Randolph Western Carolina's gymnastics team, under the direction Ol nine vear coach Sue fields will conclude their regular season ot meets this weekend, as they travel to Johnson City. I ennessee to compete in a tour team meet Saturdav. Ihe other teams involved In that meet will be N.C. State. Radford, and host 1 ast I ennessee. The gymnasts closed out then home schedule last weekend in Reid Gym against I astern Kentucky. In that meet. Western lost by the overall team score, but faired well with individual scoring. Freshman Reenic McDonald, perhaps one of the brightest spots lor the team this season, was one ot the top lady Cat performers, producing her second national qualifying score of 31.7 in all four events. Should McDonald meet national qualifying scores again this weekend, it would put her in contention lor the Nationals later this year. Although her team has been reduced to only live members this season. Coach fields says it has still been a tine season overall. "We've had to stress individual performance this year more than years past, but it's paid ott." she said while preparing tor her upcoming I ast I ennessee meet. "Ihe members we have are very dedicated, and although injuries have plagued us all season long, it's been a verv tine season. I just hope to have good individual performances by out team (his weekend, so we can have a good chance in the Regionals next week at Radlord. Virginia. I teel sure we'll be able to give it a good shot." she said. fields went on to say that her assistants, Keith Robinson and Dean Ihompson have been very helpful towards her team's success this season, and without them, it would be very hard to even have a team Fields has been plagued with a broken leg since late January. and has to attend practice sessions in a wheel chair. leam members who will be competing in the meet at I ast lennessee this weekend include Rennic McDonald. Julie Frazier, Katherine Huffman, Becky Stevenson, and .lanica Cole. The trainer for the team is Alan I ollar. Lady Cats Bow Out In Tourney Dennis, Carr All-Conference Greg Dennis crowned his outstanding career at Western Carolina University by being named to the All- Southern Conference basketball team for a third straight season and Ronnie Carr was named to the elite team for a second season. Dennis, a 6'2" senior from Fairfax', Virginia, received the second highest number of votes lor the league's all-star team as he was named on 79 of the 100 ballots east trom the Southern Conference Sports Media Association. He joined Appalachian State's Charles I'avton and Davidson's Cliff Tribus in the all-conference frontcourt. Can. a 6'3" junior from Orangeburg. South Carolina, finished third in the voting with 77 of the 100 possible votes for the first team. He and UT- Chattanooga 's Willie White make up the all-conference backcourt. White led the balloting with 83 votes. The second team is composed of UT-C's point guard Nick Morken and forward Russel Schoene: East lennessee State's talented duo of Winfred Reid and Troy Lee Midell; and Furman's Mel Daniel. Dennis bows out with 1.793- points, the fourth highest in WCU history and ranks 15th on the Southern Conference all-time scoring list. He established a WCU career record for free throw shooting percentage (.856) and free throws made in a game ( 19). He owns Southern Conference records for highest tree throw percentage in a game (16 of 16 vs. VMI this season) and most freethrows in a tournament game (19 vs AST. 1980). He also led the balloting for the District 111 All-Academic Team this season and is in the running for his second Academic All-America Award. Carr led the conference in scoring this season with a 19.0 average. With one season remaining, he is already eight on WCU all-time scoring list with 1.455 points. He has averaged 17.7 points per game over the past three seasons. Baseball Opening Western Carolina's season opening baseball game was delayed three days, but the 1982 season finally opened for the Catamounts Wednesday afternoon in Athens. Georgia. Sunday's scheduled opener at Georgia State in Atlanta was rained out and will not be rescheduled. The Catamounts met the University of Georgia's Bulldogs in Athens Wednesday and are slated to play at Clemson Friday. The home opener, weather permitting, will be played Sundav afternoon on Ronnie G. Childress field when the Catamounts host California State College ol Pennsylvania in a 2:00 p.m. game I he Catamounts will take on UNC—Wilmington on Childress Field Monday and Tuesday afternoon with both games scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. Clemson is unbeaten in seven games this season, including a four-game sweep of highly regarded Florida on the road last week. The defending ACC champs defeated WCU, 7-6, in an extra inning game last season. Following the three-game homestand next week. Coach David Wright's Catamounts will take a few days off for exams and then begin a seven-game road trip thru lower South Carolina and eastern North Carolina. After the road trip. WCU will return home to meet Ohio State for games March 22 & 23. Gator Classic Softball Team Opens In Florida by Russ Randolph The 1982 women's softball team, under the direction of veteran