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Tiger Fan · 02-08-2024, 12:29 PM

JANUARY 9, 1950

MINERS BEAT BREWERS FOR SECOND STRAIGHT EAST-WEST CLASSIC WIN

January 2, Santa Ana, Ca - A pair of fourth period touchdowns lifted the Northern California Miners to a 24-14 victory over Wisconsin State in the 34th annual edition of the East-West Classic. The victory marks the fourth time the Miners have won the famous New Years contest including the second straight year after Northern Cal topped St Magnus 366 days ago. The game was pushed to Monday January 2 because the New Year fell on a Sunday.

It was the first-ever trip to Santa Ana in January for the Brewers, who were selected to participate in the event despite finishing a half game back of Central Ohio in the Great Lakes Alliance, but the selection committee heavily weighed Wisconsin State's win over the Aviators and their standing in the top ten of the final polls.

The two teams, with the West Coast Athletic Association champs a six-point choice, boxed each other around inconclusively during the opening quarter. The Miners, a perfect 7-0 in section play and 9-1 overall, were ranked #3 in the nation entering the game while the 7-1-1 Brewers held down the 8th slot. Northern Cal, although seemingly a shade outplayed, scored first in the second period but the Brewers tied the contest just before the break.

A quick field goal early in the third period put the Miners ahead again but once more the Brewers quickly answered as Mike Upton, Wisconsin State's outstanding backfield operator, completed a long scoring drive with a 5-yard run to make the score 14-10. That lead did not hold up as on just the second play of the fourth period All-American lineman Tom Dannemiller recovered a Brewers fumble deep in Wisconsin State territory. It took just 3 plays for the Miners to regain the lead on a 7-yard pass from John Stamphill to Tommy Schomer. The Miners added a late score on a Stamphill 3-yard keeper to make the final 24-14 and make Northern California the first WCAA team to win back-to-back East-West Classics since Coastal California won 3 in a row from 1932-34.

PERFECT SEASON FOR OKLAHOMA CITY STATE

The Oklahoma City State Wranglers completed a perfect 11-0 campaign with a 24-7 victory over Bayou State in the Lone Star Classic. The Wranglers, who last month were crowned National Champions for the first time since they shared the title with Georgia Baptist in 1917, had a fairly easy time against the Cougars. Other than during a rough defensive first quarter, the Bayou State "T" play was minor league compared to the split "T" power and fast break of the Wranglers.

Oklahoma City State backs Paul Schultz, Johnny Smythe and Fred Akins spent leisure moments behind the Wranglers line making unhurried pitchouts and hand-offs which completely baffled Bayou State. With a superb line protecting them, there was simply no need to rush things. The Wranglers gained 286 yards rushing compared to a paltry 38 for Bayou State. Only in passing did the Cougars lead, moving 121 yards through the air to 74 for Oklahoma City State. The difference was that Oklahoma City State's passing yards produced points, but Bayou State's didn't.

The victory marks the second win in Austin in the past three years for Oklahoma City State after the Wranglers beat Kit Carson University in the Lone State Classic two years ago. Last season they were in New Orleans for the Cajun Classic and came out on the wrong end of a 27-17 outcome with North Carolina Tech.

In other major classic action, Andy Durante scored two touchdowns to pace Southwest Alliance champion Travis College to a 16-10 victory over Minnesota Tech. The news was not all bad for the Great Lakes Alliance, as while the Lakers and Brewers both fell, Central Ohio salvaged a victory for the conference after the Aviators flew past Baton Rogue State 30-21 in the Bayside Classic behind a big day from end Ricky Downer, who caught 9 passes including a pair of touchdown grabs. Staying in Florida but heading from Tampa south to Miami it was a big day for Central Kentucky after the Mustangs blanked Maryland State 19-0 in the school's first New Years appearance this decade.

GOTHAMS SELECT HOWE TO GET FABL DRAFT UNDERWAY

The New York Gothams opened the 1950 FABL college and high school player draft with a pick that was close to home. The Gothams choice was Earl Howe, a 17-year-old centerfielder from a high school in Bronx, New York. A finalist for the Adwell Award, presented to the top high school player in the nation, Howe was named to the High School All-American team for the second time following a junior season that saw him hit 14 homeruns while batting .504 in 27 games. Those 14 homers are one shy of the modern single-season high school record currently held by three players including Howe's possible future teammate in Gothams outfielder Walt Messer. The other two co-holders of that record are 1949 first overall selection Rick Masters and current Chicago Cougars third baseman Otto Christian. OSA feels Howe is the full package with excellent power, impressive speed and is a plus contact hitter.

The second choice was also a member of last season's high school All-American team as the Philadelphia Sailors also went local with the second pick by drafting Philadelphia high school third baseman Bob Gray. The 17-year-old from Northeast High School joins a growing list of Philadelphia born infielders as high first round draft picks in recent years. Gray had a stellar junior campaign in which he hit .547 with 9 homers. OSA projects Gray to be an elite big league third baseman with a terrific hit tool, above average power and a strong throwing arm.

Picking third the Detroit Dynamos selected outfielder Ralph Capriotti from Muncie High School in Indiana. The 17-year-old was a high school All-American in both his freshman and sophomore campaigns but was nosed out last year despite a .505/.571/.969 slash line. The Dynamos had identified Capriotti as their top target, figuring his raw power potential and elite hitting skills would play very well as a right-handed bat at Thompson Field.

The Montreal Saints followed up with another high school selction- and that might be a trend as the top of the draft is heavily skewed in favour of high schoolers. Montreal went with Joe Bullock, a corner outfielder with plus power potential and a very good eye at the plate. The scouting service feels the St. Louis native will be an elite big league right fielder. Bullock slashed .484/.559/.968 at Hannibal High School last season.

