Smoke Signals, Wednesday,
Gro Named All-American
r:i^
JOE GRO ... Chowan’s All-American
Braves Top Nit. Olive
Chowan College’s basketball
team won its fourth straight
game and first before the home
fans defeating Mount Olive, 71-70,
in overtime Friday night,
January 10.
It was an uphill battle for the
Braves. They were shut out for
the first six minutes and were
trailing 12-0 when forward Mike
Oliver made Chowan’s first
score. The Trojans’ halftime lead
was 39-26.
The same point totals were
made in the second half only this
time the Braves had 39. It took
Chowan 19 minutes and 59
seconds in the second stanza to
tie Mount OUve. Oliver flipped in
a driving layup with one second
left to assure the tie. Nursing a
65-63 lead, the Trojans had a
chance to win it with five seconds
left but forward Doug Potter
missed two free throws and
Chowan made the rebound and
passed to Oliver who raced the
length of the court of the basket.
Hero of overtime was forward
Keith McClearn, one of three
players from Smithfield-Selma
High School who played the
entire second half for Chowan.
Center James Soard and guard
Tim Lyons were teammates of
McQearn at Smithfield. With 14
seconds left in the five-minute
overtime and Chowan behind, 70-
69, McClearn calmy sank two
free throws for fte winning
margin.
Mount Olive called time out to
plan their last shot. With four
seconds on the clock, they took it.
The ball hit the rim and took a
Chowan bounce to preserve the
Braves’ fourth win against six
losses. The win evened their
conference mark at 1-1.
Braves’ coach Bill McCraw
said Chowan was paced in the
second half comeback by the
rebounding of Oliver and Soard
and scoring of the same two plus
Lyons and McClearn. Reserve
guard A1 Crenshaw was praised
for his scoring and directing the
attack from mid-way in the first
half until fouling out late in
regulation play.
Chowan was led in scoring by
McClearn with 16 followed by
Soard with 13. Lyons added six
for a 35-Point scoring per
formance from the three Smith
field players.
Chowan College defensive end
Toe Gro has been named to the
st team all-American junior
jUege football squad, according
io Braves’ coach, Jim Garrison.
A second Brave, defensive tackle
Delbert Melton of Norfolk
received honorable mention.
The 6-2, 220-pound Gro was
named Chowan’s permanent
defensive captain by his team
mates at the end of the season,
which produced a 6-4 mark.
Gro’s selection as all-American
adds to Chowan’s tradition as the
home of all-American players.
For each of the past three years,
a Brave has been honored as a
first team all-American. Selected
in 1970 was offensive tackle John
Bowles of Virginia Beach while
middle linebacker Stuart
Christian was named last year.
Gro was among the team
leaders in tackes in each of the
Braves’ games. Part of this is a
tribute to his pursuit since the
opposition often elected to avoid a
direct challenge of the big end.
Garrison characterized Gro as a
“tenacious” player who responds
to a challenge. “He’s going to
nake a name for himself with a
lenior college team,” predicted
I larrison.
Gro has made more than his
: lare of key plays this season,
arrison indicated. “The
ugher, closer the game, the
tter he liked it,” Garrison said.
Braves Win
Three In Row
By LINWOOD LEWIS
The Braves who are back
home, continue to win. Running
their streak to three and an
overall record of 3-6. With John
Spears and Pat Callahan
tweaking into line up as starting
guards, they led the team in
points and were the play makers.
Keith McClearn, still playing
good basketball, led the team in
rebounds and added 12 points.
James Soard contributed 10
rebounds and seven points, and
Greg Wilson had nine. The final
score was 62-59. This victory was
Chowan’s third in a row and gives
them an undefeated 3-0 record
since January 1.
Braves Win 71-70
By LINWOOD LEWIS
Chowan Braves, riding on a
four game winning streak, won a
squeaker over Mt. Olive. Michael
Oliver, who scored on a fast
break with one second left on the
clock, tied the game. Keith
McClearn hit two free throws
with fourteen seconds remaining
in the overtime period to give
Chowan the victory.
Cagers Change With New Year
By LINWOOD LEWIS
To the disappointed tans who
felt the Braves weren’t any good
last year, well, the New Year
brought in a new team. The same
guys, but with a much more
determined spirit. The Chowan
Braves started the New Year off
by winning the Wesley In
vitational Tournament. It took a
lot of pride to travel with an 0-6
record to prove they were the
best team of the crop.
