Albany Democrat-Herald from Albany, Oregon • 21

Also in this section: NATIONAL NEWS COMICS INTERNATIONAL NEWS ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD THURSDAY, NOV. 27, 1980 21 Trail Blazers' numbers get I-o-n-g-e-r: 15 straight road setbacks his second NBA game but committed four personal fouls in the first 14 minutes of the game. Portland, which managed to hit six of 28 floor shots while Boston connected on 15 of 23 in the decisive first period, was led by Ron Brewer with 17 points and Jim Paxson with 16. Portland II 25 M-IOl Bolton 39 27 25 J5-1M PORTLAND 101 Nitt 12 13, Thompson 5 34 13. Owens 3 4-5 10, Paxson 1 0-2 It.

Ransey 2 0-0 4, Brewer 1 1-2 17, Grosa I 12 3, Kunnert 20-04, Harper 2 2-4 Bates 47-1015 Totals 41 19 33 101 BOSTON (1M): Maxwell 10-0 12. Bird II 2-3 24. Parish 3-4 21, Archibald 4 3-5 11. Ford 3 0-0 (. Robey 5-5 17.

Henderson 7 3-4 17. McHale 1-3 13. Fernsten 1 0-0 2, Kreklow 0 3-4 3 Totals 53 20-27 126 Fouled out: None. Total fouls: Portland 18. Boston 24.

Att: Kevin McHale 13, Cedric Maxwell 12 and Nate Archibald 11. The Celtics cooled off after their hot first quarter but easily outgunned the Trail Blazers the rest of the way. Boston led 66-44 at halftime, widened the advantage to as much as 31 points before hitting the three-quarter mark in front 91-69. Only a 13-2 spurt near the end of the third period kept the Trail Blazers within hailing distance. A symbol of Portland's futility was rookie guard and No.l draft choice Kelvin Ransay, who started BOSTON (AP) Is there no end to the long and winding road of the National Basketball Association for the Portland Trail Blazers? Not in Boston at The Celtics, fueled by Larry Bird and Robert Parish and a 39-point first-period blitz, stormed past the Blazers 126-101 in a game that was never close.

The loss left the Blazers as bewildered as ever. It was the team's llth straight loss on the road this season. It was Portland's 15th straight loss on the road stretching back to last season. it was a loss that dropped the Blazers to 7-16 this season, the 19th lowest record of 22 NBA teams; only Dallas and Detroit have worse percentages. "I know this Is a rough (road) trip, but tonight was ridiculous," Blazer Coach Jack Ramsay said.

"We didn't put forth the effort In the first period and that was when the game was decided. "I would like to know what it is about the road that seems to have us stymied." The Blazers lost the opening game of this 4-game, 5-day road trip Tuesday in Atlanta, will take Thanksgiving off, then play Friday afternoon in Philadelphia (10 a.m. PST) and Saturday night at New Jersey. "Whatever it is that keeps us from winning on the road," Ramsay said, "we bad better solve it and quick." Bird scored 10 of his game-high 24 points and Parish hit for nine of his 21 as the Celtics raced to a 39-18 lead in the first 12 minutes and went on to hand win easily. Boston, winning its seventh game in its last eight starts, had five other players in double figures.

Joining Bird and Parish were Gerald Henderson and Rick Robey each with 17 points, LB's back in business as OCCAA contender I Vf- a. ii Mm tmmm i. r-i -v 1 I 0 but has gained 20 pounds through diligent weight training and, according to Kimpton, is a "fantastic kid, good student and much better player than he was as a freshman." In fact, Kimpton says he might've brought in too much talent in the backcourt. "I had four guys settled in," he said, "then I got an unexpected phone call from Willie People in Merced, and that gave us five quality guards. I think all five would tell you today that they're going to start it'll be difficult to arrive at a combination there." People, 6-1, might have major college ability.

"He's the most unselfish player I've ever had," says Kimpton. "You don't get many like him through the years." Adding to the confusion at guard Is 6-3 Stayton sophomore Jeff Goyins, a starter last year, who might swing between small forward and big guard this winter. "He's an excellent shooter and Jumper," the coach says, "and I suspect he'll help us at two spots." Then there's 5-10 freshman Reggie Guyton from Portland Jefferson High School, a point-guard with exceptional shooting talent and apparantly enough gifts to someday play at a 4-year college level. Adding to the Anderson-Goyins-People-Guyton traffic jam in the backcourt Is 6-3 Howard Horn-buckle, the team's third player from Jefferson. Hornbuckle played extensively last season, having made the switch from prep forward to college guard.

That's an even five to choose from. "By our sixth or seventh game, I'd like to have the guard spots decided," said Kimpton. "By then we've got to have two or three people who knowwe rely on them, instead of looking around to see that there's someone else to get the job done." LBCC's inside positions seem to have been narrowed down sufficiently. Newell will start at center, with backup from 6-8 Jeff Obermeyer from Corvallis' Crescent Valley High School, the club's major surprise. Obermeyer sat out last year, worked on his game and got stronger and reported to practice this year so revamped that Kimpton couldn't believe it.