Code:

         ROUND ONE DRAFT SELECTIONS
PK  TM  POS  NAME          AGE      SCHOOL        
 1 NYG  CF  Earl Howe       17  Cardinal Hayes HS Bronx, NY
 2 PHS  3B  Bob Gray        17  Northeast HS, Philadelphia, PA
 3 DET  LF  Raph Capriotti  17  Muncie(IN)HS   
 4 MON  RF  Joe Bullock     17  Hannibal (MO) HS
 5 PIT
 6 NYS
 7 BOS
 8 CIN
 9 PHK
10 BKN
11 WAS
12 CHC
13 STL
14 TOR
15 CHI
16 CLE

NAHC ALL-STAR GAME HIGHLIGHTS BUSY WEEK AHEAD

Borrowing a page out of the FABL handbook, the North American Hockey Confederation is set to stage its first all-star game. Like baseball's mid-season classic, the all-star game will feature the top talent from league but with just six days there is no Federal and Continental Associations so players will be randomly split into two teams for the friendly game. Proceeds will go to the NAHC players association fund.

The league had attempted to arrange an all-star game a year ago, but it was cancelled due to a snowstorm (or if you prefer FHM9's refusal to co-operate). There is talk of making it an annual event and plans going forward have suggested that the previous season's Challenge Cup Champion could take on a team of stars comprised from the other five clubs.

NAHC RESULTS LAST WEEK

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4

New York 1 at Detroit 3:After dropping out of first place with back-to-back losses to Toronto last weekend, the Detroit Motors got back on a winning path with a 3-1 victory over the Shamrocks. Nick Tardif scored once and added an assist while Millard Touhey, still splitting Detroit netminding duties with Henri Chasse, stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced.

Toronto 3 at Chicago 2: Toronto remains 4 points up on second place Detroit after Bobbie Sauer's third period power play goal lifted the Dukes to a 3-2 win for their fourth consecutive victory. Maurice Charette had the other two Toronto goals while Tommy Burns, with his 14 of the season, and Joe Fleming replied for the Packers.

THURSDAY JANUARY 5

Montreal 2 at Boston 2: The Bees and Valiants skated to a 2-2 tie with most of the scoring taking place in the opening period. Boston, on goals from Craig Simpson and Wilbur Chandler, led 2-1 after twenty minutes with Claude LeClerc serving as the Montreal marksman. Adam Sandford tied the game in the middle frame and Oscar James of the Bees along with Montreal's Tom Brockers shut the door the rest of the way.

SATURDAY JANUARY 7

New York 4 at Montreal 1: Third period goals from Samuel Coates, Simon Savard and Joe Martin lifted the Shamrocks to a 4-1 victory over the Valiants.

Toronto 2 at Chicago 5: Tommy Burns, Pete Moreau and Jeremy MacLean each had 3 points to lead the Packers past the Dukes 5-2, snapping Toronto's four game winning streak. Chicago led 4-0 after scoring twice each of the opening two periods before the Dukes finally showed signs of life in the third when Lou Galbraith beat Packers netminder Norm Hanson twice.

SUNDAY JANUARY 8

Detroit 4 at Boston 2: Millard Touhey had a busy night in the Detroit net but he was up to the task, stopping 42 of 44 Boston shots in a 4-2 Motors victory at Denny Arena. Vincent Arsenault scored once and had two assists for the winners, who were outshot 44-26 on the evening. The struggling Bees are now 8 points out of the final playoff berth.

New York 2 at Chicago 3: A successful weekend for the Packers with back-to-back victories including a 3-2 win at Lakeside Auditorium over the visiting New York Shamrocks on this night. Jarrett McGlynn and Moose Vezina had put the Packers up 2-0 before George Hartnell and Jim Macek scored less than a minute apart in the second period to tie the game. Max Ducharme notched the game winner from veterans Bert McColley and Tommy Burns with just over 7 minutes remining in the contest. The Chicago victory leaves the two clubs tied for third place, each with 38 points.

UPCOMING GAMES
TUESDAY JANUARY 10
Chicago at Montreal

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 11
Boston at Detroit
New York at Toronto

THURSDAY JANUARY 12
NAHC ALL-STAR GAME

SATURDAY JANUARY 14
Detroit at New York
Montreal at Chicago
Toronto at Boston

SUNDAY JANUARY 15
Boston at Chicago
New York at Detroit

MINOR LEAGUE NEWS

BRADFORD REACHES CENTURY MARK

The St Thomas Pachyderms are dominating the West Division of the Canadian Junior League and the scoring exploits of Bart Bradford and Manny Coutu are big reason why. The Pachyderms have lost just 2 of their 45 games played this season and have scored a whooping 272 goals. Bradford, a 19-year-old center, became the first player to notch 100 points in a season with a goal and an assist in a win over the Brantford Blue Legs last week. Coutu, a 17-year-old left winger, is just 4 points behind his teammate with 96 on the season.

The diminutive Bradford, who stands 5'8" and weighs just 150 pounds, may not have a future in the NAHC but perhaps will play in the minor leagues some day. He was signed to a tryout contract by the New York Shamrocks over the summer but was quickly cut loose and landed in St. Thomas.

Coutu, on the other hand, is a towering 6'3" winger with plenty of pro potential. He is considered a likely first round pick in next June's NAHC rookie draft and his totals this season of 36 goals and 60 assists in 45 games have NAHC scouts drooling. A Toronto native, Coutu patterns his game after Les Carlson and would love to play for the Dukes one day.

