Alief Elsik High School - Ramblings Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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At Stratford’s gymnasium, Ram Hoopstors Wade Watson and Jeff Keene, work to defeat the Spartans. As the Rams had previously beaten Strat- ford 74-36, the Spartans beat Elslk 47-55. Photo by L. Catos As Senior Wade Watson guards the basket from a Hastings shot, thofansatEHS assist by screaming “SHOOT to throw off the Bear's timing. Photo by L. Cate nrrr it Varsity District: 2nd Opp- Score Spring Branch 72-45 Spring Woods 61-47 Memorial 36-38 Wostchostcr 58-45 Northbrook 62-56 Stratford 74-36 Hastings 55-37 Spring Branch 50-45 Spring Woods 38-40 Memorial 60-50 Westchester 52-51 Northbrook 70-55 Stratford 47-55 Hastings 59-57 Madison 42-84 Scoreboard! Scoreboard! the Ram fans chcor in responso to the Hastings Ram Center Jeff Keene and Junior David McAfee lead an offensive attack to score supporters' “Boring ! Bor- ing! Seniors Tom Luce, Robbie James, and Jeff Keene against Terry High in pre- district play. Jeff scored a total of 233 points during stall to make the last point the first quarter again Hastings. Photo by L. Cate district play, almost doubli any other player’s recor Photo by L. Catos 76 Boys Varsity Basketball

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aren Hernandez finishes the istrict meet. Karen helped tho cross-country team scor- ing points that helped the team finish second at the meet. Photo by B. Payne After coaching for four years at Sam Houston State University, and one year at Spring Woods High School, Coach Parke came to Elsik and led the Cross-Country team to two straight state meet appearances. Here she announces the standing of the cross-country team at the district meet. Photo by L. Cates Loss of Seniors Doesn’t Hamper Quest For State Three varsity returned to defend the girls varsity district title. “Because we were so young it was going to take a lot of effort to repeat last year’s performance. We’ve been working since August, and the girls have shown a lot of dedication to the cause of winning district, I’m real proud of them,” said Coach Parke. The team got off to a strong start in August and with some exceptional running by Wendi Pena and Donna Thom. They finished as one of the top two teams in every meet. “Nobody expected us to go as far as we did, but we knew we could do most of the things we wanted to do.” stated Sophomore Cinda Shine. “I think dedication and team unity brought the team together so we could reach our goals for the year,” stated Wendi Pena. One of the big reasons that the team went so far is Coach Parke according to the runners. Coach Parke is great at getting us prepared for meets. Not only does she get us prepared physically, but mentally as well, and that is real important for a sport like ours.” said Cinda. Wendi Pena and Donna Thom were rewarded for their great efforts by being named to the all-state team after leading their team to a ninth place finish in state. By B. Payne. Reporter Girls Cross Country 75

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An unusual case. Senior Tom Luce received his American citizenship the day of the Ram victory over the Hast- ings Bears, 59-57. Photo by L. Cates Boys Varsity Basketball: Front: B. Wilson, R. James, T. Luce, M. Posey. T. Kite, D. Brown, L. Lorts, R. Henderson. Back: Coach J. Hartfiel, B. Wilson, J. Glasgow, J. Keene, D. McAfee, M. Mlddaugh, G. Dougherty, W. Watson. Coach D. Scarborough. “This is the chance we’ve been waiting for.” In a fight for the istrict title, the Rams ad to beat Hastings, id Memorial needed ne more loss. So on ebruary 15th, the jams met, played and ie Bears were efeated. But the lustangs beat the ams by two points nd were declared the hamps. The Hastings game as like fighting an Dhill battle and inning. Like Senior athy Humpherys. the ins were ‘‘all riled p” and “so excited , 'hen Hastings made le first score, it was ot expected that ley would never take the lead again. At the end of the first quarter, Hastings' Senior Danny Bagget made a shot that tied the game 14-14. The Bears fouled with 8 seconds to play in the half; Jeff Glasgow, with 2 extra points, made the score - Rams 35, Bears 30. Jump high Jeff, get up off your feet, was the chant that opened the second half. Though the third quarter had a slow start, the Rams pulled it together to enter the fourth with a 47-45 Ram lead. With 5:30 left the score was once again tied and the audience, tense. Senior Jeff Glasgow broke the tie and the fans went wild. With 1:30 left on the board. Hastings got the ball and tried desperately to hold it and tie the game as the clock ran out. But Senior Tom Luce stole the ball, dribbled down the court, scored, and Elsik was up by four points. After a score by Senior Wade Watson, 59-57, the Bears, with 3 seconds left to play, ran down court, shot the ball, missed the point, and the Rams won it! The fans were crazed as they pushed their way to the end of the court to huddle around the team: “Number one! Number one!” As the second place district team, the Rams played Madison, the 16-5A champs. Coach Hartfiel said, “Even if we lose to Madison, we won't lose any pride.” Though Madison defeated Elsik at Hoffeinz Pavilion, 42 to 84, players like Senior Tom Luce had positive attitudes. “They're big and they're mean, but we're meaner. Playing the Madison Marlins gave the guys more to think about than just winning. “This is the chance we've been waiting for - to play a nationally ranked team.” explained Tom Luce. The experience built by a team of mostly varsity lettermen remained clear throughout the season. And even though Elsik is losing experience. Coach Hartfiel knew, “We'll build another winning team.” By Lisa Baroski, Sports Editor. Boys Varsity Basketball 77