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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 1974)
i. Sil p 1 Thornton finds ‘dream’ at Aggieland San Antonio product becomes cage star in late season m THE BATTALION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1974 Page 5 TTO I S'TED try a »ir BeiWjij BM sekfs le mtes. Mrs. m 8234721 silver mia ■es, 82241S1 By TONY GALLUCCI Staff Sports Writer The American Dream has come true at A&M for John Thornton. To Thornton, that dream has been a road from high school bas ketball to major college stardom sprinkled with tragedy and dis appointment. Thornton got his start at San Antonio Holmes, where he was an Honorable Mention All-District quarterback. “I hurt my back during my junior year,” states Thornton, “and had trouble decid ing whether to stay with football and possibly hurt my back again, or concentrate on basketball.” Thornton decided to stay on the court but gives credit to his coach, Paul Taylor, for guiding him in the right direction. Just a week before the start of the sea son, the 30-yr. old coach died of leukemia. “He was a really fine man and I admire him,” says Thornton, noting his death was probably the teams’ downfall that season. The big postman was recruited sparsely, but among those who wanted him was A&M. Coach Shelby Metcalf was looking for a forward and apparently seeing the possibilities in Thornton, sug gested he attend junior college to sharpen his skills. Thornton en tered San Antonio College to play under coach Ronnie Culpepper (brother of Aggie assistant coach Jim Culpepper). “It was a big letdown, it was such a big deal to go to a major college,” reminisces Thornton, “but I decided I could improve there (SAC) and I don’t regret going.” After his two year stay in San Antonio, Thornton felt he could play ball at A&M. “And that’s where I am today.” In his transformation from post to forward at A&M, Thornton averaged 12.4 points and 6.9 re bounds (15.4 and 7.6 in confer ence play). Since he began his starting role in conference he averaged 20 points per game. “I’ve always felt like contribut ing or helping the team.” Thorn ton continues, “it doesn’t matter on J2J352E3 ipus & ol jb Roomil "V Cable ths baths aths STUDEfl DAY- . -5:3flp.' hru Sat. 4.68 :xchange 95 excha® jnerators ;xchangc t for nM st nd some . dealer P r!t >y Dealer ept , . Mastercl* ;■restone uto Parf 822-$' Service F #I i Bryan PENISTON CAFETERIA OPEN SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY BREAKFAST — 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. COFFEE & PASTRY — 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. FEATURING Klechka’s Kolaches each morning — A dining treat from old Europe you will never forget. DINNER 11:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. SUPPER 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. ‘Quality First” ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★* * FRIDAY AND SATURDAY MARCH 1 AND 2 KING SIZE jBHBk =■ dfB COLOR PORTRAITS ippr' FOR ONLY lljBBr * * * * * * * * whether I come off the bench or start.” Looking back on his first year as an Aggie, he says, “there was a lot of pressure, there was no easy game. Anyone could beat anyone in this conference. We lost a couple and it was hard to get back on track.” Looking ahead Thornton con tends, “we have the nucleus to build a solid team.” Trying to avoid himself, Thorn ton heaps praise in every direc tion. “C. W. (Guthrie), Webb (Wil liams), Ray (Roberts) and Mike (Johnson) are responsible for our bench depth, our quickness, speed, hustle and defense.” Thornton, who shared the spot light with Cedric Joseph at Rice, continues, “Ced took the pressure off me. He got the crucial bas kets.” Of coach Shelby Metcalf, Thorn ton says, “He’s a really great per son, he knows basketball.” The word has gotten around that coach Nonn Reuther has really helped Aggie post play. “Yes,” says Thornton, “he has helped me greatly.” Thornton is also quite apprecia tive of his sister, whom he says receives too little attention. She is a sophomore transfer from Baylor who, notes Thornton, “helps me a lot. She is always around when I need someone to talk to. She never gets tired of basketball and I really appreciate it.” Thornton, himself deserving of praise, finds it abundant. Says co-captain Joe Arciniega, “he really impresses me. He has a lot of leadership bdth on and off the court. But you have to be careful when you room with him,” says Arciniega, who roomed with Thornton on the Christmas road trip, “or he’ll use up all of your shampoo.” In his first conference start (against Arkansas) Thornton scored 29 points, pulled down nine rebounds, and scored eight clutch points in overtime to insure the Aggie victory. Upon leaving the game early in the second half, he received a well deserved standing ovation. At a later press conference, Metcalf said, “John is a real fine person. The kind of kid you want your daughter to bring home. It just so happens he plays basket ball, too. Tuesday (against Ar kansas) was a just reward for a guy who really paid the price.” Against Baylor on Tuesday, Thornton connected on 12 of 19 field goals and seven of eight free throws to total 31 points, his sea son high. The most Thornton could spill out after the game was, “it feels great.” Somewhere in the press box during the Rice game were heard mumbles that Thornton might be in the running for all-SWC next year if he keeps improving at the present rate. Thornton shrugs if off saying he just plans on im proving and doing what he can for the team. Thornton will be back next year as a senior to help that “solid team” chase the SWC crown and he might do it in all-conference form. peanutWgalxery 813 OLD COLLEGE RD. 713/846-9978 COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77840 Featuring Electronic Dance Floor. The Bose Super Sound System. Dancing Every Night From 9 p. m. Monday — Drinks Poured Double For Single Price. Tuesday — Bar Drinks 50c. Wednesday — Ladies Night. No Cover Sun. - Thurs. Only 50c Fri & Sat. Happy Hour Mon. - Fri. 3-7 Sun. 7-12. And A BARREL OF PEANUTS AT NORTH GATE OPEN FROM 10:00 AM. TO 7:30 P.M. •% JOHN THORNTON sinks another one on his way to becoming the star of the A&M basketball team in the late season. (Pho to by Steve Krauss) Netters travel to two tourneys Texas A&M tennis players will be in two tournaments this weekend, at Corpus Christi and Kingsville. A&M’s top seven players—Bill Hoover, Bill Wright, Dan Courson, Charles Emley, Mark Silberman, John Kirwan and Tom Courson— will play in the Corpus Christi meet while Kermit Smith Scooter McMeans, Fred Herring, Alan White, Jeff Carter and Hal Hark- ey will play in the Texas A&I tourney in Kingsville. A&M’s first team will face Brigham Young in the first round at 11 a. m. Thursday. Should they lose they will play the loser of the Texas Tech-Trinity match at 9 a. m. Should the team win they will come up against the winner of the above match. Other teams in A&M’s bracket are Pan Am, New Mexico, Kansas and top-seeded Houston. Both meets are team, not in dividual, elimination events. Intramural Results Class B Racquetball F-l over L-2 Squadron 4 over D-2 Class C Racquetball White over Hart Puryear over Law Class A Softball Squadron 9 over L-l White Band over K-l Squadron 5 over C-l Squadron 7 over K2 A-l over Squadron 12 Maroon Band over H-l Squadron 13 over B-2 EPISCOPAL CHURCH Adult Inquirers Classes for those interested in learning about its life and worship and preparing for Confirmation. Wednesdays 8:00 p.m. March 6 - April 24 1974 ST. THOMAS’ CHAPEL 906 Jersey Street College Station 846-1726 Visitors welcomed at Classes and Regular Sunday Services — 8:00 a. m., 9:30 a. m., 11:00 a. m., 7:00 p. m. 8-TRACK TAPES REG. S6.98 - ONLY S4.99 ALBUMS REG. SS.98 - ONLY S3.99 New Releases In: NEW DOOBIE BROS. NEW DEEP PURPLE 31*5" UHJVEJLSlT^y S^t-SSlS STK. IN ON THURS. AND SAT. 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