Signpost February 9, 1979 Why are 'Cats so tough? Collins, Smith 2 reasons by Ed Lee The Weber State basketball team is presently atop the Big Sky Conference with an impressive 20-5 record and are steaming towards their third consecutive Big Sky Championship.One of the reasons for the Wildcats success if 6'5" guard Bruce Collins. Collins is an All-Big Sky performer from Rock Springs Wyoming. Bruce is currently averaging 18 points a game and has been given the nickname "Hi-C" for his fantastic slam dunks and his skyrocketing jumping ability. Bruce is a junior this year and when asked what he thought was the Wildcats key to success he said, "Richard Smith, our seven-foot center, has been playing better than he ever has." Bruce also said, "If Richard can get his rebounds, we'll always be in the game." This is understandable when one considers Smith's importance not only on the boards but in scoring. The seven-foot center has a definite height advantage over most of his opponents and witl. this advantage Richard is vital to Weber's success. It is a well known fact that Weber has a greater chance of winning when Smith is in the game. Weber cannot afford to have Smith foul out of the game. In the . past, when Weber lost, it was found that Smith fouled out of most of them and therefore contributed to Weber's inefficiency to handle the boards. One man does not a team make, but Weber State's chances of winning the Big Sky will largely depend on Smith's ability to stay in the game and stay out of foul trouble. Bruce Collins has been a standout for Weber since his freshman year. When asked what Weber had to do better to win he replied, "We need to hit the offensive boards better. "We're not attacking the offensive rebounds because when we shoot we expect to score. Weber State does indeed have a plus in the shooting department with David Johnson and Kurt Moore at the forwards, Mark Mattos and Bruce Collins at the guards, and big Richard Smith in the middle. Ben Howland is another outstanding player, as is the rest of the Wildcat bench. Collins also commented that he thought the bench for Weber is as good as it's ever been, with Howland, Mattinson and freshman sensation Todd Harper. Weber is strong on the bench and if they do get into foul trouble, Harper and Howland are able to put sorrfe points on the scoreboard with Mattinson getting his usual six to eight rebounds a game. The Wildcats have five conference games remaining and two of them will be at home. Games this year for Weber have been won with an agressive defense and a patient offense headed by center Smith. THESE ARE THE ARMIES OF THE NIGHT. They are 100,000 strong. They outnumber the cops five to one. They could run New York City. Tonight they're all out to get the Warriors. 3 40l lit. ? J- 4 ? i I "v ,v i K g 1 fx if II ' ; p iffff I " 1979 Paramount Pk; lures Corporation AJ Rights Reserved I .4 .. I V1 --ww" ft 1. 4 Pf 11 llllflP MATINEES EVERYDAY! Paramount Pictures Presents A Lawrence Gordon Production "THE WARRIORS" Executive Producer Frank Marshall Based Upon the Novel bv Sol Yurick Screenplay by David Shaber and Walter Hill Produced by Lawrence Gordon IRhlSral Uirected by Walter Hill Read the Dell Book t , , w- , ' . y ; ,r f X j hTE ' i ' 'tt'imri I ' ' ' I LAISKY LEADER - Bruce Collins battles for posession of ball in recent matchup in the Dee Events Center. Collins has been a standout in the Big Sky again this year. Photo by Suzette Ahrendt. Wildcat Benefit gets $45,000 from fans The Weber State athletic program means a lot to the Ogden community - and the $45,000 raised by the Weber State Booster club proved it last Friday at an auction attended by over 400 Wildcat supporters. Known as the Wildcat Benefit and held for the second year, the event raised more money than ever to be donated to the Weber State athletic program. "When everything gets totaled up it appears that we will have made in excess of $45,000 this year," said Jim Packer, President of the booster group. "We raised more than we dicUast year and it was by far the most successful single fund raising affair that we have ever sponsored," he said. Area merchants, businessmen and professional people donated many thousands ef dollars worth of merchandise and services that were put on the auction block or raffled as prizes. The success of the affair will have raised the total number of dollars generated by the Wildcat Club this year to nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Just two years ago, contributions from the club to the athletic program were in the $40,000 range. Jerry Peterson, a former president of the group and Chairman of this year's benefit, said "A success of this kind depends on a lot of people, and the community really got together with us on this." The Booster Club attends all of Weber's home games, and often goes on the road with the teams to give their support. They have provided a steadfast source of revenue that has been vital to the Wildcat's successful athletic program. How they stand Conference Overall W L Pet. W L Pet. Weber State 8 1 .889 20 5 .800 Gonzaga 5 4 .556 14 7 . 667 Idaho State 5 4 .556 10 10 .500 No. Arizona 5 4 .556 9 11 . .450 Montana 4 5 . 444 11 10 .524 Montana State 3 6 .333 12 9 .571 Idaho State 3 6 .333 9 11 .450 Boise State 3 6 .333 8 13 .381 V OQ MANN THEATRES SHOWS DAILY: 1:30, 3:30, 5:30,7:30 & 9:30 p.m. MANN R'pLAZALt 4 4113 SO RIVERDALE ROAD 627 1061 I