Asbury Park Press du lieu suivant : Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 60

Celtics Are superior To Knicks Right Now i nm i mM yum yt iiiim MunnM ''If' fell tt -is id ft r- i( hl if fTl If) AS rl i Dave DeBussehere of the New York Knicks preparei to take aotion lost night in Boston. Celtics won 119-97. shot as Boston Celtics' Don Chaney covers in 1st period (AP) Asbtjry Park Evening Press ASBURY PARK, N.J., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1973 Davis Leads Cavs Over St. touis Blues' goalie John Davidson and New York Rangers' left wing Steve Vickers watch loose puck in 2nd period last night. Rangers won 5-1 in Garden.

(AP) Rangers Victors In Slow Clash PHILADELPHIA W) -Dwight Davis scored 12 of his 25 points in the third period as the Cleveland Cavaliers raced to an 89-75 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in a National Basketball Association game last night. The Cavaliers led by only 40-34 at halftime, but Dwight Davis, spurt enabled Cleveland to open a 17-point lead and never allowed Philadel-phiato get closer than 11 points. Austin Carr topped the Cavaliers with 26 points. Sports Angles Ky KLLIOTT UKNMAN NJSIAA Rankings Subject to Debate Again JVV.T1!8 was Iays after llio N.J. State Intcrscholastic Athletic Association voted approval for a limited form of sectional football playoffs for the 1974 season the expected debates over the 1973-74 NJSIAA rankings broke out.

Hopefully, the 1974 playoffs will alleviate some of the arguments that traditionally mark the announcement of the NJSIAA's sectional championship list. Hut it's equally clear that some revisions in the NJSIAA points system upon which the playoffs will bo based are needed before the playoff setup can stand a reasonable chance of success, TODAY'S announcement-of NJSIAA sectional champions brought joy to the people at Cedar Ridge and Matawan Regional high schools, located just a few miles away from each other, but dismay to the folks at Manasquan and Brick Township. Cedar. Ridge was awarded the Central Jersey Group IV crown with 681 points after a 9-0-0 season that included victories over eight Middlesex County foes and Raritan of the Shore Conference, and Coach Art Barnes, of course, was elated. "I'M DARN proud of this," declared Barnes.

"I'm proud of this for the kids and for the school. The team did a great job this year. The Central Jersey title is one more fabulous thing for us." Despite the perfect record, Barnes had doubts until the last minute that his team would win in Central Jersey. "You just never know how the NJSIAA power ratings work out. We could have easily lost it," he said.

And he was right since Woodbridge, a team that had a 7-2 record which included an 18-0 loss to Cedar Ridge came with in 33 rating-system points of the Cougars. Woodbridge was able to make it close only since the NJSIAA calculated that it played the toughest schedule in the state pegged at 737 points. "IT'S A complete surprise to me," said Coach Barry Rizzo at Matawan Regional after he learned his Huskies were the kingpins in Central Jersey Group III. Rizzo's pupils went 7-2 and were runners-up to Brick Township in Shore Conference Class A. Meanwhile, Manasquan was rolling through all Class foes en route to its 9-0 record but the Big Blue Warriors were deemed inferior, 346-280, on the NJSIAA CJ Group III tables.

never expected this," Rizzo went on, "and I'm especially excited for all our boys who had such an excellent season. mm "I WAS happy after our first game when we came within a point of beating Brick Township but then we had a letdown against Middletown and it looked like we were going to be in for a long season. "Some of our younger kids like freshman Ken Mandeville and sophomore Gary Weber came along a lot faster than I anticipated and that really helped. We had some outstanding running from Jim Bell and Alan Smutko and guys like Mark Wojcik and Carl Underwood really did the job, too." Under the 1974 format, Manasquan would have qualified to meet Matawan Regional in a playoff. But that was small consolation to Coach Jack Hawkins and his team.

The NJSIAA's reasoning was that the Manasquan schedule seven Class foes, plus Class Wall and Class Point Pleasant Boro wasn't testing enough to outrank Matawan's 7-2 mark against tougher teams. IN BRICK Township, the news that Triton Regional had outpointed the Green Dragons in South Jersey Group IV, 480-422, despite an inferior record, 7-2 to 8-1, wasn't really news to Coach Warren Wolf. "I'm disappointed but not surprised," he reported. "We've become sort of callous to this kind of thing by now," said the only head coach Brick has ever had. "There's no doubt about it," Wolf went on.

