La Farge High School - Memories Yearbook (La Farge, WI)

Page 33 text:

...fseees2ss1956 Memorzes Wildcats Remain Undefeated, Whip Gays 95-65 January 10, 1956, Gays Mills Here The hig'hly touted Tigers of Gays Mills led by little Jack Lucey came to town to square off against the Wildcats of the North Kickapoo. The first quarter led to every indication that there was a real barnburner in store for the over- flowing crowd. The first quarter ended xvi'h the score tired 15-15. This was the best spot Chuck Rogers and the W'hiz Kids were in all night. The second quarter saw Rodgers employ the press , ibut Coach John Popenfus' outfit ran wild ohlalklng up a 41-26 halftime lead. The second half the purple and white really flashed as they out- scored Gays 28-22 and 26-17 in the third and fourth quarters: t'he flnal score being 95-65. Top scorer for the night was Bi-g Jim Harris, who potted 14 backets and 7 out of 11 free throws for 35 points, -Jim also controlled every rebound in sight. Bob McNatt hung up 11 'field goals and 4 of 4 gift tosses for 26 markers. Rod Kennedy, the only Junior on tlhe starting five, swished 18 points. Jack Lucey potted 22 points and Doug Petit hit 12 for the orange and black Tigers. lin Farge Downs Readstown for 11th Straight January 13, 1956, Readstown Here The Eagles of Readstown came to La Farge with only one tlhing in min2d+-upset! For a while many people were wondering. It is granted the so-called Wildcats played very poor ball in racking up only 54 points against one of the comparative 'weak sisters of the league. The two quintets battled to a 10-10 standoff the first quarter. The last tih'ree 'cantos the purple and white moved ahead point by point-never very much at a time. The game ended with La Farge on top 54-45. The Kennedy boys, Rod and Bob, had 14 points eacfh to lead the winners. Bob McNatt fol- lowed with 13. Big Ivan The Terrible Anderson proved to be a nemises all night as he chalked up 17 markers for the visiting Eagles. 'lla Farge Downs De Soto 66-56 January 17, 1956, DeSoto There The high-flying Wildcats continued in the drive-r's seat of the Kickapoo Valley Conference with a hard earned 66-56 win over the De Soto Pirates. De Soto jumped to a 16-13 first quarter lead but couldm't 'hold it as the Cats led at the inter- mission 26-25. The third canto was all La Farge as they piled up 22 points to DeSoto's 10 and led 48-35. Tihe fourth stanza was pretty much even with the final score again 66-56. La Farge's .hot shooting guards led the scoring parade with Bob McNatt collecting 21 mark- ers, including nine free throws, and Bob Kennedy tossed in 19 points. 'Big Ray Vangan took scoring honors for t'he nlfght with 13 baskets and 4 gift tosses for 30 points. The gifted Cats are now riding the crest of a twelve game winning streak at the hands of Coach .Iohn Popenfus. 1Vildcats Wallop Grove Before Good Homecoming Orowd 90-64 January 20, 1956, Soldiers Grove Here The purple and white Wildcats shot like a bunch of professionals in winning Uheir 13th game in a row and their 10th conference win without a. loss. Coach John Popenfus' outfit jumped to a 22- 16 first quarter lead and increased it to 41-32 at halftime. The third and fourth quarters saw the Cats run up 25 and 24 points respectively while iholding Grove to 16 markers in each of the remaining quar- ters. A good size homecoming crowd saw hot Rod Kennedy sizzle the nets for 12 baskets and 4 free throws for 28 points that left the nets still smoking later at the homecoming dance. Rod had good support from Big Jim Harris and Bob McNatt as they tossed in 22 points apiece. Dick Steinmetz chalked up' 14 points. Bill Hoffland led the Grovers with 23 points. Cats Bow to lvauzeka 66-64 For First Loss January 24, 1956, Wauzeka There This proved to be the most fateful ni-ght of season as the Cats' win streak of 13 games came to a halt at tlhe hands of the Wauzeka Hornets. Wauzeka jumped to a 15-10 first quarter lead and increased it to 32-25 at halftime. The Wildcats started to roll in the third quar- ter and moved to a 48-46 third quarter lead. The Hornets came right back outscoring La Farge 20- 16 and wrapping up their eighth conference win to stay in the running for the conference champion- slhip. Bill Trehey and -Gordon McCullick led the way with 24 and 18 respectively. La. Farge came up witlh their best balanced scoring attack but couldn't come through when the vital punch was needed, Dick Steinmetz and Bob Kennedy had 14 apiece. Rod Kennedy chalked up 12 and Jim Harris and Bob McNatt had 11 an-d 10 points respectively. La Farge Dumps West Lima 71-50 January 27, 1956, West Lima Here La Farge got 'back into its winning ways with a 71-50 victory over a helpless Lima quintet. The Cats had only a 31-27 half time lead but held the Bull Dogs to 4 points in the third stanza. and won 'going away, Hot Rod Kennedy led the scoring wich 21 points but yielded scoring honors to Ted Olson, wlho potted 23 mark-ers for Lima. Jim Harris tossed in 20 and both La Farge guards named Bob tossed in twenty-flve points be- tween them. McNatt hit for 15 and Kennedy for 10. La Farge Beats Seneca Club 86-41 January 31, 1956, Seneca Here With La Farge playing their last home game of the year, and six Seniors playing the last one of their career on the home battle Iground, the purple and white downed Sencea 86-41. The Seniors playing their final game were: Dick Steinmetz, Lanny Smith., Don Burnard, Jim Harris, Bob McNatt and Bob Kennedy. With :Seneca playing possession ball the first half the Oats managed a 31-10 intermission lead.