coach Betty Peele will travel to Florida State University today to participate in the lady Gator Classic in Gainesville. Florida. The lady Cats will be among some twenty of the nation's top teams, and will face Brevard. Florida in their opening game on Friday at 9 o'clock a.m. It will be the first time a Western softball team has ever played in the sunshine state, and Coach Peele looks upon the trip with anticipation. "We're really excited about getting to go," said Peele in a practice session Wednesday. "This will give us a chance to face some of the top women's teams in the country, and will give us some playing experience before we get into our regular season of play. Indeed. Peele's forces will be up against some top powers, as Florida finished as one of the top teams in the nation last year, as did several other teams who will be playing in the invitational event this weekend. Twenty-three team members will make the trip to Gainesville today, including 2 seniors, 2 juniors. 7 sophomores, and 9 freshmen, reflecting the youth of Peele's squad. "We're very young this year, but we have about the most speed I've ever had as a coach here." Peele revealed. "We lost some of our power hitters from last year, but we hope to make up for that this season with good base hitting and quickness, which 1 think we'll have plenty of." she added. Peele went on to say that she-11 be counting on relief play from her bench often, and that she has been impressed with the early showings of freshmen Margaret Moore. Amy Konides. Lori toney, Lori Willey. and Debbie Talbert. Peele also stated that transfer students Karen Mears and Kada Bulla (both from Florida) have also looked good in early practices, along with seniors Loretta Vaughters and Wendy Briggs. who will serve as team captains in their final year as Lady Cats. Ihe team will conclude their trip to by Steve Crawford In Wilmington last Ihursdav. Western Carolina's Women's Basketball team was eliminated in the first round of the NCAIAW Division II Tournament by 1 enior- Rhyne College—the team that was destined to defeat top-seeded UNC- Wilmington (previously ranked #1 in the state) and North Carolina A & T State University tti win the tournament. Ihe final score was 97- '74. "We played well." said WCU Coach Judy Stroud, "but so did they. They were well-prepared and well- coached." Indeed, both teams played a good game: the lady Cats made only one more turnover and two more fouls than their opponents, and both teams had four players in double figures. However, as the final score indicates. Lenoir-Rhync's double figures were slightly larger than those of Western. For W estern. sophomore Teresa Braswell was high scorer with 14 points. Judv Green, Anna Wike, and Serena Surratt scored 12. II, and 10. points, respectively. Ginger Eichhorn had 6 rebounds, while Surratt and Green each had 5. All-American Brenda Hariston led I enoir-Rhync's scoring with 27 points. M e I i n d a Buchanan contributed 22; Dec Elrod had 19: and Lisa Norris helped with 10. Elrod and Buchanan pulled down 10 rebounds apiece, while Harriston. who is likely to repeat as an Ail- American this year, had 9. After winning the state tournament for the last two years. Lenoir-Rhyne, ranked 12th in the nation, has plenty of tournament plav experience-something Coach Stroud thinks her team lacks. Stroud commented that I enoir-Rhync is "much more experienced" in postseason play. This is understandable since her team has only one senior— Cindi Salt/. Several other things should be mentioned here about some of the I adv Cats this season, n fust. 5' junior Serena Surratt was named to the All-State team based on her excellent play throughout the season. □ Also for seasonal play, sophomore Judy Green was given an honorable mention, oln a game with Gardner- Webb College. Tammy Faster, a sophomore out of North Buncombe. NC, set a new school shooting percentage record, hitting 10 of 10 from the floor, a Against Covenant College, sophomore Pam Gregory trom Canton. NC. grabbed a phenomenal 20 rebounds. DCindi Salt/, trom Hayesville. NC. became the tilth player in I adv Catamount history to. score over 1000 career points. As for the next season. Coach Stroud says. "Ihe future looks bright." Although no one has actually signed with the Lady Cats as of yet. Stroud has been talking to several big girls who are interested and hopes to soon sign up a few talented prospects. photo by Doug I avanah The Lady Cats will be traveling to Florida State today to participate in the Lady Gator Classic in Gainesville. Florida. The Lady Cats will be in a field of twenty of the nation's top teams. Florida on Sunday as they take on the University of Florida in a double header. After that, it's back to Cullowhee where the team will continue preparing lor the nine tournaments they'll be participating in this season Ihe Carolinian salutes the I adv Cat Softball lean wishes them tin. usual success in tin-

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1982-03-04
  • Date digitized: 2019-01-29
• Extent
  • Dimension: 15" x 11.5"
  • Pages: 12 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1982-03-04_Vol46_No22
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library