It took 76 years
but...
Super! Super! Super! Super 6 5 - 6 4 ! by Sue Rebedeau For the first time in the 76-year history of the Maine Township high schools, a Maine basketball team will be playing in the state finals downstate. The miracle 65-64 victory Tuesday afternoon against the New Trier West Cowboys made Maine South one of the "elite eight" teams that will compete for the state championship. Was it luck or skill? The Hawks have won too many times — 14, to be exact — by less than three points for it to — be just ludc. The skill of Dan Fiddler and the rest of the team won the game. The first half of the game was dominated by sloppy ball handling and fouls. At the end of the second quarter, the Cowboys led by a score of 37-28. The Hawks came out of the locker room ready to kill. Baker scored two cmisecutive baskets. However, New
Trier West still dominated the third quarter and the scoreboard showed 5144 in favor of the Cowboys at the end of the quarter. The game turned around for the Hawks' advantage during the fourth quarter. The Cowboys' lead gradually dwindled to two points when Theodore made a layup, putting the score at 60-58, NTW's Alter came back with an &-foot jumper but Fiddler did not stand by watching the team lose (tie chance of going downstate. He made a 6-foot jumper with the clock at 2:33 and then, at one minute to go, he made another stuff, tying the score at 62 aU. Tom Franz made a 6-foot baseline jumper at 0:40 but Theodore put in a free throw. Fiddler rebounded his own 15-foot jumper shot winning the game and sending the Hawks to downstate Champaign for the state championships.
Coach Sullins' lifeline by Janet Shamllan What made the Hawks one of the elite eight teams that will play downstate today? Certainly hard woric, talent and dedication, but part of the reason is undoubtedly the excellent coaching of Mr, Quitman Sullins. Sullins has led this year's team to conference, regional, sectional, supersectional champic»iships, and a record of 28-1. But the Hawks aren't the only ones with an impressive record. Mr. Sullins has one all his own. Coach Sullins was bom in Tupelo, Miss. He lived on a farm there until, at the age of nine, the family moved to Arkansas. During high school he played basketball for the Luxore Panthers. The team advanced to the semi-finals of the State Tournament, and Sullins was named an All-Stater and elected to the Ail-American Team. In his senior year, Sullins represented the southern United Statra in the NorthSouth Basketball Game. "Basketball was in his bones," as they say. Mr. Sullins continued playing the sport he loves at .Murray State in Murray, Ky. Mr, Sullins was named AllConference player for two years in a row while majoring in physical education. Following college, he went into management training at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. During this time, he played on the company's team, traveling all over the world for two and a half years. Soon after, Mr. Sullins played for the Pittsburgh Rens in the American Basketball League. When the league folded a year later, he turned to coaching. Mr. Sullins first coached at Daugren, Illinois. From there, it was back to Blytheville, Arkansas, w*iere he coached at GosheU High School for three years. Finally, Mr. Sullins came to the Home of the Hawks in 1968. For five years, Sullins was assistant coach under Mr, Bemie Brady. In his first year at South, the team made it to the supers, Sullins has been head coach for five years. He has led the Hawks to three
Happy Hawks express their appreciation after capturing the regional championship in a game against Gordon Tech. South milked the "Goats" by scoring 78 points opposed to the Rams' 66.
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conference championships (taking second place in the other two years), four regional championships, one sectional and one supersectional championship. "When a team can come from behind, time after time and win, that's the mark of a championship team! You have to be smart, you have to be disciplined and you have to work!" said Coach Sullins.
southwords Vol. 15, No. 10
Maine South H.S., Park Ridge, III.
Fairy tales can come by Scott Erickson During the fall of last year, comments like, "the Hawks will do it this time," and "we're going downstate this year" were merely dreams of a few loyal fans. Most people who know anything about the team were aware of its great potential, but back then it was a long, hard climb. Now, the end of March is approaching
and the climb is just about complete. The dream of competing at the state finals has become a reaUty. But competing at the finals and being named state champs are two separate honors. Three tough battles lay ahead of the Hawks before they are really number one. Today at 1:45 the Hawks will meet De La Salle, who were victorious over Barrington 65-62 Tuesday and who fell to
Hawks wallop Elk Grove byJohnKlages'80 The Maine South Hawks captured the Class AA Arlington Sectional Title Friday by defeating the Elk Grove Grenadiers, 70-65. Jeff Baker led the Hawk attack with another outstanding performance fro the baseline, scoring 27 points, Chris Theodore, 14 points, and Dan Fiddler, 14 points, did a fantastic job on the boards. Jay Huyler's consistent passing and 10 assists enabled the big men to manipulate through Elk Grove's matchup zone. The Hawks trailed the well-disciplined Grenadiers 34-29 at the half after missing several key free throws and losing a 7point lead early in the game. By the end of the third quarter, the Hawks had decreased Elk Grove's lead to a single point, 51-50. Two turning points late in the fourth quarter turned the momentum in the Hawk's direction. Mark Angellotti, who finished the year as Elk Grove's top
rebounder, fouled out with three minutes left. In contrast, the Hawks controlled their threatening foul situations as their starting front line all had three fouls late in the game. The fantastic coaching of Mr. Quitman Sullins was also a key to the game as he forced the Grenadiers into crucial turnovers by playing a scrappy man-to-man defense with double and sometimes triple teaming on the man with the ball. After converting valuable baskets, attributed to the Hawk defense with double and sometimes triple teaming on the man with the ball. After converting valuable baskets, attributed to the Hawk defense, John Crowl iced the game by swishing two free throws with only six seconds left on the clock to insure another Hawk victory and advancing them to the supersectionals.