"The current point system has its built-in prejudices. We don't have a chance as long as the current rating system exists." UNDER THE 1974 playoff format, the 1973 Brick team wouldn't have earned a playoff spot with Triton the point gap between them was too wide. Despite that, Wolf, one of the architects of the 1974 playoff setup, is enthusiastic about the plan. "The playoffs, finally, will help decide some of the things we've only been able to. talk about," he analyzes.

"It's best of the methods but until a better method comes along it will have to do. Cedar Ridge II Awarded NJSIAA Title in Group IV do on that line. I may split the assignment between (Gene) Carr and (Bobby) Rousseau." Carr returned to the ice for the first time since suffering a head injury in an auto accident in Boston. His long locks were concealed under a helmet. He noted, "I may have to wear this the rest of my career." Popein experimented with both Carr and Rousseau as center for Billy Fairbairn and Steve Vickers.

Rousseau connected a goal with the line the second time they were on the ice together. The Rangers have scored at least one power play goal in 10 straight games which Is a club record Bruce MacGregor with an assist last night is 7-9-16 in his last 11 games Ron Harris played in his 400th National Hockey League game last night St. Louis defense-man, Steve Durbano is among the missing and no one, including their coach where he is. Seems he walked off the ice last Saturday and hasn't been heard froj since. Talbot said, "Durbano just left and I don't know where he is." St.

Louis has been a welcome sight for the Rangers. In the last nine meetings the Rangers hold an 8-0-1 record. Since joining the league the Rangers hold a 16-1-1 record over the Blues on Madison Square Garden ice. New York Is Looking To Playoffs Special to The Press BOSTON The Celtics are tons better than the Knicks right now and both of them know it. They also know it doesn't mean all that much at this time of year.

For instance, last night, after the Celts beat the Knicks for the third time this season, rolling to a 119-97 victory with a 40-point fourth period, Walt Frazicr tried to think positively. "Maybe they'll get overconfident," said Clyde. He was half-joking, half-serious. He knows the only victories that are absolutely vital to a professional basketball player are those that come not in the autumn but in the spring, when it's playoff time. "That's another season," said Clyde.

"And if they do take us lightly, they'll be foolish. Not these Celtics. Even in the first flush of victory last night, they refused to read anything into the result other than another notch on their record. "I don't trust that club," said Jo Jo White, meaning the Knicks. "We know that's the team we have to beat." The standings say the Celt ics have already done that.

They are 6'4 games in front of the Knicks and pulling away. Yet this isn't the playoffs and they know it. Fact is, they are still smarting from the fact the Knicks eliminated them in post-season competition last year. "That was a real jolt to us," said Don Chaney, looking back. "That's this game doesn't mean anything or prove anything.

It's just a win." Maybe so, but it sure was convincing. The Celts, to use Dave DeBusschcre's words, "killed" the Knicks on the boards, out-rebounding them, 58-35. Then there was the matter of layups the Celtics got them by the bushel, driving to the hoop at every opportunity. "The lane was wide open," said Chaney. He made the most of it when the Celtics finally put the Knicks away, scoring 13 points after the Knicks had drawn to within six (85-79) early in the fourth period.

After that, it was a rout. Frazier was victimized several times by Chaney but he felt the main problem was having to play a powerhouse such as Boston without a policeman like Willis Reed in the middle of your defense. "We don't have anybody blocking shots," said Clyde. "Guys can drive to the basket uncontested." The Celtics were also beating the Knicks back on the break by miles. "They were just getting too many easy hoops," said De-Busschere.

"We weren't." The Knicks did get some good outside shooting from both Frazier and DcBussch-cre as Clyde hit ll-of-19 for 25 points and Dave made 9-of- IS for 18. It wasn't, however, enough. Part of it was a lack of production from the bench. The Knick reserves did, in fact, contribute a point until the fourth minute of the final period. By then it was too late.

Most of all. though, it was simply that the Celtics were much too strong. That had something to do with their motivation. Even though they realize that victory over the Knicks doesn't mean that much now, they still come out gnashing their teeth and cracking their knuckles. "All the fun and games stop in this i said White.

