University of Arkansas Monticello - Boll Weevil Yearbook (Monticello, AR)

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Men’s asketball Doug Barnes’ Mean Green began the 1980 campaign facing a number of obstacles. His 1979 team, which finished 18-11 overall and 10-8 in conference play, lost four starters. Gone were Joey Anders, leading rebounder; Larry Robinson, a starting foreward; Karl Smith, honorable mention All-AIC; and Connie Cobbs, an exciting performer in a relief role. Perhaps the biggest loss was the graduation of Theodis Bealer, all-time UAM scoring leader and a three-time All-AIC selection. If ever a coach faced a rebuilding year, Doug Barnes faced one in 1980. Six lettermen returned in 1980. Only one, Jeff Johnson, a 6-1 Wilmot junior, was a starter. Darrell Rhodes, also a junior, returned along with sophomore Knox Prosper, junior Richard Chapple, junior Bobby Watson who became ineligible at mid-term, and Andre Williams, the only senior on the squad. The Mean Green actually played two seasons. They struggled to a 2-9 mark in the first season, then miraculously rebounded to finish the remaining games with a 11-7 mark. Overall, they were 13-16. The turning point in the season appeared to come with mid- December's trip to the Dallas Invitational Tournament. 182 Basketball ABOVE: Knox Prosper, a Monticello native, brings the ball downcourt in the season open- er against Xavier. RIGHT: Freshman Dewayne Henderson eyes the bucket and prepares to release the shot. OPPOSITE: Stewart Harris crashes the board for a rebound against Ouachita.

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UAM vs. Arkansas Baptist UA-Little Rock Arkansas State Henderson State Northeast Louisiana Philander Smith Arkansas College Quachita Baptist Grambling State N. Ark. Communtiy College UA-Pine Blutt UCA Arkansas Tech Southern Arkansas Northeast Louisiana College ot Ozarks School of Ozarks Southwest Baptist UA-Little Rock Arkansas State Henderson State Philander Smith Nebraska Wesleyan Arkansas Baptist Arkansas College Ouachita Baptist John Brown University UA-Pine Blutt UCA Arkansas Tech Southern Arkansas COTTON BLOSSOMS RESULTS SCORE 106-27 71-62 67-68 73-63 61-69 72-56 50-62 70-62 59-62 72-50 93-63 73-63 69-73 73-68 73-63 74-54 64-38 89-73 66-61 64-58 81-103 65-44 79-64 81-34 80-65 73-53 88-59 63-52 83-62 69-68 86-42 An, ei OPPOSITE LEFT: Teresa Summerford tries to find Pearlean Davidson inside. She led the Blossoms in assists this year. OPPOSITE RIGHT: Shorter turns on the juice to penetrate the Lady Trojan defense. ABOVE: Vivian Cooper goes after the loose ball in the Blossoms’ loss to Grambling. The Cotton Blossoms stunned the Golden Suns of Arkansas Tech 69-68 in the pit, in a wild overtime contest. The Golden Suns were ranked number one nationally among small colleges UAM was 24-6. The Blossoms closed out the regular season with a lopsided 86-42 win over SAU, then proceeded to the AWISA Tournament in Arkadelphia. In the first round, they avenged an earlier loss to Henderson, 93-80. Then beat UCA 63-53 in the second round and edged Arkansas State 57-55 in the semifinals. That set up a tournament final rematch against top- seeded Arkansas Tech. The Golden Suns prevailed this time, winning the AWISA in regular season and tournament play, and ending the Blossoms winning streak at thirteen games. The Blossoms ended their season 28-7. At this writing, the Blossoms are third-seeded in the AIAW Southwest Regional Playoffs in Pineville, La. They defeated Oklahoma Baptist and will face Abilene Christian next. We regret that our deadline won't allow inclusion of the results of the tournament regardless of the outcome, Alvy Early’s Blossoms have had an excellent year. The Golden Suns prevailed this time, winning the AWISA in regular season and tournament play, and ending the Blossoms winning streak at thirteen games. The Blossoms ended their season 28-7. The blossoms began postseasonal play in the AIAW Southwest Regionals (Pineville, LA) with a first round victory over Oklahoma Baptist, 59-57. That was to be the final win of their season. They dropped the next two, 66-61 to a tough Abilene Christian squad, and 63-60 to conference nemesis Arkansas Tech in a consolation match. The outstanding year concluded with the naming of freshman star Pearlean Davidson All Southwest Region AIWA first team, and an honorable mention All-American. Florestine Cothran secured a berth in the second team All-AIWA squad. The Blossoms posted a 29-9 final tally, a record number of victories for any UAM basketball team, men or women. Basketball 181

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