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Jim Garrison and
Mike Edwards led the Knights in basketball this year. Mike concluded a
fine career both as a student and a ball player. He made three letters
in the sport, something that has not been done before and will probably
not be done again. Garrison was a clever guard and the floor leader. Ray
Fry was perhaps the finest long shooter we have developed. His shot did
not turn much in the air and when it hit the rim it hung there as if a
magnet was attracting it. Carl Johnston was our center and with little
basketball back-ground he became a fine player and the teams’ best
rebounder, Albert, the Mighty Mouse, Simpson was an amazing player. He
looked like a fugitive tram the Nazi prison camps. He was thin, small,
and anything but what would look like a ball player. Al just had the
heart. Ounce for ounce and inch for inch he was as fine a ball player as
we have had. He just was issued in a very small amount.
The fifth position
seemed to rotate, but Olmstead had the best hold. Although not well
coordinated for basketball, Kim just loved to play and he would out work
many boys who were better. Jim Grant was a wonderful, personable
reserve. Martin was coming and his year would be 62. Love had his
moments of glory and was a fine boy. Nichols would come into his own the
next year as would Tarbox. Ray Grantham, the irrepressible "Herbie" was
as important to the team as the starters. He loved the game and although
he had very little natural talent he developed into an effective player.
Every team must have its Grantham’s. The kid who day in and day out will
work against that starting team and never Live up and play them for all
they are worth, and make his team mates better as well as himself.
It was not a
winning season, yet this group rose up and spanked West in the last
game. They beat them more soundly than any team up too this time. In the
District they lost to West 49-50 in one of the most thrilling and heart
breaking contests you could see. It was as tough a loss as we have ever
absorbed because after a poor season they seemed to have pulled
themselves together. We led for most of the game and then two starters
got in foul trouble, and to the credit of West they pulled up and took
advantage of our lapses and beat us by one. This was a fine group of
boys. There may be more successful men coming from this group than any I
have had the pleasure of being associated with. Excellent with the books
and competitive on the floor, they had qualities that any parent would
be happy to see in their boys.
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