Xavier Falls in Palestrd Opener
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— ^Freindly Foolishness :j^K/:;,^ts<.:m&amf^ym<:mKymcymK.ymK:^ ^ Wildcats Nip Princeton In Overtime, i A Final Tribute Xavier Falls In Palestrd Opener .^.:}^sm.:^mc}^mt>siSf::::m^,-)m^::>si&::^^ ^^^^^^^^ By Steve Freind Steve Freind Villanova's hustling Wildcats fougrht to their third straight Victory on Monday, rally- heart-stopping overtime ing to edge Princeton's charg-d-up Tigers 61-60 in a battle before a A champion likes to end his career in a blaze of glory. sellout' Field House crowd. Three davs before, the Kraft-men made their Palestra debut Like Ted Wililams hitting a homer his last time at bat, before another capacity throng by holding of f a late Xavier rally to edge the Mlisketeers Marciano battering Moore and then retiring, or, more locally, 93-89 despite a fantastic snooting pert oima nee by All-American Steve Thomas. In the Wally Jones scoring 34 points against Princeton at Raleigh opener of that doubleheader, St. Joe's added another gold start to the Big Five cage ledger and leaving the court with the cheers of his adoring fans by derailing No. 1 ranked Davidson, 77-04. ringing in his ears. Bill Bradley led a hungiy herd of Tigers into the Field House last Monday and the This is the kind of finale the Villanova football team lx)ys from the Ivy League almost left with a» upset. Employinj; a deliberate obense against deserved, especially the boys who would not be back next uniform for Alex Bell. In- the Villanova zone, Princeton jumped to a 28-25 lead at the half. Only Eric Erickson'a .year to don a Blue and White shooting kept the 'Cats in the game as the ^elf made senior star turned in his second straightl stead, their career ended in a hotel lobby in Buffalo, losing Liberty Bowl, to the standout performance. In the second stanza, Bill Melchionni regained his second torch but their last game, and an invitation to the weather. the 'Cats were unable to open any kind of a lead ; With 1:45 left in the tilt, Bell's Maybe the count was knotted at 54- It's not fair what happened to Bombers. it's a trite line, but they deserve a better fate. These were all and Princeton had the ball. the boys battled their heart out all season to bring a The Tigers tried to set up a who winner to the Main Line, the boys who played the pride of shot but the 'Cats zone re- of 'Boston to stand still on that November afternoon. mained air-tight and Prince- Exit Legend ton coach Butch Von Breda A It's hard to single out any one man for special recogni- Kolff called for a time out with tion. They were all great. But one name in particular will 18 seconds left. It was here be remembered around Villancpa for a long time. Last year that Jack Kraft pulled off a there appeared in this column an article entitled "Exit coaching* gem. A Legend" concerning the final game of Wally Jones. When play resumed the Tigers The same title can be applied to the last time Al Atkin- found Villanova in a man-to-man son pulled on his pads to lead the 'Cats into battle. There's defense for the first time all not enough that can be said about Al. everything night. Flustered, the Tigers He was athlete, gentleman and a tremendous person. Suffice it to called for another time out, say that the sight of 74 breaking everything in Kraft then switched his boys Number up sight will always remain a cherished memory. In fact, the back into the zone and at this opinion here is that his number should be retired. one point the Tigers were ready to No will ever be able to wear it in quite the drop back ten and punt. Unable same way. The 'Cats had a wonderful season. It should have been to set-up a decent shot, Bradley capped by a trip to Atlantic City. only ones will forced a jumper from the corner The who profit by the selection of Utah are the boys from West at the 'buzzer, but his attempt Virginia. Ever since that night in the Palestra three years fell short and the game went ago, the Mountaineers have made it a point to avoid Vil- into overtime. lanova. The Dudley spectacle promises to be another lack- Bill Soens, who hauled down luster affair. Bell's Bombers could have changed that, but 11 debounds and showed fio oigns the Liberty Bowl board seems to have a short memory. of sophomore jicteri^, n^^^d The sight of Villanova battling Oregon State on even terms tiiree quick points on a beautiful seems to have been forgotten. driving hook and a foul shot So now the basketball campaign is in full swing and before fouling out. The Tigers the memories