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Show V 'V ivwwr1 r 73.Tprr-'1ir,'T4-.' -- r y CLEARFIELD COURIER , by Keith Duncan Two pictures of Roger Vincent, casual onlooker to pose the question, Which college team did that guy play for? Thats Roger Vincent, Clearfield Highs basketball center, came back one with his hand and arm hoovering over the basketball rim and another with his head Just shy of the rim, caused a the reply. The amazed onlooker answered while shaking his head, said, Dont tell me high school kids can Jump that high Needless to say, the surprised onlooker probably didn't visit too many Clearfield High basketball gam this past season or his opinions of Vipcent and his fabulous Jumping now-a-day- s! basketball, and baseball has earned him many trophies that cover dresser drawers at home. It wasnt until just this spring that Vincent has decided not to play baseball, but has opted rather to participate in Clearfield track. Hell be running a leg of the 440 ability would have been molded the first time he layed eyes on the Clearfield senior. was well Roger, who stands at 6 known around Region One basketball parts for his amazing Jumping ability, in fact that ability made most .tremble. He and Gordon Anderson of Layton have earned a reputation as the Slam Dunk Duo, their slam dunks will long be remembered. For Vincent and the rest of the 3, relay team, running the 220 and performing in the long jump for Coach John Flints track team. When Vincents confidence was at its peak, opposing teams were in for it. Like the time he tossed a in an game in Sunset. Another exciting moment was winning the Clearfield City Recreation title and taking home a trophy one year. At North Davis Junior, still it was football, basketball and baseball, and Roger excelled in them all. Roger admits that basketball has always been his first love. As soon as his athletic career ended at North Davis, Coach Roger Reid of Clearfield had Vincent and others attending basketball camps during the summer For the next three years, Vincent attended the College of Eastern Utahs basketball camp. As a sophomore at Clearfield, Vincent was the leading scorer and rebounder with the sophomore team. Highlights in the season came while playing big amounts of time in junior varsity games and finally dressing for the state games. As a junior, under the direction of Coach Hansen, Roger and his teammates posted a 2 record as a junior varsity team. His football and baseball heroics Clearfield basketball squad, the curtains have closed on the season. Despite that, Rogers heroics on the Clearfield team will long be remembered according to Coach no-hitt-er All-St- ar 1978-7- 9 Craig Hansen, Roger has done more for our program than probably what he even realizes. Some may say he was naturally gifted with the talents he has, but he and the rest of the team know that hard work, desire, and discipline brought those talents to the surface. Every little kid in Clearfield idols Rog and the things he can do with a basketball. Hie impression he has left with our basketball program will last in my mind for a long, long time, said Hansen. For Roger, the 17-- 6 season will be a highlight in his athletic career, but certainly not the last. His desire, and a genuine desire at that, is to hopefully play college basketball someday. His 63 frame doesnt do much in the mind of major college basketball coaches at the present time, but deep down in the heart of ' Roger Vincent, there echos the cry, Please, just give me a chance. Roger will play anywhere, but Utah State and Snow College are being given a thorough look at now. The Aggies have offered Vincent of a scholarship the first the remaining year and a years, providing he proves himself. Of course the scholarship comes with football, where Rogers talents earned him honors last season. Vincent will visit Snow College on Thursday of this week, making preparations for a big decision in the 17-- . three-quarte- were good for mentioning also. Vincent began at a number of positions on the gridiron, but eventually settled into the tight end spot where he developed into one of the schools best ever. His best year of baseball! came while as a sophomore, but his interest in the spring sport gradually decreased as high school days wore on. Leg weights, a jumping rope, and just plain desire helped develop Vincent into one of Region Ones finest cage stars. He and the Falcons claimed their first ten straight games this season, but fell into second place as the season came to a close. Tendinitis in his knee made a few shutter. The happening took place in the Bonneville football game this past season. Roger was hit on the knee with a helmet and was forced to sit out the final game of the season with Roy and the first couple of weeks afterwards. During the basketball season he wore a. football knee pad to protect the rs full-rig- ht all-sta- te future. Shyness Left twice in Anyone that can slam-dun- k a packed Layton High auditorium, certainly cant be classified as shy. But there were days in the youth of Vincent, that shyness was part of him. Athletics has helped me grow out of that I suppose. Its funny looking back at it now, the change Ive made since those days, stated Roger. And a change it was indeed. From medicore play as a member of Clearfields city recreation to his One team, selection to the the change has been superlative. Vincent is consistent, thats the best way to describe him. Its not only the consistency