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by Dick Kabbitt The fighting "Warriors" of Coach Ken Ludwig fought their way into the Sweet Sixteen of Illinois prep basketball Friday night at Kock Valley College in Kockford. In a ding dong thriller the Warriors edged Kockford Guilford Vikings 59 to 58, that had 5,(KM) fans on their feet the last two minutes. It was probably the most exciting game in McHenry high school basketball history, if for no other reason, that it brought to the school and community its first SECTIONAL CHAM­ PIONSHIP. As Terry Keilly and Tommy Ludwig said to me in the locker room after the game. "We waited a whole year for this night" and added "it really feels great". I think that was the feeling of the whole team. The 1,500 Warrior fans who cheered, yelled, stomped, left Kockford Friday night with the same feeling. In the opening period it looked as if the Warriors were going to run the Vikes right into the Kock river. Koerber's lay up tied the game at 2 all at 6:45 and the Warriors were off and running. Keilly hit two in a row and at the 4:30 mark the Warriors led 12 to 6. After Cohrs hit a 20 footer. Koerber added five more points for the Warriors to extend their lead to 17 to 8. and it looked like the rout was on for the Warriors. Hut then Tommy Ludwig was forced to leave the game with a deep gash on his chin With Tom on the bench he took the Warrior spark witlr him. and the Vikes crept to within five at the quarter trailing 17 to 12. DISASTER STRIKES In the second period disaster struck our Warriors, as it seemed nothing went right for the team. The Vikings put up a tough defense, the Warriors were ice cold from the floor hitting on only three out of thirteen from the field. Even with this combination of misfortunes the Warriors managed to stay in the game and trailed only 30 to 28 at the intermission Big Steve Koerber had 15 points in the first half, but the real concern of Warrior fans was that the "Kadar" had picked up his third foul just before the half eneded. The third period was no better for the Warriors. They just couldn't seem to get un- tracked, and the long range shooting of Harvey and Cohrs, along with the inside game of Poliska the Vikings gradually began to pull away and in­ creased their margin to 43 to 36 going into the final eight minutes. Trailing 43 to 36 going into the final period, the stout hearted, plucky Warriors, who don't know the word quit, put on a basketball exhibition that left 5,000 fans limp and exhausted including this reporter. Tom11 ',udwig now back in the game . ith his face ban­ daged from ear to ear, who up to this time was 0 for 8 from the field, took the tip and hit a fifteen footer. Five seconds later he stole a Viking pass and made another two pointer. The huge Warrior crowd (and it was huge) who had been whooping it up all evening, really came to life, and the roar was deafening. Harvey countered for the Vikings to bring the score 45 to 40 Guilford. RADAR TAKESOVER Then Coach Ludwig made a move that made him a genius in the eyes of Warrior fans. He told his squad "get the ball to Terry, and he'll do the job for us". And what a job this young man did the rest of the game. Twisting, turning, dribbling, and the ball hitting nothing but the bottom of the net as it went through for the two pointers, the Warriors began to creep up on the Vikings. Along with this Koerber and Decker were sweeping the boards as if they owned them. Finally at 1:53 Reilly's 20 footer tied it up at 54 all, and seconds later he made another from the hip left hander, that put the Warriors ahead to stay 56 to 54. By this time Warriors fans were out of their minds. With just a little over a minute to play Brett Decker made the basket of his career. The big fellow using all of his strength, bullied his way through two Viking defenders for a lavup to put the Warriors on top 58 to 54. However, Harvey the pesky Viking guard hit a 20 footer to bring them with two points. At the 10 second mark Koerber went in and made a layup. but it was nullified by an offensive goaltending charge. Must I add this met