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By Kurt McGregor Sports Editor A not-so-old, but none-the-less heated rivalry between the Utah State and Weber State freshmen squads will be renewed Saturday night in the Wildcat gym in Ogden, at 5:45. And with the varsity squads beginning competition this season, the freshman contests take on added importance as a barometer of the future. The Ramblers suffered only their third loss of the season Monday, against 11 victories, and the first home loss in three years under Belnap’s direction. Forced outside by a nationally-ranked team from the College of Southern Idaho, the Ramblers were held 23 points below their norm of 95, and held to just 30 rebounds, 16 below the season’s norm. Glen Hansen, with a 31-point output Monday, a 26 point showing against BYU and a record high of 35 points against Utah, has increased his game average to 22.3. Jim Boatwright, a two-year all-stater from Minico High in Rupert, Idaho, continues to be the leading rebounder for Belnap, with a 13.1 average. Only Hansen comes close to that norm, with a 10.1 mark. Boatwright is also the second leading scorer with 18.6 points, followed closely by Gary Erickson with 16.6, and Dan Dressen with 10.5. Erickson, a 6-3 guard from West High in Salt Lake City, has led the team in scoring twice, with 27 points against Idaho State and 21 against Southern Utah State. The pleasant surprise of the team has been center Dan Dressen, a 6-7 West High graduate, who has come on in recent games to become the team’s third-leading rebounder (7.6) and fourth-best scorer. Though the Wildkittens of WSC are averaging 78 points per game, and hitting 72.1 per cent at the charity stripe, the team is shooting very poorly from the field. Opponents have held the Kittens to 39.3 per cent of their shots from the field, while hit ting 43.9 per cent of their shots and scoring an average of 85.7 points. Usually a strong rebounding team, the frosh of WSC are getting edged on the boards 44.6 to 46 caromes per contest. Coach Gene Visscher’s main problem has been to find a quintet that is both effective and consistent. The first year players have not yet jelled and have not played up to the top peak expected when recruited. Through the first ten games, the Kittens ran up a 3-2 home court advantage, but lost all five games played on the road. Following the season opener with Southern Utah State College, the Kittens greased the skids with six defeats before rallying to defeat the Intramural All-Stars, 95-65, and the Spartans of Western Wyoming Junior College, 80-77. The lackluster performance by the frosh gives the Wildkit tens a look from the bottom of the heap, which is an unusual view. Last year’s frosh established the best record ever at Weber State, 16 wins two losses. A trio of players is scoring in double figures with good backup support from a half-dozen other Kittens. Leading the team is 6-4 forward Larry Bringham from Newhall, Calif. His 15.4 average is followed by guards Ralph Williams, 13.3, and Jeff Hansen, 10.4. If anyone could be labeled consistent for WSC, it would be Kelly McGarry, a 6-4 guard from Ogden, who has chipped in 9.5 points and taken down 6.7 rebounds per contest. Jim Low, a 6-6 forward from St. Joseph’s High School in Ogden, leads in rebounds along with Williams, both averaging 8.1. While the Ramblers are assured of a winning season, the Kittens must put their game together to win the better part of five home games and three road contests including a return match with USU at Logan. DAN DRESSEN (55), a member of the USA freshman (Ramblers), aims a hook shot for the basket and two points over the defense of Brigham Young. Dressen, the fourth-leading scorer (10.5) and third-leading rebounder (7.6), has been a pleasant surprise for coaches Dutch Belnap and Paul Jeppesen. In front is Jim Boatwright, getting position for the rebound. He leads the Ramblers in that area with a 13.1 average. In the background can be seen the team’s leading scorer, Glen Hansen, averaging 22.3 points. (Herald Journal Photo)
Newspaper Details
The Herald Journal
Logan, Utah, US
Wed, Jan 27, 1971
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
NA, 21 Jul 2026
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