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Show lylltlp 6 II The Salt Lake Tribune, Sunday, December fy "010 pqpMqpqpi9qpmpMB By Roger Graves Tribune Sports Writer Just when it appeared Provo and Bingham were on their way to establishing prep basketball dynasties in Utah, a funny thing happened. Hard-luc- k cases West and Davis decided theyd exited the state tournament with enough silver and bronze. The Panthers and Darts reprogrammed their ambitions and went for broke. The positive thinking West walked off with its paid oil as Class first-eve- r state basketball championship while Davis ligured 1961 was. long enough to wait between state crowns. Graves League Games Die SilentK Tournament Villi 4-- m There were no witnesses. Not a clue was found. The joint was dusted for fingerprints, but none were found It was a smooth, professional job. They called in Ironside. Columbo, Sherlock Holmes and even consulted Louis Nizer, but to no avail. It was a perfect murder It went quickly, never saw or heard a thing, said the investigating detective. One minute it was there and the next gone. Were still checking for possible motives. Socrates drank hemlock and died in a dream, but autopsies showed no traces of poison in this Beehive State fixture. Thousands have enjoyed its company, eight-teabut few mourned the loss of the Class state tournament. Yes, the league basketball game is dead in three of the four high school classifications in I'tah It and succumbed some time ago in Class circles, with Round Robins replacing the qualificaranks saved face a tion procedure for sate. The state tournament bit by maintaining an eight-tearealm is the latest victim, murdered in while the it sleep by administrators interested in hypoing monetary gains through a larger state chase. Hearts thumped uncontrollably, rivals jeered, cheered and sneered, students and pep clubs sang their school songs with pride and coaches batted their heads against locker room doors. It was all part of league play. But, it is no longe-wit- h us. Now, it's show up. field a team and theres a .pot in the state tournament far you. Go ahe: d. Mai ch lounge around from November to February is all that counts. Be leisurely coaches, bring y.'ur athletes along slowly. There's no need to "peik before early March. Here's It's back-to-bac- Tribune Stott Photo by Tim Kelly battle Highlands Jerry Judkins and Provo's Kevin Nielsen (42) for rebound a while mass of bands grab for ball. Laytons Matt Bitner, Robbie Taylor, Keith Bockwoldt. Jim Anderson and Keith and Tim Call will light it out with Viewmont, Cleartield and Ben Lomond for top region honors with Bountiful and Ogden close behind. Clearfield's Max Livingston, Steve Gardiner, Larry Clements, Jay Welk, Ken Baker and Brad Dahl darkhorse. may be the top Class 4-- A TUNE-U- P for the 1946 S. 3-- A The new format will make it possible for a squad, in league games, to qualify for the state finale. What harm can it do? Kim Nielson, Scott Burns and Charles Judd are five good reasons why the Redmen may repeat last year's Class champion rip while rival Dixie boasts Bruce Hurst, Kip Staheli, Gary Allred, Kelvin Xisson and Scott Reber. Class Preview They say West is as old as George Washington, so it was only expected that the Panthers would win a state title sooner or later, but it will be difficult lor the westsiders to repeat the teat even with lour starters returning from last year's club. The Panthers have been in a preseason tailspin center Spence Christensen was ordered to since the stands by doctors, following an accident which resulted in a knee injury. Scott Runia, the sharpshooting West guard, is known as the miracle worker, but it will take at least a miracle for the Panthers to win starting three and four guards. Perry Bradford, Steve Marshall, Burke McConk-ie- . Tom Kent and Calvin Johnson will be pressed to the limit by Region Three stalwarts KiLland, Skyline and Cottonwood. The Rams showed off their impenetrable press Provo Friday and the Bulldogs against highly-toutelosers. Scott Labrum, Brett Allen, came away Garth Brmkerhotf, Ken Bullock, Matt Baker and Jay and Jerry Judkins open the season at home against West and the Highland squad would like nothing better than to derail the defending champs. Skylme coach Neil Roberts is back to work alter a back operation and Danny Vranes is also back, terrorizing opposing centers and giving the runnerup Eagles plenty of firepower. Regions Two. Four One Region got a jump on the rest ol the ranks with Weber and Roy surfacing as cannonballs while Layton, Clearlield and Bountiful lead the parade ol talented teams in Region Two. tournament, a festive week of basketball has annually pitted the most prolific teams in the state against each other with the objective of determining a state champ. Now. however, if a team can walk and chew gum simultaneously it is state tournament material A hapless team may be thrust into center stage, but for what? To be mentally and physically demoralized by a bonafide contender? League play will continue to serve a purpose. It will determine the tournament seeding. But is seeding worth a bag fuli of dust when d matchups will feature a clubs against 7 teams9 conglomeration of The tournament will generate more basketball revenue. This will, once again, allow basketball to support