Adamantly Speaking BY ADAM OCHLIS The Michigan Daily - Monday, February 16, 1987 -i Page 11 Home-grown talents ight for right to be king offthe courts EAST LANSING - Forget the incessant talk of violations in amateur sports- playing for pride is still a primary motivation. While yesterday's Michigan-Michigan State game was no classic, it gave new life to people who had given up on college athletics. For the eight Michigan natives who played in yesterday's game, team and individual bragging rights were on the line. The Wolverines and the Spartans play only twice between October and March, but these players are not foreigners to one another. All spring and summer, they compete on the playgrounds. They don't play for any championship, but the games are almost as important to them as the one played yesterday. "It's my last time playing U of M and (beating Michigan) is just a great feeling, especially when summertime gets here and we all play at the same gym,",said MSU senior Vernon Carr. "We don't necessarily talk about it, but when you come in (to the gym), as soon as they see you, you give them that look and you smile and they know you don't have to say anything else." Carr, a Detroit native, didn't embarrass himself yesterday, notching 20 points. All eight Michiganders did themselves proud. MSU's other Michigan native, Darryl Johnson (Flint), poured in a game-high 26 and played one of his best games of the season. Six Wolverines hail from the state, and they all played well. Antoine Joubert (Detroit) had his best game in a long time, with 19 points on eight-of-14 shooting. Glen Rice (Flint) had 16, Garde Thompson (East Grand Rapids) 18, and Loy Vaught (Grand Rapids) and Mark Hughes (Muskegon) had four each. Even seldom-used J.P. Oosterbaan scored three. The players from the state combined to shoot 68 percent from the floor. For the most part, these players are all friends. When Johnson and Joubert hugged after the game, it may have looked corny, but it was genuine. "It was a joyous time for the both of us," Johnson said. "We faced each through high school, in the summer, and here it came to an end today. We're good friends on as well as off the court. I SPRING BREAK - FLORIDA ' Studios, 1 BDR., & 2 BDR. Apts. Close to Beach in Delray Beach, Florida (Between Fort Lauderdale & W. Palm Beach). Call today: 305-265-0158. $40.00 OFF WITH THIS AD "(Joubert) was just congratulating me on the game today and I was congratulating him on the season and hopefully, who knows, we may meet each other in the NBA." Rivalries are what make sports the exciting event that they are. When good players are motivated enough to raise their game to a higher level, it can only enhance the excitement. Such is what occurred yesterday. True, Michigan, as a team, didn't play well, and MSU will sit at home when post-season tournament bids are announced. But the game was a fun one to watch. All the Michiganders had something to prove to bo themselves and one another. A they did just that. But when Carr and Johnson get together with Joubert, Thompson, Rice, and the others during the summer for an informal game of roundball, Carr and Johnson will be wearing the smiles on their faces. "They'll let us know about (yesterday's outcome)," said, Thompson. "They always do. The summer won't be as bad as last year when they won two games (against Michigan during the Big Ten season) and we didn't win any at all, but they'll let us know." k rfGEORGE DAY7 STREO SALE I1DAY ONLY " MON., FEB 16 1 am to 9pm t~tereo. 605"E. William (Just West of State), Ann Arbor. Daily Photo by JOHN MUNSON Michigan's Glen Rice (41) and Mike Griffin (20) battle with Spartan Ver- non Carr for a loose ball during MSU's 90-81 victory Sunday. Spartans oon gvard; Johnson scores 26 (Continued from Page 1) MSU increased its one-point halftime advantage to eight, ?Iichigan forged a run. Back-to- bhack Glen Rice baskets pulled the Wolverines within three points, 71- 68, with 8:23 remaining. 1"I thought we played hard in the second half and hung in there," said Miohiga# datcoac B>ibt'd r "Wmo iada co'upk of 3Iane'es ckbse ihe gdd;'and we just didrit- take advantage." After an MSU timeout, a Darryl Johnson three-pointer spurred a 9-2 Spartan run that secured the game. Tie Wolverines could get no closer than six points. A Gary Grant layup with 2:31 -left made the score 84-78, but MSU then hit six straight free throws. JOHNSON led his team with 2ยข points, six assists, and three steals. His. backcourt partner ' Vernon Carr added 20 points. . "We-were fired up, but when DJ and Vernon get on a roll like that it's hard to stop them," said Michigan's Garde Thompson. "7hey're going to beat everyone they play if they play like that." Since the Spartans' loss at Cisler Arena on Jan. 15, Johnson las had a mission. Wolverine defensive stalwart Grant held } Johnson, who averages 22.1 points per game, to 11 points on that night. i "I said to myself I had to get him back (Grant)," said the senior. "It was on my conscience. I could dly Steep last night. I was antsy come out and play this game." SO WERE Johnson's ammates. MSU received ntributions from unlikely urces. Redshirt freshman Todd olfe (5 ppg) scored 11 of his 13 ints in the first half. Junior tansfer George Papadakos (3.4 ppg) tllied nine points and added resence in the pivot. "We got inspired play from Peapadakos, which we've been #aiting all our lives for," said l!eathcote of his backup center. r Inspiration led to Spartan domination in the paint. MSU shot 30 of 37 from the free throw line while Michigan hit eight of 12. 'he Spartans also shot 58 percent Lom the field to the Wolverines 56 percent. "The ABC: camera probably iyched us up," said Johnson. "Some of the guys were doing things I hadn't seen them do all e FRTEDER witned the ame a7 +c~ 'I - a' r., s-