Last night, one could believe it. niln tgmfoo fto reb a pf Oil Bihhy 1 1 0 0 3 1 1 tuodlfv 4.1 7 14 1 1 2 5 3 15 lovtvM 3 0 1 0 (1 2 2 9 IB 0 0 9 A 3 18 fionrr. 40 11 19 3 4 1 2S btii 111.0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 t.ionrlll 7 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 JoikMMi 31 5 16 4 A II I A 14 I vco 7 14 112 0 0 3 Mrmlngfr 3' 5 II 5 3 4 3 IS Rikrr 3 0 112 1 10 1 Wmao II 14 0 2 2 0 0 7 IcilolJ 240 41 94 IS 35 24 20 9 ChfiifV 33 III I (owpin J9 8 IS 0 0 12 Pownino 2 2 2 0 0 2 Hnkrl 6 I .1 2 I 5 Hnnhimon. 3 1 2 0 0 0 1 4 llS I 2 16 I 4 0 1 4 0 5 0 25 0 I 2 llnvllrfk 41 II 17 3 MibprsVi Ill 1 2 0 3 0 2 Nlm 11 10 2 3 3 4 14 1 II Mint 30 4 ll 4 II Wrstohol 2 0 0 0 3 3 4 Whil 39 5 17 0 0 10 10 Willinnu 4 2 3 0 I 4 lolol 240 5JI00 13 14 5R 3J hovloii 2 7l 11 40 in Ni" York 24 1 2R 2 II Kv iilhwiilniltM ptnvdl IOMI'fl'd uuais made; Igu htld goals alltmpledj llm 61 76ers average entering the game, collected 35 for the Hawks and Lou Hudson added 32. It was the first victory for the new Kings Coach Phil Johnson after three losses.

Maravich scored 17 ppints in the last quarter. 41 BUFFALO UP) Bob McA-doo scored 37 points, including the tying and winning baskets last night, leading the Buffalo Braves to a 114-110 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. McAdoo had 13 of his points in the last quarter and made 10 of 14 shots in the second half. The Braves' center tied the game at 108-all with a pair of free throws with three minutes left. Then he hit two jump shots to make it 112-108 with 58 seconds to play.

Sidney Wicks scored for Portland with 45 seconds to go before Bob Kauffman sank a pair of free throw3 with seven seconds left. McAdoo had 14 rebounds and five blocked shots, and played the entire last quarter with five fouls. Garfield Heard had 20 points for Buffalo and Ernie DiGregorio added 10 assists. Randy Smith had seven steals, contributing to 36 Portland turnovers. Wicks and Rick Robcrson led the Blazers with 24 points each.

4i PHOENIX, Ariz. -Charlie Scott fired in eight points in the closing minutes as the Phoenix Suns edged the Golden State Warriors 101-97 last night. The teams battled on even terms most of the game and Phoenix survived an error plagued fourth quarter by both teams to win the game. Guard Jeff Mullins of Golden State cancelled a tying basket by Rick Barry with 32 seconds remaining when he committed an offensive foul. Thocnix took the ball out of bounds and Mullins was again called for a defensive foul.

Scott stepped to the line, sank two free throws with 17 seconds left to sew up the contest. Phoenix shot 17 of 24 from the floor for 70 per cent in the third quarter but couldn't pull away despite 40 per cent shooting by the Warriors because Golden State made 10 for 10 free throws in the period. Top scorers for the Suns were Scott with 27 points, followed by Corky Calhoun with 14. Mullins was high for the Warriors with 22 with Cazzie Russell with 16 points. HOUSTON LTV-The Houston Rockets trounced the Capitol Bullets 119-99 behind the scoring of Calvin Murphy and the rebounding of Don Smith last night.

Smith, who had 11 rebounds in the third quarter alone, finished with a career-high of 27. Murphy ended up 33 points, after scoring 16 of the Rockets first 30 points. The Rockets went ahead for good in the third quarter 62-61, when Mike Ncwlin hit a jump shot with 8:52 left. With 7:13 loft in the game, the Rockets had a 20-point lead, 101 Rl, by out-scoring the Bullets, 10 2 in one stretch. Rudy Tomjanovich had 20 points for the Rockets while Ncwlin ended with 17.

