East Cleveland leader. [volume] (East Cleveland, Ohio) 1942-1970, 1950-03-16

in scoring with 167 points for a
10.4 average. Last spring he again
played shortstop for the Shaw
nine and showed marked improve
ors and led the Cardinal cagers
ments as a fielder and hitter. He
turned in several sparkling field
ing plays and his timely batting
produced .292 average, second
high on the team.
During the current basketball
season, Dick has proven conclu-
sively that he is one of the best
scholastic cagers in the state. In
10 games to date, he has scored 341
points for 17.9 average per game.
His shooting has been really re-
markable-far and away the best
that any Shaw player has ever
approached. His present shot aver
age on field goal attempts is 45.9.
At the foul stripe, he has also
displayed uncanny accuracy, con-
Meeting on 63 free throws in 101
attempts for a GA mark. In the
last six games, he has poured in
a total of 1873 points for an amaz-
ing 22.2 average. In the three
tournament games, he scored II
points to become the top point
getter in the two-week session at
Euclid gym.
He was selected on both the
Press and News All-Scholastic
first team as we'll as making the
All-Lake Erie honor team. He is
certain to be cited for All-Ohio
honors since every coach and Of
ficial who has watched him play
this season has selected him as
the best all-round player in the
district.
AS an indication of the high
esteem with which he is regarded,
| quote from the Elyria Chronicle
Telegram, "Fort is a master of
great variety of shots. In addition,
he is a rugged defensive performer
and was the inspirational key for
the Shaw team this year, the
steadying influence that held the
club together during it's march to
the league title. He was a tower
of strength on rebounds, and in
general, earned the title as the top
player in the circuit during the
past season."
During his three year cage
career at Shaw, Dick considers the
winning of the Lake Erie League
championship and the breaking of
the Shaw scoring record as his
two greatest thrills. He lists the
$3.50 overtime loss to Conneaut
in the District Tournament at Eu-
cid Shore in 1949 as his biggest
disappointment. Asked to select
the five opponents whom he con-
siders the best he has faced dur
ing his Cardinal tenure he respond
ed as follows: George Sehringer
(Lakewood); Warren Haskins
(Heights); Todd Kolb (Shaker);
Bill Cortello (Lakewood); and
Harry Weltman (Glenville).
The 6-ft, 21a-in. athlete plans
to attend college and major in
physical education with a coach
ing career as his ultimate goal.
His plans will no doubt materialize
since he has already received
scholarship offers from Kentucky,
Wisconsin, Miami, Western Ken
lucky, Toledo, Kent State and Gin
cinnati Universities. 1t is reason
able to assume that many other
schools will contact him before
his graduation in June.
Fort never played high school
football because his mother felt
that possible injuries might inter-
fere with his basketball career.
Dick, however, is a football "na-
tural" according to those who have
seen him play in sandlot scrim-
images. He has great pair of
hands with which he can pass a
ball far and accurately. He is
equally adept at catching passes
which would rule him an outstand-
ing candidate at end or quarter
back.
In keeping with his great love
for sports, Dicks favorite hobby is
collecting sports action pictures
and magazines. His room in his
home at 1909 Holyoke ave-, where
he lives with his parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. E. r. Stable, is heavily dec
Grated with a variety of action
shots, basketball predominating of
course. Another of Dicks favorite
pastimes is watching hockey games
at the Arena, a sport which has
always rated high on his list.
In my book, Dick Fort will al
ways be remembered as one of
Shaw's greatest athletes and GER
tainly the best scholastic eager I
have ever had the pleasure of
watching. He's modest, sincere
and a great competitor-truly
"once in a lifetime" athlete. I'm
sure that everyone joins me in
wishing him tie greatest success
in his future undertakings.