Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan • Page 45

Wrestlers Defend Ten Eon Big Sparta ors ticularly talented individuals, and I guess on the basis of our finish in the Midlands tourney last week, we'll probably be favored to win the Big Ten title again," said Peninger. Michigan State finished third in the LaGrange, 111. affair with 60 points, behind defending NCCA champion Iowa State's 86 and Oklahoma State's 66. Peninger did say, though, that Michigan and Iowa are vastly improved and should provide the toughest competition. Gone are Keith Lowrance (142 pounds) and Jack Zindel (190), 1970 titlists, who were graduated, while senior heavyweight Vic Mittelberg decided not to defend his crown.

However, Big Ten and NCAA 118-p champion Greg Johnson of Lansing Everett re- for a pair of dual meets with wrestling giants, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. "We try to get as tough a competition as possible to get ready for the big meets at the end of the season," said Peninger. "The excuse of too tough a schedule is good only for losers. A team can't get tough on wrestling a diet of poor teams." That, in a nutshell, could be the reason for Michigan State's success on the mat in recent years. Although Peninger lost three Big Ten champions from last year's team, he does have two 1970 winners back plus two more 1969 champs who sat out last year with injuries.

"We have overall team strength and a couple of par Ciolek, who was 6-1 last season as a frosh, took fourth in the Midlands tourney last week at 190 pounds. Two other Lansing area wrestlers figure high in Peninger's plans, 167-pound Bruce Zindel of East Lansing and TOM MILKOVICH Till: STATE championship and an NCAA title to match the one garnered in 1967? "We've got a lot of potential in the lower weights to have another real good team," said Peninger. "And, I think the type of schedule we have, the chance of winning another Big Ten title and a possible high finish in the NCAA tourney is incentive enough." Not only does Michigan State, which opens its Big Ten dual meet season this weekend, wrestle the league's top teams, but tangles with a number of the nation's best before entering post-season meets. After taking on Indiana Friday (3:30 p.m.) and Iowa Saturday (3:30 p.m.) at the Men's Intramural Building, the Spartans host always-tough Southern Illinois (Jan. 16) and then head to Oklahoma Jan.

22-23 Kb By FRED STABLE State Journal Sports Writer When ou'rc on the top, there's only one way to go. A as far as Michigan State wrestling coach Grady Peninger is concerned, he'd TOM MUIR 1IMIHWII lltKIIIK ir I- I 1TJ A ver Lansing East Lansing Michigan 1, 1971 SECTION jLPnierence Liston Cause times with Abel as coach and finished first in the league in 1964-65. After a one-year coaching absence, Abel replaced coach Bill Gadsby who was fired with the 1969-70 season a couple games old. Currently the Wings are sixth in the seven-team East with a 12-21-4 record. Saturday at Toronto they suffered their worst loss in history, a 13-0 shellacking.

"Bruce fired him, but I would say Bishop had something to do with it. I had nothing to do with it," Abel said of Gadsby's ouster. The silver-gray haired Abel said he wasn't "squeezed out" of his job by Bishop or Harkness and it wasn't a question of him leaving if Harkness did not go. But he did say, "I think Mr. Norris now is more aware of being sold a bill of goods by Jim Bishop and Ned Harkness." "I finally felt I couldn't live with myself when names like Unger, Delvecchio, Connelly, Mahovlich and Libert kept coming up for trades.

I know they can play hockey." Contacted in Buffalo, Harkness said of the trade charge: "I don't know how Mr. Abel cojild say such a thing It's an outright untruth." Unknown art admitted that: "The turning point came when U. of D. switched to man-to-man, then they just started to peck away." "We didn't take U. of D.

lightly because of their record," he added. "We can't afford to take anyone lightly." Sid Abel Announces Decision to Quit 177-pound Sam Davis of Lansing Eastern. Rounding out the starting lineup for this weekend's matches will be Lon Hicks at 126 pounds, Tim Moxim at 177 and either Ben Lewis or Larry Avery at heavyweight. JOHN ABAJACE JOURNAL. Deal foster son Daniel, 7, left Las Vegas Dec.