Elvin Hayes led Baltimore with 23 points. The Kings were without Nate Archibald, who was idled again when a season-long Achilles tendon injury flared up. Nate Williams, 6-5 forward, moved to the back court and collected 22 points for the Kings as did veteran forward Don Kojis. The Kings led from the five minute mark of the opening quarter, but used a nine-point explosion late in the first half to move into a 54-44 advantage. Pete Maravich.

the NBA leading scorer with a 29-point nine games played, with ties counting as half a game. Manasquan is one of three schools with unbeaten records which did not win state sectional titles. The others are Pequannock and Pope John XXIII of Sparta. All three will earn special NJSIAA plaques. At Mondays annual business meeting of the NJSIAA a limited form of sectional football playoffs was approved for 1974.

Under this format, a Mate wan Regional-Manasquan playoff game would have been permitted to decide the been permitted to decide the CJ Group III title. Manas-quan's undefeated season would have earned the Big Blue their right to challenge Matawan Regional. However, no Triton Regional-Brick Township game would have been authorized in South Jersey Group IV under the 1974 formula. Triton had a point margin greater than the maximum six per cent differential. No Cedar Ridge-Wood-bridge game would have been authorized CJ Group IV even though they were within three NJSIAA percentage points of each other.

They met during the 1973 season and Cedar Ridge won, 18-0. Jersey Blues Lose, 84-57, To Atlantic MAYS LANDING -Brook-dale Community College lost an early eight-point lead and fell to hast Atlantic Community College, 81-57, hi a Garden State Athletic conference basketball game last night. Brookdale was ahead by eight points at the 16:31 mark of the first half, but Atlantic came back and moved ahead, 24-18, at 6:40 of tle half. Atlantic increased the lead to 31-18 at 4:35 and had a 41-28 halftime margin. Atlantic keot the lead in the second half, with Brook-dale coming no closer than nine points.

Dave Jenkins, Ron Reld, and Ron Coney paced Atlantic with 21, 19, and 18 points, respectively. Tim Verves and Pete White led with 16 and 12 points, respectively. Atlantic is 2 0, Brookdale 1-1. Jnn (. 'vmlh VVIhIp 1 minify Hur fliei I 1 mnt Ion will lnlnU III link tlnle Alliintk 4 I I (I I I II 0 0 7 3 0 5 0 111 I 0 Conv 0hm Kpid ItmMn Mi l.Hlf Krlllrr Mnnilf I Muolir Wooiltow lololt 7 4 II 1 0 4 9 I 19 111 I 31 1 .1 4 0 I 0 .1 3 1 1 II S4 11- 41 4J- 14 They led by as much as 16 In the final period when Carr scored 11 of his points.

Larry Jones was high for the 76ers with 16, while Tom Van Arsdale had 12 and Steve Mix 11 for Philadelphia, which saw their four-game home winning streak come to an end. OMAHA, Neb. UP) Jimmy WalkoV scored 29 points as the Kansas City-Omaha Kings snapped an 11-game losing streak by defeating Atlanta 117-105 last night. Matawan Regional's winning total in CJ Group III was 346 points. Unbeaten Manasquan, 9-0-0, totaled 280 and Asbury Park's 7-2 team had 213 points for third.

Hillsborough (8-0-1) led the CJ Group II point-scorers with 406 with Warren Hills Regional a close second at 373 and they were declared co-champions. Trailing in CJ Group II were Shore Regional and Red Bank Regional (both 8- 1-0 for the season), tied for fifth with 257 points. Keansburg had 168 NJSIAA points to stake its tentative claim to the CJ Group I crown. Triton Regional was crowned as South Jersey Group IV winner with 480 points. Brick's 8-1 season earned 422 points for second place.

The SJ Group III title went to Camden (8-0-1) with 671 points as Lakewood (7-2-0) placed eighth with 222 and Southern Regional (6-2-1) was ranked ninth with 202. Bishop Eustace Prep of Pennsauken was a runaway winner of the South Jersey Parochial crown with its 7-0-2 record, worth 622 NJSIAA points. Red Bank Catholic, 7-2-0, was a distant second with 311 points. The selections, determined by the NJSIAA's Executive Committee, were based primarily on the revised NJSIAA point system adopted by member schools 11 years ago. The basic standards of the revised NJSIAA point system give each school in the state a tentative group rating at the conclusion of each season, based cntircy on the performance of the team during that previous season.