A lot of teamwork and good
coaching on the part of Coach
McCraw led them to victory. The
Chowan Braves beat Wesley Jr.
College 70-61. They received
outstanding performances from
the playing of A1 Crenshaw,
quarterback of team, Tim Lyon,
hot shooting guard with 19 points,
out front court consisting of Ray
Rawls, James Soard, and Mike
Oliver with 11 points apiece and
an average of nine rebounds and
an additional 16 more rebounds
from Keith McClearn.
Their next opponent for the
championship was Brandywine
Jr College. Again the team
showed a tough defense and a
scoring offense. This time they
received the help of two reserve
guards, John Spears and Pat
Callahan, who scored 10 and 16
points respectfully, with
Callahan adding some go ahead
“He made several big fumble
recoveries and interceptions,”
the Braves’ head coach
remarked.
Garrison lauded Gro as “an all-
around outstanding football
player. He’s big, strong and a
smart football player. In all
respects, he’s worthy of this
honor.”
The Springfield, Pa. resident
handled his assigment at
defensive end almost flawlessly.
Garrison observed. Garrison said
Gro prevented the sweeps, made
the tackles and exhibited a strong
pass rush.
For these and other reasons,
Gro “gained the respect of every
opponent we played,” Garrison
reported.
Like Gro, the 6-1, 220-pound
Melton was a starter for the past
two years. Garrison beUeves that
Melton also belongs in select
company.
“Garrison said Melton’s at
tributes include being “smart,
quick and strong. He’s a major
college prospect without doubt,”
added Garrison, who calls Melton
“a winner.”
Making the “big play” was a
Melton trademark. Garrison
noted. One of his most
memorable plays come during a
goal line stand against Harford,
October 21. On fourth and goal
from Chowan’s one, Melton met
the Owls’ fullback headon,
stopping him one-foot short to
save a score and preserve the
Braves’ 3-0 lead. Chowan,
boosted by the play, continued to
a 17-0 victory.
“Melton had a knack of being in
the right place at the right time to
make the tackles, fumble
recovery or some other im
portant play. He helped us take
advantage and even make the
breaks,” Garrison said. “That’s
the kind of player you want and
belongs on the all-Americar
team,” concluded Garrison.
January 31, 1973—Page 9
Chowan Streak
Stops At Four
Basketball Tilts
By LINWOOD LEWIS
The Braves, who traveled to
Sandhills Junior College, had
their winning streak cut off at
four wins. They led most of the
game to lose it late in the second
half.
The problem seems to be that
of putting the right combination
of players on the court. Despite
the loss, James Soard showed
equal power in both departments
of scoring and rebounds, with
sixteen points and fourteen
rebounds. He was followed by
Mike Oliver with twelve points
and nine rebounds.
High scorer was Keith Mc
Clearn with sixteen.
Braves Home Games
Jan. 25 Southwood College
Jan. 27 Sandshill College
Feb. 7 Louisburg College
Feb. 12 Frederick Military
Academy
Feb, 16 Ferrum College
Spears' 29 Points
Leads Chowan
In Kitrell Loss
By LINWOOD LEWIS
The Braves who put up a fight
for three quarters, finally gave in
to Kittrell. The visiting team
show from every spot of the floor
showing why they were 18-0
coming into the game.
Chowan was led in scoring by
the hot hand of John Spears, who
shot sbcty-three per cent from the
field to finish up with 29 points.
He was followed by James Soard
with sixtten points and fourteen
rebounds. Keith McClearn,
twelve points, and Michael Oliver
with twelve points.
The final score was 83-97.
Chowan also had trouble holding
the ball, with a team record of
thirty-six turn-overs.
free throws. Keith McClearn
showed strong play with 13
rebounds and 21 points. James
Soard, 15 rebounds and 22 points;
Michael Ohver, 18 rebounds and
nine points.
In both games the Braves were
without the play of Greg Wilson,
who was in an accident while
coming to school over the
holidays for the tournament. He
is OK now and back with the
team.
To top all the performances the
Braves placed two players on All
tourney team. Michael Oliver
selected All-tournament; and
James Soard, All-tournament
and Most Valuable t'layer.
WINS TROPHY—Chowan College basketball coach. Bill
McCraw, holds the Wesley College Tournament trophy
captured by the Braves January 3-4 in Dover, Del.
Chowan beat the favorite, host Wesley, 70-61. in the first
round and then whipped Brandywine of Wilmington, 87-
78 for the title.