College Notebook
Pickup games I
By DAVID BULLA
Chfontett Sports Editor
A 3-foot-7, 150-pound bear of a man, Fernandez
"Bumpy" Griffin pulls up five feet
front the top of the key and slingshots the
I ball through the basket.
Griffin, the diminutive, behind-the-scenes
dynimo of the Winston-Salem State athletic
program, surprises no one with his accurate
long-range touch. WSSU's equipment
manager and sports information director
playkl point guard for Reynolds High
School a decade before we had even heard
the same Tyrone Bogues. In 1973 he and his
Denton teammates advanced to the state 4-A
championship, where they lost to powerful
Reicsville. That Ram team featured Melvin
Wa&ins, * who would start on UNC
Cha lotte's Final Four team in 1977.
" liaf Reidsville team is generally conside
td the most talented state champion
sine Atkins in '69," Griffin said recently.
"Th y just had too much for us."
Ji dging from the size differential, one
wou d think that Griffin would be no match
In C i?r?:L? " ' ?
>vi Di^jiuuse uames, the Rams'
41-y ar athletic director and basketball
coac i. But the resourceful Griffin has been
mat hing Gaines barb for barb since the
forr er was a freshman at WSSU in 1973. Instea
of playing basketball, Griffin chose to
be ( aines' statistician, equipment manager
and ight-hand man.
" didn't get an athletic scholarship," the
Win iton-Salem native said. "So I would
hav< had to play freshman ball - we still had
jayv ? then. I had the confidence to play,
but it made more sense to help Coach
bees ise 1 had to pay my way through school
and I could get some work-study (mone^J
wor ;ing for Bighouse."
G riffin was so good as a stat and equipmer
; man that Gaines decided to retain him
afte he completed work on his degree.
Wh e he's been a prominent figure in a
WS 1U athletic program that produces consistc
it champions in the revenue-making
spoi ts, there's still a little of the player in
nimf 5o the ubiquitous Griffin opens
Whkaker Gym four nights a week for pickup
basketball from late May until mid-August.
On these nights the gym that witnessed all of
thoas bombs by Earl Monroe comes alive
agaiji. Only now Griffin, Luther "Ticky"
icW.Mrr* w , r *' > .? ;; VV:- *?
Big Apple Spotlight
Local stars to pla
By KENNETH RAYMOND
Chronicle Sports Writer ?
The Big Apple League has been z
intfted to participate in an all
stj r| basketball tournament in
; .Jeague Commissioner Walter
Li Funderburk has been asked by
Bi li Shelton, director of comf"ty
service for the YMCA in pH|
lotte, to form a team of allfrom
the league to par- j||||^HI
tidt&ate in the NBA-Coca Cnln
Y ^CA Pro-Am Tournament, r ^ M
w ibh begins Saturday at 4:30
p. ri. at Johnson C. Smith
U iyersity. It will continue for
th eie consecutive weekends, en- ... .
di g Aug. 3. Wa"
.Tm surprised and honored weilofthe
thi t they asked us to get involv- p . t4?.
ed " Funderburk said. "It makes c?!
> ^ * .? ? , . Golden St<
m< j feel that we are really doing w...
so .ething special here." Hawks a'nc
he tournament will feature a tie SuperS
ha dful of outstanding players to play in 1
wh > are now active in the Na- Eight te
tic lal Basketball Association. Three tean
PL yers such as Walter Davis of Charlotte
th<j Phoenix Suns, Cedric Max- Wayne R
mm wnmwiwiwmwwmHmiwiHiiwwmiiiiiiiiiiiMMinttmniwwimiiHi
] local Sports
nni^itmmmwimitiiwnnmmtWHwwiinniHumnmiiiimnMiinmiiii
plying 30-minute halves full- there," H<
coyrt. "Look at i
m r 11 * t r - t mi . /?
mii mi i nmr j^irnritr arms is raice on the
a Sthree-on-two/two-on-one cd.,,
briak., Three players drive Hentz
agiinst two at one end of the emphasize<
fl<tbr, then the point man retreats year becaui
tog play defense against two and the hea
driers. Still, he h
jj'I think this is the best way to students w<
tefch defense," Hentz said. "The in Bryant Fi
mjst important things are back- son, Chris
pedaling, keeping your knees Thacker.
beit and getting your arms ready
tolteal a pass." JQ jrac|
Jkentz has been particularly impressed
with the play of Carlos The jw[
^"fRory, who attends Atkins hosting a s
Middle School. Wake Foi
^That's OTft--future right evenings, si
bring out best in R
* I ^ ty*
p' . | ',.
* Ik I $ |r .
r V I|m
TjM
Fernandez "Bumpy" Griffin rules the
court in summer pickup games at
Winston-Salem State's Whitaker Gym
(photo by James Parker).
Burden and Carl Redd are the among guys
launching, the long ones now.
"For most of us basketball paid or paved
the way for our education," Griffin said.
