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Saturday, Nov. 23

After 30 years, this LCHS team
is still remembered as great

[NOV. 23, 2002]  Nineteen hundred seventy-two was nearly over when high school basketball teams in the state of Illinois began practice that November. Richard Nixon was about to be re-elected president by a landslide vote, while in the coming months a scandal known as Watergate would be uncovered that would nearly destroy the presidency. Dan Walker walked the state of Illinois right into the governor’s mansion, and America was on the verge of an economic recession and an oil embargo. The Vietnam War raged in Southeast Asia, while at home Americans were just recovering from the sight of racial unrest and rioting, both on the streets and on college campuses.

Despite the gloom of the social and economic issues on the horizon, there was reason for great optimism in the small Illinois community named after the 16th president and located on Route 66 northeast of Springfield. The loyal and rabid basketball fans of Lincoln Community High School’s boys basketball program had waited a long time for a team like the one assembled for the 1972-1973 season. Many older Railer fans would tell you that the 1972-73 Lincoln Railsplitter team was the most talented team to ever step on the floor at Roy S. Anderson gymnasium, and that statement would be hard to disprove. Eleven young men, one intensely competitive head coach and his two assistants were about to give Lincoln fans a winter they would not soon forget.

The 1972-73 team came into the year highly touted, after a strong showing the previous season. The ’71-72 Railers won 24 games, finished as Big 12 champs with a 13-1 mark and won both the Washington Round Robin and the Edwardsville Christmas Tournament. Four juniors saw the bulk of the playing time on the ’71-72 team, the only seniors being Scott Betzelberger, Herb Gorens and Joe Foster. The ’71-72 team, rated second in the state earlier in the year, was derailed by a talented Springfield Southeast team in the regional final at Roy S. Anderson, adding to the motivation of the returning players.

Entering his eighth season at the helm, fiery head coach Duncan Reid led teams to 144 wins at Lincoln, and he had a lot of firepower at his disposal for the ’72-73 campaign. Reid came to Lincoln after a stint as an assistant to the legendary Dawdy Hawkins at Pekin and replaced Norm Kaye at Lincoln in 1965. Reid’s intense, disciplinarian coaching style was a perfect fit for the Lincoln program. His focus on a patient, disciplined offense looking for good shots and tough, man-to-man pressure defense fit well with the talent in the Lincoln program. He had rebuilt the Lincoln basketball program into one of the best in the state. His teams in 1969 and 1970 made the Sweet Sixteen, and the 1970 team won its first 30 games before losing to Peoria Spalding in the Peoria Super-sectional. While he may have been controversial, no one could doubt his coaching ability.

Leading the returning Railsplitters was 6-8 senior center Norm Cook, rated by Street and Smith’s magazine as one of the top 15 high school players in the nation. Cook, who came from Chicago’s Farragut High School to Lincoln after his freshman year, averaged nearly 21 points per game for the Railers his junior year. The 6-8 center was quite a package, able to score from the inside as well as 20 feet from the basket, and he could handle the ball as well. Cook was being recruited by nearly every major college in the country, including Illinois and Indiana.

Complementing Cook on the front line was rugged 6-6 forward Tim Bushell, also a fine football player. Bushell had size and weight and a nice touch around the basket. He, too, was being recruited by several major colleges. The other forward who would end up starting was the lone junior in the lineup, 6-5 Dale Ritchhart, like Bushell a rugged player who would be counted on to rebound and provide defense. Senior John Bunner at 6-5 and junior Steve York at 6-4 gave Reid solid backups for his front court.

The backcourt was one of the finest in the state. Mike Schneider (5-10 senior) ran the offense much like a quarterback. He was a good defender and a solid outside shooter who played football as well. At 6-1 Mike Swingle wasn’t very tall, but he was a good strong athlete and one of the best shooters in the state. He could hit from practically anywhere on the floor.

Reid had a solid backcourt bench as well. Juniors John Williamson, Clayton Reed and Greg Ely could relieve at either guard slot, while 6-2 junior sharpshooter Jeff Boss could swing between guard and forward.

Reid had help on the bench himself, with assistant Jim Jost (later a successful head coach on the Class A varsity level) and Bob Guy, a star at the defunct Beason High School.

Lincoln was the overwhelming favorite to win the Big 12, with their stiffest competition being Springfield, Bloomington and Danville.

 

The Railers opened the ’72-73 campaign in the newly created Lincoln Round Robin, and right away they got a scare from arch nemesis Peoria Spalding. Lincoln won the game 59-58, but it took 35 points from Norm Cook to seal the victory. The Railsplitters easily disposed of Rantoul the next afternoon and beat Washington by eight in the nightcap to take the tournament hardware.

The Big 12 Conference schedule opened on Dec. 8 with a long road trip to Danville. The Railers beat the Vikings by 20 on the road, Cook scoring 22 and Swingle 20. Unfortunately Lincoln lost Mike Schneider, who suffered an injury that would keep him out the next two games.

With Schneider out, the Railers returned home the next night to face the Springfield Senators. Cook dominated the game, going 10-of-15 from the floor and scoring 24 points, as well as grabbing 14 rebounds. Swingle added 16, Bushell 14 and Ritchart nine as the Railers won by 15 at home.

Two tough conference foes on the road awaited the Railers the next weekend. Lincoln handled both easily, winning by 19 at Champaign as Bushell had 18 and Cook 17. Mattoon threw a two-one-two zone at Lincoln the next night, holding Cook to just six points. However, it wasn’t enough, as the Railers battered the Green Wave on the strength of a 25-point performance by Mike Swingle and the return of Mike Schneider.