fans see out there on the basketball court, but its the consistent hustle in practice, the extra laps around the block at home, and the consistent wearing of ankles weights to increase his jumping ability. Those are the small things that have made him great, said Coach Hansen. The wearing of ankle weightS"has started a trend at Clearfield, and why All-Regi- CLEARFIELD'S ROGER VINCENT He proved many critics wrong being only 6 foot 3 inches. ended an amazing basketball year at Clearfield two weeks ago. and went on to star as one of the top centers in the league, despite not? Clearfield cant lose their r. reputation for having a Never Coaxed Id really have to admit that no one ever really coaxed me into playing sports. I used to watch TV and always wanted to do the things I saw great athletes do. Then Id go to a high school game and I remember I. couldnt wait till I got my chance to play a Clearfield. The desire has always been with me to excell in sports, said Vincent. slam-dunke- And Im thankful for what sports has meant to me. Theyve taught me the value of hard work and that you can get anything if you want it bad enough, said Roger. From the time he first stepped into ' a Syracuse football Jersey until this year, Vincent has been a sports star. His excellence in football, three-seaso- n q, rt'fcc A I $0 1 a & a ' m - n a l,t j Larry Read was honored as top defensive player recent basketball banquet. in CLEARFIELD'S QS G , g. K'f, I'. A M'lm I Ib'l i ! TWS. W high-jumpin- , c 0 s state tournaments. In 14 regular season games Roger ripped down a total of 80 rebounds, and when he would steal the ball the fans would undoubtedly stand up in anticipation of a devestating slam ae V I) dunk. ' In the state tournament Vincent was the eleventh leading scorer. Thats bad when you remember that there were 16 teams and some 240 players participating. With all of this talent one would think that Roger Vincent would be a - UL literally drops In two points during contest with Bountiful Braves this season. His jumping ability will long be remembered by Clearfield fans and students. ROGER VINCENT RUSSELL FLORENCE was named the fop season. Ho was recognized in banquet. rebounder for the 1978-7- 9 Two Utah State Students given Utah State University students have been awarded $150 scholarships by the East Carbon Wildlife Federation, an affiliate of the Utah Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation Two Federation, The scholarships went to James W. Bates, Jr. of Price, a wildlife student and to Greg B. Morgan of Sandy, a forestry student. Both men are seniors. Kent Hintze," president of the East Carbon organization said that two scholarships are awarded annually, but more may be considered if the ; club receives more applicants. He said that Juniors and seniors in natural resource fields at Utah colleges are eligible - knee.- - And Roger is thankful. A lot of people I owe for what I am now. Theres my family, theyve done everything to support me. Ill never forget Coach Reid for the motivation. Coach Hansen is one of the best coaches Ive ever had. As much as remembering the wins we got on the basketball court, Ill never forget the spirit of the school and the way the community backed our teams, said Vincent. Motorcycles, snowmobiling, water and snow skiing, hunting and fishing, and outdoors in general are close to the Vincents human nature. And hes even a great cook, said Mrs. Vincent. Its just plain determination and desire that has won him success, said Mr. Vincent, Its going to be hard next year figuring out what well do with our spare time. Rogers athletics have simply been just part of our lives. ; Roger is the son of Robert and Beth Vincent and is one of six children, he being the youngest. Steven, Jeanette, Evelyn, Alan, and Scott (deceased) are all older than he is. Twenty grandchildren also make up the family tree. Though last but not least, Vincent has left name to remember in Clearfield basketball traditions. m Ini by Dave Chandler and Troy Weeks Much of the success of Clearfield Highs recent basketball season was g due to a 63 center named Roger Vincent. Roger, who shot 58 percent from the field and shot 50 out of 58 foul shots for a remarkable 86 percent was without question one of the most valuable players on the falcons team, and a big reason for their participation in the "'1 March 2 1 , 1 979, Page 1 4 Hints also uld that a $1000 loan fund has been established for students In the College of Natural Resources at usu. For more Information household name around Clearfield. But Roger, being unusually humble for an athlete with his talents was content to be a team player, not only by setting screens and making good passes, but by shooting only when he had a good percentage shot - usually passing to a fellow team mate who may have been in a better position to shoot.' A teammate of Vincents had this to say about him: Roger never forces his shots, if he has a good, open percentage shot he would take it, and it was usually good for two points. Craig Hansen, the Falcons coach says that Rogers biggest asset was his consistency, we would count on him for a good 15 to 20 points a game. . But basketball Is not the only sport In which Roger excels; however, these will need to be published when there Is a good page and a half of room to write about . them. ,w event organlMtlons scholarships and loan fund, write the East Carbon Wildlife .Federation, PO Box 523, East Carbon City, Utah on the 84520. N. |
