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Show Chava Lopez - A talented basketball player I r "T::gssa I far r ' 1 v p ti.TA s V T ?,.,.-! ' ' ' t -. ' ' I A basketball player who was born near Mexico City, earned all-state honors at Salt Lake City, and made plenty of fans at Price is now a key cog in Southern Utah State College's program. Chava Lopez, a 6-4 senior guard, is helping keep SUSC the only undefeated (6-0) four-year college team in the state. Prior to his becoming a Thunderbird last year, Lopez earned all-state honors while at Hillcrest High and all-ICAC recognition playing at College of Eastern Utah. "I'm impressed with the caliber of play in the Rocky Mountain Athletic conference; con-ference; there are some teams in this league which will beat. university teams," Lopez insists. "Teams in the KMAC play extremely aggressive ball, and there are plenty of aggressive individual players." Lopez likes to shoot 15-20-ft jump shots and fast break layups. He does both well enough to average over 17 points and 65 percent shooting accuracy from the field. "We've got a strong team this year," Lopez says of . SUSC. "We . are probably better than last year (20-8 and an entry in the NAIA District Playoffs) because we are more aggressive. We have five starters capable of scoring 20 points per game. Anyone who concentrates on one or two of our players is going to hurt themselves." SUSC's five starters all average double figure scoring. Lopez has high praise for the discipline of Jim Jimas, his high school coach, and the knowledge of the game of CEU's Curt Jensen and SUSC's Stan Jack. "Jack does a thorough job of scouting opponents, he is always changing defenses in a game, and he drills us well in his pass and screen offense." of-fense." Lopez says. Lopez, who is one of a family of 13, figures that he moves well when he doesn't have the ball, and this helps free him for his shots. "Once we improve on just a couple of things, we are going to be a hard team to beat. I think--and the rest of the team does too-that a trip to the NAIA national finals is realistic this year. We need to get our fast break going a little better, and we need to work on patience." Chava's two older brothers both played basketball at Hillcrest, and a younger brother, Victor, is on the Husky squad this year. "I would like to teach and coach, probably in northern Utah somewhere, after I graduate from SUSC," Lopez said. He's a physical education major with a history minor. Surprisingly, he was not heavily reciuited by Jack. Once on the squad, however, it took him just two games to break into the starting lineup. He's started every SUSC BASKETBALL. Southern Utah State College basketball player Chava Lopez is a 6-4, 175-lb. senior from Midvale, Utah. game since. "After finishing junior college, I just sort of scouted around. SUSC seemed like a good school, and I liked the campus. It sounded like a good place to go, so I came here. I'm glad-really glad I did." Chava says. SUSC is glad to have Lopez, too. . i |