Perennial foe and rival Springfield Lanphier was next for the "Red and Green Express," coming to Roy S. Anderson for the last game before the Christmas break. The Railer machine steamrolled the Lions, winning 95-43 behind Cook’s 30-point, 14-rebound performance. Bushell added 24 points and nine boards, with Swingle chipping in 13 points and Ritchhart 10 rebounds of his own.

Entering the Edwardsville classic as the No. 1 seed, the Railers were less than impressive against first-round foe Madison on Dec. 27. Madison led the game at the half, as Cook was benched with three first-quarter fouls. While it seemed there might be an upset in the making, Reid woke his troops up at halftime, and they beat the Trojans by 27 behind Swingle and Bushell’s 16 each. Cook recovered from the foul trouble to add 14 as well.

The next day, Lincoln faced the squad from Robinson, and this time Swingle and Cook led the way with 22 each as the Railers handled Robinson a 15-point loss. Lincoln then faced a talented and quick East St. Louis squad in the semifinals, and Cook got in foul trouble again with three in the first quarter of play. Lincoln was lucky to escape with a one-point win, thanks to Swingle’s 20 along with Cook’s 15 and eight boards.

The title game presented Lincoln with a familiar foe, conference rival Bloomington. The Purple Raiders were a good ballclub, led by future all-stater, Indiana and Duke player, and Illinois State head coach Bobby Bender. Bloomington was a dark horse in the conference race and a team that could cause problems for the Railers. While the final score showed a five-point win for the Railers, it didn’t tell people that Cook dominated this game with 31 points and 13 rebounds, helping him to the MVP award of the Edwardsville tournament. Swingle added 20, while Bender was held to just 15 for Bloomington.

 

The regular season resumed Jan. 6 with a non-conference contest against two-time defending state champ Dolton Thornridge. Gone were all-staters Quinn Buckner and Boyd Batts, as well as coach Ron Ferguson. The Railers had little trouble with Thornridge, winning by 14 as Swingle scored 25 on 10-of-17 shooting. Cook added 16 and Ritchhart 10 as the team shot 52 percent from the floor. Reid added a little in the way of a good luck charm — a pair of red and green socks given to him which he displayed when the students began chanting at him during the fourth quarter.

Lincoln had a week off before facing Bloomington again, and this time the game wasn’t close. A 79-59 Lincoln victory saw 23 points by Bloomington’s Bob Bender wasted as Cook scored 28 (with 12 rebounds), Swingle added 16 and Bushell 15. A week later it was a 45-point win over Urbana, as the Railsplitters scored 95, in part due to Cook’s 32-point performance. A road trip to Decatur the next night saw four Railers in double figures in a 24-point win, this time led by Bushell’s 24. Lincoln was now 16-0.

Not even a trip to face Lee Cabutti’s four-corner offense in Champaign could slow down the Railer Express. Now ranked second in the state, behind Lockport, Lincoln led the Maroons 28-6 at half and won by 29 behind Cook’s 33 and Swingle’s 23. A showdown at Springfield awaited them the next Friday.

A sellout crowd of 1,800 packed the tiny gym for the rematch between the Senators and Railers. Springfield was led by standout Gary Dorr, who would later become the head coach at Springfield Griffin. Swingle had 22 and Cook 19 as the Railers built a 13-point lead in the third quarter, only to see it cut to four with 2:30 to go. Reid switched from his traditional man-to-man to the two-one-two zone used earlier against them by Mattoon, and the Railers hung on for a six-point win. Afterward, Reid lashed out in a locker room tirade at the team’s poor play.

The tirade and a week’s worth of practice must have been the medicine the Railers needed, in addition to the fact the next two games were at home. On Friday, Feb. 9, the Railers survived a slowdown attempt by Mattoon, taking the win 40-27. The next night the storied Pinckneyville Panthers came to town and fell 63-45 to the "red and green machine." It was Lincoln’s 20th win without a loss.

Two tough road contests loomed the next weekend, one at Bloomington, the other one in the pit known as the "Bowl" in Jacksonville. A win at Bloomington would mean a tie for the conference title with three games left to play.

The Railsplitters came out smoking against the Purple Raiders, amassing a 41-28 halftime lead en route to a 92-65 massacre. Cook (with 29) led four Railers in double figures (Bushell 19, Swingle 17, Schneider 13), while Rutledge had 21 and Bender 16 for Bloomington. The slaughter continued the next night, as Lincoln went to Jacksonville and beat the host Crimsons by 23.

Three games remained, including a Friday night contest against Danville, which marked "Senior Night" and the last regular-season home game for the Railers. Before a packed house, the Railers tuned up on the Running Reds, leading by 17 at half and once again placing Cook (27), Swingle (19) Bushell (17) and Mike Schneider (12) in the double-figure scoring column.

With the win over Stephen Decatur, Lincoln won the Big 12 Conference crown outright for the third time in the last four years and was looking at an undefeated conference record for the second time in four years. The balanced and high-powered offense, combined with tough man-to-man pressure defense, was simply too much for most teams to overcome. This team was easily on its way to establishing a school record for team offensive average for a single season.

 

The Tigers of Urbana were next up on the schedule, at Urbana. Lincoln nearly doubled the score, winning 71-36. Danville on Senior Night stood in the way of perfection for the Railsplitters.

Ranked No. 1 (by UPI) for the first (and only) time in the school’s history, Lincoln faced a tough Viking squad making the 90-mile trek to Roy S. Anderson gymnasium. Danville hung tough against the Railers, using a swarming defense to close to 31-28 at the half. Lincoln, led by Norm Cook and Mike Swingle, broke the game open in the third period, outscoring the guests 16-8 on the way to a 68-52 triumph. Cook’s 24, Swingle’s 16 and Bushell’s 12 offset the four Vikings in double figures. The victory capped the second perfect regular season in school history.