DUKES SPLIT PAIR IN CHICAGO

After they rang in the New Year at home the Toronto Dukes spent most of the week in Chicago to face the Packers, in a schedule quirk, twice in 4 days. The team travelled into Chicago on Tuesday to settle for the rest of the week before facing the Packers on both Wednesday and Saturday night.

In a somewhat surprising move Barrell decided to start Terry Russell between the pipes for the second straight game after he had shutout the Motors on Sunday. As expected, whenever playing the tight checking Packers, the game was a low scoring affair. Toronto had their skating legs in the first period, testing Michael Cleghorn in the Packers goal 16 times as they seemed to be able to get open at will. Cleghorn was up to the task and shut the door on all 16. Russell was far less busy only being tested on 5 occasions. Ever dangerous Tommy Burns opened the scoring on one of the 5 shots, beating Russell from the slot on passes from Max Ducharme giving Chicago a 1-0 lead before the teams headed back to their rooms after 20 minutes.

The second frame settled in to be a typical Packers-Dukes game, tight checking with no room to move for either team. Toronto had an outburst just after the 12 minute mark of the period when Maurice Charette scored twice in 19 seconds both from in tight on Cleghorn. The Packers rallied to tie the game when Joe Fleming scored after carrying the puck in from the point to beat Russell cleanly with wrist shot. The third period opened up as both teams pressed for a winner. Cleghorn, who made 36 saves in the game, was forced to make many spectacular saves during the period until Bobbie Sauer beat him with Bert McColley off for high sticking at 13:35. The Packers attempted to rally but were unable to solve Russell, who made 22 stops in the game with 13 coming in the third, to preserve a 3-2 victory for the Dukes.

Both regular netminders, Gord Broadway and Norm Hanson, returned to duty Saturday night before 16,082 who packed into Lakeside Auditorium. In a surprisingly wide open first period in which the clubs combined for a total of 31 shot on goal the Packers took a 2-0 lead. Max Lavigne opened the scoring at 4:42 tipping a Jarrett McGlynn point shot past Broadway. Just over 3 minutes later with Lou Galbraith serving time for roughing Pete Moreau cruised in deking the Dukes keeper. Tommy Burns scored his 15th of year, 5th on the power play, to make it 3-0 before the second was 6 minutes old. Jeremy MacLean effectively put the game out of reach for the Dukes with another deflection at 12:12. Lou Galbraith tried to start a comeback with his 14th at 1:36 into the final frame but Jarrett McGlynn's 2nd of the game, 6th of the year, dashed hopes for the Dukes at just past the 4 minute mark. Galbraith scored again but it was far too little, far too late for the Dukes to think of stealing at least a point from the Packers in a 5-2 Chicago final.

Coach Barrell: "I was surprised that both the games started so wide open in Chicago. Neither team is known for an up and down game, usually it close to the vest, smother the other team. Russell's start was a hunch that worked out, although after Gordie struggled Saturday which has me thinking that 6 days off might be too many for him. He was not sharp, and he would admit he should have had at least 2 of the five that lit the lamp. We did not do a good job clearing guys away from the front of our net. We have to work on that with the defensemen before the game with New York at home Wednesday. The good news is we are still 2 points ahead of Detroit, 7 on Shamrocks who both have 2 games in hand. Packers are currently holding the last playoff spot with everyone now past the halfway point of the season. Still a long way to go, a lot of work to do."

The Chicago Panthers season is starting to crumble. Star center Richard Campbell joins Larry Serrano on the injured list, with Campbell out for a month with a broken foot. It didn't stop him from winning his second Player of the Week, as the Panthers star averaged 26.8 points and 14 rebounds per game in his four games. Campbell leads Chicago in both points (23.3) and rebounds (14.4) per game despite the lowest minute total of the starting five (30.9) per night. It's going to be impossible to replace his production in the lineup, but third year center James Brown (6.3, 6.4, 0.5) will be called upon as the starting center.
Maybe it is the success of the two-time defending Challenge Cup champion Toronto Dukes, who share Dominion Gardens, rubbing off on the Toronto Falcons but the Canadian basketball club has been on a tear of late, going on a 10-2 run that has the club in third place in the West Division. Heady space for a city suffered with the terrible Titans -now based in Syracuse- before Bernie Millard purchased the old Pittsburgh ABC team and moved it north prior to last season. The Falcons were last in the West a year ago but with the two-pronged offensive attack of big men Max Lucia (20.2 ppg) and Lon Porter (18.8 ppg) and a rapidly improving rookie point guard in former Carolina Poly All-American Major Belk (8.3 ppg, 8.5 apg) they are suddenly making some noise.
The two division leaders are both on quite a run. The Washington Statesmen have won 14 of their last 16 games and opened up 2.5 game lead on second place Philadelphia in the East Division. The Statesmen looked very impressive in a dominating defensive display on the road in Brooklyn last night. It was a defensive struggle, with the Statesmen holding Brooklyn to 23.8% shooting from the field. Statesmen-killer Ivory Mitchell scored 21 points and added 11 rebounds and 8 assists, but it was not nearly enough in a 79-58 Washington victory. Washington killed Brooklyn on the boards, 92-61 and systematically beat Brooklyn on the scoreboard throughout the game.
The West Division leading Detroit Mustangs withstood a 20-20 game from Larry Yim, as Yim (21 points, 25 rebounds) neutralized Jack Kurtz (7 points on 2-for-14 shooting, 6 rebounds), but Ward Messer was the star of the 95-71 win against Buffalo with 22 points, 29 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards, and a +27 while he was on the court. Detroit ran out to a 36-11 first quarter lead and never looked back. The Mustangs have won 12 of their last 14 and are the most efficient offensive team in the league while averaging more than 94 points per game.
The St Louis Steamers continue to sputter, as the expansion squad has just one victory in 26 games. The Steamers defense is decent but the problem for Coach Andrew Brown is the club has no one who can consistently put points on the board. St Louis is averaging just 68 points per game - no other team in the league is scoring less than 77- and their top scorer is center Isaac Luck, who is averaging just 12.2 ppg. In comparison, four Detroit players are averaging more points per game than Luck, who is the only Steamers player in double-digits for points.