of the Pony Backfield are rapidly drifting coimtered with a two pointer but away. Four of the members of Bell's '64 edition have been Melchionni 8 jumper seemed to gobbled up by the pros—a school record. But there are a ice the v-ctory . But Tiger Don lot of rugged Wildcats still around, waiting for next Rodenbach hit with a stab, Pete year and another shot at a perfect season. They may get it, for Coleman's pass was intercepted *' Bell still has quite a bit of talent in his stable, tor an easy layup and Princetor but they'll have to go some to match this year's bunch of champions. led 60-59 with 40 seconds re- If Jack Kraft's charges can match their gridiron maining. With the poise of a coun- tei-parts in spirit and guts, there will be a rro, Melchionm calmJy drove March victory VillanovaS Eric Erickson hooks over thf" outstoetched tolTd party in Portland. * lead. When Rodenbach was called XAVIER for walking, the Cardiac Kids 8-ST F-FT R FF Fts. were home free. Kraft had praise for Bradley after the game. "I am absolutely elated that we do not have to face Bradley again. Is he better than before? No, he couldn't be any better. He's the best." Kraft ailso was pleased with his own Ail-American prospect, Billy Melchionni. "He's a great hall player. He'll lead our team the same way Jones did." The junior deadeye led all scorers with 24 points, hitting 8 of 16 attempts. Erickson added 15 while the incomparable Bradley paced Princeton with 23. One disappointing aspect of the contest was the play of co- captain Ji mWashington. The 6-7 leaper had a miserable 2 for 13 shooting night and lacked any kind of enthusiasm under the 'boards. Consequently, the 'Cata were out-rebounded 47-40. Xavier Playing before a screaming Palestra crowd of 9200, the Kraftmen put on a torrid first half shooting display, then held on for dear life as Steve Thomas ignited a Xavier charge which almost caught the 'Cats. On the shooting of Melchionni, Erickson and George Leftwich, whose per- formance with reminiscent of the George Leftwich of three years ago, the 'Cats raced to a 68-44 halftime, before Thomas began to warm up. When he did, the crowd saw (ConUnued on Page 11) Program Sets \\M /I ></ ^L -- Parents' Regains Recognition; pp j|Mpi^<' jifmar S50,000 This Year NFCCS SGA State YR Chairman Addresses For Campus Progress In Social Workings Organization ..The Parents' Program, de- i^^QCO Members Active Villanova GOP signed to raise funds for im- drivj. This year by Jim BreniMfi The Student Senate unanim- by Catholic college students and fund raising ing school in Harrisburg from provcnnents on the Villanova being sold fey Sam John Acton, newly elected ously recommended for passage by a member of the Youth De- tiger tails are January 21-23. Governor Scran- campus was initiated by the Vil- Votta, member ot NFOCS to state chairman of the Young a motion proposed by James partment of the National a * ..' ton will give an address at this lanova Development Office in yo occ raise money. \ Republicans, recently addressed 4 Whelan, chairman of the election Catholic Welfare Conference. educational activity, and there 1960, Since no particular goals the Villanova Collegiate Young committee. NFCCS programs deaJ with Anyone interested can join in will be discussion groups con- were set, the amount received at Republicans. such problems as civil rights, 103 Corr Hall on Wednesday cerning polls, race relations never exceeded $10,000 per year. It proposed that the "National 7:30 p.m. for V.A.M.P., and the Acton spoke about state minority groups and other po- College race relations, foreign affairs, Then last year, under the Federation of Catholic at Young Republican Qubs and i#;o«c and religious affairs. same room on Thursday litical problems. chairmanship of Mr. Louis C. Students be admitted to the Stu- yuianova's place in the organi- present the 4:30 p.m. for NFCCS. Registration Stengel, the president of the dent Council with one-half vote." At Villanova zation. Manhattan Shirt Company, and chapter of NFCCS is involved in lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll" There will also be an increased Passed Unanimously He explained that Villanova with Pete Federico apponted full "work-camp projects" in Phila- drive on registration. Acton has two votes in the Mont- The motion passed unanmi- Catholic effec- time director, a goal of $25,000 JlJ l»CC delphia with the Com- stated that this is the most ously the NFX:CS is now gomery County organization and for improving the library was and munity Relations Commission.