Ranked first in the UPI coach’s poll and fourth in the AP sportswriters poll, the Big 12 Conference champions were host and No. 1 seed in their own regional. Cook was averaging 23.1 points per game and had become the school’s career scoring and rebounding leader, passing Seymour Reed toward the end of the year. Norm had also set single-season marks in points scored and scoring average and would soon have the mark for rebounds in a season. Swingle was averaging 17.8 and Bushell 15.8, giving the only undefeated team in the state a balanced attack.

Unfortunately, the celebrating couldn’t last too long. The regional featured Lincoln, Hillsboro, Taylorville, Lanphier and the previous year’s spoiler, Southeast. First up for the Railers were the Tornadoes from Taylorville.

Lincoln gained the No. 1 spot in the AP poll on Tuesday, March 6, before the game. It may have been a booster for the team, because they annihilated the Tornadoes. Lincoln destroyed the two-three zone employed by Taylorville by shooting 40-78 from the floor as a team on the way to a 96-66 rout. The Railers put four players in double figures once again, led by Norm Cook’s 32 and Mike Swingle’s 20. Lincoln out-rebounded Taylorville 39-31, led by Cook’s 15.

Southeast beat Hillsboro, and Duncan wasn’t above using revenge as a motivational factor for the team, as well as the game being the last in Roy S. Anderson for the seniors. On Friday night, Norm Cook must have felt the need for revenge most of all because he turned in one of the best performances ever in a Railer uniform. Scoring at will from inside or outside, Cook was 12-of-17 from the field and 10-of-12 from the line, with 34 points and 16 rebounds for the night. Swingle and Schneider complemented the senior center with 16 each, and Bushell had 11 in the 25-point romp, giving Lincoln its 27th IHSA regional championship in school history.

 

[to top of second column in this article]

The Lincoln team that season was comprised of talented young men. Reid stated later that 10 out of 11 of his players had a B average in school, and Cook himself had three A’s and one C. Additional recognition from the Big 12 Conference came during the week, as Cook was named Big 12 MVP, and Bushell and Swingle made first team all-Big 12. Schneider was named to the second team.

Lincoln’s win, combined with Quincy’s win at Jacksonville, set up an improbable scenario. The No. 1 and No. 2-rated teams in the state would be in the same sectional, slated unfortunately to meet in a first-round game at the Springfield Armory. Quincy was led by coach Sherrill Hanks, a coaching legend and someone almost as animated as Reid on the sidelines. Hanks had his own star on the team, sharpshooting 6-2 guard Jimmy Wisman, who would later play for Bob Knight at Indiana. Wisman was complemented by fellow all-stater Bob Spear. The other two teams in the sectional were Capitol Conference power Decatur Eisenhower and Big 12 foe Mattoon.

Lincoln and Quincy met March 13 before a rowdy, sellout crowd at the Armory. Right away it looked like No. 2 was going to upset No. 1. Quincy led 19-8 at the quarter and 31-23 at half, despite 15 points from Norm Cook. Quincy kept a seven-point lead at the end of the third quarter, and the Blue Devil fans could smell the Railer blood. The person to apply the "band-aid" was coach Duncan Reid. Exasperated over his team’s performance, with 6:30 to play in the game, Reid booted a chair, and the act of aggression seemed to fire up the Railsplitters. Not long after, Lincoln stormed back to take a 49-47 lead over Quincy. It was nip and tuck the rest of the way, and frustration began to set in on the Quincy team. Wisman was called for a flagrant foul and ejected during the quarter. With :12 to go and the game pretty much decided, Hanks (who later was furious and called the referees "incompetent") got two technicals and was ejected. Lincoln escaped with a hard-fought, yet controversial 58-53 win. Cook led the winners with 27 points and 13 boards; Swingle chipped in 14. Wisman led Quincy with 20, and teammate Bob Spear had 14. Turnovers were a real factor in the game, as Quincy had 10 more than the Railers.

Eisenhower beat Mattoon 65-57 in the other contest, leading to a showdown between the Capitol Conference and the Big 12.

Recognition continued to come for the Railers. Norm Cook made the Class AA all-state team, with Swingle gaining honorable mention.

Eisenhower entered the sold-out contest 23-5, while the Railers had won 28 consecutive games. Eisenhower was no slouch as an opponent, as they led Lincoln 30-28 at the half on 47 percent shooting. Their two-three zone was forcing Lincoln into bad shots and a lot of turnovers, and the Railers were having trouble containing Jarrett and Jones, the Panther’s two stars.

An unlikely hero entered the game for the Railers in the second half in the person of 6-1 junior Clayton Reed. Duncan Reid assigned Clayton Reed to guard Jarrett, and the junior guard used his quickness to clamp down on the Eisenhower star. His defense inspired the rest of the team to shut down the Panthers, and Eisenhower shot only 25 percent in the second half. In the meantime, the Lincoln offense kept plugging away and took the lead for good, 43-41, on two Bushell free throws at the end of three periods. The Railers went on to claim the school’s sixth sectional crown and Sweet Sixteen berth, 56-53. The Lincoln crowd swarmed the floor after the game, and the celebrating continued through the night.