A final group rating from A to is determined entirely on the strength of the teams that a given school has beaten during the current year, and the tentative rating is then corrected on the basis of the performance of the team on the field during the season. The strength of schedule is measured by the number of points a team would have earned had it won all its games based on tho group rating of its opponents. Final game scores have no bearing on the final point. earned by each team. In addition, any school that finishes its season with a 9- 0-0 or 8 0-0 record is awarded a bonus of five per cent to its final points total.

However, in order to bo considered for championship, regardless of Its N.ISIAA points, a school must win S'i out of seven, six out of eight, or6Mioutof By BILL KING Press Staff Writer NEW YORK The fast, exciting game of hockey slowed down quite a bit last night at Madison Square Garden but the New York Rangers didn't mind. While most of the crowd yawned their way through three periods, the Rangers managed to run their unbeaten streak to ten in a row (7-0-3). The St. Louis Blues ofered little opposition as they took a 5-1 beating. Following three straight goals in the first period, by the Rangers, there was little to cheer about the rest of the way.

For the Blues it was their second game in two nights but coach Jean Guy Talbot said, "That had nothing to do about it." Pacing back and forth he explained, "That first goal they scored on a power play made the difference. I thought the call wasn't that good. Still we have no excuse, we were beat by a good team." Maybe goalie Ed Giacomin had the answer for the rather dull contest as he said, "Man it was hot out there tonight." When asked if it made a difference on the ice he replied, "It sure did. It was a lot slower than usual." Last night's game completed the first third of the season for the Rangers and they appear to be on the winning track after a rough start. The club has dropped only one of its last 15 games and show a 9-1-5 record.

They have scored 50 goals in the last ten games. Pete Stemkoski, with a goal last night, has scored a goal in each of the last four games. Vic Hadficld has been having a ball on power plays. He opened the scoring in the first period with his seventh goal of the season which also happened to be his fifth power play score. A pair of rapid fire goals in the final minutes of the period upped the Ranger lead to 3-0.

Ted Irvine scored on a two-on-onc break as he took a pass from Pete Stemkowski. 47 seconds later Bobby Rousseau beat goalie John Davidson from 15 feet in front. St. Louis got into the scoring act in the second period as Pierre Plante beat Ed Giacomin on a two and one break. The goal seemed to rile the Rangers and Brad Park followed with a torrid slap shot which bounced off Davidson's arm and into the net.

The New York goal came just 23 seconds after the Blues had tallied. Stemkowski woke the crowd up briefly in the final period as he scored his ninth of the season. Tonight the Rangers will meet the Sabres in Buffalo and they will be without Walt Tkaczuk. The hustling center suffered" a groin Injury in the first period of last night's game and sat out the final two frames. Ranger coach Larry Popeln explained, "Waller won't be going with us to Buffalo.

I will have to sec what I will ROBBINSVILLE Just as expected, Cedar Ridge High School's undefeated football team has been awarded the N.J. State Interscholastic Athletic Association's Central Jersey Group IV Championship. However, a major sur-sprise in the list of championships announced today by James G. Growney, the NJSIAA executive secretary-treasurer, awards the Central Jersey Group III title to Matawan Regional, which had a 7-2 season, over undefeated Manasquan. Keansburg has a tentative claim to the Central Jersey Group I crown a the only eligible contender.

However, the Titans' status as sectional champions awaits the outcome of a protest hearing. Dunellcn has protested Keansburg's cancellation of a contracted jayvee game. Brick Township, which went through an 8-1 season, was forced to settle for second place in South Jersey Group IV behind Triton Regional, which compiled a 7-2 record but was adjudged to play a tougher schedule. The NJSIAA's rating system in CJ Group IV gave Cedar Ridge a winning total of 681 points, the second highest total in the state. On-1 Summit, the North Jersey, Section II, Group III winner, with 690 points, compiled more NJSIAA points than Cedar Ridge.