"He's probably improved more In one month than any player I've ever had. He can more than hold his own now. He'll certainly be a factor this By GREG HANSEN Democrat-Herald Writer Cream rises to the top. Class will out. You can't keep a good man down.

And all that Jazz. Which is a good way of saying that Linn-Benton is back as a community college basketball power this year. a Last year Butch Kimpton's Roadrunners were 4-14 and ninth of 10 in the Oregon Community College Athletic Association. Owwwww! It was only the second time in Kimpton's 10 year L-B term that he didn't make the OCCAA playoffs. So the former University of Oregon athlete went recruiting, enlisted 10 new bodies and opens the 1980-61 season Friday with what he feels is a certified OCCAA title contender.

"From top to bottom," he says, "I've got more quality-type players than I've had in several years I think we can finish anywhere from 1 to 5 (in the league) and this is as strong a league as we've ever had." L-B gets out of the gates Friday and Saturday nights in Washington against Wenatchee College, that state's junior college champion last year. First home game is next Tuesday against Pacific of Forest Grove. What the Roadrunners have assembled to combat their schedule is 7' or 8 top-level athletes. That's depth. Experience? Four regulars or part-time starters return from last season, and perhaps Just two of them third-team OCCAA center Jon Newell and 5-foot-ll guard Keith Anderson will start this year.

"Our strength," says Kimpton, "is that we probably have 7 or 8 players who will probably score at least 20 points in a game sometime during the season. Four or five of them, I imagine, will average in double figures and we're a much better rebounding team than in the past." Newell is the team's best-known quantity. He was 2nd In OCCAA rebounding a year ago (9.2) and 10th In scoring (15.4). He is a 6-7, 200 pounder from Portland's Madison High School, and can hold his own with the league's best big men, of which there are many. Anderson, nephew of Oregon State assistant basketball coach Jimmy Anderson, is a floor leader from Hoquiam, Wa.

He started last year, luH photo by Jolf Kln LBCC's all-star center Jon Newell (left) and sophomore guard Keith Anderson head good group of L-B athletes. year and next. He grew something like six inches in high school and is just now catching up with his 'skills." The two forward positions should be shared by three players 6-3 freshman Ken Huff of West Albany, 6-4 veteran (but a freshman) Dave Red-din gton of Alsea and Portland Jefferson's 6-3 Dar-relLaGrone. Kimpton on Huff, a second team Valley League all-star last season: "He's had an excellent fall, is an Intelligent player and is going to see a lot of Sounds good, huh? But is it good enough to challenge strong Mt. Hood, defending champion Chemeketa and a good Lane team for the league crown? "On paper, we're in the top five," Kimpton said.

"Before, I've never thought it was conceivable for us to win the regionals and get to the national tournament. "But this year, if things go well, maybe. I think we'll be very representative." Sounds just like the LBCC of old. Kimpton on Reddington: "He is 24 years old and hasn't played school ball for four or five years since coming out of Alsea as a Class all-stater. He's married, has a child and has worked in a mill In Corvallis the last few years.

But he stuck with basketball, worked hard and he's our starter at big forward." Kimpton on Lagrone: "He has as much raw ability as any small forward I've ever had. Excellent Jumper, can put his elbow above the rim. The only thing that keeps him out of major college right now is bis foot speed on defense." 1 .7 rtpr-'r 1 'I Ian ty Cm LBCC's nucleus, from left, Dangler, Melson, Prince, Wendy Legee (1979-80 player) and Friesen Better than 20-6? L-B might be As long as OSU has Menken, Beavers a threat to win 20 again CORVALLIS Akl Hill and Carol Menken have been together for two seasons In Oregon State's women's basketball program. The yield has been heavenly. Back-to-back 20-victory seasons.

A regional championship over favored Oregon. A National Women's Invitational championship. But as the Beavers prepare to open the 1980-61 season Friday In Logan, Utah, in a two-day, 4-team tournament, Hill and Menken are talking of bigger and better things. OSU meets Amartllo (21-10) in the opener, while host Utah State (16-14) meets Idaho State (12-15). The Beavers will play at Utah next Monday, participate In the Cal Berkeley tournament next weekend and make their first Oregon appearance Dec.

16-17 In Portland's Guisti tournament. "Our second team is much better than our second team a year ago," Hill the third-year coach, said Monday. "And I think you can tell how good you're going to be by your second team. "Our depth is better than It has ever been, so I would say we should be a better team." Menken, the 6-foot-5 senior from Jefferson High School and Llnn-Benton Community College, is apparently ready to become one of America's premier centers. Last year she scored a school-record 51 points in a single game, and worked diligently in the off-season to Improve her strength and speed.

"I've lifted weight and it has helped," she says. "I can already Jump higher and I feel stronger Inside." Additonally, Menken has grown an inch. In a recent picture-day session Menken actually dunked the basketball a first for her and a rarity for women's basketball on any level. Last year Menken led the nation In field goal percentage Ml), was the MVP of the NWIT, In addition to NSA Ail-American and a Wade Trophy finalist, college basketball's highest award for women. She averaged 26 1 points a game, filth best in Lhe nation.