Cook led the team with 14 points and 15 rebounds, Bushell added 12 points and nine boards, Swingle added 10 points of his own, while Mike Schneider chipped in 13. Lincoln shot only 20-of-57 from the floor, was out-rebounded 37-33 and committed 22 turnovers. Jarrett had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Panthers, Jones 14 points and 13 rebounds. Unfortunately, the Eisenhower zone defense may have exposed a weakness in the Railer machine.

And so the 29-0 Railers headed to Horton Fieldhouse on the campus of Illinois State University, making their third state tournament appearance in five years. Cook was being pursued by several NCAA Division I schools, a list that now included Illinois, Bradley, Kansas and Cincinnati.

 

The opponent for the Normal Super-sectional was Bradley Bourbonnais, an AA school near Kankakee that defeated Danville in the sectional. Bradley was small, yet very quick, and promised to be a tough test for the Railers.

Lincoln led 30-28 at the half but wasn’t getting the ball to Norm Cook, as he had only four shots at the half. Reid was straightforward with the team in the locker room, telling them that they had better pound the ball to Norm if they wanted to win the game. And pound it is what they did. Cook scored 14 points in the third quarter alone, and with Lincoln ahead 42-40, the Railers went on an 8-0 run to take a 10-point lead. Reid had the team spread the floor, and Lincoln went on to a 61-49 win. Cook led the Railers with 18 points and 21 rebounds, Schneider had 16, and Swingle 13. Brad Remole led the losers with 16.

The Railers out-rebounded the shorter Bradley team 38-29 but shot only 22-51 from the floor. A caravan of fans led the Railers back into Lincoln, all the way to the high school, where an impromptu assembly was held in the gym.

The good feeling continued all week in the city of Lincoln, as the Railsplitters were headed for their first Elite Eight slot in 18 years and looking at taking home their first piece of hardware from the state tournament. There was a good possibility that hardware might be the first-place trophy.

The eight semifinalists for Class AA state finals at the Assembly Hall in Champaign were some of the best programs and teams in the state, with a roster of Hall of Fame coaches. Collinsville had legendary Vergil Fletcher; New Trier East was coached by John Schneiter, who had won a state title with Stephen Decatur in the ’60s; Aurora West was coached by legendary John McDougal; while Elgin, Moline and Chicago Hirsch all had very good programs. In fact, the list of coaches who made the Sweet Sixteen included Pekin’s Dawdy Hawkins, Proviso East’s Glenn Whittenberg and Rockford West’s Alex Saudargas — some heady company indeed.

The list of players to make the final 16 was heady as well. Hirsch had future Michigan star Rickey Green and John Robinson, future Marquette star Bo Ellis played at Chicago Parker, Collinsville had Bob Bone and Marc Fletcher, and all-state pick Jeff Wilkins was the top gun at Elgin. Rockford West had Ernie Kent, while Proviso East had future DePaul star Joe Ponsetto. Aurora West had all-staters Matt Hicks and John Bryant.

Lincoln wasn’t any slouch when it came to talent. Norm Cook was named to the Chicago Daily News all-state team during the week, and Bushell and Swingle made the honorable mention list.

The Railers faced stiff competition on the road to the title, and making the task more difficult was the fact that Lincoln, enrollment 1,152, was the smallest school in the final eight. In fact, none of the other seven schools in Champaign that weekend had an enrollment of less than 2,000 students! Further compounding matters were a cracked bone in Tim Bushell’s hand, which required a cast, and the flu, which caused Norm Cook to make a trip to the hospital. As a result, the Railsplitters weren’t at full strength entering the 2 p.m. Friday contest.

It was a bad time to have problems, because their draw was the Porters of Lockport, coached by Bob Basarich. Lockport had lost only one game after being ranked first during a good portion of the season, and it was that loss that allowed Lincoln to slide into the No. 1 slot. The Porters entered the game ranked third and were led by 6-6 all-state center Ellis Files and Al Green. Their defense allowed only 47 points per game, and to make matters worse they employed a one-three-one zone that was difficult to figure out.

 

Had someone been inclined, he could have robbed the town of Lincoln blind that afternoon. The team was given a grand send-off that morning, with a large caravan of fans headed for the Assembly Hall. Those who couldn’t go were glued to the TV set that afternoon, with some turning down the sound and turning up Lanny Slevin on the radio. Those who didn’t have access to the TV were blaring Slevin’s WPRC broadcast on the radio. School children all over town were in classrooms, auditoriums or gymnasiums with TV sets. Not many citizens were roaming the streets that day.

The banged-up Railers gave them reason to cheer early on; they led 16-14 and had a six-point cushion at one time. Lockport rallied to tie the game at 26 and led 41-34 at the end of three quarters. Lincoln managed one last rally, tying the game at 43 with 4:36 to go, and Lincoln seemed poised to make a run. However, the Lockport defense took over and held the Railers scoreless for two minutes, while their offense built a nine-point cushion as Swingle fouled out. The only thing in doubt was the final margin of victory, as Lockport won 62-54. The dream season had come to a bitter end, leaving Lincoln’s fans and players stunned and in tears.

Whether it was the sickness and injuries, the Lockport defense, or the cavern-like dimensions of the Assembly Hall, no one on Lincoln’s team shot particularly well on the big floor. The team was six-of-20 in the fourth quarter and 21-of-55 for the game. Cook had 14 points on five-of-13 shooting, Bushell had 12 points and eight rebounds despite the bad hand, Swingle had 10 points on five-of-16 shooting, and Schneider ended up with 12. The Railers used only six men during the game. Green led Lockport with 22, and Files chipped in 15.

While Reid could have pointed to a number of things as excuses for the loss, he didn’t. After the contest he simply told the media that Lockport was the quickest team Lincoln had faced all year, and when it came down to it, the best team had won.

