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Show t Clearfield Courier, March 26, 980, Page 7 Ben Lomond Beacon, March 27, Sun Chronicle, March 27, 1980, Page 7 1 By Keith Duncan Two weeks before the 1980 regular season was to get underway and several miles from Coach Dick Conolly and his Weber basketball team, a basketball fan suggested to a head basketball coach at a high school, Conolly is all washed up, look n at their record. His kids dont like him anymore, I think hes through after this season. A moment of silence settled over the remarks. Then without hesitation, the coach looked the fan straight in the eye and said. I hoDe vou arent eating your words when state tournament time rolls around. Maybe the fan has apologized by now, if he hasnt, maybe he ought to. The 1979-8season was rewarding in more ways than one to Conolly, who led his team to the Region One championship and is being selected by Sportstacular as the Coach of the Y ear in Region One . After a dismal campaign the year before and a shoddy record, that only fans go by something just had to go right for the Wizard of Warrior land. The Warrior coach was beset with the remarks like the one above but overcame them all in finding the right kind of formula to go on to claim the championship and enter the state playoffs for another time. After completing his 12th season as the head cage coach at Weber, Conolly looked back and said, One of the very reasons I went into coaching is because I thought I had a keen desire of; studying the game. Even though I didnt consider myself a good player, I enjoyed learning about the game and working with people. Perhaps its those sort of elements that brings out the greatness in this veteran prep coach. Players had loved him, parents have grown to appreciate the man and fellow coaches around the state have respected his abilities from the first he came to Weber as a student assistant in 1963. pre-seaso- ', i, v ", St w 4 ? ' , ' 1 . , f' pre-seas- . Xfv I ?" i i V, J Ttnj v fV 4 , , c r , y . t'1 V Mt A ," S.C" ?- T&) -- - ,, ' iMf 'v - iM.i: & '! sr V4 4 COACH DICK CONOLLY just ended his 12th season as the head coach at Weber High School and he couldn't have done it better, while leading his players to the Region One championship. 1963. Memorable Years ! S3t? t ' xSfN V? vA 1 BS, vA V! A-.Affi- r , Z ' r K ? V ' ' Ai s 7 980, Page Sun Times, March 26, 7 1 980, Page 7 Sportslacular rroor hapdlwoodls oraolSy tO. 1 7 c 'i "j? After assisting Paul Salvo and Mel Wood in his early years at Weber and a brief stint as the head football coach, Conolly began his brilliant basketball coaching career in the fall of 1968. In 1971, a memorable year in his career, Conolly led fifteen youngsters to the state basketball championship. Its not hard for me to accept a just depends on how we lost it, said the Weber coach. Personally I dont have any nervousness problems the day of the game, its the night of the game or the night after, he said. Conolly claims after a win hell usually have his wife bring them home a dinner of sweet and sours and a little shrimp. I probably never get to bed before 2 a.m. after the night of a game, he said. Mrs. Manning Had Impact Probably the first time Conolly ever created a liking for the game of basketball was in Mrs. Mannings first or second grade class. She was the mother of a former Weber High principal. From there, Dick moved with his father to Ogden where Carl Taylor became an important part of his life. Mr. Taylor who was Conollys fifth grade instructor, sponsored basketball contests with Mr. Peterson against other schools in the area. I remember distinctly that there were few arguments or quarrel in those games, probably because there werent any parents who ever attended them. said Conolly. From there it was to Central Junior High where young Dick played on the city championship team and where a second individual, Chuck Combe, became another valuable leader in his youth. I remember Chuck as a very patient man, always looking out for me, said Conolly. Chuck was more interested in the person, rather than the numbers of the players, loss, it g The third figure that left a impression with Conolly was Mark Ballif Sr. whom Conolly became familiar when he entered Ogden High. life-lastin- Coach Baliif noticed Dick in a education nhvsical class and suggested to him that he might transfer into later athletic class. Conolly saw plenty of varsity action as a sophomore w'ith only one senior on the club who eventually broke his foot. But more than winning a sports championship, Conolly seriously contends he thought more of each kids character and what it would be like 10 years from that date. If there is anything more enlightening, its looking back and seeing where those 15 state championship ballplayers are today, said Nine of the fifteen served Conolly. LDS missions while the others are married and are very successfull people. Conollys voice cracked and his eyes moistened in saying, Thats where the championship is won. Basketball