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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 4, 1992)
Sports Page 4 The Battalion Friday, December^ 1992 TEXAS A&M BASKETBALL Barone continues with rebuilding process By CHRIS WHITLEY Sports Writer of THE BATTALION In a school where football is king, Texas A&M basketball has been con stantly striving to find its rightful place in the monarchy. It has been a program trying to escape a past of NCAA violations and losing seasons while trying also to achieve a fu ture of big-time recruits that will com pete in the Southwest Conference. This herculean feat was placed in the hands of Tony Barone in 1991 when he took over the head coaching job at A&M. Although he suffered through a 6-22 sea son last year, it did not come close to telling the whole story. A&M plays home opener Texas A&M will open its home season on Saturday night when it takes on the Missouri Tigers at 7 p.m. in <3. Rollie White Coliseum. Highlighted by a freak carbon monox ide accident in Baylor University's Fer rell Center that sent the entire team and coaching staff to the hospital, the Aggies also had to endure the death of Barone's mother, an injury to leading scorer Da mon Johnson that kept him on the side lines for 11 games and the knowledge that their dream basketball facility would not be built anytime soon. Still, A&M fought through the adver sity and held its ground with teams like Auburn and Alabama. In its final game of the season, the first round of the SWC Postseason Classic, A&M held a halftime lead over top-seeded Texas before even tually falling, 88-69. This year, the quality of the Aggies' schedule increases dramatically. They See Aggies/ Page 6 Johnson returns from foot injury to lead Aggies By DON NORWOOD Sports Writer of THE BATTALION Battalion file photo A&M’s Damon Johnson (34) snags a rebound while Anthony Ware (42) and Texas Tech’s Lance Hughes (4) look on during a game last season. Damon Johnson is ready to make up for lost time. Texas A&M's sophomore forward might not admit it outright, but his quiet confidence and the way he carries himself oozes eager ness for catching up for lost opportunities. And who can blame him? The 6-5 Johnson was on his way to earning Southwest Conference Newcomer of the Year honors last year, averaging 19.5 points and 15.5 rebounds per game against SWC oppo nents. But a foot injury that he suffered against Texas that appeared at first to be mi nor turned out to be a fracture, leaving him on the bench for 11 games while Texas young ster Terrence Rencher went on to be the con ference's top freshman. After his comeback late in the season, John son played well enough to average 15.6 points and 7.7 boards per game for the entire season. But the damage had been done, not only for the 6-22 Aggies, but also for Johnson, who was deeply affected by his injury. "It hurt," Johnson said with a sigh. "The way I looked at it, God had a reason for it. I just tried to find the reason. I tried to look for the hidden good." The good part of Johnson's broken foot proved to be extremely hard to find. Losing a player of his magnitude can produce one of two very polarized results for a basketball team. The rest of the team can elevate themselves to new heights, or the team can fold like a worn-out pup tent, left wondering about See Johnson/ Page 6 Aggies put scare into New Mexico Friday, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Canon* Neves hit a 3-pointer with 27 seconds left then blocked Texas A&M point David Edwards' shot with 3 seconds it maining Thursday as New Mexico score; a 71-69 win over the Aggies. Neves, who finished with 16pointsanl Khari Jaxon — 21 points and seven block — led a late New Mexico (2-0) rail, against an Aggie team that was making!; season debut. Damon Johnson hurt New Mexicoir side with 25 points and 10 rebounds while Edwards scored 19 points. Neves erased the Aggies' final with a rainmaker 3-pointer from the top the key that put the Lobos up 69-67.To A&M center Brett Murry misfired on a pointer with 20 seconds left, butjaxoi couldn't control the rebound and theAp gies got one more shot. They got the ball to Edwards, whohai hit a pair of clutch field goals in the set ond half to keep the Aggies in front. E wards pierced New Mexico's defense FUa# CXj««\ pulled up in the key for a 10-foot jumpei that Neves swatted away. New Mexico guard Steve loga: grabbed the loose ball and hit a pain: free throws with 2 seconds left Johnson hit a layup at the buzzerfu the final points. i b- u j Texas A&M, which was 6-22 last yei irt lost to T\Jp>w Mpviro hv ?? nninkr 0 Bob i At a lancing jsual an : aces se This is i ommei and lost to New Mexico by 22 points College Station, Texas, trailed byasmuc as 12 points (25-13) after the Lobos rano 15 straight points early in the first half. The Aggies took their first lead at4M with 13:00 left in the game on a backdtw fope C layup by Tony McGinnis and had a 59-j! perfecth lead with 4:10 left after Edwards hital ^ nc j s pointer with one second left on thesk 1 clock. noney. Richa Ski Apache Style this Season! Offici nent of! Richard: tourist d This Christmas break, live on the wild side...ski the slopes of Ruidoso, New Mexico...soar with the eagles...ride the wind... Lodging—for 1 or 15... Slopes & greens—ski in the a.m., golf in the p.m. Nightlife—romance by the fire, dance 'till dawn... Don't let winter tame you...Ski Apache Style in the southern Rockies! Be a part of the excitement in Ruidoso, New Mexico...the Year-Round Playground of the Southwest! For lodging and information call, 1-800-253-2255 Ski Apache Hotline 1-50S-257-9001 ^ NEW MEXICO B #SEASONED&JUST0RIGHT<$> ft act. 1 ! TAMU SNOW SKI CLUB PRESENTS BRECKENRIDGE & SKI THE SUMMIT JANUARY 7-15, 1993 & SPRING 1993 BUSINESS MAJORS Receive TAMU Credit including ACCT 230 and MGMT 211 while Studying Abroad in ITALY ALL Classes Taught by TAMU Faculty! FINANCIAL AID IS AVAILABLE! Time is running out, so reserve your place NOW! For more Information and Application, come by or call the Study Abroad Programs Office 161 Bizzell Hall West 845-0544 $399 Includes roundtrip transportation in sleeper buses with VCR’s 6 Nights in Ski-In Luxurious Condo 4 Day Lift Pass/5th Day Optional NIGHT SKIING AVAILABLE Goa A. EVERYONE WELCOME!! HURRY NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE!! Mandatory Meeting Dec. 8 if going on ski trip. Rm. 144 of the Student Services Building at 8:30 p.m. For more information come by the Snow Ski Club ^ cubicle in the Student Services Building Or Call Jeff 693-9624 Krista 696-8186 Brian 696-2528 Jon 696-7717 Editorials: not represi Columns, | Battali tetters mu We reserv, •-otters she