Lockport got beat in the semifinals the next day by Chicago Hirsch, and Hirsch eventually went on to win the state title. Lincoln stayed in Champaign, and despite the loss, was greeted by a large crowd Sunday afternoon for a rally at the high school.

Tim Bushell went on to sign a letter of intent to play basketball at Illinois, while Mike Swingle played baseball in junior college. Swingle went on to become the grade school coach at Beason and had a couple of very successful seasons as the varsity coach at Hartsburg-Emden in the 1990s. Mike Schneider had offers for both football and baseball at Illinois State University. He later returned home to run programs for the Lincoln Park District. Fellow senior John Bunner became a Lincoln policeman and is now Detective Bunner with the LPD.

Speculation began to run rampant after the year as to where Norm Cook and Duncan Reid would be the next season. Reid announced he was staying at Lincoln, while Cook narrowed his college choices to Kansas, Drake, Bradley, Cincinnati, Oregon and Illinois.

Reid eventually got an offer too good to refuse: to be an assistant to Ted Owens at Kansas. On May 2 the Springfield newspaper ran a story that said Duncan was leaving Lincoln, a story he confirmed on May 3. On May 4, Norm Cook made Kansas his college choice. Not only was a dream season gone, but the school’s best player and coach as well. As a side note, the school lost longtime radio voice Lanny Slevin as well. His departure led to the new voice of the Railsplitters, a young Sam Madonia would handle the play-by-play duties in the 1973-74 campaign.

Reid left Kansas for the head job at Dodge City Community College, where he was very successful. He came back to Illinois during the ’80s, running the program at Rock Island and getting to the Elite Eight several times before retiring at the end of the 2002 season.

 

Norm Cook left Lincoln as the all-time leader in scoring and rebounding and became a college star at Kansas. He was so good, in fact, that he was able to leave Kansas after his junior year and declare as a hardship case for the NBA draft. He was taken as a first-round pick of the storied Boston Celtics, where he lasted two seasons. After a stint in Denver, Cook returned home and married the former Joyce Kelley, a star on the girl’s team herself. Their daughter Kristina became a good athlete in several sports at Lincoln High School, while son Brian is the star center at the University of Illinois and appears headed to the NBA.

While the players, coaches and fans have gotten older, it took a long, long time before anyone got over the loss to Lockport in the spring of 1973. Just about every good Lincoln team since 1973 is compared to that "dream team," and while some have come close, it’s still open for debate if any team was the equal of that near-perfect Railer squad. On the 30th anniversary of the "dream season," one thing is certain: The 1972-1973 Lincoln Railsplitter basketball team was one of the best ever in Illinois high school basketball history.

[Jay Hardin]

['72-73 Lincoln roster and schedule]

Editor's Note:  Jay Hardin graduated LCHS class of 1980. He is an attorney, married, has three daughters and lives in Marion. His mother, sister and her family live in Lincoln.  An uncle and his family live in Atlanta

Thanks for the memories Jay!

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1972-73 Lincoln Railsplitters

Record: 30-1

Big 12: 14-0, first place

Won: Lincoln Round Robin, Edwardsville Holiday Tournament, Lincoln Regional, Springfield Sectional and Normal Super-sectional

1972-73 roster

No.

Ht.

Yr.

Player

25

5-10

Senior

Mike Schneider

22

6-1

Senior

Mike Swingle

32

6-8

Senior

Norm Cook

42

6-6

Senior

Tim Bushell

50

6-5

Senior

John Bunner

53

6-5

Junior

Dale Ritchhart

54

6-4

Junior

Steve York

21

6-0 

Junior

Greg Ely

12

6-2

Junior

Jeff Boss

14

6-1

Junior

Clayton Reed

10

5-9

Junior

John Williamson

Season schedule and results

* Big 12 Conference game

Date 

W-L

Score

Opponent

Lincoln Round Robin

Dec. 1

W

59-58

Peoria Spalding

Dec. 2 

W

67-54

Rantoul

Dec. 2

W

52-44

Washington

Regular season

Dec. 8

W

75-55

at Danville*

Dec. 9

W

69-54

Springfield*

Dec. 15

W

60-41

at Champaign Central*

Dec. 22

W

64-46

at Mattoon*

Dec. 23

W

95-43

Springfield Lanphier

[to top of second column in this section]

 

(Schedule and results continued)

Date 

W-L

Score

Opponent

Edwardsville Holiday Tournament

Dec. 27

W

73-46

Madison

Dec. 28

W

73-57

Robinson

Dec. 29

W

63-62

East St. Louis

Dec. 29

W

70-65

Bloomington

Regular season

Jan. 6

W

67-53

Dolton Thornridge

Jan. 12

W

79-59

Bloomington*

Jan. 19

W

95-49

Urbana*

Jan. 20

W

66-42

at Stephen Decatur*

Jan. 26

W

71-42

Champaign Central*

Feb. 2

W

63-57

at Springfield*

Feb. 9

W

40-27

Mattoon*

Feb. 10

W

63-45

Pinckneyville

Feb. 16

W

92-65

at Bloomington*

Feb. 17

W

81-58

at Jacksonville

Feb. 23

W

93-49

Stephen Decatur*

Feb. 24

W

71-36

at Urbana*

March 1

W

68-52

Danville*

Lincoln Regional

March 6

W

96-66

Taylorville

March 9

W

93-68

Springfield Southeast

Springfield Sectional (at the Armory)

March 13

W

58-52

Quincy

March 16

W

56-53

Decatur Eisenhower

Normal Super-sectional (at ISU)

March 20

W

61-49

Bradley Bourbonnais

State finals
(at University of Illinois Assembly Hall)

March 23 L 62-54 Lockport


Monday ‘Fandamonium’ special guest Brian Cook

By Jeff Mayfield

[NOV. 23, 2002]  The LDN sports staff is excited to announce the broadcast of an interview with former Lincoln Railer great, and now an Illini senior, Brian Cook. Cook will appear perhaps on the same show and maybe even the same segment as a follow-up or as a trailer to the interview Greg Taylor and Jeff Mayfield had with Brian’s coach, Bill Self.

