Friday. Nov. 22. 1957 University Daily Kansam
Page 7
—(Daily Kansan photo)
BASKETBALL COACHES—The Kansas coaching staff enjoy a joke in a meeting before varsity practice. From left, assistant coach Jack Eskridge, head coach Dick Harp and assistant coach
Dick Harp Had His Chance, Made Good As Head Coach
Jerry Waugh. These three men led the Jayhawker basketball team to a No. 2 finish in the NCAA last year and will be trying to duplicate the performance this year.
By BOB MACY (Of The Daily Kansan Staff)
Basketball Coach Dick Harp could easily be termed a man who had his chance and made good. His chance was taking over as successor to the grand old master of basketball, Forrest C. (Phog) Allen for the 1956-57 season. He had an array of talent that would please any basketball coach. Such players as Maurice King, Gene Elstun, Lew Johnson, John Parker and the phenomenal sophomore Wilt Chamberlain made the basketball picture at Kansas "rosy" in the eyes of many.
His making good came as the year progressed and the Jayhawkers continued to win game after game. The squad finished the season with a 24-3 record, second in national ranking and runnerup in the NCAA finals at Kansas City. The championship game was lost to North Carolina, 54-53, in three overtimes.
No Sure Thing
Many statements have been made that the young coach has had a winner laid right in his lap. Many sportswriters have commented that with Wilt Chamberlain it doesn't matter who else you have. Harp is quick to note that it was a great combination of men who won the Big Seven confe ence championship last year as well as second place in the nation.
"Any one who says that it was Chamberlain alone that was responsible for KU's success last year isn't doing justice to boys such as Maurice King, Gene Elstun, Lew Johnson and John Parker. They were all great players and helped to pull us through." Harp said.
However, Harp is quick to give credit where credit is due.
"Wilt is a great athlete. He is not only the most graceful 7-foot person I have ever seen, but he's the most graceful kid I've ever seen on the basketball court."
One of the leading sports magazines predicted the Jayhawke's to take third nationally this year behind North Carolina and Baylor.
Asked to comment on this, Harp said, "We are very happy when people honor us by placing us among the top basketball teams in the country. At the present time, we'd be most happy to end up third in the nation. Because of inexperience in the squad, we can't draw a comparison with last year's squad."
Fourth Basketball Coach Here
Harp is the fourth head basketball coach in Kansas history. He was once an outstanding Jayhawker basketball player. Harp was co-captain on the Jayhawker squad that took second place honors behind Indiana in the second NCAA playoff at Kansas City in 1940.
Although Harp had never held a head coaching job in a major college, he was assumed to be the logical man for the job. When it came time to name a successor to Allen, Harp was the only one considered for the job.
Harp had been Allen's assistant since 1949. Previous to that he had held the position of head coach at William-Jewell college.
"We think it is possible and highly probable that our younger boys on the team with the proven ability can give KU a team that will be competitive for the Big Eight Conference championship." Harp said.
Waugh's Frosh Squad Depth Laden
Ask Jerry Waugh, assistant KU basketball coach, what he thinks of the present freshman basketball team and he'll answer with a sly gain and point to his team roster.
Coach Waugh, in his second year as assistant coach, may have good reasons to be happy with his current squad, reasons such as Dave Woolery, a 5-foot 11-inch high school All American from Kansas City, Kansas' Posedale and 6-foot 5½-inch Dill Eridges, an all stater from Hobbs, N. M.
Other promising all staters on the squad are Kent Berkley, six footer from Tescott, last year's
state class BR champs, Jerry Collangela, 6-foot $2\frac{1}{2}$-inch Chicagoan. Dee Ketchum, a 6-footer from Bartlesville, Okla., the home town of former KU great Dallas Dobbs and Bill Newton, 6-foot $2\frac{1}{2}$-inch star from Terre Haute, Ind.
As if the previously mentioned players aren't enough, Waugh rounds out his squad with the following players; Joe Biggs, 6-foot 2½-inches, from Abilene; Mike Curry, 5-foot 10-inches, Midwest City, Okla.; Tom Gore, 6-foot 3-inches, Menlo Park, Calif.; Tom Holler, 5-foot 10-inches, Wichita; Dave Linder, 6-foot 5-inches, from Wasau, Wis.; Russ Marcinek, a 5-foot 10-inch sparkplug from East Chicago, Ind.; Norman Schwartzkopf, 6-foot
2 inches, Abillene; Doyle Shick, a 6-foot Lawrence boy who is not only promising in basketball, but a high school All American in football and one of the best grid prospects in recent years.
Also expected to give the team better depth are: Pete Abbott, 5-foot 10-inches from Washington, D. C.; John Peterson, a 6-foot 5-inch star from Topcka; Art Ackerman, a 6-foot 3-inch sophomore from Fairbury, Neb., and Bob O'fill, a 6-foot sophomore from Kansas City, Kan.
