Arthur Township High School - Arthurite Yearbook (Arthur, IL)

Page 55 text:

Row 1: Jim Gaffney, Dick Yutzy, Bill Honn, Jack Mattox, Francis Blaudow, Johnny Dukeman, Dave Conlin, Dick Baker, Gene Parrott, Neil McDonald. Row 2: Buddy Dukeman, Assistant Coach, Bob Lowder, Manager, Bob Haney, Rodney Ryan, Kenneth Conlin, Harold Helton, Bill Clemons, Peter Conlin, Roger Hoffman, Duane Gaffney, Johnny Pugsley, manager: Coach Mulkey. Row 1: Dick Yutzy, Jack Mattox, Francis Blaudow, Bill Honn, J Row 2: Jim Gaffney, Gene Parrott, Dick Baker, Dave Conlin, Coach Mulkey. . l L L ohnny Dukeman. Neil McD onald, N

Page 54 text:

vw Y' K 'iff , M3 'IK it t. y xl ffaflff- X U Our cheerleaders have done an excellent job of leading cheers during this season and in urging the Knights on through victory and defeat. There has been an alteration in the electing of our cheerleaders. After this year our cheerleaders will be chosen each year instead of serving from their election as freshmen for four years. Kay Taylor and Phyllis Compton will continue cheer- leading because they were chosen before this change was made. Alice Jane Kay Phyllis Millie E s X

Page 56 text:

'BASKETBALL Opening the season with five lettermen back from last year's squad, Coach Herb Mulkey's basketball men finished the regular season with 14 victories and 6 defeats. 4 wins and 4 losses in tournament play gave the speedy Knights a total of 18 victories and 10 defeats for the season's competition. One of the best centers ever to play for the red and white, Francis Blaudow, all Okaw conference center, was the teams top scorer for the year with a total of 469 points. He was the scoring champion of the conference with 261 points for an average of 21. 8 points per game. His ability to fake his opponents out of position and score was his greatest asset, followed by his rebounding power. Follow- ing in scoring was Jack Mattox, the versatile forward who collected 318 points. Not only was he a scoring threat but his ability to rebound played a large part in the teams victories along with his keen eye for the basket. Hard driving, sharp shooting, speedy Johnny Dukeman proved to be a spark plug in the local aggregation with his speed, ball handling and pas se s enabling other team mates to sc ore . Having an amazing- .703 shooting average from the free throw line was very valuable to the team especially in the close games. He also tallied 218 points. At the other guard position was the veteran Billy Honn, whose ball handling sent the crowd in an uproar on several occasions. Pud was a floor player, always an excellent ball handler and passer, his deceptive passes enabled the team to pull through many tight places. The ever dependable Dick Yutzy, who played forward or guard with the starting five, was a mainstay on the club. Fast, a good shot, and an excellent team man, he was always a threat. Dick, a friend to all, is a Junior and will be back with us next year. Great things are expected of him and, needless to say, we' re sure he will live up to our expectations. Getting off to a slow start due to an ankle injury, likeable Dave Conlin played better ball as the season progressed. Dave was always ready regardless of what situa- tion might occur. He was a great team man and an excellent rebounder. In the finals of the district tournament, Dave played his best game of the season, going high in the air and getting the rebounds and passing off for the fast break down the floor. A sophomore newcomer to the squad was Dick Baker who started the season on the second team and worked his way up to the first by the Christmas vacation. Dick has a sharp eye, is a good passer and will be aroimd for a long time in the red and white uni- form. He, along with Dick Yutzy, will be a main cog in the wheel next year. Our own little, speedy, fast breaking Knights gave plenty 'of entertainment for every one this year. They won the hearts of everyone who saw them play. Such thrills as playing before the largest crowd ever to congregate in the local gym, winning against the mighty Sullivan 52-47, defeating Tuscola, coming from behind to defeat Monticello in the closing minutes of the game 59-57, and winning their way into the finals of the Okaw conference tournament, are only a few of the many highlights of such a successful season. We'll miss seeing Fran Blaudow fake and shoot, Jack Mattox going high in thetair for a rebound , Johnny Dukeman driving around his man for a layup shot, Pud Horm taking c ontr ol of the game and dribbling the ball for 45 secondsain a stall to protect a two point lead, and Dave Conlin coming off the boards and making the fast pass out for a quick break. These boys are gone, have played their last game on the hardwood, and carried their school colors for the last time, but their names will always be remembered as giving Arthur one of the best teams ever to trod on the hardwood.