Cook was happy to share his story with his family and friends back home. Some of the things you will see in his interview are the state of his health, his feelings on his senior year, some info about his classes, his major and thoughts about how he keeps his focus when everyone bugs him about going to the pros. Brian will also comment about his former Railer teammates and give Logan County residents his scouting report of his latest crop of newcomers.

This edition of "Fandamonium" promises to be one of the best ones yet! At post time a decision had still not been reached as to whether these interviews will be run during the regular "Fandamonium" time slot or if they will appear leading in or trailing out of this Monday’s show.  Stay tuned...

On the horizon...

The sports guys hope to do some of these same types of things with ISU and other schools in the future...

"Fandamonium" is broadcast at 6 p.m. on Mondays via LDN, FIX 96.3 FM and CITV Channel 5.

[Jeff Mayfield] 


LCC men’s basketball

[NOV. 23, 2002]  LCC played a near miraculous game in Alaska last night & almost upset the nation's most recognizable Div. II school.  The Seawolves won in overtime, 87-79.

The Preachers were led by Joel Searby who had 28 points and 13 rebounds and Brian Dunaway who added 18 and 6.

Other scorers for Lincoln included Holderby 6, Schultz 6, Nelson 5, Rayhorn 5, Below 4, Black 4, and Edson 3. Dunaway added 5 steals on defense.

For the Seawolves, 34 points and 11 boards were enough for Peter Bullock to be named AT&T Alascom Player of the Game.

Coach Randy Kirk was very pleased with the team effort - especially the support given by the guys who didn't get in. He added, "Just like any over-time game, there were opportunities to win it, but I admire the character we showed when we got down. It was more about TEAM than I tonight."

The game was the season opener for UAA who plays in the Great Alaskan Shootout next week. They face Oklahoma State on Wednesday. Other teams in the tournament are Wyoming, Michigan State, and Villanova.

The Preachers next game is at home, Tuesday, Nov. 26 against Principia at 7pm.

[Aaron Johnson]


LC men’s basketball

[NOV. 23, 2002]  Ottumwa, Ia. - Poor second half shooting doomed the Lincoln College Lynx as they dropped a , 69-61, decision to Indian Hills in men's basketball action here Friday night.   The Lynx, 3-4, will play in the Indian Hills Classic again Saturday.

Lincoln connected on 11 of 26 shots in the first half and took a 34-31 lead to the locker room.   In the second half, the Lynx managed just eight field goals in 23 attempts while the host made 15 of 31 second half shots.   Indian Hills also had a decided edge on the boards with a 51-32 margin.

Terrance Chapman and Derik Hollyfield were the lone double figure scorers for Coach B. J. McCullum with 19 and 17 points respectively.   Hollyfield and Amir Major were the leading rebounders for the Lynx with six each.   Michael Fowler and James Roberson each had five assists while Hollyfield was credited with four.   Franklyn Penn led a balance Indian Hills attack with 19 points as four players were in double figures.

 

[to top of second column in this article]

Lincoln College (61) - Josh Clark 2-4-0-0-5, Michael Fowler 0-1-2-3-2, Rueben Trotter 3-7-2-2-8, Amir Major 3-7-0-0-6, James Roberson 1-6-0-0-3, Terrance Chapman 6-13-6-8-19, Derik Hollyfield 4-11-7-11-17, Rian Lazzerini 0-0-1-2-1.   Totals - 19-49-18-26-61.  Three point goals - Clark, Roberson, Chapman, Hollyfield 2.

Indian Hills (69) - Nick Kern 5-11-0-0-10, Maurice Latham 0-1-0-0-0, Zach Silverman 4-9-2-5-13, Frashen McGee 0-1-0-0-0, Javier Mendiburn 2-12-0-2-4, Franklyn Penn 8-13-2-11-19, Zach Morley 6-13-6-6-18, Anthony Williams 2-3-1-3-5, Marlon Patino 0-2-0-0-0.  Totals - 27-65-11-27-69.  Three point goals - Silverman 3, Penn.

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]


The point is... O’Brien’s got it

[NOV. 23, 2002]  NORMAL — While Illinois State coach Jenny Yopp is still sorting through some things to establish a regular playing rotation, junior Taren O’Brien looks to be the Redbird point guard most of the time. Yopp has high expectations heading into the Redbirds’ 2002-03 regular-season opener at 1 p.m. Saturday (Central time) at Western Michigan.

Yopp, a point guard at North Carolina in her playing days, understands the challenge of being the team’s quarterback.

"The point guard needs to control the ball," said Yopp. "We’re at our best when Taren sparks the offense and the defense."

The cast around O’Brien will include a mix of veterans, players returning from injury and newcomers. Returning starters Sharon Blade (a post) as well as Katie Donovan (a wing) figure to be in an eight- to10-player rotation. Stacey White, who played a post position much of last year, returns to her natural spot on the perimeter. Sophomore Michelle Harakas, a part-time starter last year, is another available post player. Jaci McCormack and Sophie Tirtiaux, both coming off season-ending injuries a year ago, also are part of the perimeter mix. Tirtiaux can also play in the post.