COASTAL CALIFORNIA FALLS IN SECTION OPENER

The list of unbeaten collegiate basketball teams this season has shrunk to six after the Coastal California Dolphins tasted defeat for the first time this campaign with a loss to Portland Tech in the lid lifter on action in the West Coast Athletic Association. The Dolphins were a perfect 13-0 as the welcomed the Magpies to Los Angeles for yesterday contest, but it was the visitors who claimed the victory by a 56-47 count. Senior forward John Gordon paced the Portland Tech attack with 18 points as the victory improves the struggling Magpies record to 5-8.

The nine team WCAA traditionally is the first conference to start its season and this year was no exception with 4 games yesterday. The others saw Rainier College trip up CC Los Angeles 62-52 behind a 12 point showing from freshman Doc Daniels, Gil Garrett scored 22 points to lead Northern California past Idaho A&M 72-55 while Stephen Woodard had 23 points to pace Redwood to a 74-62 victory over Spokane State.

As for the unbeaten schools remaining, they are ranked one thru five in the latest poll as well as 10th ranked Alabama Baptist. The Panthers improved to 11-0 with wins over Rome State and Mississippi Tech last week. Top ranked Liberty College is now 16-0 after the Bells downed Boulder State 68-40 and Brooklyn State 82-54. Luther Gordon had 18 points and Edgar Stillwell a dozen in the win over the Grizzlies while on Saturday against the Bears the bench was emptied early, and 10 different Liberty College players managed to get their names on the scoresheet in the 28-point victory.

EDMONNDS TO FACE BOGGS FOR VACANT MIDDLEWEIGHT CROWN

It has been announced that John Edmonds and Bill Boggs will meet to determine a successor to the late Edouard Desmarais as the World Middleweight Champion. The title fight will be held March 24 at New York's Bigsby Garden and comes just under five months after Desmarais, his manager and 45 others lost their lives when a cross-Atlantic Air France flight crashed in Azores. Desmarais was headed to New York, returning from his native France to being preparation for what would have been a December title defense against Davis Owens.

Owens was bypassed in the title decision as was former middleweight champion Adrian Petrie with the decision to have the two highest ranked contenders as determined in the latest This Week in Figment Sports rankings.

Edmonds, a 31-year-old native on Muncie, In. is currently listed as the top contender in the division and briefly held the title in the past. He waged a pair of battles with Frank Melanson for the title in 1947, winning the first on a 14th round TKO but losing in the same manner 12 rounds into their rematch. Edmonds is 30-3 with 21 wins by stoppage including his most recent outing, a 6th round TKO of Mike Cook in Detroit last November. Edmonds had been slated to fight next month in Chicago but quickly cancelled that bout when the title opportunity came up.

Boggs is just 24 years old and the Brooklyn native sports a 20-2-1 career mark. He gained some early notoriety when as a 20-yard-old he was included on the undercard of a Hector Sawyer heavyweight title fight. It was just his second pro fight, and it took him just 88 seconds to knock out his opponent. Boggs recently battled former champ Adrian Petrie to a majority draw in September and is coming off a unanimous decision victory over ring veteran Bobby Hinkle last month. Edmonds scored a majority decision over Hinkle last summer.

UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS

tonight - Trenton, NJ- middleweight contender Dale Roy (33-7-1) vs Roger Byrne (20-2-2)
Jan 15- Washington DC- rising heavyweight Joey Tierney (16-0) vs Curt Jones (22-11-6)
Jan 21 - Bigsby Garden, New York - Middleweight Millard Shelton (26-5) vs Chet Cook (36-10-4)
Jan 24- Hartfordt, Ct- former welterweight contender George Gibbs (25-5) vs Bob Thomas (22-7-1)
Jan 27- Montreal Arena - former World Middleweight champion Adrian Petrie (19-2-2) vs Kevin Rawlings (23-5)
Feb 18- Keystone Arena, Philadelphia- World Heavyweight champ Hector Sawyer (62-3-1) defends his title against Englishman Ben Budgeford (21-1)
Mar 24- Bigsby Garden, New York - John Edmonds will face Bill Boggs for the world middleweight title, made vacant by the tragic death of former champ Edouard Desmarais in an October plane crash.

The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 1/08/1950

President Truman told Congress that he soon will recommend tax law changes to "yield a moderate amount of additional revenue" as he presented his annual State of the Union message, outlining a broad program of foreign and domestic legislation that "necessarily requires large expenditures of funds."
Socialized medicine and the Truman administration came under heavy fire in Albany when New York Governor Dewey made his annual message to the Legislature.
The Government has ordered the Nation's railroads to reduce coal-burning passenger service by one-third in a move designed to conserve dwindling stocks of fuel. Meanwhile Mine Workers head John L Lewis said there is "grave unrest" among the nation's coal miners, adding that efficiency is decreasing because the miners "desire contracts and the operators won't make contracts."
Chinese Nationalists have submitted a detailed new plea for American military and other advisors to help save Formosa from communist rule. A day later President Truman announced that the United States does not intend to use its armed forces to keep Formosa from the communists and will not provide military forces or advice to the Chinese Nationalist forces on the island. Truman made it clear the only help the United States will provide is continuing economic aid.
A British association of Atomic Scientists predicts Russia will have enough A-bombs within a year or two to fight an atomic war.