Menken is surrounded by the other four starters from last year's 236 team, Including 5-11 sc-phomore P.obya Clark, senior 5 13 Paa Molletl 5-18 sophomore Chris Acarrt gal lH of whom will start Friday. The new face the starting lineirp will be freshman OSU's Carol Menken Cheryl Stunenegger, 5-5, from Fallbrook, who will replace veteran Betty Collings, at point guard; Colllngs is a reserve this season. Another newcomenvho should play immediately is 6-1 freshman Donna Brigham from Klamath Falls. "We were definitely a young team last year, and we have grown a lot. It's amazing how far we've come," Hillsays.

"We have better chemistry, mental toughness and togetherness." No. 13 Ducks open season today EUGENE The AIAWs basketball Final Four championships will be held at Oregon's Mac Court In March. And the 13th-ranked Duck women's team begins their quest to get there tonight. The Ducks, 23-2 last year, champions of the Northwest League and a Top 20 team in the national polls meet 18th-ranked LSU in the first round of the Queens Classic In Plainview, Texas, at 11:30 PST this morning. Despite their No.

13 ranking, the Ducks are just the third seed in the tournament; No. 1 is 9th-ranked Kansas and No 2 is 7th-ranked Stephen F. Austin. But with a lineup tnat includes consensus Atl-Amerkan Bev Smith, a 6-foot-l junior, Oregon is regarded as one of the nation's best teams. Smith scored S3 points in L'O's game last week, getting 12 rebounds.

Highly-recruited freshman Alison Lang, a 6-1 center from Canada, joins the Duck starting lineup. Lang had 24 points in the intrascjuad game. The remaining starling slots will be filled by senior letterman Debbie Adams, senior guard Allison To and freshman guard Angie Snider, or anoi.Vr freshman, Diane Hiemstra. Adams, a three year L'O starter, has bfen recover-Iri from a broken hand, and is not at Toll strer.gth. "Twice in tiiree years we've reached the regional finals and lost both times," Dangler recalls.

"But I believe this year we have the ability to be at the nationals." With Melson, Prince, Friesen and Qulgley, he's got a good base. But there are others. Desi Anderson is a 5-7 freshman from Brookings who scored 41 points in a prep game a year ago. She will help with her shooting ability. Lebanon freshman Kerri Anderson is a 5-11 forward, who, Dangler says, can be an outstan-, ding player once she learns to mix it up under the backboards.

Freshman Debbie Mothershead, 5-6 freshman from The Dalles, is called by Dangler the "best pure shooter we've had here." She's expected either to start or be a top reserve. Sophomore guard Sherl Steiner from Corvallis ha transfered from Chemeketa and could be the team's point guard, replacing Poehlman, although she'll get a pusA from Friesen. Gold Beach freshman Para Snyder, 5-11, fCJrei to back up Qalgley, while West Albany's Trad Odden also is planned for a reserve role in her freshman sc a.vn make the preseason outlook very formidable. The Roadrunners open the season next Tuesday at home against Pacific of forest Grove, and Dangler suspects this could be his best team, even better than the Menken-led team of 1977. Here's why: Debbie Princa, a 5-6 sophomore from Lebanon, returns at the league's No.3 scorer (16.9.

with a high of 26) and the No. 4 field goal shooter (49 percent). She was all-OCCAA first team. "She has a burning intensity to win," ber coach says. Jean a sophomore from Tillamook, was No 8 in OCCAA scoring (13.3) and is a premier shooter and inside player at this level.

was a wtional champion shot putter and d.ocus Dangler said. "She's very strong." LBCC's defense was No 1 in Oregon last year, limiting opponents to 45 4 per game. And the team's best defender, Scio sophomore guard Linda Freisen, returns. "We have much more depth this year." Dangler mv, "and a good blend at all positions. But the biggest plus and luxury we have is teat we have thru gxid bside people whereas We were many times last year.

By GREG HANSEN Democrat Herald Writer No one has bought or sold a season ticket, tacked up a schedule or alerted the newspapers and television crews about Linn-Benton's 1980-81 women's basketball team. It's easy to overlook the community colleges in a valley which includes 13th-ranked Oregon and OSU Ail-Amerkan Carol Menken. But when L-B Coach Dave Dangler whose teams have won 20 or more games In two of three seasons says he's got a winner, even the doubters listen. "Very seriously, TU be disappointed if Linn-Benton is not either first or second in the OCCAA," Dangler says. "I think we have that much talent." Last year.

L-B's third ever in women's basketball the paper-thin Roadrunners were 20-6 before losing to powerful I'mpqua, tie region champion. Almost everyone who was someone (except fr West Albany's Karey Poehlman) is back froa that L-B team, plus two center-types, rare items in the world of women's basketbal Six-foot frf.e.n-.an Linda Q'xgley of Oregon City and $-19 freshman Joelle Q-Jtsenberry of Taft are the additions to Dangler's team which.