Waugh explained that although the team couldn't boast of much height, the depth of this fine roster overcomes the height disgadvent- age.
Cage Season Opens Dec.2
With KU's opening game with Oklahoma State, its arch rival 10 days away, basketball coach Dick Harp is busy putting together a team that can equal or outdo last year's NCAA championship runners-up.
Coach Harp's main problem is trying to replace such stars as Maurice King, Gene Elstun, Lew Johnson, and John Parker, all of whom graduated last year.
According to Harp, the three main worries for the Jayhawkers this year are defense, proven shooting ability and lack of speed.
Coach Harp will be building his team around 18 men who started practice Oct. 15th. He will have only two men who were regulars last year. These men, center Wilt Chamberlain and forward Ron Loneski are expected to carry a heavy load for the Jayhawkers this year.
The list of squad members is:
FORWARDS
Ron Loneski-One of the two men that Ha p will use as the nucleus for the team this season. He is an excellent all-around player. Big, fast and aggressive, he can score well off the fast break, and his left-handed jump shot.
He is a good rebounder. Loneski, a 6-feet $4^{\frac{1}{2}}$-inch junior from Bishop Nall High School. Hammond, Ind., is predicted by Harp to be "one of the outstanding players in the conference this year."
Gary Thompson—A strong, tough rebounder, good shooter and a hard battler. The 6-foot player at Wellington High School, Harp expects the 6-foot 4-inch junior to be a strong contender for a starting position if he can recover in time from a late summer operation.
Orin, Carney-Played last year at center. This year this 6-foot $41\mathrm{i n c h}$ sophomore was shifted to forward. The Basehor High School graduate still needs experience and practice in all phases of the game, but will have three years to develop.
Alan Donahue—A first stringer on the freshman squad last year, Harp terms Donahue "a fine sophemore prospect." Harp said he expected the 6-foot $4\frac{1}{2}$-inch star from Wyandotte in Kansas City, Kan. to do a lot of playing for the Jayhawkers this year.
Jim Hoffman—A standout at Northeast High School, Kansas City, Mo., he made his mark last year in play with the freshman squad. Harp considers Hoffman a "good sophomore." He said this 6-foot $3\frac{1}{2}$-inch forward has a "good chance to see considerable action this season."
Monte Johnson—Has good size, shooting ability and a lot of desire. A 6-foot 5-inch Wyndotte High School product, he is expected to make a strong bid for a starting berth. "He is a strong rebounder but must improve his defensive ability," Harp said.
Dick Keith—A 6-foot $ \frac{6}{4} $-inch sophomore, played high school ball at Blue Springs, Kansas. He has a lot of potential. Harp said Keith is probably one year away from much varsity play.
CENTER
Wilt Chamberlain—Probably the most sought-after basketball player in recent history. He was one of the most talked about basketball players in the nation even before he broke into his first varsity game.
Gary Mowry—A substitute pivot man that shows a lot of desire. A 6-foot 7-inch junior from Central High School in St. Joseph, Missouri, Harp says that he has shown great improvement since last year.
GUARDS
Bob Billings—Has speed and quickness. Billings had a straight A average his freshman year which earned him a Summerfield scholarship. The 5-foot $11_{2}$-inch junior starred at Russell High School. He is president of the student body this year. "Billings could be one of the better back court players in recent Kansas history." Harp said.
John Cieland—Fine all-around offensive player who possesses considerable poise and skill under fire. Cieland, a 6-foot 3-inch Topeka senior, is a two-year letterman for the Jayhawkers. He was hurt the last part of last year; but Harp expects him to be a "strong contender" for a starting berth.
Bob Hickman—Was the high point man for the freshmen in the freshman-varsity game last year. The 6-foot 2-inch sophomore was an outstanding player at Gertsmeyer High School, Terre Haute, Ind. He was a member of the Indiana high school all star team. Coach Harp considers Hickman to be a fine back court prospect.
Larry Kelley—Another of the famous Kelley Brothers—his two elder brothers, Dean and Al, were former all-conference Jayhawkers. The 5-foot 11-inch junior is a graduate of Lawrence High. "Larry has improved his over-all play. He still must fight to gain a chance to play a lot." Harp said.
Lynn Kindred—A fast, aggressive 6-foot $2\frac{1}{4}$-inch junior gained his experience at Emporia High School. He is considered to be a fine student academically as well as athletically. He has improved a lot over his sophomore year and Harp feels that he will be a strong contender for a starting berth in the back court.
Phil Raisor—Will be playing his first varsity competition this year. The 6-foot sophomore was a standout in high school ball at Muncie, Ind., and was one of the top basketball players in the Muncie area. Harp believes Raisor has great potential.