Is More Than A Sport Basketball is more than just a sport for the veteran coach, who has now coached at Weber 18 years. As a youngster, with parents separated, I was constantly on the loose. I was having problems that youngsters can have who roam in groups and not much of a goal in life. If it hadnt been for basketball, I would have had real problems of constructing any real way of living life. I think basketball provided a way for me to discipline myself and to be part of a winning team that learned how to w'ork with other people, said Conolly after looking back. Manv years later and now a man idled by youth in the area, Conolly works to direct the lives of those he works closely w'ith. Its because of this,. that Im not in this game just for the winning. When it does come to winning, Ive always thought it important to look back on who you beat and when you beat them. Weve had a strong tradition since Ive been coach, to win in the state tournament, said Mr. Combe did lead Dick and his teammates to a second place finish in the city was ninth" eraders. Under Coach Bruce Larsen at Weber, Conolly felt he learned confidence, the attribute many of Conollys players have felt theyve learned from their coach. Our biggest competiton always seemed to be Mound Fort, who later were to become our big rivals in high school when they went to Ben Lomond and I was to attend Ogden. I can still 0 remember our victory over Mound Fort, when playing almost a perfect game to beat them, state Needless to say and probably proud to say, Weber High School will probably never have another coach like Conolly where individuals and character have meant more than all the championships 12 years could bring. Conolly. Conolly. . 56-5- As juniors, Conolly and his teammates won the state consolation and as a senior, Conolly led his team as the team captain. Coach Ballif was like Chuck and Carl, he cared for us as individuals, rather than mere numbers, said Conolly. In 1957-5- Conolly signed to play with Weber Junior College and while playing as the sixth man, helped his team to a second place finish among the top junior colleges in the nation. The banner year was to follow when the Weber team was .o go all the way to win the national championship for junior colleges. While a member of that team, Conolly played wit! such players as Joe Carter, Gene Combes, Gordon Milenburg and Alan Holmes, who later went on to play with the University of Utah. He averaged 28 points per game with the Weber junior college team who won 30 of their 33 games their championship season. 4 Royal i C cagers 'J 'aWairherf By Bliss Fullmer Seven awards were given at the annual Royal Basketball Banquet at Roy High School, last week, and five athletes claimed all seven. Bert Rich Season averaged 11.9 points per game to edge out Rylan Weidemeir, Robb Thomas and Dennis Adams, who each averaged eleven points or better. Highest total rebounds. Robb Thomas pulled down 159 rebounds to claim this award. Most Assists. Cort Murdock was credited with 45 assists to win this one. Best free-thropercentage. Bert Rich hit 72 percent from the line. Most improved player: Rylan Weidemeir earned this honor. Best defensive player: Cort Murdock got the nod for this award. Hustler award: (voted by the team players) Mitch Brown won in this category. top-score- r. w RAY MEIBOS, assistant basketball coach at Clearfield High, presents "Top Defensive Player" award to Jeff Gorringe. SCOTT WALLACE receives Tap RobourcW trophy from Ns head coach. Crag Hansen during benquet last week. all-sta- women's classic to feature Coach Margo Jones and Karlene Peart : 5:15 p.m. in the Special Events Center. The best female basketball players from 4A and 1A, coached by Margo 3A Jones and Diane Congoon, will battle it out with the best players from and 2A, coached by Phil Russel and Debbie Peel. out Utah The team members were selected after coaches through then from their divisions, basketball female best players nominated the team. The 4- Avoted by secret ballot for those girls to make up the All Star 1A team consists of: Coaches: Margo Jones, Clearfield, and Diane Congdon of Kearns. Team: Karleen Peart, Clearfield, Helena Townsend, Layton; Lisa Monson Kearns; Lori Breeken, Skyline; Cindy Lyon, Olympus; Jo Simonson, Green River; Julie Tucker, Altamont; Annette Hunt, Enterprise; Tammy Jensen, North Sevier; Liz Jones Brighton; Marie Neilson (alternate) Cottonwood. team consists of: Coaches: Phil Russel. Ogden; Debbie Peel, Woods Cross. Woods Cross; Debbie Team: Jill Kalich. Ogden; Carolyn Martineau, Karen Woods Nielsen, Provo; Hick- -' Cross; him ( freer, Asper View mmit; Charlotte Kenna Baird, Grantsviile; man Cyprus Becky Ingle, Lehi; Nelson Vera Woods (alternate) Cross, Cleverly, Gibbons San Juan: Cheryl Morgan. This game promises to be an exciting battle involving the best female basketball talent in Utah! The Girls basketball game is part of a two day All Star teams from will include (lassie March 28 and 29, that Utah. A drillBoys team competition is also California Nevada, Colorado and scheduled with the winners performing their exciting routines during game ,ialf Ad'proceeds from the Classic go to support Camp Kostopulos and Utah for adults and $2.50 for students, Special Olympics Tickets are $3.50 at Safeway stores one week available at the Special Events Center and before the games. 