Abilene High School - Flashlight Yearbook (Abilene, TX)

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DISTRICT MEET Abilene's favored Eagles in District Five Meet, drew a first-round bye and then proceeded to take things easy as they rolled up a 37-I4 victory over the Forsan Buf- faloes. As usual, Elton Hailey set the pace for the Eagles twentieth straight win of the season, with sixteen points. Then in the semi-finals Abilene's five had very little trouble with Peacock of Stonewall County. At the end of the first half of this game, the score was 29-IO: so Coach Miller let the reserves carry on in the final quarters. While Abilene was setting this fast pace, Hamlin's Pied Pipers were showing an equal- ly strong pace. When it became known that Abilene and Hamlin would meet in the finals, a good game was anticipated. Abilene, with the usual show of grace and poise, defeated Hamlin, at the same time winning District Five basketball champion- ship. Elton Hailey was high-point man. Top defensive honors went to Frank Bra- haney. The rest of the team also came in with their share of honors. All reserves were steady and dependable. P. H. Hill was hot on the trail of Elton Hailey with almost as many points. The rest of the members showed their worth with brilliant performances. This was the first time Abilene had won district since l93O. FRANK BRAHANEY Y Guard Frank Brahaney, regular guard, is an all-round performer. He has a dead eye for the basket, besides being most efficient in keeping his opponents from scoring. He never becomes nervous, no matter how hard the game. For his brilliant performance at the State Meet he was awarded a position on the All-State basket- ball team. I. T. DENNIS Center I. T. Dennis came back this 1 year after two years as a re- t . serve to close his high school l career in a topnotch manner. He was slated for a regular position last season, but an inlury early l l FRANK ERAHANEY TI in the term forced him to with- draw. This year with his six feet three inches he proved to skep- tical critics that he was well qualified to play his position. I-le has plans for a basketball career in college. I. T. DENNIS R. Q. GARRETT Guard R. Q. Garrett proved to be a strong asset to the squad this season. He was noted not only for his brilliant performances but also for the inspiration afforded his fellow players. In every organization there is usually a jolly fellow who supplies the laughs for his team-mates. The laughs relieve the players' tension ana stiffness, and help them to play the game better. That is the reason that R. Q. Garrett proved a strong ally to his team. R. Q. GARRETT Page 100

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' 1 .. ..,. ..l,. . if s First How: Elton Hailey, Frank Brahaney, Vernon Blackburn, P. H. Hill, B. Q, Garrett, Second How: Bobby Morrison, Guerdon Busby, limmy Connor, l. T. Dennis Porter Willis. SEASON BEVTEW Although lacking in smoothness, Coach Miller's hardworking cagers began the current season with a 28 to 12 victory over Ovalo. With Elton Hailey pacing the scoring, the Snyder Tigers fell next 43 tc 10. After the Christmas holidays, the Eagles bounced Cross Plains 28 to 14. Going into the Colorado tournament with serious doubts as to their ability, the Eagles walked away with the honors, defeating Lub- bock 47 to 25, Lamesa 35 to 12, and Hamlin 37 to 26. Hailey, Dennis, and Brahaney were chosen as members of the All-Tournament team. As the season advanced, Cross Plains in a return engagement, San Angelo, and Brownwood fell to Abilene's basket- ball genius. Whipping Ovalo, Winters, and Abilene Christian Academy, the War- birds next captured the Abilene Christian College meet. Then with Hailey taking 28 points, Abilene's cagers reached their peak with a 70 to 25 victory over Carbon. 1 Breckenridge, as usual, proved a tough nut to crack, but the Warbirds crushed their way to a 59 to 18 win. Then the Eagles won their first District Meet since 1930, when they triumphed over Eorsan, Peacock, and Hamlin. Trouncing Cross Plains and San Angelo, the Blackshirts of Abilene won the Regional Meet, the next week journeying to the State Meet at Austin. There, by defeating Carey in their first game and Bowie of El Paso in the semi-finals, they qualified for the finals. Going into the finals, the Eagles met their first defeat of the season at the hands of Woodrow Wilson High School of Dallas. Frank Brahaney was chosen as a member of the All-State team and P. H. Hill as a member of the second team. This meet ended a most successful year of basketball for Abilene. Basketball has gained in prominence this year, and may - it continue to do so in the future. A shot from mid-air Page 99

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VERNON ELACHEURN Guard Blackburn is another player Coach Miller could never asl: too much of. He made up his lack of height by his hard work and fight. I-le was a dependable player that always did his be-st when called upon. He received a letter for his worthy efforts. NMMY CONNOR , ., 4' Guard - limmy Connor, former reserve, . V developed so rapidly this season . that he became a brilliant, de- ' 'n pendable performer, Although VERNON BLACHBUPIN he was not so smooth as he could have been, he has another year in which to find his stride. In all probability Connor will be back fighting to letter again as , Auf' --4. guard. - UMMY CONNOR GUERDON BUSBY Forward Guerdon Busby proved his worth in all the games the Eagles ,131 TW played this season. He developed swiftly in the last few weeks .il ' of play into a first class performer. His strong efforts earned for 5 him a letter. The most important thing is that he will be back next year to prove himself even more valuable to the squad. GUERDON BUSBY REGIQNAL MEET A crowd of l,4OO fans which had the gymnasium bulging, Watched the Eagles chalk up their twenty-third straight victory of the season when they defeated the rugged Cross Plains Buffaloes 26-16 in the opening game of the Regional Meet. I. T. Dennis' tip-in of a rebound gave the Eagles an early lead. At the end of the first quarter the margin against Cross Plains was 8-l, and two more goals were looped in the second quarter before Cross Plains flipped in a field goal. P. H. Hille high scorer, with a total of ten points-scored from the side just before the half and ended the second quarter with a total of Abilene l4 points, Cross Plains 3. The Buffs put up a game fight in the second half, and the game closed with Abilene ahead by a ten-point margin. Top defensive honors went to Prank Brahaney. In the feature game of the tournament, Abilene met San Angelo in the finals. The Eagles, inspired by the thought of a trip to the State Meet, Won that honor when they tripped San Angelo in a hard-fought game. Page 101