Page 32 text:

. .,.,., .-252552521956 Memofies . , exceptional night chalking up 5 baskets and 8 out 9 free tosses for 18 points. Bob Kennedy rounded out the scoring with 14 points. Donnie Wavra led the Cashton scoring with 16 points. Wildcats Defeat Pirates for First Conference VVin November 29, 1955, De Soto Here La Farge opened the conference sc'hedule with a 30 point victory over a tall De'Soto team. The Cats, led by Bob McNatt and Jim Harris, jumped to a 16-8 first stanza lead. The second quar- ter was much the same, and the boys from the Mississippi left the court trailing 40-20 at the intermission. The third period the Wildcats really cnt loose and canned 26 points to DeSoto's 20. Coach Popenfus cleared the bench in an effort to hold the score down. The final score being 86-56. Bob McNatt, Senior guard, led the scoring with 26 markers followed by Jim Harris with 22. Rod Kennedy, who so far has provided that addi- tional scoring punch, made 20 points. Big Ray Vangan led the Pirate attack with 20 points followed by Dave Gontenbein with 14. I Coach Popenfus' purple and white clad Wild- cats have now won four in a row and thus equalled their longest winning streak of t'he previous season. Cats Outlast Grove, Chalk Up 75-48 Victory December 2, 1955, Soldiers Grove There The Wildcats journeyed to Soldiers Grove for their second league encounter of the young season. This was a rather poorly played game as the Grovers pressed La Farge all the way. The score being 75-48 'with Cats winning 5th in a row. The first .half was close all the way with the Cats leading 36-30 at t'he break. - In the third period led by Bob McNatt and Big Jim Harris. the W'ildcats started to move as they outscored the Cardinals 18-4. The final quarter it was La Farge showing their ability to run the whole game as they romped to a 75-48 victory. Bob McNatt le-d, the team in scoring with 21 points. McNatt was followed by Big Jim, who hit for 20 points, Bob Kennedy and Dick Steinmetz had 13 apiece with Dick hitting on eleven free throws. Bill Hoffland led the Grovers with 15 mark- ers followed by Jerry Dull with 10 points. McNatt Scores 36 Points, La Farge Knocks Off Wauzeka Hornets December 6, 1955, Wauzeka Here La Farge won its third conference game with- out a loss and their sixth win overall by blasting a highly touted Wauzeka quintet 83-73. La Farge was led by the boys from the lower Kickapoo for three quarters with t'he scores being 17-16, 33-30, and 55-50. At one time in the fourth period the Wildcats were trailing by nine points. It was here that the Cats used a full court press and capitalized on many Wauzeka miscues. Bob McNatt, 'Senior guard, dumped in 12 bas- kets and 12 free throws for 36 points. Following Bob in the scoring was Big Jim Harris with 17, and Bob Kennedy with 16 markers, Bill Trehey, the league's most valuable player a year ago, hit the nets for 28 points. The Wildcats now lhit the road for the two remaining contests before the Christmas vacation. Big Jim Harris Pumps 37, Wildcats Trim VVest Lima December 9, 1955, West Lima There La Farge moved to West Lima and downed the Bulldogs S0-42 for their fourth straight con- ference