Smith Fights Back From Drug Problems To Reclaim Form
Lonnie Smith of the St. Louis Cardinals says he no longer depends on drugs or alcohol to cope with baseball pressures. After a 1983 season marred by a .250 batting average and rehab, he works with a therapist and hypnotist to regain his spark. He explains how personal turmoil and fear of relapse affected his play and focus, and notes counsel helped him tackle issues at home. He hopes a two year contract and ongoing sobriety will bring calm and improved performance this season.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
ST. Petersburg
Fla
Lonnie Smith
St. Louis Cardinals
Smith
Final Four Countdown Dalton Gives Hoyas Edge
Ralph Dalton, once crippled in 1981, is a key Georgetown contributor backing Patrick Ewing as the Hoyas chase a second straight NCAA title. Dalton, 6-11, 240, plays with a knee brace, recalls his return after eight months, and credits Coach Thompson for his development. Georgetown, 34-2, faces St. John’s with a possible finals berth against Villanova or Memphis State. Dalton’s clutch free throws and team-first ethos underscore a deep squad led by Ewing’s dominant inside presence and balanced scoring.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Ralph Dalton
Georgetown
Patrick Ewing
Dalton
John Thompson
Thompson
Hoyas
St. John’s
Ewing
Reton
Dal
Tech
Ralph
Bill Martin
Eastman
Rollie Massimino out hustles Final Four mindset at Villanova
Villanova coach Rollie Massimino eschews the Final Four spectacle preferring family time while preparing for a high stakes NCAA semifinal against Memphis State. The 23-10 Wildcats aim to outwork 31-3 Memphis State, a contrast Massimino has long cultivated in his coaching career.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bill Stieg
Villanova, Pa
Rollie Massimino
Villanova
Massimino
Wildcats
Memphis State
Stony Brook
Attendance woes hit tournament
Illinois high school basketball tournament crowds decline as IHSA officials and coaches cite reduced ticket sales. Mount Carmel and others report lower attendance. proposals include four-class formats, single-session tickets, and moving the event to different venues.
Illinois high school basketball plan changes discussed
Proposals consider allocating ticket allotments to each school with post tournament reimbursements reduced if tickets remain unsold. The 1986 girls tournament dates would shift earlier than the boys to boost overall attendance. A return to single class or expansion to four classes is debated, and the state tournament could move from Champaign to another site.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mike Estes
Southern Illinoisan
Illinois High School Association
Jim Flynn
IHSA
Flynn
Centralia
Bob Bogle
Bogle
Nashville
Benton
Rich Herrin
Herrin
Champaign
Bloomington
Chicago
Carbondale
Peoria
Saluki Baseball Returns With Aggressive Play At Abe Martin Field
Salukis open spring at Abe Martin Field after a year hiatus, posting an 11-7 start and scoring 31 runs in two home games. Itchy Jones, in his 15th season at Southern Illinois University, emphasizes hard hitting and base movement as the team aims to move past a 20-22 season last year and a 7-6 start in Coral Gables. Assistant coach Jerry Green adds perspective on shedding the previous travesty and rebuilding confidence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Abe Martin Field
Saluki
Itchy Jones
Southern Illinois University
Salukis
Hill Gang
Abe Martin
Florida
Maine
SIU
Sunny Coral Gables
Black Bears
Jerry Green
Jones
Green
Athens
Bel
Chuck Verschoore
Liu
Gary Bockhorn
Beckhorn
Salukis rebounding with new recruits and strong hitting
SIU baseball comes into the season with a revamped lineup as Gerry Pitchford and Charlie Hillemann boost the offense. Pitchford, Hillemann, and fellow newcomer Kevin Pour fuel a .326 team batting average with 15 homers while holdovers like Jay Burch and Mike Gellinger hit at career highs. Coach Jones notes pitching depth and a 4.90 ERA as a work in progress.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Leville Area College
Gerry Pitchford
Charlie Hillemann
St. Charles
Kevin Pour
Pitchford
Belleville
Athens
Jones
Scott Bridges
Robert Jones
Jay Burch
Mike Gellinger
Also Mentioned on This Page
Cardinals
Rollie
Philadelphia
Penn
Mount Carmel
Champaign-Urbana
Wichita State
Indiana State
D. van Schouwen
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