26 to visit her sick See LISTON, Pg. D-2, Col. 3 U-M Ruins Australians9 Victory Bid ANN ARBOR (AP) Michigan overcame a 41-34 halftime deficit and went on to defeat the Australia National Touring team, 95-78 Wednesday night. The Wolverines placed six men in double figures as they broke open a close game midway through, the second half, outscoring the Australians, 13-7 in a five-minute period. The Wolverines were led by center Ken Brady, who had 16 points, and Henry Wilmore and Wayne Grabiec, with 15 each.

Dave Lindstrom was high point man for the Australians, with 29. Australia Michigan 3 Wilmore 4 Ford 20 Brad 8 Fife 1 1-1 2 0-2 7 6-8 OFT Tomlson Koltwiz Cross wte Watson Ldstrm Kerle Simon Joohnstn Maddoc 4 7-8 15 2-2 14 4-10 16 2-2 10 2 4-5 10 11-11 31 Grabiec 1-2 1-3 1 1-2 3 Lockard 1- 1 2- 2 0-0 3 Johnson 2 Hart 4 Haywrd 0-1 0-0 3-3 Roberts Buss Nicksic Bazelon Rea 26 26-3? 78 Totals 1-1 0-1 0-0 0-0 Totals 0-0 37 21-33 95 Australia 41 3778 Michigan 34 61 95 Fouled out Australia: Tomlinson, Koltu-nlewicz. Cross white. Michigan: Wilmore. Total fouls Australia 25, Michigan 21.

Attendance 931. TRI-CENTRAL Portland at Carson City-Crystal Lakeview at Central Montcalm Fulton-Middleton at Montabella MID-MICHIGAN Bullock Creek at Ovid-Elsie Chesaning at Corunna Itahaca at St. Louis OTHER GAMES Baldwin at Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart Maple Valley at Bellevue Shepherd at St. Charles New Lothrop St.

Michaels at Morrice Ashley at Flint School for Deaf 15 5 0 0 11 7 0 0 2 0 turns, as does 134-pound winner Tom Milkovich, John Aba-jace (152) and Tom Muir (158) were winners in 1969, but missed last season because of injuries. Johnson is a junior and Milkovich a sophomore, while Abajace and Muir are seniors. Michigan State also has a couple of other experienced grapplers manning starting roles. Tom Ellis, a 142-pounder who won the Midlands title in 1969, but was injured all of last year, is ready this season, and Big Ten runner-up at 167 pounds, Gerry Malecek, will seek honors at that weight again. In addition to Johnson, Lansing will have another representative in the starting lineup Sexton's Dave Ciolek.

topped all scorers with 21, while Frank Russell had 15 for the winners. Sophomore Carl Jackson led the Bonnies with 17 points while Dale Tepas and Paul Hoffman each had 16. All Tepas' points came in the'sec1 ond half. if mn-Tf--Ji 1 rtr ii uMaftmnr- M- 1 rrfhi Guard 9 U-D Thinking About Tourneys Again Titans Upset Sonnies By MORTON L. SALTZMAN LAS VEGAS, Nev.

(AP) Tolice say Sonny Liston was found dead with heroin in his home and needlemarks on his arms. But his former lawyer s. ys the onetime heavyweight champion feared needles. "In my experience he was afraid of needles. He would do everything he could to avoid taking shots," C.

J. Murphy told newsmen Wednesday night after new tests were ordered to learn what killed the big boxer. Murphy, a retired lawyer from Casper, who had handled Liston's legal affairs since 1965, was asked whether the fighter used drugs. "Not to my knowledge," he replied. An initial autopsy Wednesday failed to uncover what killed Liston, 38.

