The following is a major “Boards” tribute to William Morris, better known to one and all as Speedy. I first met him in the early 60’s, when he was the junior varsity coach at Roman, and I held the same position at Father Judge. And that’s where the comparison ends. He then spent 52 years in becoming one of the most highly respected coaches ever to come out of the city, or state, for that matter. I, on the other hand, spent 50 years working at baseball and basketball games as a non by-lined reporter for the AP. I covered many of his La Salle University games, and through my mentor, the late Bob Vetrone, we would be in the same company on quite few occasions. For some reason, I have always called him “Bill”, which he thinks is funny, because evidently I’m the only one to do so. Though he gets a little excited on the bench once in a while, normally he is extremely low-keyed, and has a very under-stated sense of humor,. In fact, I have never heard him laugh out loud. Instead, there is a twinkle in the eyes, and a slight look of amusement. Even when he is telling one of his many jokes at a banquet, or an after dinner affair, he always has that same, non-committal look on his face. So, after 52 years, and a zillion victories, some health issues are forcing Bill “Speedy” Morris into an early retirement (he’s only 76). Highly respected and well-loved, he has already been inducted into 11 Halls of Fame. And If those Naismith Memorial people have any idea at all, that number should soon be 12.
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Here’s something different : The All Neighborhood Team, consisting of top college players who played at local high schools: Lamar Stevens, Roman; Fatts Russell, Imhotep; Samir Doughty, Math,Civics and Science; Collin Gillespie, Archbishop Wood; and Lamarr Kimble, from Neumann Goretti. That’s a pretty impressive looking group.
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That Ivy League decision was a tough one. Probably won’t be the last conference to make such a move.
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Trivia Time: Who is the NBA’s active leader in assists? Answer at the end of the column.
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Drexel finished it’s season with a disappointing 14-19 record, but certainly one of the bright spots was the play of 6-8 junior center James Butler. He averaged 13 points per game while shooting 53 % from the field, and pulled down 11.7 rebounds, which was 5th in the nation. This is one of those quiet, productive players who every coach loves to have.
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This and That : With Justin Moore and Jeremiah Robinson- Earl having gained valuable minutes, Villanova is going to be a scary opponent for anybody in the NCAA’s. Right now,the two youngster don’t play like freshmen….One of the most underrated players in the country is Butler’s Kamar Baldwin. The 6-1 guard does just about everything…. Where did all the point guards go? At # 44 Penn’s center/forward AJ Brodeur, is the only Big 5 player in the nation’s top 50 assist leaders. He has 140 and a shame he won’t get more….Naji Marshall, from Atlantic City H.S., leads Xavier in points, assists, and steals….Ed Croswell, who was leading the team in rebounds, left La Salle with quite a few games left. Got to be a story there somewhere….Kansas (28 – 3) certainly deserves to be # 1. The Jayhawks have only lost one game on the road.
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Tournament Time: Get out the old easy chair, and tell the wife to go shopping. And to take her time.
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Answer to Trivia Time: Chris Paul, with 9,607 assists.
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