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WADSWORTH CAGERS—In the front row, from 3-74 varsity members of the Wadsworth Grizzlies everka, Steve Saal, Tom Benek, Mel Long, Bill I Steve French. In the back row are JerryEverhard, Blaine Guy, Tom Flippo, Bob Kelly, Chris Siesky, Ted Given and Head Coach Dave Sladky. Absent from the photo were Matt Seifert, Greg Milmouth and Larry Esterle.Medina, 0.,Tues., Nov. 27,’73 — Medina County Gazette 7BY STEVE DUNGJENWADSWORTH—If the Wadsworth Grizzlies can get through their first five games with a winning mark, they could be on their way to another successful season under Coach Dave Sladky.Wadsworth has basketball dates with Northwest, Orrville, Canton Lehman, Barberton and Chippewa Conference favorite West Holmes right off the bat.Sladky has six lettermen returning from a 12-8 season to lead the Bear’s through their tough early going. All six are seniors, Blaine Guy, Tom Flippo, Steve Saal, Jerry Everhard, Bob Kelly and Chris Siesky.Other varsity members are seniors Matt Seifert, Kim Veverka, Mel Long, Greg Wilmouth and Bill Foote, and juniors Larry Esterle and Tom Benek. Juniors Ted Given and Steve French are possible varsity players also.According to Sladky, Wadsworth should have some good team height as well as good team speed this year. Flippo, at 6-4, is the tallest player on the team while Foote, at 6-7, is the shortest.“We must use a combination ofdefense and presses to be more effective this year,” Sladky said. “Our good overall depth will help in the running style we’ll employ.” Since the Bears are mainly seniors, “they should be, by now, used to our pressing style of game,” said Sladky.Guy, a 6-3,190-pounder, is seeking his fourth letter for the Bears. He’s been the top rebounder for Wadsworth the past two seasons and Sladky credits Guy with “fine strength and excellent jumping ability.”Flippo was a starter for much of last season before injuring his foot. He was the team’s third leading scorer and rebounder. Flippo’s an accurate shooter, and, with his hands, could wind upbringing the ball down the court although he’s the tallest player.Everhard, a 6-3, two-year letterman, was a sometimes starter last season, but was known more for coming off the bench to spark the team. He’ll probably see regular duty this season, though.Playmaker Saal, 5-10, quick Siesky, 6-3, and high-jumping Kelly should also see a good deal of action through theBears’ 18-game schedule.The second-year coach looks for West Holmes to be the early favorite for the Chippewa crown. The Knights have their first seven players back for last year’s championship team, their third straight.“The Chipp looks awfully strong and balanced this year,” Sladky said. “West Holmes appears to be an overwhelming favorite, but we can’t forget Cloverleaf, Orrville and Triway. Brunswick will be up there, too,’ ’ he added.“1 feel for us to have a successful campaign, we must improve our defensive play and rebounding aggressiveness,” Sladky said. “We have a pretty tough schedule, but we’ll win our share of games,” he continued. In addition to the league schedule and three of those early independent opponents, the Grizzlies will play Wooster, Copley, Norton, Rittman and Medina.“All in all, it looks like an interesting year ahead for us,” Sladky remarked. “The Grizzlies should be challengers for the Chippewa Conference title, and they should be competitive with everyone on their schedule,” he concluded.
Newspaper Details
Medina County Gazette
Medina, Ohio, US
Tue, Nov 27, 1973
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Akron S.
OH, USA 13 Dec 2018
Other Publications Near Medina, Ohio
Medina Sentinel
Medina County Gazette
The Gazette
