The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 6, Milford, Kosciusko County, 23 February 1983 — Page 41

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1982-83 ROCHESTER ZEBRAS — Front row, left to right: Scott Zent, Jeff Grube, Jeff Zent, Brian Johnson.

Rochester 1982-83 Team Stats: FG% FT% Rbs.Ave. Pts. Ave. Assists Ave. 49.3 74.3 31.4 66.2 13.5 Season Record Opponent As Os Feb. 12) Rochester Caston 67 79 Culver 70 76 Tippecanoe Valley 72 70 Lewis Cass 52 56 Manchester 98 75 Warsaw 82 69 North Miami 62 63 Maconaquah 77 78 North Wood 79 63 LaVille 43 57 Bremen 86 68 Plymouth 76 53 Pioneer 73 79 Concord 69 76 Triton 47 44 Wawasee 59 53 Peru 63 66

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Size Presents Major Hurdle For Zebras But Rochester Ready For Action

By DIANA STREEVEY Rochester coach Mike Jones feels the biggest problem the Zebras face as they go into the sectional tourney is bigness itself. “We’ve had trouble with big teams all year,” he admitted. “If we play either Warsaw or Wawasee, they present the problem of a difference in size. Our biggest man is 6’3’’, while Wawasee has one player who’s 6’10”. Warsaw has players of 6’B”, 6’7”, and 6’6”. Facing this, game in and game out, is tough, and we see it every game. ” This is Jones’ first year at Rochester, though he was athletic director and basketball coach at South Newton High School for five years. And even though the Zebras have battled size all

Back row: John Paulik, Rusty Triplett, Jeff Becker, Steve Williams, Bill Murhling.

year, they hold a respectable record of 9-8 as of February 12, averaging 66.2 points a game and surrendering 69.1 points to their opponents. Having played all four teams they’ll meet in the sectional, however, Rochester came in second best to all four, though they lost to Valley by only two points and to Triton by three points. “We like to run the fastbreak and play fast-paced offense. We always hope for the fast-break,” Jones stated. “We’re giving them too many points, though. We’ve got to do a better job defensively for the sectional.” Starting five for the Rochester squad are: Brian Johnson, 5’7” senior guard; Scott Zent, s’B” junior guard; Rusty Triplett, 6’2” senior forward; Jeff Zent, 5’10” senior forward; and John Paulik, 6’ senior post. Top subs include Jeff Becker, 6’3” senior post; Bill Murhling, 6’2” junior post; Steve Williams, 6’l” senior forward; and Jeff Gruber, 5’10” senior guard. ' Floor leader for the Zebras is Triplett, who leads in scoring and assists and is second in rebounding. Triplett shoots a dynamic 87.8 per cent from the charity stripe and 55.9 per cent from the field, for an average 16.6 points a game. Add three assists and seven rebounds per game to the senior’s personal statistics, and one gets a picture of his abilities. It’s by no means a one-man-show, however, as Triplett receives plenty of back-up from Johnson (10.6 points a game with a close 85.7 per cent shot from the line, copping 78 free throws from an attempted 91 this season) and Paulic (averaging 9.8 points per game and eight rebounds with two assists). Jones isn’t complacent about Rochester’s chance of winning the sectional, but neither is he intimidated.

“Probably Warsaw and Wawasee are the cofavorites, or co-contenders, to win. They’ve both got good size. The most important thing we’ll have to do is play as we’re capable of playing. There were times this year

lai I Mr > |r " |fl ““"COACH Mm JOHIS"“ Go Zebras I ROCHESTER NEWSAGENCY Bill & Ramona Myers Good Lock To ALL The Teams In The Sectional! MIKESELL EQUIPMENT Hwy. 25N Rochester Phone 223-2714 Good Luck Teams I GENETICS PLUS, INC. For rhe Semen You Need P.O. Box 165 Bob & Carol Bridge Rochester 223-6210

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we’ve played very good basketball and other times we’ve played very poor ball. It’s important (to the outcome) that we play up to our potential. And that we have a little luck,” he added laughingly.