His wife Ger-a 1 i found him Tuesday night sprawled on a bed in their $60,000 home. Authorities said he may have been dead for 10 days. Authorities said a quarter-ounce of heroin was found in a balloon in the kitchen of Liston's home in the fashionable Paradise Valley section of Las Vegas. They said a half-ounce of marijuana was in Liston's trousers pocket, but that no narcotics paraphernalia, such as hypodermic needles, was discovered. Tissue and toxological examinations were planned by the Clark County coroner's office to pinpoint the.cause of death.

Mrs. Liston said she and her just as soon not make that trip down. After winning the Big Ten title for the past five straight seasons, what incentive does Peninger's Spartans have this season? How about a sixth Big Ten Hill glf ji' GREG JOHNSON 9 Pittsburgh 4-3 and Montreal stunned Vancouver 7-3. Dennis Hextall scored wo goals, including one in a four-goal second-period outburst, that enabled the Golden Seals to beat St. Louis and snap a five-game losing streak.

Jim McKenny's first goal of the season at 9:54 of the final period rallied the Leafs to their tie with Minnesota. Tom Williams had a pair of goals for the North Stars. vmmmmmmmsmxm mmmmjmi Bulletin LOS ANGELES (AP) Franklin "Pepper" Rodgers, head coach at Kansas, was appointed head football coach at UCLA, Athletic Director J. D. Morgan announced Thursday.

TTT By LARRY PALADINO DETROIT (AP) "Well, did you make a trade? You're getting rid of Garry Unger aren't you?" old friend Frank "King" Clancy asked Sid Abel by telephone Wednesday. "Sure, it's Unger isn't it?" the Toronto Maple Leafs vice president asked confidently. "No, it's not Unger," Abel responded somewhat laughingly. "I'm the one I'm getting rid of." And sure enough, Wednesday afternoon at a news conference Abel announced his resignation as general manager of the National Hockey League Detroit Red Wings, a post he has held since April, 1962. The announcement severed three decades of almost continuous service with the Wings in capacities as a player, coach and general manager.

Minced No Words Abel, 52, minced no words in explaining his decision, made after a meeting with team owner Bruce Norris at Norris' Chicago office Tuesday. "I said I cannot accept this hockey club the way it is run," Abel said sternly, but with a hint of emotion. "And I said I can't accept the coach who's running it." Then he verbally layed into first-year Detroit coach Ned Harkness. The Hockey Hall of Fame member, when asked to assess Harkness as a coach, said: "I can't because I don't think he is one. I might as well be blunt about it.

He can't coach. I don't think he knows how to change lines or do other things necessary to win in this league." Harkness, 49, became coach last April after a very successful coaching career at Rensellaer Polytechnic Institute and Cornell University. "I couldn't believe we could get involved with a college hockey coach and have a team capable of making the playoffs go down the drain," said the 52-year-old Abel. Harkness was hired by Norris on the recommendation of Jim Bishop, who joined the organization in 1969 with the title "Executive Director." He and Harkness are friends and both are former lacrosse coaches. "The Bishop-Harkness regime brought this whole thing to a boil and is the reason I'm leaving," Abel said in private later.

The news conference was held at a motel near Abel's home in the suburb of Southf ield. "This decision was made by Sid Abel and Sid Abel alone I'm proud to have been associated with the Red Wings for 30 years and with Mr. Norris," he emphasized. "I have nothing but admiration for him and I want this clearly understood." Harkness and the Red Wing players were boarding a plane for Buffalo about the time the Abel announcement was made. They were to play the Sabres tonight.

Abel said he wanted to find out from Norris if he had the power to fire a coach. He was told he did not. Didn't Agree "We didn't quite agree on what the duties of a general manager are," he explained. "The longer I stay in this organization the more disagreements I knew there would be, so I just decided to get out." Abel said he didn't resign at the Norris meeting but phoned him last night after deciding. Norris was not at the news conference, however his attorney John Ziegler read a prepared statement from him to start things off.