02-08-2024, 12:29 PM	#875
Tiger Fan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 9,873	January 9, 1950 JANUARY 9, 1950 MINERS BEAT BREWERS FOR SECOND STRAIGHT EAST-WEST CLASSIC WIN January 2, Santa Ana, Ca - A pair of fourth period touchdowns lifted the Northern California Miners to a 24-14 victory over Wisconsin State in the 34th annual edition of the East-West Classic. The victory marks the fourth time the Miners have won the famous New Years contest including the second straight year after Northern Cal topped St Magnus 366 days ago. The game was pushed to Monday January 2 because the New Year fell on a Sunday. It was the first-ever trip to Santa Ana in January for the Brewers, who were selected to participate in the event despite finishing a half game back of Central Ohio in the Great Lakes Alliance, but the selection committee heavily weighed Wisconsin State's win over the Aviators and their standing in the top ten of the final polls. The two teams, with the West Coast Athletic Association champs a six-point choice, boxed each other around inconclusively during the opening quarter. The Miners, a perfect 7-0 in section play and 9-1 overall, were ranked #3 in the nation entering the game while the 7-1-1 Brewers held down the 8th slot. Northern Cal, although seemingly a shade outplayed, scored first in the second period but the Brewers tied the contest just before the break. A quick field goal early in the third period put the Miners ahead again but once more the Brewers quickly answered as Mike Upton, Wisconsin State's outstanding backfield operator, completed a long scoring drive with a 5-yard run to make the score 14-10. That lead did not hold up as on just the second play of the fourth period All-American lineman Tom Dannemiller recovered a Brewers fumble deep in Wisconsin State territory. It took just 3 plays for the Miners to regain the lead on a 7-yard pass from John Stamphill to Tommy Schomer. The Miners added a late score on a Stamphill 3-yard keeper to make the final 24-14 and make Northern California the first WCAA team to win back-to-back East-West Classics since Coastal California won 3 in a row from 1932-34. PERFECT SEASON FOR OKLAHOMA CITY STATE The Oklahoma City State Wranglers completed a perfect 11-0 campaign with a 24-7 victory over Bayou State in the Lone Star Classic. The Wranglers, who last month were crowned National Champions for the first time since they shared the title with Georgia Baptist in 1917, had a fairly easy time against the Cougars. Other than during a rough defensive first quarter, the Bayou State "T" play was minor league compared to the split "T" power and fast break of the Wranglers. Oklahoma City State backs Paul Schultz, Johnny Smythe and Fred Akins spent leisure moments behind the Wranglers line making unhurried pitchouts and hand-offs which completely baffled Bayou State. With a superb line protecting them, there was simply no need to rush things. The Wranglers gained 286 yards rushing compared to a paltry 38 for Bayou State. Only in passing did the Cougars lead, moving 121 yards through the air to 74 for Oklahoma City State. The difference was that Oklahoma City State's passing yards produced points, but Bayou State's didn't. The victory marks the second win in Austin in the past three years for Oklahoma City State after the Wranglers beat Kit Carson University in the Lone State Classic two years ago. Last season they were in New Orleans for the Cajun Classic and came out on the wrong end of a 27-17 outcome with North Carolina Tech. In other major classic action, Andy Durante scored two touchdowns to pace Southwest Alliance champion Travis College to a 16-10 victory over Minnesota Tech. The news was not all bad for the Great Lakes Alliance, as while the Lakers and Brewers both fell, Central Ohio salvaged a victory for the conference after the Aviators flew past Baton Rogue State 30-21 in the Bayside Classic behind a big day from end Ricky Downer, who caught 9 passes including a pair of touchdown grabs. Staying in Florida but heading from Tampa south to Miami it was a big day for Central Kentucky after the Mustangs blanked Maryland State 19-0 in the school's first New Years appearance this decade. GOTHAMS SELECT HOWE TO GET FABL DRAFT UNDERWAY The New York Gothams opened the 1950 FABL college and high school player draft with a pick that was close to home. The Gothams choice was Earl Howe, a 17-year-old centerfielder from a high school in Bronx, New York. A finalist for the Adwell Award, presented to the top high school player in the nation, Howe was named to the High School All-American team for the second time following a junior season that saw him hit 14 homeruns while batting .504 in 27 games. Those 14 homers are one shy of the modern single-season high school record currently held by three players including Howe's possible future teammate in Gothams outfielder Walt Messer. The other two co-holders of that record are 1949 first overall selection Rick Masters and current Chicago Cougars third baseman Otto Christian. OSA feels Howe is the full package with excellent power, impressive speed and is a plus contact hitter. The second choice was also a member of last season's high school All-American team as the Philadelphia Sailors also went local with the second pick by drafting Philadelphia high school third baseman Bob Gray. The 17-year-old from Northeast High School joins a growing list of Philadelphia born infielders as high first round draft picks in recent years. Gray had a stellar junior campaign in which he hit .547 with 9 homers. OSA projects Gray to be an elite big league third baseman with a terrific hit tool, above average power and a strong throwing arm. Picking third the Detroit Dynamos selected outfielder Ralph Capriotti from Muncie High School in Indiana. The 17-year-old was a high school All-American in both his freshman and sophomore campaigns but was nosed out last year despite a .505/.571/.969 slash line. The Dynamos had identified Capriotti as their top target, figuring his raw power potential and elite hitting skills would play very well as a right-handed bat at Thompson Field. The Montreal Saints followed up with another