• Format
  • Publications (documents)
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  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
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  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1991-11-14_Vol57_No13_08

Volume 57 Number 13 Sports The Western Carolinian Page 8 Thursday, November 14, 1991 Robert M. Robertson Out of Bounds The Rack. Think about it if you will for a moment. For some, it brings to mind a torture device of medieval origins. The rack was shaped like a bed, in which a man or woman was strapped. The arms were tied at the top, and the ankles were tied to a screw-shaped crank at the bottom. Sounds kind of kinky so far, but read on. The torturers would turn the screw, subjecting the torturee to excruciating pain from which death would be a welcome release. If the unfortunate soul was really stubborn, the pain could last until bones were broken and limbs pulled out of their sockets. However, the torturers did not want the people to die. The rack was a place of pain and suffering. If they wanted people dead, they could just hang them. After the rack the people were probably a bit taller than when they started. They began as Spud Webb, and ended up like Manute Bol. Which brings me to my proposition: Whilewedon'thave racks here on campus to torture freshmen with, we do have a modem form just a few blocks down the road. Yes, I'm talking about the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center. TheRAC. Think about it. This would be a great name to call our torture chamber, provided the opposing teams are intelligent enough to know what a rack (RAC)is. Iftheydon'tknow.we can teach them. We've gotenough wild, young, bohemians on campus to raise a major ruckus in that building. We only need a crowd sufficient to do so. In order to get the crowds, we need a team to bring in the excitement and the wins. We are nearing the point where WCU could become amajor contender in the Southern Conference. Last year, only ASU, Furman, UTC, and ETSU swept us for both games. ETSU was the only team who didn't have to clean their shorts afterwards. Every other team got a free laxative courtesy of the Catamount Basketball team, keeping the games close. This year promises to be even better. Those two weeniesRichand Daileyaregone now, but there are ample replacements waiting in the wings. Terry Boyd, Robert Gaines, and company are back this year with a group of newcomers who could really play some string music. Just last Tuesday, the Cats took Spirit Express down to the last minute, losing 108-103. The Express nearly defeated N.C. State last Saturday, losing by three. A couple of season from now, there might even be some banners hanging from the rafters of the R AC, similar to the ones in Chapel Hill, not as numerous, but there. And just think of the name of UNC's stadium. It's the Dean E. Smith Student Activity Center, or SAC for short. No wonder they call it the "Dean Dome." Who'd want to call it the sac? Also, I don't think Mr. Ramsey will mind if we don't call it the Ramsey Center asmuch anymore. No one knows who he is anyway. We're just poor college students who wouldn 't know anyone with an annual income of over $500,000,000,000,000.00 and if we did we wouldn't be going to WCU. Editor's Note: The information on the rack was provided by a medievalist English professor who wishes to remain anonymous. I think he's been around since the original rack and is just trying to disguise his age. At any rate, he's probably used one more than once. Cats return six lettermen for f91-92 squad Robert M. Robertson Sports Editor The 1991-92 Catamount basketball team is in the middle of its exhibition schedule, and is preparing for the beginning of its regular season starting in Cullowhee on Nov. 23 against Eckerd College. The team is returning six lettermen from last year's 11-17 squad. In addition, the Cats have added six newcomers to augment the loss of six lettermen. Head coach Greg B latt, with a two-year record of 21-35, is optimistic about this year's team. "We made progress last year and the year before," said Blatt. "It wasn't by leaps and bounds, but my first year we got kicked twice by every first division team in the conference. By looking at the scores last season, you can see the improvement as we played at least one game down to