Junior college transfers Zora Skrabalova and Erin Keeney are other pieces of the puzzle, along with senior perimeter player Steph Reichle, who has been limited in preseason by knee and leg problems but hopes to be ready to go against Western Michigan. O’Brien’s backup is junior transfer Desiree Gutierrez.

"We have players emerging," said Yopp, who has 14 healthy players when Reichle can practice. "We’ve stayed relatively healthy, and that has helped our practices."

 

[to top of second column in this article]

Only sophomore Chris Kutschinski, who has been battling back problems in recent weeks, likely won’t be available to Yopp. Kutchinski, from Ann Arbor, and Harakas, from Redford, are both Michigan natives, along with Redbird assistant coach Cherie Swarthout.

The Broncos have three starters returning from a team that was 16-15 overall, 11-5 in the Mid-American Conference last year.

"Western Michigan will be a good challenge for us," said Yopp, whose Redbirds were 7-20 in 2001-02. "The fact that they play five players who can play away from the basket will challenge us defensively."

But, no matter who Yopp tries to match up with against WMU, she believes O’Brien — the ’Birds’ leader in points and assists last year — can make a difference for Illinois State.

"Our point guard needs to control the ball," said Yopp. "She can improve all other positions."

The Redbirds turn around and play their home opener at 7:05 p.m. Monday against Butler in Redbird Arena.

[Provided by Thomas Lamonica,
Illinois State University]

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Sports Illustrated tabs ’Birds in final 65

[NOV. 23, 2002]  NORMAL — The Missouri Valley Conference and Illinois State men’s basketball claimed some national recognition as Sports Illustrated predicted three Valley schools, including the Redbirds, to make the 65-team NCAA Tournament field this season.

The issue, which hit newsstands this week, picked the ’Birds No. 50. Last year’s Sweet Sixteen representative Southern Illinois was tabbed No. 30, while Creighton, which posted a first-round win over Florida last season, was forecasted at No. 48.

Head coach Tom Richardson was modest about the Redbird projection but was pleased with the recognition.

"This is great for the Missouri Valley Conference and is really a tribute to what Southern Illinois and Creighton did in the tournament last season," Richardson said. "This has always been a tough league, and the Valley is finally getting the respect it deserves. As far as our team goes, I wish the tournament selection was based on this, but there are a lot of games to be played. But again, it is just great recognition for our program and the hard work that our kids have put in."

The Redbirds open the regular season Saturday night at Redbird Arena against Utah State. Tipoff is slated for 7:05 p.m.

[Todd Kober, Illinois State University
director of media relations]


Bill Self scheduled to appear on ‘Fandamonium’

By Jeff Mayfield

[NOV. 22, 2002]  We are excited to report that University of Illinois men’s basketball coach Bill Self has agreed to appear on the next edition of "Fandamonium." As you can imagine, Greg and I are jacked and pretty jazzed up over this development!

This will be a taped interview that Greg and I were able to conduct on the U of I campus, so we obviously will NOT be taking ANY calls during the segment. It is a huge development for Lincoln Daily News, FIX 96.3 FM radio and for CITV 5! We don’t know yet whether Self’s interview will run during the confines of our hour-long sports showcase or IF we will run it just before or just after the "Fandamonium" presentation. We then hope to run it several times via the replay feature.

 


[LDN/FIX/CITV sportswriter Jeff Mayfield (right) interviews U of I basketball coach Bill Self.]

Coach Self plans to give his assessment of Lincoln’s Brian Cook and tell Lincoln and Logan County viewers, listeners and cyber users what Cook means to him and to the program. He will also give his analysis of Lincoln Railer basketball, including some comments about coach Neil Alexander that you won’t want to miss.

Self, who is highly regarded as one of the best young coaches in America, will also tell local and area viewers about the style of play he prefers, his evaluation of the new players, and he will break down the schedule for central Illinois fans!

Having him on our show is a monumental accomplishment for what we’ve been trying to do through sports at our three outstanding venues. Make sure that you’re not the only person on your block to miss this exciting interview!

[Jeff Mayfield]

 

 


Articles from the past week

Friday:

  • Bill Self scheduled to appear on ‘Fandamonium’

  • Hartsburg-Emden athletes earn letters

  • LCC men’s basketball

Thursday:

  • No new sports articles posted

Wednesday:

  • LCC women's basketball

  • Men’s basketball pre-game notes: Illinois State vs. Utah State

Tuesday:

  • Brian Cook a Senior CLASS ‘Player to Watch’

  • Bears vs. Rams

Monday:

  • Mount Pulaski takes second at state
  • Mayfield’s Mutterings...:  Mount Pulaski goes all the way to state championship game
  • LCHS students on Central State Eight all-star teams

  • Lincoln College women’s basketball vs. Meramec

  • Lincoln College wrestles at Muskegon tourney

Saturday:

  • Cook's late bucket preserves win

  • Hollyfield signs

  • LC wrestling

  • LC women's basketball


Mount Pulaski goes all the way
to state championship game

By Jeff Mayfield

[NOV. 18, 2002]  Saturday evening at the Redbird Arena was the place to be as the Lady Hilltoppers battled Wheaton St. Francis for the state volleyball title.

Congratulations, Mount Pulaski! The LDN tips our cap to coach Donna Dulle and the Toppers of Mount Pulaski High School for their runner-up showing at the Class A state volleyball tournament. Mount P. has been great all season long, and we just want them all to know how proud we are of them! Nice going, ladies!  [See game stats]

Illini’s upset train derailed

For most of Saturday’s supposed mismatch between the BCS No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes and the lightly regarded Illinois Fighting Illini, it appeared from our vantage point that the Illini were the better team.

