Elkhart High School - Pennant Yearbook (Elkhart, IN)

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TOP-Senior ballhandler Jim Wisko- toni looks for an open man to pass to as he dribbles by a Penn opponent in the sectional. ABOVE—In expectation of a pass Joe Thomas struggles for position against South Bend St. Joe. TOP LEFT-First year coach George Leonakis gives his team a pep talk during a time-out in the first game of the sectional. LEFT—Varsity Basketball Team: FRONT ROW: Pete Calhoun, Jim Wiskotoni, Willie Bean, and Duke Walker. ROW 2: Head Coach George Leonakis, Doug Hill, John Futter- knecht, Joe Thomas, Rod Roberson, and Coach Bob Clark. ROW 3: Mai Phillips. Kirk Holiday, Mike Johnson, and Tom Glanders. Basketball 27

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George ‘The Greek’ inspires Big Blue Instead of Are you go- ing to the basketball game tonight? . Central students began to say, Where are you going to sit at the game? , as enthusiasm grew with the new Central bas- ketball team. Several new faces were present in Blazer uniforms for the 1974-75 season, as well as on the coaching staff. Head Coach George Leona kis brought to Central four years of coaching ex- perience and a 75% winning record. As he began the young season, he saw his Blazers win their first two of three contests. However, the pace slackened as the season continued. Falling victim to several close contests. Central fin- ished the season with 7 vic- tories and 14 defeats. Individually, the Blazers had several versatile ath- letes. Blessed with an abun- dance of guards, the back- court positions proved to be a strong part of Central's game. Senior playmaker, Jim Wiskotoni became the floor general for the Bla- zers, as he was the one to be called upon to bring the RIGHT-Sophomore Rod Roberson puts up a layup after driving past a Penn Kingsman. Rod gave the Blazers extra scoring depth. ABOVE RIGHT-Center Tom Gland- ers tosses a short jumper against the backboard from close range. 26 Basketball ball upcourt in tight situa- tions. Willie Bean worked his way into the starting lineup at the outset of the season and never lost his job. With help from Pete Calhoun, the backcourt remained steady. MVP Tom Glanders was the leading scorer for the Blazers, as he carried a 13.7 point average throughout the season. Tom was a dom- inant factor close to the basket, as he rejected sever- al shots. Newcomers to the Cen- tral team. Rod Roberson and Duke Walker, added a potent scoring attack and performed consistently for Coach Leonakis. Also Joe Thomas and Doug Hill helped on the boards. One of the highlights of the season was the lopsided victory over Memorial. Af- ter a 16 point scoring out- burst at the start of the game, the Blazers, who nev- er trailed, continued to win the game convincingly.

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RIGHT-Forward Duke Walker exe- cutes excellent shooting form in tough game competition. BELOW-Hemmed in by two Penn defenders, Willie Bean looks for a man to pass to. 1974 Varsity Basketball ECHS Opp. Northwood 70 59 Marion 50 68 Warsaw 71 58 La porte 57 60 Kokomo 48 70 Mishawaka 66 93 Muncie Central 54 62 Valparaiso (Holiday Tournament) 62 56 Mishawaka (Holiday Tournament) 46 57 North Judson 58 75 South Bend Washington 79 68 Michigan City Elston 50 61 Penn 47 69 Concord 76 47 St. Joseph 63 64 Goshen 67 71 Memorial 81 58 South Bend Riley 68 69 South Bend Adams 50 77 South Bend LaSalle 71 57 Penn (Sectional) 49 66 Season Record 7-14 Junior Varsity cagers win Goshen Holiday Tourney 1974-75 JV Basketball ECHS OPP Northwood 46 43 Marion 35 32 Warsaw 34 37 LaPorte 52 38 Kokomo 33 50 Mishawaka 45 32 Muncie Central 34 30 Goshen 38 31 Penn 51 45 North Judson 54 53 S.B. Washington 45 27 M.C. Elston 39 28 Penn 45 33 Concord 41 40 S.B. St. Joe 46 40 Goshen 35 38 Memorial 33 34 S.B. Riley 49 50 S.B. Adams 50 45 S.B.LaSalle 41 34 Season Record 15 5 RIGHT-Junior Varsity Basketball Team: FRONT ROW: Bill Ramsey, Kurt Dougherty, Alison Phillips, Bruce Terlep, Micky Terrell, Todd Stackhouse. ROW 2: Coach Bob Clark, John Labrum, Dan Formsma, Buddy Coleman, Chester House, Er- nie Lucas, Jesse Cockerham. A major goal for a junior varsity team is to let young players gain experience for varsity competition. How- ever, an additional bonus for the 1974-75 junior var- sity basketball team was a 15-5 record. While coaching the first team to hold a winning record at Central, Coach Bob Clark utilized several talented sophomores. Winning the Junior Var- sity Holiday Tourney was one of the highlights for Central's B -team. The young Blazers emerged vic- torious over the four-team field, as they deservedly took home the first-place trophy. Best free throw trophy went to Kurt Dougherty. 28 Basketball