smaller sports But , the Utah High School Activities Assn, must reimburse all schools which travel to the state tournament, which in the case is at BYU. season-concludin- first-roun- 0-- Givo Gedar, Dixie Break The new format will allow schools such as Cedar and Dixie an opportunity to both represent Region Eleven at state with the leagues runnerup playing Region Sixs last place team. The same holds true for Logan and Bear River in Rpgion One. The leagues d 75-5- 7 winner gets an automatic berth while the runnerup meets Regions Fives last place squad for a tournament spot. The new format wont make any difference for the teams that are winning, said Davis coach Mike Gardner. For teams which lose two or three league games, it will keep league interest high. I really liked the eight-teatournament. Were going to have to e basis." Gardner conplay this on a tinued. "I question whether the quality of teams will be there. All the teams were always equal in the eight-teatournament, or at least very close. Is the tournament format actually worth it9 Is it monetarily feasible to have teams journey to the state tournament when they may be knocked lrotn championship contention in two hours? And. what about the funding needed to lodge those which stay overnight? teams have lost their class" Maybe Class They have forfeited the meaningfulness of league games m favor of loading up the bus and shipping 16 ol 20 teams to the state tournament. Yes Virginia, there was a league game, but there isnt any longer It went out with Bobby socks, the Model T and the UCLA Bruins STATE ST. OPEN SUNDAY 11-- 4 and Save! Shop warfare in January. Cedars Steve Hair, Brad Blackner, winless Hawk NEW D.C. HI BEAM PROFESSIONAL TIMING LIGHT Now Ju st 1 719 A lid 4 reg 99 24 38 u ept 3 brghpr xenon othpr For tie Pro or the lifcnf- buy who s tired o not being if to itiP h.ri ght n br k'1 t blH'l Host hjM 5000 lb. CAPACITY 0KOUriNOOO JACK STAND A 2 Great Buy 99 each rigb Heavy gajgp p ete a 1 pm and irtmert Poles 4-- 4-- m Cedars Steve sterling jumping Hair brilliance while preparing for league games. displays in rim-hangin- ability g Milford Boasts Best 2 Team 1-- One can t blame Millord coach John Nielsen if his tingernails and beating his head against the wall alter the first lour weeks ol the he's biting Hound Kohin Fet'd Hack regular Region Eight season. Things started out well for the Tigers and Nielsen. The Millord troops soundly deleated Class defending champ Kanab. but not many things have decision gone right since Millord dropped a to Beaver during week number two in an overtime thriller and the same thing happened again the following week against North Sevier in Sahna. This lime, the Tigei s lost by two points, again in overtime! on the season, but has So. Millord stands out scored ev eryone m the league except Gunnison tor three games The Tigers have lost two games by a total ot three points. Now thats enough to drive any coach into the used car business Coach Nielsen enjoyed his region bye Friday m st v le The Tigers clobbered Lincoln County, Nev one-poi- 2 g The Round Robin determines the pairing'. !o" tre slate tournament In the pad, there have been rules which automatically send the league champion into the tournament as the first place team. Now. league winners simply enjoy top seeding in the Round Rohm and are thrust into a baskelball version of "double jeopardy preseason campaigns. Jirn Jimas Huskies may have the horses to pull the wagon with Brian Jeppson, Marc Serdar, Ryan Olson, Chris Martinez and Ken Dailey. twin-killin- the Rose Bowl. Robin When analyzing Region Four, Orem and Hillcrest be eliminated without mention after successful cant 9-- 3-- u-- two-gam- 4-- A In 1976. it will be a clear-cu- t case of hail, hail the all here when state tournament time rolls around It is possible for all seven Region Five and Six Class teams to qualify for the state tournament. Its kind of like allowing three or tour squads from the Big Ten and Pac 8 to go to Coaches in the southern part of the state were quite outspoken on the Round Robin format which has helped kill the meaningfulness of league play in Region Seven and Eight. "They should cut one team out and make it a Round Robin," said Milford coach John Nielsen "As it stands, the league (Region Eight) winner gets a bye, but the division winner isn't guaranteed a spot in the state tournament and thats putting less emphasis on league games." The Round Robin gives losing teams a chance to tournament. said play in a good season-endinalley coach Quin Newby. "It adds a little glory to those teams who haven't done too well during league play and helps the better teams prepare for the state tournament "There definitely should be more emphasis on league play, but the Round Robin helps generate needed revenue, said North Sevier coach Paul Beck ' good team could suffer a few injuries and do pooilv in the Round Robin after winning the league and thd should be prevented " "I've always liked the idea that the team wil h the Ix'st league record gets into the state tournament automatically," Gunnison coach Danny Hill said Most of the time, the league winner will do well in the Round Robin, but there's always a chance theyll be eliminated I hke the Round Robin because no matter what kind of season youve had. it offers the kids an opportunity to qualify for state and have some fun," said Juab coach Dave Decker. Round Robins in the southern part of the Beehive State have annually brought together a multitude of teams, along with their supporting townships , and this brings funds into the hosting schools hopper and also supports other interscholastic sports at the schools Each individual school gains gate receipt liy revenue from regular league games, bid matches that amount ju.