Burke High School - Burke Book Yearbook (Omaha, NE)

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Burke Burke Burke ........ Burke Burke Burke Burke Burke Burke Burke Burke Burke Burke Burke ......... Burke ......... Burke ......... Burke ......... Burke ......... Burke ......... Burke ......... Season Summary South ........... ........ .......... 5 7 ........Bellevue .. ........Millard........ ........Abe Lynx.... ........North ........Bellevue.......... ........Linc. East........... .,...,..W6StS1d6 ........Central........ ........Tech. ........Linc. ........Ryan..,......... .,......Gross ........Roncalli....... ..........69........Benson........ ..........79........North REGULAR SEASON-The roundballers posted a 17-8 regular season record after losing three of their first four games. The team finished second in the American Division. The highlight of the season came as Raymond Montgomery sank a last second shot against the number two-rated Ryan Knights to beat them 56-55. HOLIDAY TOURNEY-As the Bulldogs came to life, they finished an encouraging third in the Holiday Tournament. They were stopped by North in the semi-finals, then they came back to avenge an early season loss to Bellevue. Wiinning by twenty points, the roundballers captured third place in the tourney. DISTRICTS-In the first round of the District Tournament, Burke drew a bye. The cagers once again avenged an early season loss by defeating South by 22 points. This advanced them to the finals against Prep. The Bulldogs gained their State Tournament berth as they defeated the Bluejays 58-55. STATE-The 1977 Bulldogs proved themselves superior as they won the state title for the first time in Burkeis history. Burke beat North in the opening round after having lost to them previously. This avenged the Holiday Tournament loss and the loss during regular season play and proved that Gregory could outplay McGee. The semi-final game set Burke against Papillion. Burke won the most exciting game of the tournament 67-66, with an outstanding performance by Jim Gregory. The final game was with Lincoln High, showing that Coach Johnette and the Bulldogs refused to give in-they battled on to win their first State Championship 66-61. i 1 l I I . U1 if. i f, H vow'

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Bulldogs Capture First State Title C17 All-State performer Jim Gregory, who is a senior, shoots for two in the Championship final. Jim Gregory was named the most valuable player of the 1977 State Basketball Tournament. C23 Senior Brad Olson takes down the net after Burke wins the Class A title by beating the Lincoln High Links. C31 Senior center Brett Bunney goes up for a tip against a Lincoln High player.l4l After the final win against Lincoln High, Burke was crowned the new Class A Basketball Champion for the state of Nebraska. Accepting the trophy for the Burke Bulldogs is Senior Kirk Helms, who was cut from the final tournament team. He holds the trophy high as Coach John Johnette looks on with pride. This was Coach Johnette's first Class A State Championship Title. 155 Sophomore Dan Schmuecker attempts to block a shot as Ray Montgomery prepares to rebound. Ray Montgomery was named to the Class A All-Tournament Team along with Jim Gregory.