the wire with every team in the conference except for East Tennessee State. I think we are going to be good enough this season to beat some of the people we haven't been able to beat the last two seasons," he states. The origin of Blatt's confidence stems from returning starters Terry Boyd and Robert Gaines. Boyd has already earned preseason Southern Conference honors for Best All-Around player, Best Offensive Player, and Best Pure Shooter in the conference. Boyd is arguably in the running for Southern Conference Player-of-the-Year. "Terry and Robert are obviously two of the conference's outstanding players and our top players," said Blatt. "Terry could be the premier player in the Southern Conference and he already has my vote going into the season," said Blatt. "His play motivates and inspires others. He hates to lose and he loves to win. He is one of those rare players who will try to do whatever it takes to win and is capable of doing what it takes." "Robert, in his own quiet way, had a solid season last season and I expect him to turn his game up another notch as he has worked hard to become stronger and more aggressive. Gaines' play has gotten better an better, every year," said BlatL "I expect him to make a name for himself." However, Blatt admits a setback for the team in the absence of Carey Rich. Rich earned Southern Conference Freshman-of-the-Year <Robert Gaines (6-6 Junior Forward) averaged 15.1 points per game last year to have the tenth best average in the conference. He is perhaps the most improved player in the league. >Terry Boyd (6-3 Senior Guard) average 23.7 points per game last season. He was named to both the coaches and media all- conference team*| last year. 1991-92 Men's Basketball Schedule Date Time Nov. 11 Spirit Express (Ex.) L10tM'03 Nov. 16 Stockholm Capitals (El.) 5:00 p-.m. Nov. 23 Eckerd 7:00 p.m. Nov. 2* UNC-A 7:00 p.m. Nov. 30 N. C. State 7:30 p.m. Doc. 6-7 CVC Classic TBA Dec. 10 Ersklne 7:00 p.m. Dec. 21 Coll. of Charleston 7:00 p.m. Dec. 30 UNC-G 7-00 p.m. Jan. 2 Fayetteville SL 7:00 p.m. Jan. 8 UNC-G 7:00 p.m. Jan. 11 VMI* 7:00 p.m. Jan. 13 Marshall* 7:00 p.m Jan. 18 ETSU* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 Appalachian* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 Furman* 7:00 p.m. Jan. 27 The Citadel* 7:00 p.m. Jan. 29 Clemson 7:00 p.m. Feb. 1 UTC* 7:00 p.m. ft*. 5 UNC-A 7-00 p.m. Feb. 8 Marshall* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 VMI* 7:30 p-m. Feb. IS Appalachian* 3:00 p.m. Feb. 17 ETSU* 7:00 p.m. Feb. 19 Gardner-Webb 7:00 p.m. Feb. 22 The Citadel* 7:00 p.m. Feb. 25 Furman* 7:30 p-m. Feb. 29 UTC* 7:00 p.m. Mar. 6-8 SC Toumament( Asheville) TBA • Denotes SC Game Home Games In Bold mj0gr* k B. J. Thompson honors last year, but elected to transfer from WCU. This left a void at the point guard position. The point guard position was filled with the recruitment of junior-college transfers Scott Newman and Scott Bradley. Newman averaged 16:9 points, six assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.2 steals while at Marshalltown Community College. Newman was B. J. Thompson (6-6 Sophomore Forward) averaged 5.5 points per Game last year. He started in 4 games last year and played in 26. < Maurice Williams (6-1 junior Guard) was the MVP in the Camino Norte Conference last season averaging 18.4 points per game. He is a junior college transfer from Merced College. > Scott Newman (5-10 Junior Guard) averaged 16.9 points per game, 6.0 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.2 steals last season at Marshalltown Community College. named to the National Junior College Athletic Association's All-Region XI second team. "Scott has got all the tools to be a good point guard," said Blatt. "He's quick, savvy, and understands how to run the offense." Bradley was named Western North Carolina's Player-of-the- Year and was a second team Associate Press All-State pick. Bradley 1990-91 results (11-17 Overall. 