--t during the regions Round Provo remains the talk of the town in Region Four, 84-although Highland made the Bulldogs record 3 for the past three years. Guards Kelly Gardner and Steve Pinegar are accurate from all corners and the Provoans will be glad when Pinegar returns from a e suspension. 4-- A gangs 0 a sure bet Provo and Bingham haven't the intrusion after each coasted to k state titles in 1973 and 1974, and there are innumerable other and squads ready to step into the winners circle as the 1976 season dawns. Looking into the Class kaleidiscope, defending champion Davis boasts three returning starters and that spells trouble for Region Five. Scott Mounteer, Dean Hunger and Scott Starkey are veterans while Ron Adams and Glen Toomer are no strangers to warfare with preseason victories totaling including a win over champ West. Mike Gardners Darts are favored by Region Fives coaches to win the league, but Bingham, Judge, Murray and Tooele arent conceding anything yet. The Miners Bryan Hardy, Kerry Newman, Karl Sato, Chuck Winn, Robert Aston and Fred Roberts can remember the good ol days when state gold was bestowed upon the school two years in succession and are anxious to duplicate the feat. Murray Possesses Power Murray would like to make its initial year in the g ranks a with a number of football players highlightmg the roster with Bret Andrus, Steve Baird, Steve Davies, Gordon Baker. Dave Beck and Darwin Black leading the way. Not to be lorgotten are Region Six strongholds American Fork, Uintah, Pleasant Grove and Spanish Fork. The Utes and Cavemen will enter the new year 0 with glistening records and have already established themselves in an explosive league. Mike Bond, Andy Burgess, David Dean, Brian Hansen and David Nerdin provide the firepower for A.F. while Uintah is oil to its best start in years with Garth Allred, Gary Huber, Jan Goodrich, Larry McKinney and Robert Nelson leading the charge. When mentioning Class contenders, however, you'd better keep a careful watch on Region Elevens Cedar and Dixie and Region Ones Bear River and Logan. The Bears are already 0 in the north while the Grizzlies are Cedar and Dixie initiate league Gang's All at Slate! state 1976 Outlook forgotten 3-- The rrnp yymrw Prep Cage Outlook Bright 28, 1975 Roger 16-Tea- Hwpyee 9 inn MODEL TM316S Mew Let us open your garage door auto ica!ly, with a ne garage door op from Crawford Talk about oppeoronee1 Notice the precision accent controls on this fine instrument and oil controls are designed lor easy, fool proof operation If you're looking for great quality and you're short on space, check this one far size S Hawk For 11 88 New Year! Required fur setting the points and idle a curacy for tuning and carburetor adjustments reg. 20.60 Sales! TACHOMETER Looks great Add Class ln p Cuc Stundin L Pel c ooc 172 667 20? 700 U00 H6 UN () m 104 '03 Rov 2 f Idiri sk i view ttOimevtilc 0 0 o ? 2 3 Class Bear River Loqan 3 0 DUO m 2 t 667 I8S 2 U Utah Amencar Fork 2 t PI Grove Spanish Fork 0 SpnngviHe 0 Pavson 0 Carbon Class 1 000 146 141 500 127 500 000 000 ouo 122 i Var ti North f jnpee ' 0 WnM't 0 South K..L. 106 109 108 I 102 000 0 000 0 J0 0 OOU GF G 81 5 000 ouo 0 (sAi on Us1 PCI GF 750 257 667 168 U4 North SOV?f jnab Wto'd f ntorori!e Pa' P b odn 266 2 UU e Vai HI 8V 3J3 148 to 129 Division Two 0 Otto 2 lito t so REGION ONE BcnnoviHe at Sky View Bear River at Box Elder Rov at Webw REGION TWO Viewmont at Ben Lomond a Lavon Ogden at Clearitpid REGION FIVE Murrav at Davis Bingham at Judge Cyprus at Jordan REGION SIX Spanish Fork at Pavson Ca bon a Sprmgviile Lehi at American Fork Ihntah at Pleasant G'Ove REGION SEVEN No h Sanpete at Marti R chheid at South Sev er MiHa-it luab REGION EGHT F One L W hedule tv n it M ito'd 'erpnse at Reaver Cue- REG CN EIGHT Ovti.on 000 Sc Friday's Schedule Bountiful 2 A 0 REGION SEVEN W L Pel. Ruhtitd PF PA 300 iU Prep W? 1 A REGION SIX w Pet 50 'anquiVh PF PA Escalante 10t Wavne W ) G4 87 at North Sevier REGION NINE rr Nufh mril at South No-t- h Rich at Manna Morgan a Union Grantsvi'ie at Intermounain REGION TEN Aitamont at Duchesne ast Carbon at Monticelio T.ibiona at Green Mver Saturday's Game t'a '"a 747. DWELL TACH mi REGION ONE 88 48 INSTALLATION the Door Year's Special WE OFFER EXPERT Stay out of the weather this winter with an automatic garage door opener from the professionals at Crawford Door Sales. For over 25 years weve served Intermountain home owners and contractors with quality doors and operators and expert service and installation. Dont be out in the cold any longer, call today for a FREE ESTIMATE! 11 PC. Va" DRIVE SOCKET SET American or Metric 163 o COi'S.1 Sales and service for over 25 years! Gowfond Door Sales A DIVISION OF OSCAR E. CHYTRAUS O 164 Of . 7 8" I rj ji. hondie 0pe ' 3 spark prig i Hanjv (.am " M c n l - 5 Year Guarantee! 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