Gonzaga High School - Aetonian Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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Zaked Secon in C . i quarters, but then seemed to die out as Blair surged ahead and won by five points, 51-46. This was more or less the pattern for the next twelve games. The Purple won games they were supposed to win, and lost games they were supposed to lose. Victories during this period were numbered over B-C.C., Roose- velt, Mt. St. Joseph, Loyola, St. Anthony's, and Calvert Hall again. Losses were suffered at the hands of Ana- costia, Roosevelt, DeMatha, St. john's, and Carroll twice. The losses to Roosevelt and Anacostia can be written off as just bad games, but the DeMatha loss is inexpli- cable. Undoubtedly the worst game of the year, Gonzaga tried their best to hand the game to the Stags, and they finally did, as DeMatha won in overtime by one point. Against St. John's, the Eagles matched the Johnnies in ability but not in hustle and drive as the klohnnies won by five points. The two losses to Carroll, potentially one of the finest teams ever produced in the Washington area, need not be alibied. In both games, the Eagles played well, but not well enough to match the taller Lions. With a 7-7 record at this point, the outlook was bleak. The Eagles possessed only one of the three ingredients of success-Dan Slattery, the big man. Tom Folliard had proved of considerable help, but the two other ele- ments of victory, continual hustle and team spirit, were lacking. The crucial point in the season was approaching. Having lost four Catholic League games, Gonzaga faced possible elimination from the playoffs. Three straight victories over Mackin, Geo. Prep and Episcopal set the stage for the must game against DeMatha. And now we approach the turning point. For three quarters, Delvlatha, or rather Ernie Cage, was the master. Starting the fourth quarter the Stags enjoyed a 10-point lead and seemed on the way to knocking the Eagles out of the playoffs. Then it happened. Who can say how or why it happened, but all of a sudden the Eagles had scored 14 straight points and were in a lead which they never relinquished. The final score was 70-68, Gonzaga. As stated before, it is rare indeed for a high school team to bounce back from such a dismal beginning to such a resounding Finish. But from this game on, Gon- zaga was a different ball club. Coach Whitcomb had finally found a winning combination, everyone was hustl- ing, and that indefmable thing called team spirit per- vaded the squad. Gonzaga could not be stopped in their next four games, as Loyola, DeMatha, and St. John's twice fell to the Eagles. In the playoff victories over the Stags and Johnnies, All-Catholic Star D. Slattery goes for two points against St. john's, despite the best efforts of two Cadets. Gonzaga took two out of three from the johnnies to gain second place in the Catholic League.

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onzaga Iefeata St. folm Q and Ie .xflatluz Zwice VARSITY RECORD Gonzaga. . 4 . . .74 Calvert Hall . . 4 Gonzaga ,... .,... 4 6 Blair .........., Gonzaga ..,. ..A.. 4 7 Bethesda-C.C. . Gonzaga ,.,. ,.... 7 0 Roosevelt ,A,,.., Gonzaga. . , ...,. 56 Mt. St. Joseph's . Gonzaga ,.., ,...l 4 2 De Matha ..... Gonzaga . .70 Loyola . . . . Gonzaga ,l.. ..... 5 4 Anacostia ,... Gonzaga. . . ..... 52 St. johns . . . 4 . . Gonzaga. . . ,... 91 St. Anthony's . . . Gonzaga .... ..... 2 0 Carroll .,...,.. Gonzaga ,... ..... 5 7 Calvert Hall . . . Gonzaga .... .,... 4 6 Roosevelt ..., Gonzaga .,.. ..... 4 0 Carroll .... Gonzaga .... ...., 6 8 Mackin ........ Gonzaga .... ..... 6 0 Georgetown Prep Gonzaga .... ,,.., 7 0 De Matha .,..,. 'Gonzaga .,., ...., 9 5 Loyola .... Gonzaga ,... ..... 7 2 Episcopal .... Gonzaga ..,. ..... 5 0 St. John's .,,. Catholic League Playoffs Gonzaga ..., ,,... 7 7 De Matha . . . 4 . . .66 Gonzaga ,.., ,..., 4 2 St. John's .,.. ..,. 4 6 City Championship Tournament Gonzaga ,...,..... 46 Cardozo ...,.... .,.. 5 4 Gonzaga .... ..... 5 4 Armstrong 4 . . 4 . . 444 K. of C. Tournament Gonzaga. . 4 ...,. 40 Archbishop Malloy 4 ,... . .42 Gonzaga .... ,.... 7 l Parkersburg 44.44... ..4. 5 5 Gonzaga .... .,.4. 6 7 LaSalle ...4 .... 