high school selction- and that might be a trend as the top of the draft is heavily skewed in favour of high schoolers. Montreal went with Joe Bullock, a corner outfielder with plus power potential and a very good eye at the plate. The scouting service feels the St. Louis native will be an elite big league right fielder. Bullock slashed .484/.559/.968 at Hannibal High School last season. Code: ROUND ONE DRAFT SELECTIONS PK TM POS NAME AGE SCHOOL 1 NYG CF Earl Howe 17 Cardinal Hayes HS Bronx, NY 2 PHS 3B Bob Gray 17 Northeast HS, Philadelphia, PA 3 DET LF Raph Capriotti 17 Muncie(IN)HS 4 MON RF Joe Bullock 17 Hannibal (MO) HS 5 PIT 6 NYS 7 BOS 8 CIN 9 PHK 10 BKN 11 WAS 12 CHC 13 STL 14 TOR 15 CHI 16 CLE NAHC ALL-STAR GAME HIGHLIGHTS BUSY WEEK AHEAD Borrowing a page out of the FABL handbook, the North American Hockey Confederation is set to stage its first all-star game. Like baseball's mid-season classic, the all-star game will feature the top talent from league but with just six days there is no Federal and Continental Associations so players will be randomly split into two teams for the friendly game. Proceeds will go to the NAHC players association fund. The league had attempted to arrange an all-star game a year ago, but it was cancelled due to a snowstorm (or if you prefer FHM9's refusal to co-operate). There is talk of making it an annual event and plans going forward have suggested that the previous season's Challenge Cup Champion could take on a team of stars comprised from the other five clubs. NAHC RESULTS LAST WEEK WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4 New York 1 at Detroit 3:After dropping out of first place with back-to-back losses to Toronto last weekend, the Detroit Motors got back on a winning path with a 3-1 victory over the Shamrocks. Nick Tardif scored once and added an assist while Millard Touhey, still splitting Detroit netminding duties with Henri Chasse, stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced. Toronto 3 at Chicago 2: Toronto remains 4 points up on second place Detroit after Bobbie Sauer's third period power play goal lifted the Dukes to a 3-2 win for their fourth consecutive victory. Maurice Charette had the other two Toronto goals while Tommy Burns, with his 14 of the season, and Joe Fleming replied for the Packers. THURSDAY JANUARY 5 Montreal 2 at Boston 2: The Bees and Valiants skated to a 2-2 tie with most of the scoring taking place in the opening period. Boston, on goals from Craig Simpson and Wilbur Chandler, led 2-1 after twenty minutes with Claude LeClerc serving as the Montreal marksman. Adam Sandford tied the game in the middle frame and Oscar James of the Bees along with Montreal's Tom Brockers shut the door the rest of the way. SATURDAY JANUARY 7 New York 4 at Montreal 1: Third period goals from Samuel Coates, Simon Savard and Joe Martin lifted the Shamrocks to a 4-1 victory over the Valiants. Toronto 2 at Chicago 5: Tommy Burns, Pete Moreau and Jeremy MacLean each had 3 points to lead the Packers past the Dukes 5-2, snapping Toronto's four game winning streak. Chicago led 4-0 after scoring twice each of the opening two periods before the Dukes finally showed signs of life in the third when Lou Galbraith beat Packers netminder Norm Hanson twice. SUNDAY JANUARY 8 Detroit 4 at Boston 2: Millard Touhey had a busy night in the Detroit net but he was up to the task, stopping 42 of 44 Boston shots in a 4-2 Motors victory at Denny Arena. Vincent Arsenault scored once and had two assists for the winners, who were outshot 44-26 on the evening. The struggling Bees are now 8 points out of the final playoff berth. New York 2 at Chicago 3: A successful weekend for the Packers with back-to-back victories including a 3-2 win at Lakeside Auditorium over the visiting New York Shamrocks on this night. Jarrett McGlynn and Moose Vezina had put the Packers up 2-0 before George Hartnell and Jim Macek scored less than a minute apart in the second period to tie the game. Max Ducharme notched the game winner from veterans Bert McColley and Tommy Burns with just over 7 minutes remining in the contest. The Chicago victory leaves the two clubs tied for third place, each with 38 points. UPCOMING GAMES TUESDAY JANUARY 10 Chicago at Montreal WEDNESDAY JANUARY 11 Boston at Detroit New York at Toronto THURSDAY JANUARY 12 NAHC ALL-STAR GAME SATURDAY JANUARY 14 Detroit at New York Montreal at Chicago Toronto at Boston SUNDAY JANUARY 15 Boston at Chicago New York at Detroit MINOR LEAGUE NEWS BRADFORD REACHES CENTURY MARK The St Thomas Pachyderms are dominating the West Division of the Canadian Junior League and the scoring exploits of Bart Bradford and Manny Coutu are big reason why. The Pachyderms have lost just 2 of their 45 games played this season and have scored a whooping 272 goals. Bradford, a 19-year-old center, became the first player to notch 100 points in a season with a goal and an assist in a win over the Brantford Blue Legs last week. Coutu, a 17-year-old left winger, is just 4 points behind his teammate with 96 on the season. The diminutive Bradford, who stands 5'8" and weighs just 150 pounds, may not have a future in the NAHC but perhaps will play in the minor leagues some day. He was signed to a tryout contract by the New York Shamrocks over the summer but was quickly cut loose and landed in St. Thomas. Coutu, on the other hand, is a towering 6'3" winger with plenty of pro potential. He is considered a likely first round pick in next June's NAHC rookie draft and his totals this season of 36 goals and 60 assists in 45 games have NAHC scouts drooling. A Toronto native, Coutu patterns his game after Les Carlson and would love to play for the Dukes one day. DUKES SPLIT PAIR IN CHICAGO After they rang in the New Year at home the Toronto Dukes spent most of the week in Chicago to face the Packers, in a schedule quirk, twice in 4 days. The team travelled into Chicago on Tuesday to settle for the rest of the week before facing the Packers on both Wednesday and Saturday night. In a somewhat surprising move Barrell decided to start Terry Russell between the pipes for the second straight game after he had shutout the Motors on Sunday. As expected, whenever