3-11 Southern Conference) SL Andrews (OT) W 87-82 UNC-A w 81-79 N. C. Stats L 84-119 Mars HIM W 89-84 Augusta w 100-72 Newberry w 80-78 Coastal Carolina L 74-80 Tennesse 1'ecb L 87-107 Gardner-Webb W 88-83 UTC* L 62-83 Campbell L 73-85 VMI* L 74-85 Marshall* W 93-91 Clemson L 82-103 ETSU* L 76-93 Appalachian* L 93-95 Furman* L 73-88 The Citadel* W 74-72 Tennessee Tech w 83-78 UTC* L 67-98 UNC-A w 86-77 Marshall* L 77-90 VMI* W 80-64 Appalachian* L 90-91 ETSU* L 78-102 Furman* L 76-78 The Citadel* L 76-89 UTC# L 83-84 Home Games In Bold "Denotes Southern Conference Came # Southern Conference Tournament on Photos Courtesy Hark Haskell Scott Newman led T.C. Roberson H.S. to the state 3- A championship game in which he scored 29 points. "Bradley was a pleasant surprise," explains Blatt. "He's very competitive, has good poise and skill, and he takes pride in his defense. If he didn't have to sleep, I think he'd live on a basketball court." Returning at the guard position is sophomore Bobby Getter. Get ter hit 44 percent of his field goals last season, and hit 59 percent of his free throws. Getter's best games came against N.C. State and The Citadel, where he scored 13 points. "Bobby could play in a swing position," said Blatt. He's an excellent shooter who has been working hard to improve his game. There will be plenty of opportunities for him to contribute." Rounding out the guard position is Maurice Williams. Williams led the Camino Norte Conference in scoring with 20.5 points versus conference opponents, and 18.4 overall. Williams was also named to California's junior college All-Star Team. "Maurice stepped right in and has shown that he can play either spot," Blatt points out. "He has outstanding speed and quickness. We especially like his defense." In the forward position, Western has Monty Bumper returning. Bumper played in 17 games as a freshman, averaging 1.9 points per game. "Monty has comeback with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and hustle," explains BlatL "With those traits and athletic ability, we expect him to play a key role." Tim Ford comes in as a freshman at the forward position. Ford averaged 12 points, 5.1 assists and five rebounds as a senior on his high school team. Ford was an all- conference, and all-city selection in Jacksonville, FL as a senior. "Tim is a versatile, talented freshman," says Blatt. "He has all the tools to develop into an excellent basketball player. He is an outstanding jumper." Six-foot-seven freshman Kevin O'Brien, was the Catamounts initial signee of the 1991-92 recruiting campaign. O'Brien averaged 22 points and 12 rebounds while leading Pope High to a 24-2 record. O'Brien was named co-player of the year in Cobb County Georgia as a senior. "Kevin is a hard-nosed, fundamentally sound basketball player," Blatt points out. "He's a good re- bounder, and is strong around the basket He's a blue collar worker." Another question-mark position for the Catamounts was the center spot. Filling in that position is sophomore B.J. Thompson. Thompson started in four games last season and averaged 5.5 points per game. Thompson finished See "Western" Page 9 Southern Conference shaping up to be competitive Jimmy White Sports Writer As the 1991-92 Southern Conference Basketball season looms on the horizon, one question seems to dominate over all others: How good is East Tennessee State? East Tennessee State Last year the Buccaneers went 11-3 in conference play, won 28 games overall (including the Southern Conference Tournament) and ranked 17th in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll. This year ETSU will have to make do without Keith "Mister" Jennings. The5-7pointguard was conference player-of-the-year and was also named winner of the Naismith Award. "You don't replace someone like Mister," said ETSU coach Alan LeForce. "He's the kind of player who comes along once in a lifetime." The Bucs will return three startersand a total of nine letterman. Greg Dennis, a 6-11 senior, should be a force on the middle of this year. In his last full season, Dennis averaged 19.7 points and 6.5 rebounds. He will be complemented by 6-4 senior Rod ney English who developed into one of the leagues best inside scorers last season. Furman One of the teams likely to challenge ETSU is Furman. The Paladins are coming off a 13-0 home court record and a first ever visit to the NIT post season Tournament Coach Butch Estes has three veteran players returning which in- clude6-7seniorBruceEvans(16.