Pinson Valley High School - Chieftain Yearbook (Pinson, AL)

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L. Bonnor 68 BASKETBALL

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Basketball Network Difficulties The 1984-85 Indian basketball season was certainly one of the most memorable in the school ' s history, not only because of the quality of the team, but also because of the fan par- ticipation which played a big part in the popularity of the game. The fans had much to cheer about this year. The Indians finished with a record of 15-8 and took first place in the Warrior Tournament with exciting finishes by Shay Shellnut in the final two games of the competition. Throughout the season, the Indians, under Coach Big Jim Tolson, played consistently over rivals like Oneonta, Hewitt-Trussville, Pell City and Mor- timer Jordan, and earned a trip to the area tournament. There, though, they ran into a tough opponent in the Leeds Green Wave. The Valley led most of the game, but Leeds, with a strong height advantage and a discouraging tenden- cy to dunk the lights out, overcame Pinson, thus ending a fine season for the Indians. The team was filled with talented people, most of whom will return next season. Senior Steve Patrick was the captain and led the team in assists. Paul Cameron, at 6 ' 5 , was the squad ' s big man and made the All- Warrior Tournament team. Richard Walker scored in double figures several times during the season, and Todd Graves returned from an injury to con- tribute strongly late in the year. The Juniors, though, were un- doubtedly the key to the success of the team and they will be next year also. Jerome Fitts made both the All- Area and All-Warrior Teams with his ex- citing style of play, and David Ball was also selected to the All-Area Team. Shay Shelnutt, besides making the Warrior Tournament Team, hit 80 of his shots from the foul line during the year. Matthew Riddle an d Chris McDonald also played extremely well throughout the season. Again, though, most important to the team ' s success was the fans; the loyal students who made it to every home game, clapped when the team came out, yelled with the cheerleaders, pointed aggressively at the opposing side yelling you-you- you , and just created all sorts of havoc in general. Many people say there ' s nothing to get excited about around here anymore, but just go see an Indian basketball game. You may be In for a surprise. I Difficulty factor of ten S RnHI MflHB! ' 1 W ■■ B ■■ ' . H MH 1 H B jj ■■■ 1 H M l H HS If Mk M |t H M7 t i r Fitts goes for a layup Shelnutt airs out a long shot for two points 70 BASKETBALL