Homer L Ferguson High School - Mariner Yearbook (Newport News, VA)

Page 21 text:

JV Baseball. Front Row: Denise Shields, Carolyn Hull, Ronnie Gardner, Mike Barberry, Ed Blair, Tim Blowe, Steve Tapscott. Second Row: Coach Bill Robbins, Mark Mortman, Tim Hyatt, Pat Kirk, Wayne Barlow. Back Row: Scott Allison, Jonny Cooke, Bill Wash, Tom Hayes, Neil Coffey. Sports — Spring 17

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Volleyball Big Hit; JVTeam Gains Experience Co-ed volleyball became a hit with both the faculty and the student body. When the plan was initially intro- duced by assistant principal Tim Walter and activities director Ever- ette Hicks, many of the students were only mildly enthusuastic but, as the season grew nearer, the teams grew in number to twenty-two. The teams were composed independently by in- terested participants with their own elected captains. Each game was played at an assigned time in either the boys’ or girls’ gym. At the end of the season the top four teams com- peted for the championship. Because of its newness in strengthening stu- dent-teacher relationship, it received publicity in the Virginia School Journal. “The team’s record wasn’t too im- pressive,” said Coach Bill Robbins, “but the players did gain experience and some improved greatly.” Steve Tapscott started slow with some er- rors at first base but really came through at season’s end. Hard slugger Tom Hayes was a batting asset on a team filled with bunting pros Mike Barberry, Neil Coffey, Pat Kirk, and Bill Wash. Pitching were Steve Tap- scott, Ricky Updike, Neil Coffey and Ed Blair who was better overall with a 3.14 earned run average and a two win, one loss record. Ronnie Gardner demonstrated speed as the key to rightfielding. Leftfielder Bill Wash and shortstop Tim Blowe also showed skill with the glove. The season ended with a 4-11-0 record and an experi- enced team ready for the upcoming year. Volleyball. Front Row: Maria Williams, Marie Ivey, Sandra Terry, Susan Richard- son. Back Row: Leroy Jones, Sherman Dodson, Michael Harris, Carlton Cheek. Keepip§ m eye on the ball, Michael Harris preparfcsrto spring into action during a match that won his team the championship. 16 Volleyball

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Vocal support from David Talbert, Craig batter on hift toes. Varsity Baseball. Front Row: David Talbert, John Dunn, Dennis Parker, Gary Baillio, Craig Wright, Steve Spencer. Back Row: Steve Woessner, Kevin Presgraves, Mike Altizer, Keith Rind, David Ferree, Dennis Coffey, Steve Hayes, Robbie Walker, William Johnson, Lex Russell. 18 Sports — Spring Errors Cause Team To Lose Vital Games Practice makes perfect, they say, hut the Mariner baseball team still had its flaws. Because they were the defending district champions, their final record was hard to take. Ferguson finished their season with four wins and sixteen losses. First year as varsity baseball coach, Coach George Walters worked with the team with the assist- ance of Mr. Larry Knight. Errors made by the team often caused the loss of a game by a single run or as many as ten runs. The pitching staff was not at its peak either after the graduation of Dennis Monteith. Nugg et Crocker, after staying away for personal reasons, rejoined the team mid-season and helped out the pitching staff. Bat- girls Kay Hancock and Kathy Deazley helped out by chasing bats and balls and supplied the team with plenty of bubble gum. Spirits were always high whether a game brought a win or loss to the Mariner baseball team. V