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg) 6-0 senior guard Hal Henderson (10.1 ppg, 4.8 assists). Appalachian State Another of the teams set to make a run at the conference championship is Appalachian State. Coach Tom Apke has four starters and seven returning, including what mightbe the conference's most talented front line. SteveSpurlock.a 6-9 senior forward/center scored 20 or more points in 13 games last season. He also has the brute force to overwhelm the opposition. Tim Powers, a 6-9 senior also returns, as does 6-7 Sophomore forward Rickey Nedd. "This year we have a chance to be a better balanced team." said Pake. "The key for this team may well be what we do defensively. We also need to improve our free throw shooting wh ich can help us win close games." UT-Chattanooga University of Tennessee- Chattanooga lost three starters to graduation but the Moccasin's have six incoming junior college transfers and freshmen. Of those new people, 6-0 junior guard Tim Brooks is expected to play a key role. Brooks should give the Moccasins a much needed perimeter game. Brooks averaged 21.6 points and 7.0 rebounds while in junior college. The cornerstone of UTC's effort lies in the hands of seniorcenterKeithNelson. Last season, Nelson averaged 20.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game while shooting 53.5 percent. Two of Nelson's biggest attributes are his ability to run the floor and his ability to overpower opponents underneath the basket. Western Carolina Western Carolina is one team trying to break into the upper division of the Southern Conference. Third year head coach Greg Blatt says that the reason for his club's optimism about a surprising season lies in player experience. "We made progress last year and the year before," said Blatt. "I feel that in the coming season we will be a good enough team to go in and beat some of those people and the reason for that is experience." Another reason for hope comes in the form of senior off guard Terry Boyd. Boyd averaged 23.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last season. Boyd is complimented by junior Robert Gaines (15.1 ppg). Gaines was probably the most improved player in the league last season and together with Boyd they give the Catamounts a potent one- two punch. The Citadel The Citadel is looking to try and recover from a dismal season in which the Bulldogs won six games total. Coach Randy Nesbit has four starters and 10 lettermen returning, so The Citadel will have some experience to draw from. "It appears that the bulk of the contributing players will be sophomores and freshman," says Nesbit. "This will give the program an exciting mix and should ensure a very strong future." Perhaps, but the Bulldogs gave no players averaging double figures returning and questions of the team's depth quickly arise. Sophomore Lamar Wright (8.3 ppg) and Terry Campbell (5.8 ppg) gives The Citadel some experience in the back court, but the big question will be can they score consistently enough to win. Both players produced shaky field goal percentages last season (32.1 for Wright and 33.1 for Campbell). Marshall Marshall will try to find a way to fill the space vacated by two- time conference player of the year and 1990-91 league scoring champ John Taft. Taft's departure will shift some of the scoring duty to junior forward Tyrone Phillips. Phillips will try to use his brute athletic talent to become a force around the basket. The team should also be helped by junior Luke Gross who transferred from Indiana State. He too, should provide Marshall with additional size and strength. Gross averaged 3.8 points per game and 4.6 rebounds for Indiana State. The Thundering Herd will also be eligible to compete in the Southern Conference tournament this season, free of the NCAA probation that kept Marshall out of the league's annual tournament at season's end. VMI Virgina Military Institute is a team that is looking for some improvement in this year's campaign. The Keydets ranked last in scoring offense and field goal percentage in 1990-91 and will try to improve on those stats this season. Percy Covington (senior point guard) returns as the Keydets' top three point threat. Covington also will receive help from Marty' Chad wick and Kenny Johnson who formed a stout defensive tandem last season. atilra

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: 1991-11-14
  • Date digitized: 2019-10-02
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.75" x 14.25"
  • Pages: 10 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_1991-11-14_Vol57_No13
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library