4 8 Tom Folliard lofts his deadly push shot for two points, as one of the helpless Cadets watches the proceedings. L , The dividing line between mediocrity and success in basketball is a thin one. In the pro game, the difference between the last and first place clubs olten is just two or three really good players. In college basketball, where the players are usually ol equal caliber, the coaching staff plays a major role in determining a team's success. And in high school basketball, the key to victory is one big man, continual hustle and that undefinable thing called team spirit. The story ol this year's Eagle basketball team embraces these two levels of achievement, mediocrity and success. Rarely does a high school team bounce back from such a dismal beginning to such a resounding finish. Even more surprising than the Eagle's reversal is the fact that the turning point of the season can be pinpointed to one quarter of one game. The one quarter was the fourth, the game was the second DeMatha contest. Before any further narration, however, it is necessary to give a resume of the season's progress up to this point. Gonzaga won its first game 74-41 over Calvert Hall. This was one of five victories over chronically weak Baltimore schools. The next game was against Blair, regarded by some at the end of the season to be the number one team in the city. The Eagles led for three

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Tournament Results City ,..... Third Place K. of C. ..,... Fifth Place Final Record Wins , .... 18 Losses .,.. 9 VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM: Ist row: Managers: P. McManus, M. Maher, W. DeRossett, R. Foster. 2nd row N. Grillo, G. Connor, P. Ivathen, D. Slattery, W. Kirvan, M. Xvord, H. Langley. 3rd row: T. Folliard, V. Matelis, D. O'Donnell, J. Harper, J. Buchanan, P. Frendach, Mr. J. Whitcomb Qcoachj Gonzaga was a different team from the one which lost to the same teams earlier in the year. Hustling constantly, they defeated DeMatha by ll points and St. John's by 4 and 5, respectively. Because of this fine showing, the Eagles were invited to two post-season tourneys, the City Championship Play- offs and Knights of Columbus Invitational Tournament, attended by some of the best teams on the East Coast. In the City Playoffs, Gonzaga faced Cardozo in the first round and lost a close game to the Clerks by eight points. The contest was close all the way, and the Eagles suffered no shame in losing to this fine team. The following night Gonzaga played a good Armstrong team on even terms for most of the game before pulling ahead to a lO-point victory. Before the K. of C. tourney began, several individual honors were awarded. Slattery, Folliard, Bill Kirvan and Howie Langely were picked on the All-Catholic League team which played Carroll in an exhibition game. Slat- tery and Folliard were subsequently named to numerous all-star teams. The K. of C. tourney arrived, and into Vfashington stormed Archbishop Molloy, the New York City Champs, undefeated in 30 odd games. Gonzaga drew them for the first round. Despite their excellent record in recent contests, nine victories in ten games, the Eagles were not conceded a chance of knocking off mighty Molloy. This appraisal was soon proved to be an underestimate. For four quarters the two teams played what possibly was the finest game in tournament history. All-American Willie Hall was a demon off the boards for Molloy but Gonzaga matched the Stanners point for point. The game went into overtime, and since one team had to win, the Stanners did. Either team could have wong many thought that the best team lost. Gonzaga, now in the consolation bracket, racked up easy victories over Parkersburg, W. Va., and LaSalle of Cumberland to take home the fifth-place trophy. The Eagles, undoubtedly the best consolation winner in tour- nament history, also took individual honors as Slattery and Folliard were named to the all-tourney team. The season ended with a record of 18 victories, 9 de- feats. Before closing, mention should be made of Val Matelis, a fine senior player who was unable to partici- pate this year because of a leg injury. Credit should be given to the little four, Mike Word, Paul Frendach, Hank Buchanan, and Doug O'Donnell, who gave the team depth, speed, and flexibility. Howie Langely, the old pro, was a smooth operator when the going was rough. Bill Kirvan showed plenty of hustle and rebound- ing ability. Tom Folliard was one of the finest shots in the city and could always be counted on for a good game. Dan Slattery did a tremendous job off the backboards and must be given the greatest credit for the team's suc- cessful season. Last but not least, if anyone is to be ap- plauded, Coach lVhitcomb must be congratulated for a 'job well done.