But don’t be fooled by those fans who want to tell you that the refs or some other force intervened to take the game away. When you’re in a heavyweight bout against the champ, you have to knock them out! And Illinois had such a chance when OSU faced a crucial third down-and-10 starting the overtime cycle. Their QB, Craig Krenzel, executed yet another amazing 14-yard scramble that led to a 9-yard TD scamper by Maurice Hall, and the Bucks had the Illini’s backs against the wall.

 


[Photos by Tom Seggelke]
[Buckeye fans]

But unlike Illinois’ El Foldo performances over most of the last 2½ months, their pride and character rose to the surface. Two well-timed and well-aimed passes by Illini QB Jon Buetjer just missed tying the game and sending it to a much-deserved second overtime period!

The first one, to Aaron Moorehead, was well-thrown, but the OSU defense pushed him out while he was in the air, which is a legal and great defensive play. On the ensuing down, Buetjer found Walter Young in the other corner of the end zone, but the refs ruled that Young did not have control of the ball WHILE he was inbounds. The guys on 670-AM The Score say he caught it and it was a touchdown.

Believe me when I say that there are few bigger Illini fans in the world than I am, and I’m not so sure that it was TD. Why ANYone would not want instant replay is totally beyond the LDN’s ability to explain.

 

I was, however, very impressed with the gritty, gutsy performance of this Illinois team on this day. Had they played like this all year, I could be packing my bags and heading for a warm-weather climate somewhere. Instead I’ll be spending the holidays in a little-known garden spot called Indiana with in-laws, outlaws, and dogs and cats… Thanks, fellas!

Seriously, I was very proud of our team, and I hope that recruits across the country (especially the ones who usually enroll at schools like Miami) will give Illinois another look (and realize with one more look-see that if they and a dozen or so of their friends came to Illinois, what a grand world it would be) before signing all those letters of intent!

Speaking of Miami…

I saw them earlier in the season, and they are so much better than everyone else that it’s not even funny! No offense to OSU… They came into Champaign and did what they had to do, but I don’t think they, Oklahoma or anyone can knock out this Miami ballclub. Heck, they may be better than three NFL teams!!! Don’t worry… I won’t NAME those teams!

 

[to top of second column in this article]

Proud of our crowd…

I’ve been pretty harsh on our Illini crowds the last two years in all sports, but I must compliment them on Saturday’s performance. I thought they were classy and REALLY supported our team when we needed a lift. I’ll never forget the roar that went up when Jon Gockman nailed the 48-yard field goal to send the game to OT. (By the way… someone asked me how eight seconds went off the clock on that kick. The answer —outstanding home clockwork by assistant Pontiac basketball coach Gary Brunner! Well done, my friend. Brunner has been a longtime friend and clock operator at Memorial Stadium.) But again, our fans were great!

Many fans don’t seem to realize how important their role is. When you get inside the game and begin to realize how hard it is to win ANY game on the road, you begin to understand how much the home support can mean to your team and program. IF you don’t believe me, talk to anyone who tries their luck betting on sports and goes through a bookie. They can ALL tell you how much the home field and the home court is worth in any and all contests. That’s why I love it when our crowds show up and do their best. Many times it is the difference in the contest… for good or for bad. Energy can be transferred, and when the fans’ energy gets inside a player or a team, great and unbelievable things can happen and get accomplished.

This game Saturday was a prime example of my point. Our crowd almost willed us to victory. It was a sight to behold… AND I’d like to see a LOT more of it!!!

Loyalty and friendship comes first…

I have, or should say had, a ticket to tonight’s Bears-Rams game on MNF, but other priorities must come first. So, I’m letting my good friend Tom Seggelke go in my place (he says he’s glad he knows me… at times like this). My wife has something for my son and me to do, AND tonight is our BIG basketball show on "FANdamonium." Don’t you hate it when responsibilities get in the way of fun?!!!

Speaking of "FANdamonium…"

TONIGHT is a very special night indeed! This will serve as our BIG showcase for men’s basketball. In the studios tonight will be Lincoln College Lynx head coach B.J. McCullum, Lincoln Christian College head coach Randy Kirk and the head coach of YOUR Lincoln Railers, Neil Alexander. Greg and I are thrilled to have such an awesome lineup.

Since we won’t have much time, we will NOT be accepting any calls tonight, and that will give us more time to gather more give-away stuff for next week. So, at 6 o’clock tonight click on the LDN’s LIVE link, or listen at FIX 96.3 or set your TV dial to Channel 5, and we’ll try to showcase three awesome basketball programs from right here in beautiful downtown Lincoln!

Speaking of basketball…

The LDN would like to extend our sympathies to former ISU Redbird star and former LCC development guru Dale White on the passing of his father Don White. Those of you who follow Indiana High School basketball have known of Mr. White’s many contributions to gathering the history of basketball in that state and all the many contacts he had in virtually every sport over there. IF the long, standing-room-only line in the church yesterday was any indication, this man was loved by all! We send out our condolences to Dale and his family!

The LDN would also like to send out a congratulatory salute to LCC Angel basketball coaches Amanda and Donnie Bowman. The Bowmans were blessed early Saturday morning with the birth of their first child, Karissa Jo Bowman. Mother and child are said to be doing fine. I say, put a uniform on that girl and get her into the lineup quick! IF she’s as good as her mom and dad were, the basketball world will soon have another REALLY special player! CONGRATULATIONS, Bowmans!!!

HAVE a GREAT week, everybody!

[Jeff Mayfield]

 


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