Evening star., 1960-02-12
SPOTLIGHT
ON
SPORTS
Dwyer and His Hunqry Lions
BY BILL FUCHS

1dE BEST BASKETBALL SHOW in town is being
staged these days by group of eager high school boys
who executing their assignments so neatly they are
becoming a national topic
Fantastic is the word for Carroll High School, led by
a towering giant with nimbe touch John Thompson
and catlike backcourt wizard, George Leftwich The
Lions have eaten up Al straight opponents They haven't
lost since the Georgetown Freshmen beat them
more than year ago. No high school team has beaten
them since ArchbiShip Mooy New York turned the trick
in the finals of the Knights of Columbus tournament
almost two years ago.
This year Coach Bob Dwyer's phenoms have been
winning with incredible Not even the college fresh
men teams safe in this den of Lions Georgetown
FroSh 16-pont victims George Washngtons Fresh
men went down by 18 points Vanova's hrst-year men
by points (at Villanova) and the Maryland Freshmen
their awinning record go the exits of their
home court by % points.
THE MAN RESPONSIBLE is fabulous story in him
SELF Submaon is the tag psychiatrists for the art
OF rechanneng blocked drives thus turning Illustration
into accomplishment. It's safety valve that keeps
guy from developing ulcers or blowing a gasket.
Dwyer case in point Instead of diving into Lake
Michigan when told by doctors his athletic career
over before got hastarted he sublmated He became
a coach.
1t was cruel blow the doctors threw at Dwyer then
high school sophomore in Chicago He considered
top prospect in basketball and baseball; had in fact
just made the varsity basketball Loyola Academy
II developed heart condition" Dwyer says. 1T
aWtul-to have to stop playing just when my
starting But couldn't give up altogether started
Loyola University picked up Lot my early knowledge
just being around him."
A GRADUATE OF ST JOHNS High School here
Dwyer wanted to COACH but nobody wanted Dwyer
is until Sacred Heart School took him at pay for
its team in the Catholic Youth Organization Still keeping
his ears and and his mouth closed he up
team that swept the boards In five years there his
teams ran up lat wins against II losses.
From there Dwyer went to Coolidge High where he
coached the junior varsity team to % wins in 80
and his next stop at Wilson varsity coach in a
wartime fl-in capacity. The Tigers 1875 for the
season.
Prory School decided to start basketball in 194s and
Dwyer, a successful salesman was asked to
organize and coach team.
Prory is exclusive house of learning with room
for about only rs boys all of whom must show strong
nclnations toward intellectual achievement Dryers
little band of brainy warriors could only of
games that first season. but it proved be his only losing
season in more than 20 years of coaching.
DWYER STAYED AT PRIORY for seven years and his
teams always a to the bigger clubs. When
his freshmen sophomores they upended Gonzaga
less and the following year they took the other "bg
brother, st. Johns the hurdles Throw out that
first organizing year and Dwyers record at Prory reads
108 victories. 81 losses.
Still in the insurance business, Dwyer spends IL
hours day during the at his two jobs He lives
in Wheaton with his wife ste and two children Bobby
ga, and Mary Catherine 6.
He fancies himself as the best hearts player in
Washington and Maryland and will get argument on
that from Morgan Wootten, DeMatha coach, and
others. None of his coaching friends will argue with him
pool table and in golf he is low -8Os shooter
*%*
1T is NOT PARTICULARLY big team Carroll has,
despite the presence of the 6foot1 Thompson. Only
Walt Skinner among the others goes above feet Skinner
is 63 Letwch is sill and he's taller than the other
two starters, John Austin and Ken Price Billy Barnes
Is the top reserve.
"Leftwich has played for for three years." DWyer
says and never has met his match, not against
the college freshmen think George the best back
court man that played the night met the Maryland
Freshmen and I'm not excluding the varsity game be-
tween Maryland and North Carolina.
"And think Thompson the best big man they
out there too"
Getting their eyes opened that night were couple
Of visiting North Carolina sports writer's whose memories
sy SPOTLIGHT ON Sports Page D-'