Third time lucky for Hawks by Tom Numyrch '81 Although the Hawks' victory against New Trier West marks the first time any Maine Township basketball team has been sent downstate for the state championships, it is the third time the Hawks have made it as far as the supersectionals. However, in the other two seasons, 1969-70 and 1974-75, the Hawks were unsuccessful in going beyond the supersectionals to play downstate. The first team to make it to the supersectionals was in 1969-70. The starting five were: Mike Bonk, guard; Jim Williams, guard; Greg Schmelzer, center; Mike Nevens forward and Bob Newlander, forward. The second team to make to the Supers was in 1974-75. The starting five wwe: Joe Pagone, guard; Ted Henderson, guard; Pete Boesen, center; Mike
Chirzan, forward and Bob Kuntz, forward. The 1969-70 team had 19 wins and 2 losses going into the regionals. They took that tournament with a win over Maine West. 67-45., They then had 22 wins and 2 losses going into sectional play where they defeated Notre Dame 73-71 in the finals. The game against Joliet Central in supers^rtionals was next, the Hawks losing 71-68. JoUet went on to win third in the state tourney. The team ended their season with 24 wins and 3 losses. The 1974-75 Hawks won regionals by beating St. Patrick 4342. They had 21 wins and 3 losses going into sectional play. Maine South beat Prospect 70-56 to win the Sectional. The team then played Waukegan East in the supers again at McGaw Hall, losing a 5(H1 game.
Basketball Extra
Jeff Baker sets (or a jump shot from the corner at the Hawks away game against Glenbrook South on January 26. (photo by Loy She(lott)
March 23, 1979
true... the Hawks in their first meeting earlier this year during the Christmas tournament. "In our first game against De La Salle, they were not at full strength," said Mike Twomey, team statistician. "They were hurt by the loss of Mike Williams, who had suffered an ankle injury. But he'll be back this game along with other De La Salle super-stars. Demetrius Brown, Darrell Allen, and John McHale." If the Hawks can handle E>e La Salle their next game would be tomorrow at 12:15 against either East Moline or East St. Louis. East Moline entered the state finals by beating Peoria Central, 69-61. East St. Louis advanced by beating Effingham, 71-59. These two teams wiU play game one today at 12:15. The next game the Hawks could play would be the championship game tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. If the team can make it this far, they will play one of four other teams. Quincy will play Manley and the winner of that game will play the winner of the Benet Academy-Lockport game. Whoever wins this game will go onto the championship. Quincy, the only undefeated team in the state, won their trip downstate by beating Joliet Catholic, 47-46 last Tuesday, "They are a fairly short team, but extremely quick," said Mike Twomey. "The man to look for on Quincy is Keith Douglas. He's six foot two and super fast. He was also named to the All-State team. Manley is another contender for ttie state championship. Manley beat Westinghouse for the Chicago Public League championship two weeks ago. Manley's main man is six foot nine junior Russell Cross. "He can almost dunk without jumping," said Mike Twomey. The other two contendere are Lockport and Benet Academy. Lockport beat Bloom last Tuesday in the most unbeUevable upset of Uie super sectionals. Lockport, who is the defending state champion trounced Bloom 43-20. Benet Academy also looks like a tough competitor. Benet's star player is M&e Lang, "Mike Lang is huge. He is six eight and weighs over 230 pounds. But the amazing thing is that he can jump extremely high and he is very agile," said Mike, "I'm sure they'll give Lockport a good game. Whoever makes it to the championship game will be the best teams in the state. But whatever happens, there is one thing that all students at South should remember. The Hawks have gone further than any other Maine Township team and we should all be proud to have such an excellent team at our school.