playing the tight checking Packers, the game was a low scoring affair. Toronto had their skating legs in the first period, testing Michael Cleghorn in the Packers goal 16 times as they seemed to be able to get open at will. Cleghorn was up to the task and shut the door on all 16. Russell was far less busy only being tested on 5 occasions. Ever dangerous Tommy Burns opened the scoring on one of the 5 shots, beating Russell from the slot on passes from Max Ducharme giving Chicago a 1-0 lead before the teams headed back to their rooms after 20 minutes. The second frame settled in to be a typical Packers-Dukes game, tight checking with no room to move for either team. Toronto had an outburst just after the 12 minute mark of the period when Maurice Charette scored twice in 19 seconds both from in tight on Cleghorn. The Packers rallied to tie the game when Joe Fleming scored after carrying the puck in from the point to beat Russell cleanly with wrist shot. The third period opened up as both teams pressed for a winner. Cleghorn, who made 36 saves in the game, was forced to make many spectacular saves during the period until Bobbie Sauer beat him with Bert McColley off for high sticking at 13:35. The Packers attempted to rally but were unable to solve Russell, who made 22 stops in the game with 13 coming in the third, to preserve a 3-2 victory for the Dukes. Both regular netminders, Gord Broadway and Norm Hanson, returned to duty Saturday night before 16,082 who packed into Lakeside Auditorium. In a surprisingly wide open first period in which the clubs combined for a total of 31 shot on goal the Packers took a 2-0 lead. Max Lavigne opened the scoring at 4:42 tipping a Jarrett McGlynn point shot past Broadway. Just over 3 minutes later with Lou Galbraith serving time for roughing Pete Moreau cruised in deking the Dukes keeper. Tommy Burns scored his 15th of year, 5th on the power play, to make it 3-0 before the second was 6 minutes old. Jeremy MacLean effectively put the game out of reach for the Dukes with another deflection at 12:12. Lou Galbraith tried to start a comeback with his 14th at 1:36 into the final frame but Jarrett McGlynn's 2nd of the game, 6th of the year, dashed hopes for the Dukes at just past the 4 minute mark. Galbraith scored again but it was far too little, far too late for the Dukes to think of stealing at least a point from the Packers in a 5-2 Chicago final. Coach Barrell: "I was surprised that both the games started so wide open in Chicago. Neither team is known for an up and down game, usually it close to the vest, smother the other team. Russell's start was a hunch that worked out, although after Gordie struggled Saturday which has me thinking that 6 days off might be too many for him. He was not sharp, and he would admit he should have had at least 2 of the five that lit the lamp. We did not do a good job clearing guys away from the front of our net. We have to work on that with the defensemen before the game with New York at home Wednesday. The good news is we are still 2 points ahead of Detroit, 7 on Shamrocks who both have 2 games in hand. Packers are currently holding the last playoff spot with everyone now past the halfway point of the season. Still a long way to go, a lot of work to do." The Chicago Panthers season is starting to crumble. Star center Richard Campbell joins Larry Serrano on the injured list, with Campbell out for a month with a broken foot. It didn't stop him from winning his second Player of the Week, as the Panthers star averaged 26.8 points and 14 rebounds per game in his four games. Campbell leads Chicago in both points (23.3) and rebounds (14.4) per game despite the lowest minute total of the starting five (30.9) per night. It's going to be impossible to replace his production in the lineup, but third year center James Brown (6.3, 6.4, 0.5) will be called upon as the starting center. Maybe it is the success of the two-time defending Challenge Cup champion Toronto Dukes, who share Dominion Gardens, rubbing off on the Toronto Falcons but the Canadian basketball club has been on a tear of late, going on a 10-2 run that has the club in third place in the West Division. Heady space for a city suffered with the terrible Titans -now based in Syracuse- before Bernie Millard purchased the old Pittsburgh ABC team and moved it north prior to last season. The Falcons were last in the West a year ago but with the two-pronged offensive attack of big men Max Lucia (20.2 ppg) and Lon Porter (18.8 ppg) and a rapidly improving rookie point guard in former Carolina Poly All-American Major Belk (8.3 ppg, 8.5 apg) they are suddenly making some noise. The two division leaders are both on quite a run. The Washington Statesmen have won 14 of their last 16 games and opened up 2.5 game lead on second place Philadelphia in the East Division. The Statesmen looked very impressive in a dominating defensive display on the road in Brooklyn last night. It was a defensive struggle, with the Statesmen holding Brooklyn to 23.8% shooting from the field. Statesmen-killer Ivory Mitchell scored 21 points and added 11 rebounds and 8 assists, but it was not nearly enough in a 79-58 Washington victory. Washington killed Brooklyn on the boards, 92-61 and systematically beat Brooklyn on the scoreboard throughout the game. The West Division leading Detroit Mustangs withstood a 20-20 game from Larry Yim, as Yim (21 points, 25 rebounds) neutralized Jack Kurtz (7 points on 2-for-14 shooting, 6 rebounds), but Ward Messer was the star of the 95-71 win against Buffalo with 22 points, 29 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards, and a +27 while he was on the court. Detroit ran out to a 36-11 first quarter lead and never looked back. The Mustangs have won 12 of their last 14 and are the most efficient offensive team in the league while averaging more than 94 points per game. The St Louis Steamers continue to sputter, as the expansion squad has just one victory in 26 games. The Steamers defense is decent but the problem for Coach Andrew Brown is the club has no one who can consistently put points on the board. St Louis is averaging just 68 points per game - no other team in the league