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Show Comment Young team matures ele = “Thad a lot of pleasure this year just watching the players mature. We knew they were a fine group of athletes, but eee Ce Sn season.” Weber State ae they became an outstanding basketball team as well during the course of the coach Neil McCarthy’s gs sentiments could be equally shared by the Wildcat fans during the past season. The youngest team in the school’s history has turned out to be one of the best. And while the accomplishments of this year’s squad are interesting to © epee mre Se Yr Cc mee Ss =_= S-S), ' er o™ April 1978 examine, most Wildcat fans are looking ahead to next season when the complete team, minus one, will return. The recently-concluded season had many highlights. The team moved from cramped Wildcat Gym to the Dee Events Center, one of the finest basketball facilities in the nation. A corresponding THE MOVE from tiny Wildcat Gym into the beautiful new Dee Events Center resulted in new attendance ecords for the school and the conference. increase in attendance followed, with the crowds setting Big Sky as well as school records. The team, picked for a fourth-place finish in the conference, came in third during the regular season play, but won both Tournament games to earn the Big Sky Conference championship and represent the loop in the NCAA Tournament. It was the seventh time in the school’s history that they have made an appearance in the post-season championship. Although they fell in the opening game, the competition was fierce (Arkansas went on to the final four) and the young ’Cats gained more valuable experience. The 1978 Wildcats were young and lacked depth. A total of just 10 players finished out the season. Of the starting five, four were sophomores and one was a junior. Captain of the team was Mark Mattos, a sophomore. The early season was a typical sophomore year—with inconsistency, mistakes, and reaction to pressure being marks of the squad. “We did a lot of things wrong, especially early in the year,’’ Coach McCarthy said. “‘We really came of age later on, though. After losing our only home game of the season, the two-point overtime to Montana, I think that we changed completely and finished very strong.” The team turned in a creditable 19-10 record with a schedule that included severally Besides ’Catsalso nationally-regarded teams. the attendance records, the established new marks in shooting, breaking field goal and free throw percentage records established last year. The ’Cats finished the year as the number 12 team in the national statistics in free throw percentage. Only loss off the squad is reserve guard Dennis Green. Green, a senior, was playing his first year at Weber State after redshirting last previously enrolled University. Back next year season. at will be He was Idaho State the entire starting team, plus: the top two reserves from this Peterson year’s team. — John OVERALL GAME RECORDS: Season: 19 wins, 10 losses; Conference: 11 wins, 5 losses; Home Court: 14 wins, 1 loss; SOPHOMORE BRUCE COLLINS takes off for a patented slam dunk. Away: 5 wins, 9 losses; Neutral: 1 win, 1 loss. Eas ALUMNI [ODGE Plan to visit Southern California this summer! Now the Alumni Association of Weber State College makes it possible. You'll stay in The Alumni Lodge and have Southern California at your fingertips. Mediterranean Cruise OTR a G 1979 We are again offering low rates this year for guests staying at the Alumni Lodge . . . $7.95 per person per day. If you stay a week, you will only be charged for six days. By using the facility you're within thirty-five minutes of Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Lion Country Safari. Los Angeles, mountains, beaches and the desert are within forty-five minutes. You'll stay’ in new ‘accommodations featuring private suites, swimming, sauna, volleyball, tennis and laundry facilities. Golfing in famous Palm Springs is nearby. A trained professional staff will cater to your every need. This offer is for the benefit and enjoyment of Weber State College alumni and friends, to serve your summer travel information, contact 399-5941, extension 346. needs. the For additional Alumni Office Plan to see Southern California our way! The Alumni Lodge. Now you can afford it Stay In the heart of Southern California Approximate Cost a 1600 per person a 2 weeks-between ports on a cruise ship in the Beautiful Mediterranean VISIT: GREECE, TURKEY, ISRAEL, EGYPT For Information Contact: WEBER STATE COLLEGE ALUMNI OFFICE 399-5941 Ext. 346 fal Serin 4 - at in |