3A--2- ' Girls All Star game will be Saturday, March 29, at Charity Basketball All-St- Classic has been completed. Twenty-fou- r high school seniors will vie for the ten available spots on the Utah team. and The state champions are represented by Bob DeMarco, Marc Browm and Gene Player (Hillcrest), and Aaron McCarthy, Terry Murninand Joel Rotta (Judge). 4-- The Utah High School Girls All Star basketball teams have been in chosen. This is the second straight year that the girls have participated now. seven event for annual an been years has which the All Star Classic, The The preliminary selection for the team to represent Utah in the r 1980 All-st- ar prepare for March 28th game All-sta-rs 3-- Other hopefuls are Brent Applegate (Tooele), Greg Brown (Dug way), Marty Cowin (Park City), dies Dochery (Ogden), Jeff Emery i Davis), Kimball Hansen and Dennis Fox (American Fork). Also trying to win a spot are Scott Hill (Box Elder), David King (Payson), Brent Maxwell (Highland), Dave McGinn and Chris McMullin (Orem). Other possibilities include Tom Roberts (Bingham), Drew Skeen (Weber) , John McKenna (SkyviewO, Matt Almond (Granger), Troy Bucy (Alta) and Willie Wright (Olympus). Coaches Carl Ingersoll of Alta and Jim Yerkovich of Judge will select the final ten on March 22 after a week of tryouts and practices to be held at the University of Utah. The Classic will feature a girls inand state all-stgame matching stars against the girls from the 4-- 3-- A divisions. The girls will play and prior to the mens consolation game March 29. The Classic pits California against Colorado and Utah against Nevada on March 28. The consolation and championship games will be held March 29. 2-- Proceeds from the Classic are the of funding for the Utah Special Olympics. primary source Prep trade to accommodate metric system By Bliss Fullmer lot of changes are taking place in Roy High School track, this season. For the openers track has been converted to accommodate for measurements in meters, rather than yards, as in the past, and all events will be reported in metric. A Team competition begins this Thursday, as a team from Evanston, Wyoming, and Viewmont High School will be coming to town for a with the Royals. Former Royal, Steve Smith, now a coach in Evanston, will be in town to test the stride and strength of the Vikings and Royals. The opening gun will be shot at 3 p.m. tri-me- ROYAL HUCKSTERS 1980 Track Coach Dan Sheffer lacking in depth and experience, not in optimism. is but He has several veterans from last years team, but he has some youngsters in the junior and sophomore ranks who are going to win some gold. Coach Sheffer listed the following events for his team : Hurdles (low and high) Marvin Stanger; too Meter and 200 meter dash - Keith Crockett, Scott House, Ran Jones and Richard Hess; 1600 Meter (Mile Run) Art Hansen, Jahn Alberts and Dan Richards; Distant Runners: David Boren, Dan Davis and Bill Winters; 400 Meter Run: Warren Bird, Jason Wheelwright, Harl Bassett and Scott Reid; 800 Meter Run: Jim Puffer and Kevin Pole Vault: Thompson; Roger Garoutte and Jones; High Jump: Mike Reske, Scott House and John Bill Venstra and Nigon; Shot-PuKent Kepple; Long Jump: Keith Crockett, Ken Huddleston and Ran Jones; Javelin: Ralph Anderson, Volker Moulding and Neil Lewis and the Discus: Robb Thomas, Bill Venstra, Kent Kepple, John Nigon. Roy is scheduled for several invitational tournaments, as well as dual meets, a region meet, and the state 4A meet. The Royals may attend meet in Provo on April an y 12, but plans may change to a tournament, because of the energy crisis. On April 19th, Roy will compete in the Weber State Invitational, then to the Nate Long tournament at Skyline High School on April 26, and to the B.Y.U. Invitational on May 3rd. t: city-count- Region One action in dual meets begins on April 2, when Clearfield comes to town. Next the Royals travel to Sky View for an April 9 meet, and then entertain Layton on April 16. On April 23rd Roy travels to Weber, and then to Bonneville on April 30 for its last dual meet of the season. The Region One track meet, this year will be held at Clearfield on April 30, and the state finals at B.Y.U. on May 16 and May 17. 'Mi r Judo Club hosts meet Hill Judo Club is hosting its sixth Annual Salt Classic Judo Tournament to be held at Layton High School, Saturday, March 29. This annual event is the largest judo competition held in Utah and is receiving i,r '.Ajj,,v greater and greater National recognition since its inception in 1974. Attendance keeps growing from many states near and far with entrants from Canada is School. High Roy SPEEDSTER, KEITH CROCKETT, a sophomore at |