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Hard-work By WAYNE WASHINGTON Staff writer Hard work docs pay off. In a season filled with many disappointments, USC basketball fans have had one thing to cheer about ? the play of junior point guard Michael Foster. During a seven-game stretch from Jan. 23 to Feb. 15, the Gamecocks played three Top Twenty teams. Although a 3-4 record did not give them much to show for their efforts, Foster emerged as one of the most dominant guards in the Metro Conference. The 6-2 floor general has averaged 19 points in the last six games, including a season-high 26 point outburst against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. last Saturday. He has developed a solid 20-foot jumper and has become USC's main offensive weapon. Although it may seem like Foster has always been the big gun for USC, the season did nnl mil ^?uuu rrximc Greensboro, N.C. native. He began the season on the ?nch behind sophomore guard h 8BB6SIM |; CjoHj m mvJ^ 1 Michael Foster goes up for a layup m mW. Sportswear1 "Ask about our Gamecoc Bus: 254-93B0 . Variety o I Minutes from USC ? Screen ) Wholesale JACKETS // m < f * _ j! Any itline, # I CUSTOM J GAMECOCI I - WHOL 1 CALL GLENN HIGGI& 791! | Located at 11 ? I just across Gervais St. ;ing Foster Tony Shaw and was callcd upon only when USC needed a spark, or Shaw a rest. Then Foster's opportunity came. In the eleventh game of the season he regained his starting position in place of Shaw, who Had been lost tor the rest of the season due to academic suspension. Hut he gave 110 hint of the scoring outbursts to come, contributing only 16 total points in his first two games. It was not until the muchawaited rematch with intrastate rival Clcmson that Foster's dominance began to appear. In the second half of the Clemson game Foster took control. He reeled off four consecutive field goals to start a 21-15 USC run. He also scored on the 23-loot jumper that gave the Gamecocks their first lead of the second half. When all was done, Foster led scorers with 20 points and had established himself as USC's designated clutch man. The road to success has been long and hard for Foster. une might ask how lostcr, who was heavily rccruilcd out of Br- #B Pv V ? s|h|BM^M igaip RAY GRONBERG/Th? Gamecock against Central Florida iPJm >pccialty- Ca Iqc. 24 hr. service" .1- or ? :k i on iris f Transfers 2767 R?sewood Dr. Printing Columbia, S C. 29205 & Retail Hirim?i i niiiii n li-rmnminwii lafnmrnimy |W/M - CAPS 1 Textile" PRINTED I < DESIGNS I ESALE - I IS of CHIP CANNON I 5638 0 State Street ! Bridge, 5 mins. from USC [j one of G< Michael Foster USC point guard high school, readied this level of play. Early in his career at Greensboro's Page High School, F oster realized he was not endowed with the physical attributes of a Michael Jordan or a Dominique Wilkins. He knew there were other athletes who could run faster and jump higher than he I A I . 1 Louiu, inn nc never gave lip. Working hard before, during and Colled cm for the Mystery Is)Cards with clues can be col on campus and Carolina M? Incomplete the sentence for t a foreign land. esjtrnries must be turned in at by March 24th, 1986. s>Drawing to be held Tuesday (Need not to be present to \ Sponsored by Carolina Mall Kopy Kat Sunshine Cleaners Gamecock Travel Sub City Sweet Expressions Contact Lens Clinic First Fedoral pre ' A] i Jijf J /i 'A .;Vf- , ?a _/ ^ -t ^ 5\ < U -> ?* 1 \Wv.^ * \ :'. -^:VY7d J'%Wf This Spring Bt\ arc thinking about ht beach or just home l< take yoif there. For o 1< r/\ni l<4?U?'i ion ? I 1 V M 1 I 1 L U| II tl I \ do is show us your u when you purchase \ imecocks' after practice bee attic a trademark of Foster's. As for how USC could improve for the Metro Tournament, Foster prescribed a medicine of his own. "We just have to work a lot harder at the little things," he said. "I think we've lost a few games where a rebound or a steal here or a missed tree throw there has cost us the game and those arc the things that we've got to sharpen up on." The loss of teammates Shaw and prep AllAmerica Terry l)o/icr has also had an adverse affect. Their loss has been the cause of major changes in USC's lineup. li-irt In I-- ?- ' ?v/ innrw <1 11)1 1)1 <U1justrncnts," F oster said. "It forced a lot of people like Perry Do/ier and Bill Vernau and those kind of guys to speed up their learning process, and to be able to step in and help us a lot quicker than may b c w a s planned." Do/ier and Vernau arc not the only players who have had to step in and deliver a little quicker than planned. Forward Darryl Martin, t the free f Trip! lectod at all dining halls ill Stores. i chance at th? free trip to KRAZE Clothing Store r, March 25 at 5 vin.) \ merchants Country Store Cut-Ups School Kids Records KRAZE : Clothes Encounters Summer Fields TOrk I ~ M- Wi & S5 iP x^ \ W* */ f$i bP^'A*^ 1 feaA p r Tv.li;, W*^m. mm:r Round trij 'ak, if you and your friends :ading to the slopes, the >r a visit, (ireyhound can nly $89 or less, round trip. 1 through June 15, all you >llege student 1.1). card 'our ticket. Your ticket will *?gqgr ?-JfAixI leave t 1220 lllnndinK few brigh who was called upon early in the season, attributes some of the team's success to the influence ot foster. "He really takes the lead at guuru una lie s heen coming through strong all season," Mar tin said. "I feci he's taken sort of a leadership role for the team as well. At the end of the season we'll have four seniors graduating and I think he knows he'll he the one who will fill the j f%?k ROCK-N-ROL 2112 DEVINE I TONIGHT: 2S The Rave Thursday & Frid. A & M RECORDING ARTISTS ine bwimmi Tickets $4.01 FEBRUARY: 22: Upsette 24: Alterna 25: Lotusfe 26: WARNER BROT The 1 1 Ticks I x Any when then be good for travel for of purchase. So this Spring Break, anvwhrn* ( iri*\/hmin<t (met. V v.. V yiWUIIU For more informalior M?lvl pit/Vl?l i \ .lllvl sliuli'lll I 1 > . .if J 11?f) J tn rti'nir.tiish f.iHr anil jfmnl l?<i u.i\? l <<n < in*viioun, t.irn?ais < main rrviiuti??n\ .applv < >ll? r ?tli\ n\? ' I EYHOUND he driving to us. Street, 779-0650 t spots 1 spot as the team leader." i I osier's play has brought out : positive responses from fans as well as IJSC head coach hill , I -osier. i : "I can't say enough about I Michael foster," he said. "He I has really played well the last few [ games and lias really begun to I J assert himself on the court." [ Despite Poster's high-scoring performances, USC remains a | .500 team at 12 12. | OHM* I S ADDRESS M I ST. 252-ROCK i j i *Ons I I ay: 20th & 21st I I ing Pool Q*sl I :rs I tive Music I :te I HERS RECORDING ARTISTS H )ei mefios I :ts $6.50 I ' uecials: 252.-ROCK { | e we go. 15 days from the dale get a real break. Go ; for $X9 or less. i, call (ireyhound. lift h.iM- V 'Ifl? ? d.M'llOt- .lppl\ Iklfl* 1 1 nif' If.* .imtolUr jMf lu ip.tllDK i ?if N-'M.iIiJ Mt * .in.ul.i