"We owe basketball something, and this is a
, way to keep playing and maintain our love
of the game."
For guys like Burden, who played for the
NBA's New York Knicks, and Redd, who
played at UNC-Asheville, "Bumpy's
League," as it is incorrectly called on the
street, offers an opportunity to stay in shape
while playing against quality competition.
"The play here is a little more physical,"
said Redd, now a supervisor at Guilford
Mills in Greensboro. "But everybody knows
everybody and the games are friendly. Bumpy
keeps everybody in line."
Redd, whose summer league experience
includes a stint in the Bob McAdoo League
in Greensboro, said there was a certain
amount of wisdom being passed on from the
older to younger participants. #
The pickup games are at best loosely
organized. There are no referees, no clocks
; ;c ^ a&s
OLi.lt * ?' tL-3 ' -??? ?t*t
y in Charlotte torn
1 "? Ml '
Greensboro, one fron
Durham and the
& manager of the
m Charlotte,ls working
tion with the Charlott
give children an opp
^ see professional baske
fa JM without having to tr
s*2 closest NBA stop, At!
|life The olavers chosen i
W the Big Apple League
Jordan and Terry Sti
^ the Players, Danny W
Roger Mason of Domi
Rob Little of the Rc
Harry Davis, John
ter Funderburk Mike Jones and Dwa;
of Winston-Salem's F
Los Angeles Clippers, Funderburk believ<
spy" Floyd of the stars will represent
ate Warriors, Domini- Salem well in the tourr
ins of the Altanta that being involved
1 A1 Wood of the Seat- some positive ramifici
onics have committed "I'm sure we have
the tournament. within the league to
ams will participate. Funderburk said,
is will come from the recognized like this s
area, two from the help in getting the le
obinson League in tioned."
om Page B4 ?
;ntz said of Gregory. Entry forms are a
the way he makes the the Winston Lake
? drive. That's advanc- Kernersville and Cei
CAs. The series rur
said he has de- Aug. 13. All meets wil
1 weightlifting this the Wake Forest track,
se his class is younger Aug. 13 meet. It will
t has been too intense. Hanes Park. Starting
as four of his older Wednesday is 6:15 p.n
>rking on the weights Events include the 1
eggins, Kevin Thomn. 100 meter* ?nn dm i
Parks and Elbert mile, 4x100 and 4x400
long jump.
For more informatic
k Series thony L. Boerio at 121
n City Track Club is If you have a sports
ummer track series at desire to publish, call t
rest on Wednesday cle sports depart
tarting July 23. 723-844S.
I?
am little-big man
and no scorebooks. Each night Griffin puts
together two roughly equal teams to getthings
started. The winner stays on the floor, .
while Griffin makes another fivesome |
among the waiting players. Since individuals
make their own calls, Griffin arbitrates in
case of a controversial call. ~ 11
The cardinal rule is that Griffin surrounds ] j
himself with enough talent to keep the court \i
for a few games. The Ram assistant coach ;j
will help younger players to improve a I
weakness and to remember to play within the j
team concept. |j
"One guy doesn't win a game," said Grif- \
fin, who also has the wisdom to sideline S
himself from time to time. "It takes five
guys playing together to win. You have to ||
u - -
nave a gooa work etliic and be willing to dive
on the floor for a loose ball.*'
For the half-dozen WSSU players who are
in summer school, the Whitaker Gym sessions
offer the closest thing they have to
legal organized ball. NCAA rules prohibit
them from playing in unsanctioned leagues,
and since Griffin is an assistant coach, he
does not play on the same team as current
WSSU players.
The closest sanctioned league is in ,
Greensboro and that requires transportation,
which is in small supply for these college
students. So they hang out at the old j
gym waiting for Bumpy to put them into one
of the pickup games.
"The older guys try to teach us the fun- !
damentals that will help us in the season."
said Charlie Spell, the point guard from !
Fayetteville. "I talk tc^JTicky a lot, and he !
tells me to penetrate more and dish off. But I !
think one of the big things 1 learn in the sum- !
mer is not to get into any bad habits."
One such habit would be mixing it up with {
Carlos Terry, the former WSSU and ]
Washington Bullet big man. On the nights |
Terry's around, the level of play under the |
boards picks up a notch. j
Getting into these pickup games requires j
some patience. Guys come in off the street, j
but they usually have to wait a few nights j
and must learn to talk Griffin's language. |
"If 1 had said the thing was open, we'd ;
have to get organized and get sanctioned," |
he said. "Then we'd have to collect dues and j |
stuff like that. Actually, I've thought about j
doing that, but most of us work and that 11
Please see page B11 <!
"."'VtyriS .. ? . ..."