Woodbridge (648 points) and Watchung Hills (640) were Cedar Ridge's closest rivals in CJ Group IV. Vikings Edge Bergen Five For 3rd Win TOMS RIVER Ocean County College won its third basketball game of the season last night, hanging onto an 84 81 victory over Bergen Community College at Ocean's gym. Ocean trailed in the opening minutes, 6-0, but came back to take the lead for good midway through the fir st half. The Vikings ojwiied a 20-point margin with 17 00 left In the second half, only to have a rally by Bergen bring the visitors back to within the final three points. AI Baillle led the winners with 28 points.

Ron Brown ndded 19 and Val Cunningham had 15. Mnhnnvtf A 4 in I 19 4 II II 1 (I 4 (i a Bin VmiR'hrn Mikii Smith l)Mnola Clm (I'llnn I inkk InlnH II 3 7 WIIHnilli i i 1 I 19 (I 0 I 0 i 1 1 i i 3S II RnllM OM (. Iinm OilU'V Tatolt 11 It 14 41 49 PfflQIHt Hie Naslasc Rebounds For Spectacular Win First Prlod 1, Nw York, HadllllrJ Ralell. Gilbert, 1:41. 2, Ntw York, Irvlrw I SImkowskl.

MacGregor, 11:13. 3, Nw York, Rousseau 3 Vlckrs, Sacharuk, 19: 00 Pnalti Barclay Plager, sti, 7:36. Seconrt Prlod 4, St. Louis, Ploni I Evnnv Thomson, 3 S7. 5, Ntw York.

Park 7 Ratll, Moroll. 4:11. Pnaltl Slemkowskl, NY, 5:41: Evant, SIL, II 29. Third Period t. Ntw York, Stemkowl.

kl 9 Irvine, MocGrtaor, 14:09. Ptnoltitt None. Shots on aool: St. Louli 4-9 6-1U Ntw York 1311 11-35. Goaltenders St.

Louis. Davidson. Ntw York, Giacomin. WewVoH Croydon Hall Is Winner In Cage Opener MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP Croydon Hall Academy opened its basketball season yesterday with a 49-43 victory over Englcwood Prep. Croydon Hall jumped out to a quick nine-point lead In the opening three minutes and were never seriously threatened after that.

Croydon led 22-tO at tho end of the first quarter, 31-16 at the half, and 41-35 at the end of three quarters. Croydon played without ita two top performers, Sam Lea and John Cromwell, and played Us substitutes during the second half. Jules Williams, Paul Then-aid, and Marlctt Newman led Croydon Hall with 12, and 10 ponts, respectively. Bill Sciz topped Englcwood with 16 points iflo.Mia Slr puiuiln Rusk Mollnv Ptltrson VUlill'Mllt Nnwinnn Mrl ii Tharimt) SnmrtuM Iim kr vtii obit II Tnlnls 70 1 41 luiun I uglffffonr! llnll in 4 4 OFHUA14 Murphy, Noviliti ed to sco a Commercial Union official." One did not come, but the referee, Mike Blanchard, asked me to play, so I played." The temperamental Nastase will meet Australian Davis Cup star John New-combe in the third round tonight. The eight players In the tournament each play thrco matches to determine the semi-finals lineup Friday night.

Ncwcombc, the 1973 U.S. Open Champion, posted his second straight victory In the tournament by spotting Gorman in their first set and then lowering his way to a 3-fi, 6 2, 6-2 decision. Gorman, beaten by the big Australian in the Davis Cup matches last week in Cleveland, caught Newcombo by surprise by winning the opening net. BOSTON Defending champion Hie Nastase, upset In his opening match, rebounded with spectacular tennis and defeated Wimbledon champ Jan Kodcs of Czechoslovakia, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, yesterday in the second round of the $50,000 Masters Tournament. Nastase, a 27-ycar-old Romanian who was upset by Tom Gorman of Seattle in straight sets In the first round Tuesday night, rallied against Kodcs after threatening to walk off the court bo-cause of libes by somo persons in the sparse crowd nt Jlyncs Auditorium.

"1 was unhappy with the crowd and wanted to retire," nald Nastase, while attending a post-match news confer-nc under protest. "I wnnt-.