with some disapproval from Warrior fans,. ONE RIG POINT However, the big guy was fouled, and went to the line for two shots. With 3,000 Viking fans jeering he missed his first attempt. However, on his second attempt the ball touched nothing but the bottom of the net as it went through to give the Warriors a three point lead. Poliska's basket was an an­ ticlimax wfth one second remaining, and the Warriors were in the Sweet 16 for the first time in history. Rock Valley gym then became -a bedlam, with the shouts of "We're Number One" by Warrior fans that I'm sure could have been heard back here in McHenry. SECTIONAL FINAL MclIENRY 17 11 H 23 59 GUILFORD 12 18.13 15 58 McHENRY (59) FC; FT PF TP GUILFORD (58) Koerber 8 7 4 23 FG FT PF TP Decker 3 0 4 6 Harvey 5 7 3 17 Lund 0 0 2 0 Cohrs 5 i. 3 12 Reilly 10 2 3 22 Blume 3 0 0 6 Ludwig 3 0 2 6 Applequist 2 0 4 4 Hurckes 1 0 4 2 Poliska 6 5 4 17 Hertel 0 0 2 0 Kauzlarich 0 0 1 0 Miller 0 0 2 0 Clausen 0 2 5 2 Christy 0 0 0 0 ' 21 16 20 58 25 9 23 59 It was just a great team ef­ fort. Steve Koerber surpassed his performance of Tuesday with what I think was his greatest game as a Warrior. The big fellow led all scorers with 23 points and did a super job of rebounding. Brett Decker likewise had his greatest game. His clutch basket in the final minute, along with a strong rebounding game was a major factor in the Warrior victory. Brian Lund although not playing as aggressive as Tuesday night, nevertheless was a vital cog in the Warrior machine. Tommy Ludwig hampered with a gash in his lip. which took six stitches to close, and playing with a lot of pain, got the Warrior machine rolling in the final period. The "Radar", an All Stater in my book, put on another per­ formance that left the fans gasping for breath. His 12 fourth quarter points were the major factors in the victory. Hitting five out of five under extreme pressure is the mark of a good ball player. Tony Christy who came off the bench to replace Ludwig did an outstanding job. Billy Hurckes who just did a super job with his ball handling and fine floor play, when Coach Ludwig elected to go with three guards in the final minutes. Brian Miller although off on his shooting, was a steady in­ fluence to the Warriors. Doug Hertel still bothered with an injured ankle came up with a ( couple of nice rebounds when the Vikings were threatening to break it open in the second period. THEY WOULDN'T QUIT What more can be said about these gallant boys of Coach Ludwig. They played their hearts out, they wouldn't quit, and they withstood pressure at its highest degree. And to you wild, roaring, cheering fans who never gave up. You, too, must share in the credit of the Warrior win. Without your support I don't think the Warriors could have made it. I know that they ap­ preciated your fine display of support last Friday night. Now it's on to DeKalb tomorrow afternoon, where the Warriors will try to avenge one of their defeats when they meet West Aurora at 4 p.m. at Northern Illinois University. The talk in the locker room after the game was they hoped / they would get another chance at the Blackhawks. If the Warriors continue their fine play, next week's edition will be written from the Assembly Hall in Champaign. It could happen. GOOD LUCK FROM ALL OF US AT Torkelson Lincoln Mercury 4611 W. RTE. 120 McHENRY . 344-1200 spurgeons 4400 W. RTE. 120 McHENRY 385-4100 GOOD LUCK AT DeKALB! The Fashion Shoppe 1007 N. FRONT ST. McHENRY 385-7747 WARRIORS NO. 1 - A happy team of McHenry Warriors in the locker room after the Sectional victory over Guilford all giving the "We're No. 1" signal. Front row with the trophy are Terry Reilly and Tom Ludwig, Randy Blankenhorn, and Trainer Earl Cooper. Standing is head coach Ken Ludwig with manager Dave Clark. Seated second row are Manager Scott Wieck, Steve Koerber, Brett Decker, Bill Meyrs and Manager John Weyland. At right are assistant coach El Partenheimer and manager B.J. Swantz. Back row is Tony Christy, Brian Miller, Brian Lund, A1 Reinboldt, Doug Hertel and Bill Hurckes. PAGE 2-SPECIAL BASKETBALL EDITION-MONDAY, MARCH 15, 1976