is scoring less than 77- and their top scorer is center Isaac Luck, who is averaging just 12.2 ppg. In comparison, four Detroit players are averaging more points per game than Luck, who is the only Steamers player in double-digits for points. COASTAL CALIFORNIA FALLS IN SECTION OPENER The list of unbeaten collegiate basketball teams this season has shrunk to six after the Coastal California Dolphins tasted defeat for the first time this campaign with a loss to Portland Tech in the lid lifter on action in the West Coast Athletic Association. The Dolphins were a perfect 13-0 as the welcomed the Magpies to Los Angeles for yesterday contest, but it was the visitors who claimed the victory by a 56-47 count. Senior forward John Gordon paced the Portland Tech attack with 18 points as the victory improves the struggling Magpies record to 5-8. The nine team WCAA traditionally is the first conference to start its season and this year was no exception with 4 games yesterday. The others saw Rainier College trip up CC Los Angeles 62-52 behind a 12 point showing from freshman Doc Daniels, Gil Garrett scored 22 points to lead Northern California past Idaho A&M 72-55 while Stephen Woodard had 23 points to pace Redwood to a 74-62 victory over Spokane State. As for the unbeaten schools remaining, they are ranked one thru five in the latest poll as well as 10th ranked Alabama Baptist. The Panthers improved to 11-0 with wins over Rome State and Mississippi Tech last week. Top ranked Liberty College is now 16-0 after the Bells downed Boulder State 68-40 and Brooklyn State 82-54. Luther Gordon had 18 points and Edgar Stillwell a dozen in the win over the Grizzlies while on Saturday against the Bears the bench was emptied early, and 10 different Liberty College players managed to get their names on the scoresheet in the 28-point victory. EDMONNDS TO FACE BOGGS FOR VACANT MIDDLEWEIGHT CROWN It has been announced that John Edmonds and Bill Boggs will meet to determine a successor to the late Edouard Desmarais as the World Middleweight Champion. The title fight will be held March 24 at New York's Bigsby Garden and comes just under five months after Desmarais, his manager and 45 others lost their lives when a cross-Atlantic Air France flight crashed in Azores. Desmarais was headed to New York, returning from his native France to being preparation for what would have been a December title defense against Davis Owens. Owens was bypassed in the title decision as was former middleweight champion Adrian Petrie with the decision to have the two highest ranked contenders as determined in the latest This Week in Figment Sports rankings. Edmonds, a 31-year-old native on Muncie, In. is currently listed as the top contender in the division and briefly held the title in the past. He waged a pair of battles with Frank Melanson for the title in 1947, winning the first on a 14th round TKO but losing in the same manner 12 rounds into their rematch. Edmonds is 30-3 with 21 wins by stoppage including his most recent outing, a 6th round TKO of Mike Cook in Detroit last November. Edmonds had been slated to fight next month in Chicago but quickly cancelled that bout when the title opportunity came up. Boggs is just 24 years old and the Brooklyn native sports a 20-2-1 career mark. He gained some early notoriety when as a 20-yard-old he was included on the undercard of a Hector Sawyer heavyweight title fight. It was just his second pro fight, and it took him just 88 seconds to knock out his opponent. Boggs recently battled former champ Adrian Petrie to a majority draw in September and is coming off a unanimous decision victory over ring veteran Bobby Hinkle last month. Edmonds scored a majority decision over Hinkle last summer. UPCOMING MAJOR FIGHTS tonight - Trenton, NJ- middleweight contender Dale Roy (33-7-1) vs Roger Byrne (20-2-2) Jan 15- Washington DC- rising heavyweight Joey Tierney (16-0) vs Curt Jones (22-11-6) Jan 21 - Bigsby Garden, New York - Middleweight Millard Shelton (26-5) vs Chet Cook (36-10-4) Jan 24- Hartfordt, Ct- former welterweight contender George Gibbs (25-5) vs Bob Thomas (22-7-1) Jan 27- Montreal Arena - former World Middleweight champion Adrian Petrie (19-2-2) vs Kevin Rawlings (23-5) Feb 18- Keystone Arena, Philadelphia- World Heavyweight champ Hector Sawyer (62-3-1) defends his title against Englishman Ben Budgeford (21-1) Mar 24- Bigsby Garden, New York - John Edmonds will face Bill Boggs for the world middleweight title, made vacant by the tragic death of former champ Edouard Desmarais in an October plane crash. The Week That Was Current events from the week ending 1/08/1950 President Truman told Congress that he soon will recommend tax law changes to "yield a moderate amount of additional revenue" as he presented his annual State of the Union message, outlining a broad program of foreign and domestic legislation that "necessarily requires large expenditures of funds." Socialized medicine and the Truman administration came under heavy fire in Albany when New York Governor Dewey made his annual message to the Legislature. The Government has ordered the Nation's railroads to reduce coal-burning passenger service by one-third in a move designed to conserve dwindling stocks of fuel. Meanwhile Mine Workers head John L Lewis said there is "grave unrest" among the nation's coal miners, adding that efficiency is decreasing because the miners "desire contracts and the operators won't make contracts." Chinese Nationalists have submitted a detailed new plea for American military and other advisors to help save Formosa from communist rule. A day later President Truman announced that the United States does not intend to use its armed forces to keep Formosa from the communists and will not provide military forces or advice to the Chinese Nationalist forces on the island. Truman made it clear the only help the United States will provide is continuing economic aid. A British association of Atomic Scientists predicts Russia will have enough A-bombs within a year or two to fight an atomic war. __________________ Cliff Markle HOB1 greatest pitcher 360-160, 9 Welch Awards, 11 WS titles Last edited by Tiger Fan; 02-08-2024 at 01:28 PM.