PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)—Former Schenley great and Hill District native Maurice Lucas, the fierce power forward known as “The Enforcer” who helped lead the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA title, has died after a long fight with bladder cancer. He was 58.

Lucas, who in later years was an assistant coach with the Blazers, died Sunday at his home in Portland, the team said.

BATTLE OF THE BIG MEN—This May 29, 1977 file photo shows Maurice Lucas of the Trail Blazers hauling down a rebound as Philadelphia’s Darryl Dawkins battles for position during their NBA championship game in Portland. (AP Photo/JV, File)

The 1971 Schenley team with Lucas, Rickey Coleman, and Jeep Kelly is widely regarded as one of the best high school teams to play in Pennsylvania basketball history. That team, representing District 8 and the City League, defeated Norristown for the AAA Championship 77-60.

by Malik Vincent
For New Pittsburgh Courier

Western Pennsylvania high school grads have helped the Robert Morris University football program to a tremendous 7-1 record so far this season. They just knocked off their in-city and in-conference rival, Duquesne in a convincing manner, 34-11, on Saturday at Joe Walton stadium.

The two teams are a part of the Northeast Conference of the NCAA Division I-AA category.

The Colonials feature a dozen African-American players that come from area high schools including Central Catholic, Steel Valley, McKeesport, Gateway, East Allegheny, Clairton, and Baldwin.

LEAPING CATCH—Duquesne’s Dave Williams (Gateway High) makes a catch in the end zone but is pushed out of bounds by Rolf Bathold of Robert Morris. Williams had five catches for the Dukes, but it was not enough as they fell to the Colonials 34-11. (Photo by William McBride)

What was supposed to be a high scoring game ended up being a classic defensive struggle until Drew Brees put together a classic display of passing while the Steelers offense continued to struggle in the New Orleans Saints 20-10 victory over the Steelers.

The Steelers are hoping that this is not a repeat of last season going into the Cincinnati Bengals game this weekend. The Steelers jumped off to a 6-2 record last season only to lose 5 in a row behind an inconsistent offense.

THE GANG’S ALL HERE—Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is sacked by New Orleans Saints’ Will Smith (91) Alex Brown (96), Pierson Prioleau (31) and Darren Sharper (42) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Oct. 31. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Last Sunday night the Pittsburgh Steelers were hangin’ out in the “Big Easy” to “party on Halloween night.” That is just my opinion but they partied oops, I meant played like it was 1999 and they definitely ran out of time, at least the offense did. The Black and Gold gave a decent account of themselves, at least for three quarters but in the end, it was very difficult to do anything right in a place where doing most things is supposed to be “easy.” Dem Dere Steelers bit the dust by a score of 20-10.

There are a few “Supreme” haters out there who took offense to head coach Mike Tomlin sanctioning a fifty-one yard field goal attempt by Jeff Reed with time winding down in the first half. I know that the pigskin aficionados with one-half of a brain should be able to figure this one out. After all, Mr. Reed usually has to ply his trade at Heinz Field, AKA “Anchorage Annie” or “The Wind Tunnel,” to name a few penned by yours truly. What’s wrong with attempting to kick a long field goal indoors with no murderous crosswinds to contend with? That strategy seems like a logical step in order to add three points.