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Show Cedar-Dixie square off for Season Opener "What a way to open the season." That's the feeling of Coach John Neilsen at Cedar High School as his inexperienced Redmen take on the Dixie Flyers Friday night to start the 1977-78 basketball season. The Sophomore teams will tangle at 3:30 p.m. the Junior Varsity is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and the Varsity game has the tip off set for 7:30 p.m. at the Cedar High School gymnasium. Both teams go into the contest with unknown quanities and qualities. Coach Neilsen indicated that his Redmen showed some real defensive aggression against the Alumni in Friday night's battle. The Alumni jumped off to a 12 point lead but good defense paid off and the Redmen came up with a victory. "We are still small. Our rebounding was not good, but the boys are working hard and I believe can put it all together," Neilsen said. Only three starting berths seem certain going into the first game of the season and the first league game as well. They include Mike Graf on the forward line, Nathan Johnson at guard and Kerry Cox who can swing to either forward or . guard depending on the need. Others who are expected to see a lot of action include Robert Walker, Kirt Smith, and Paul Hatch, seniors and juniors Craig Jensen, Gary Jack and Zack Burns. Against the Alumni only Graf was in double figures with 12 points but all 16 members of the combined junior varsity and varsity squad saw action. "The boys were really nervous," Coach Neilsen said. "They were a little tight and I hope they can relax against Dixie and make the game fun and enjoyable for themselves and the fans," he said. Dixie has some unknow qualities as well. They have only one returning letterman and will probably start four juniors. The juniors, however, were on a strong JV team from last year. From the standpoint of experience the Redmen have the edge. Against the Alumni, as indicated the Redmen showed an aggressive defense. But they were weak on the boards. There were also periods when the Redmen shot well, but not consistantly. Throughout the season the Redmen are going to be facing taller teams. Timp-view Timp-view is reported to have a 6-10 6-10 and two 6-5's starting. For Provo they have a starting lineup with 6-7 and three 6-5's. 6-5's. American Fork, expected ex-pected to be one of the tough teams in the Region Six title chase split on their open week series defeating Clearfield by 12 and losing a barnburner to Judge Memorial by 2. Despite the strong rivalry between the Redmen and the Flyers Coach Neilsen believes that the Flyers will be a good opener this season. It will be a good barometer for both clubs as to what to expect this season, and before a large crowd, which is common for the Cedar, Dixie series. |