"With the deepest regret and reluctance, I have today on behalf of the Detroit Hockey Club, accepted the resignation of our General Manager Sid Abel. "Because there has recently arisen certain differences in philosophies as to the hockey club, Sid has indicated that he deems it in the best interests of all that he take this step. We respect his decision. "He has loyally served me, my father and the Detroit organization. has been a credit to this organization in every capacity and we have been proud and fortunate to have been associated with him." Abel broke into the NHL as a player with Detroit in 1938 when the late James Norris, Bruce's father, owned the club which he purchased in 1933.

In his 13 seasons the first 12 at Detroit and final at Chicago forward Abel scored 189 regular season goals and 472 points. His first year as coach was with Chicago in 1952-53 and he led the Black Hawks to their first playoff berth in nine years. The next season he also coached them, then moved to Detroit in 1957. His NHL coaching record is 379 victories, 418 losses, and 154 ties. "I have admired the Norrises all my career and so has my family," Abel nodded.

"If he (Bruce Norris) would have said, 'Abel you're I would have thought just as much of him." Last year as general manager-coach, Abel guided the Wings to third in the East Division and the team's first Stanley Cup playoff berth in four years. The squad reached the playoffs eight The Bonnies, now 8-1, led 36-33 at halftime before a sparse Memorial Building crowd of 2,780. Jackson of the Titans was the hot hand' in the second half surge, scoring 15 of his 16 points then mostly on outside shots. However, Rucker mfrriffl 11 i J' n-if ir-r ftr au mini 11 mi iwBW "Mi' am-pujuwi' in im i v- Vix; i St i i I Prep Basketball I FRIDAY'S GAMES CITY Kalamazoo at Sexton Eastern at Battle Creek Central Everett at Adrian Battle Creek Lakeview at East Lansing Waverly at Hastings Eaton Rapids at Catholic Central By LARRY PALADINO DETROIT (AP) Basketball victories at the University of Detroit since coach Jim Harding arrived last season have been about as abundant as hairs on Yul Bryner's head. But the "unlucky" 13th victory in two years which the Titans managed to win for Harding Wednesday night is "the biggest win we've had since I've been here," he grinned.

He also said because of it he has renewed post-season tournament aspirations. Detroit, sporting an mere 5-5 record at gametime, overcame a 12-point deficit with 12 minutes left, pulled a stunning 75-73 upset over previously unbeaten and 10th ranked St. Bonaventure. It was a pair of free throws by Erik Rucker with nine seconds left that proved the margin of victory, although the Titans led to stay after a Jim Jackson jumper put U-D in the lead 69-68 with 1 23 left. The Bonnies led almost the entire game until when U-D switched from a zone defense to man-to-man coverage with nine minutes left, going ahead for the first time since the opening minutes 65-64 with 4:14 remaining.

Harding's team finished 7-18 last year with the absence of Spencer Haywood, who quit school to join the American Basketball Association after playing only his sophomore year at U-D. "This win gives an indication that we are ready to move," Harding said. "We are a young team with junior college transfers and are still inexperienced. We still have tourna-m aspirations, but one game does not make a season." Bonnie coach Larry Weise Western Records 6th Win KALAMAZOO (AP) West-e Michigan's basketball team downed Cleveland (Ohio) State, 88-79, Wednesday night for its sixth win against two losses to match its entire 1969-70 victory output. Western, trailing 47-39 at intermission, finally tied the score at 53-all at the 6:08 mark of the second period on a layup by guard Ernest Pettis.

The two teams then exchanged points before WMU took the lead for keeps at 66-64 with 9:15 to play on a jumper by center Earl Jenkins. Pettis led the WMU offense with 23 points while Jenkins finished with 18. Chuck Washington topped the game's re-bounders with 12 and added 14 points. WEST CENTRAL Alma at Lakewood Ionia at Grand Ledge St. Johns at Charlotte CAPITAL CIRCUIT Holt at Howell Okemos at Mason INGHAM COUNTY Stockbridge at Pinckney at Williamston Bath at Perry Dansville at Leslie CENTRAL MICHIGAN DeWitt at Potterville Laingsburg at Owosso St.