EAST WINSTON O
1. Model Pharmacy 35
2. Pic'N'Pay (Clarcmont) 36
3. Laundry Center (Clarcmont)
4. Brown's Beauty jk
5. Etna Gas 4
6. Great American Foods ' 3'
1 Gastonia, 7- Smith Cleaners 31
Big Apple Reyno,ds Health Center
9. Sunrise Towers ^
10. Special Occasions 41
d program (Jetway Shop. Ctr.)
inNconiUnln NORTHEAST ?
in conjunc- Ai
e YMOtTS" '1 Mfril. Brr.rihn. *
. 12. Record Boutique
ortunity to 13 Minit Market (13th & Liberty) 4"
tball action J4t Salem Seafood **
avel to the 15. Fairview Cleaners
anta Silver Front Cleaners
rs rhe
rickland of
yne
lament i
"Being \
hould also \ BfrVv^ 1
ague sane- \
= m
ntral YMis
through 49.
1 be held at ,7- Gulf Gas 50
-Yr(,ntfkp 18- Mama Chris 51.
, cxwcpi inc ,9 jamais Grocery 52.
be held at 20. Chandler's 53.
time each 21. Westbrook's 54.
a, 22. Minit Market (27th & Liberty) 55.
ong jump, 23 Chick's Drivc Inn 56
24- Mack's Grocery 57.
25. 3 Girls (Northampton) 58.
relays and 26. Shop Rite (Northampton) 59.
27. A Cleaner World (Carver Rd.) 60.
call An- 2*. Carver Food 61.
1682 29 Joe's Shop Rite (Bowen) 62.
30. Garrett's (311) * 63.
31. Wilco Gas (311) 64.
item you 32. Garden Harvest 65.
he Chroni- 33. Bernard's 66.
ment at 34. Jones'Grocery 67.
I . ei
*
The Chronicle, Thursday, July 17, 1986-Pafle B5
11 11 # # n rnni-rnj n_^~m i rn> iirn J I? m ^ * < "
SX3BSC???_ chronicle
Oood Luck I
Grandslammers i
In Kentucky ?
Reggie Parker |
j Llbarty*Lincoln*Mercury, Inc. 1
1500 Peters Creek Parkway $
(919) 72S-Q411 |
eaawicaaiKaaattcaiN NH HIT WN ?K
Congratulations
Grandslammers
State Tennis Champions
aShtaial Occasion*. '
* viowera, Cards & Gifts
(919)724-0334
93 Now Walkartown Road Jatway Shopping Center
. Congratulations
Grandslammers
Our State Tennis Champs
Jr. M.D. :;
/ >' 620 Dunleith Ave. ^ ] |
/X 723-6552
aoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooeoooQooooooooooooj1
} r ''C' ' . Ii i . < ' <: I V. i % ' -/> >? > . ' O^IITj
iiiiuui iiiMin
GBURN STATION tO 'W. Amoco (Fourth A Broad) . Jft
69. Hop-In (First St.) ,
Laundry Center (Old Rural Hall Rd.) 70. Food Fair (First St.)
Paragon Food Center 71. Baptist Hospital
72. Amoco (Cloverdale)
lORTHWEST 73. Kroger II'
7. Etna Gas 74? Hop-In (Stratford Rd.)
j. N.W. Blvd. Pantry 75- Papers & Paperbacks (Hanes Mall)
). Hazel's Beauty 76- Crown Drugs (Hanes Mall)
). Real Food Bakery . :77 Forsyth Hospital
I. Ray's Fish 1
> Joe's Shon Rite /Patterson* ?
I. Great American Foods 5UUTHSIDE
I. A Cleaner World 78, Rainbow News '
I. Brown's Produce 79. Crown Drugs (Peters Creek)
>. Ervin's Beauty
Bojangles # ^ .
Northside Fish Market Qj 1
9^I?
SJSMz?
mm*0.
jSg^-"- 1 I .' /I
am available I
^L rJI I at these I
.>m^M locations: I
^oc. oaraen Harvest
83. Post Office (Waughtown Station)!!
^ 84. Hop-In (Stadium Dr.)
^ 85. Revco Drugs
86. Bclvirw House
Eckerd Drugs 87. Gold Fish Bowl
1 Stop Food (Akron Dr.) 88. Joe's Shop Rite (S. Main)
Food Fair (Patterson Ave. Exit)
Motel 6 I
Winn-Dixit DOWNTOWN
Tickled Pink Cleaners (Cherry St.)
Food Lion (University Plaza) 89- Chronicle Office
Fast Fare (Cherry St.) 90. Lincoln Barber
Maytag Laundry (Cherry St.) 91. Post Office
Forest Hills Curb Market 92. Benton Convention Center
D IB U/A.IJ ?J
.tv/iiu noKiquaners *3. Cecelia's (Hyatt House)
Jimmy the Greek 94. Rite-Aid
Fast Fare (30th St.) 95. Revco
Super X Drugs 96. NCNB Building
KAW (Coliseum) 97. Wachovia (Main St.)
Golden Comb 98. RJR Plaza
Best Bookstore (Reynolda Shop. Ctr.) 99. Brown's Restaurant
Mr. T 100. Forsyth Seafood
Paw's Grocery 101. Sanitary Barber Shop
ij , '