John T Hoggard High School - Saga Yearbook (Wilmington, NC)

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Beginning the last ten regular season games, Hoggard displayed their initial slowness again, bowing to New Bern, 76-59. Once again, the Vikings faced the New Hanover Wildcats in a cruical test of nerves. Our team proved to be of championship caliber, winning 59-55. Kinston Grainger, once before a victim, fell again, 67-62. Terry Sanford and Raleigh Sanderson just could not muster up enough help to defeat the Vikings, and lost, 75-60 and 63-60. Reid Ross of Fayetteville and the Jacksonville Cardinals were next on the list, both losing. The scores were 73-55 and 63-55. Though it sounds like a reprint, Reid Ross and Jacksonville were the next two victims. The Vikings defeated Ross by the narrow margin of 63-60, and broke through the Cardinals’ stall tactics, winning 39-25. Hoggard ended its regular season with a satisfying win over Wilson Fike, 65-57. Mike Hewlett strains for opening tip-off. . . Hoggard humiliates Barry Napp makes the shot look easy! crn mmr lace 1 agate a

Page 65 text:

Attentive players make a successful coach . . . Cagers excel in ’70 Pat Lewis shoots against Jacksonville . . . + The Viking Varsity basketball program has always been a good one, with Jim Hebbe’s boys compiling a very impressive three year record, winning 53 while dropping only 15. This year the varsity cagers started slowly, losing the opening game to the Asheville Cougars, 86-68. Hoggard responded to this initial setback by promptly beating Greensboro Smith, 59-57, and E. E. Smith of Fayetteville, 66-63. Next on the list was New Bern, which fell to the Vikings, 91-71. Likewise fell the Wilson Fike Cyclones, 62-47. Then came the contest that all awaited. Could we beat New Hanover, a school we had not defeated before? The answer came loud and clear as the final buzzer sounded. Hoggard had triumphed, 53-52. That game proved to be an enormous psychological booster, for the Viking cagers then romped over the Kinston Red Devils, 79-62. The Bulldogs of Fayetteville’s Terry Sanford were also dropped, 62-58. Raleigh Sanderson and E. E. Smith were resoundingly defeated, 63-46 and 73-66, respectively. The first half of the season was over, and the Vikings had rolled up a 9-1 mark. 6|

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SEER Steve Griffin goes up... Mike Hewlett taps in two . . crosstown rivals - Twice! Mike Baldwin fires. . . Showing the makings of a true championship team, the Vikings came out on top of the rugged Division One tournament, downing E. E. Smith, 89-76, and Terry Sanford, 70-67. Entering their first 4A Tournament, a phenomenal task for any team in its first year of league competition, the Vikings made a very impressive showing in Greensboro. Making believers out of many non-believers, the Vikings advanced to the finals. Overcoming first game tension the Hoggard quint defeated Gastonia Ashley, a team that two years before before won the tournament, in a close contest, 52-49. Asheville, a team which previously beat Hoggard, was shocked by the Vikings, 58-53. Thus advanced the Vikings into the championship fray. South Mecklenburg, a team which relied heavily on a 6’ 8” giant, was Hoggard’s opponent. Height proved the difference in the crucial game which was decided in the last five seconds. Hoggard’s dream was spoiled, but not without gallant team effort and a brilliant parting performance by senior Mike Callahan, who hit 11 of 12 shots for a fantastic 91.6%. The 59-58 defeat was felt hard by all, and the Vikings remained number one in the hearts of everyone. Hoggard had established itself as an Eastern cage power being led by five senior starters. Pat Lewis, Mike Callahan, Mike Hewlett, Barry Napp, John Jones, Steve Griffin, and Mike Baldwin provided the bulk of the Hoggard attack. Graduation will hurt the Vikings, but with the excellent coaching and talented junior cagers, as well as the tremendous school spirit, Hoggard will again be a potential powerhouse.