Paul Webberville at Fowler Pewamo-Westphalia at Portland St. Patrick Uiiiiiiim iim Charlie Ford Shows Hustle as Sexton Goalie DeJordy Savors Revenge 'ord Sext em Clapping on By United Press International Denis DeJordy today is savoring the sweet taste of revenge. DeJordy, traded from Chicago to Los Angeles last season, turned away 34 shots and turned in an outstanding goal-tending performance against his former teammates Wednesday night to help the Kings beat the Black Hawks 4-2. The Los Angeles victory snapped a 13-game home ice winning streak for the Black Hawks. Doug Robinson bounced the deciding goal off goalie Gerry Desjardins skate in the second period to give Los Angeles a 3-2 lead.

In other National Hockey League action Wednesday night, California ripped St. Louis 6-3, Toronto tied Minnesota 4-4, Philadelphia edged By BOB GROSS State Journal Sports Writer There's no shortage of guard talent among the city's Class A prep basketball ranks this S3SOn Dave Bruck of East Lansing, Dennis Parks, Eastern, Lee Ayers, Waverly, Everett's Kim Seymour and Don Ballard, Steve Hosier at Catholic Central and Charlie Ford at Sexton are leading candidates for all-city honors at the end of the season. Sexton's Ford is blossoming into a regular jet-propelled performer for coach Don Little's Big Reds who'll be engaged in their biggest test of the season Friday at home against powerful and undefeated Kalamazoo Central. "We can't afford another loss in the Six-A League at this time," Little said. "Kalamazoo is an outstanding team with plenty of size and scoring balance but I think we're capable of beating them.

We're not a bad basketball team cither." KALAMAZOO UNBEATEN Sexton lost its Six-A openerto Ann Arbor Pi oneer while Kalamazoo thumped defending champion Battle Creek Central. Kazoo comes here with an 8-0 mark, Sexton is 6-2. In other Six-A games, unbeaten Eastern (7-0) visits Battle Creek while Pioneer goes to Jackson. In South Central action, East Lansing (1-4) is at home against Battle Creek Lakeview, Everett (4-3) plays at Adrian and Jackson Parkside will be at Ann Arbor Huron. Ford keeps his Sexton teammates loose.

Two weeks ago during the Christmas Tournament at Catholic Central, Ford showed up without his shirt and had to borrow on old Gabriels green and white one. Since Sexton's colors are red and white, a program wasn't needed to pick Ford out. But, after hitting three straight 25-foot jump shots, the crowd was applauding instead of laughing. "Charlie makes our offense go," Little said. "lie is quick, has good hands on defense, is a good shooter and gets the ball to our big men.

He's enjoyable to coach and has always given his best." Ford teams with Mike Ferris and between them the Reds have received 145 points, a pleasant surprise considering both were jay-vees last year and Sexton's front line is centered around 6-6 Bob Riddle, 6-2 Rodney Benson and 6-3 Tom Clark. "Ferris has really improved too," added Little. "He's starting to open up and has been a steady scorer." Ford isn't Ukely to set any scoring records for the Reds but he's consistent Only twice has he failed to reach double figures and three times has scored 15 a game. EASTERN TRAVELS While the Reds are set to tangle with Kalamazoo, coach Howard Cook's Eastern team, fresh from its holiday tournament championship, could be heading into a trap at Battle Creek Central. "It's never easy to win in their fieldhouse," Cook said.

"I can't remember but I think Battle Creek has a great home floor record. Anyway, it'll be a tough one for us but we're 6-0 on the road." See SEXTON'S, Pg. D-3, Col. 2.