win. Wauzeka obliged LaFarge by knocking off Gays Mills and putting the WVildcats in first place all by their lonesome. Jim Harris dominated the boards from Ted Olson all night long - both defensively and of- fensively, Big Jim also took care of the scoring as he fired in 17 field goals and 3 free throws for a total of 37 points. Bob McNatt and Rod Kennedy had 12 and 11 points respectively. Gene Hodge, w'ho started for the injured guard, Bob Kennedy, played a very good defensive ball game and tossed in 8 points to aid the cause. The Wildcats were never in danger as they led by quarter scores of 29-16, 52-18, 66-28, and 80-42. Olson marlicd 18 points and Bud Williams chalked up 12. La Farge Mauls S-eneca 102-60 For their final encounter before the holidays, tlhe Wildcats traveled to Seneca to meet the Indians. Peace was not declared as the Cats re-enacted the Indian Massacre. The Cats drew first blood and moved to a 23-16 first stanza lead. The second quar- ter was tlhe same as the boys in purple and wlhite ran it to 51-28 at halftime. The third canto saw the La Farge quintet run 28 more p'oints to Seneca's eleven. With reserves playing all the last quarter they ran up and over the century mark. Big Jim Harris chalked up 27 points from his pivot spot. Bob McNatt hit 23 points including seven free throws. Rod Kennedy followed with 13 and Larry Pete Parr tossed in 12 markers all inn the last quarter. McCormick and Brackway led the Indians with 16 points apiece. La Farge Continues tio Ramble, Wallops Viola January 6, 1956. Viola Here Tihe high-Hying Wildcats from the upper banks of the Kickapoo added its neighbor, Viola, to their growing list of victories. It was the Cats sixth con- ference win and 10th overall without a se-t back. The Cats jumped to a 14-5 first quarter lead when Viola was unable to score a basket, The Blue Jackets enjoyed their best quarter in the second canto piling up 19 points to t'he host's 13 and crawling to within 3 markers at half time 27-24. After tlhte intermission the purple and 'white clad boys with John Popenfus at the helm started to roll. - With 'Bob McNatt and Jim Harris, who were hampered in the first half by three fouls apiece, starting to connect, the Wildcats moved to a ten point t'hird quarter lead. In the last stanza McNatt stole the ball three times for easy lay-ups, and the game turned more and more in favor of La Farge, The final score was 66-48. McNatt led the scoring for La Farge with 21 points on ten field goals and 1 free gift toss. Rod Kennedy chalked up 14 with Big Jim tallying 10 and controlling both rebound boards. Jim Matthes had 12 'points to lead the visit- ing Blue Jackets.

Page 34 text:

-33333333 1956 Memories The second half the Wildcats poured it on as they racked up 26-15 and 29-16 third and fourth stanza scores. The final score was 86-41. Jim Harris pump'ed 9 field goals and six gift tosses for 24 points. Rod Kennedly tossed 19 mark- ers. Bob McNatt, Bob Kennedy and Jim Thompson rounded out the scoring with 14, 12 and 10 points respectively. Harold Brackway tallied 12 for Seneca. La Fargie Wallops Viola 84-53 There February 7, 1956, Viola There The Wildcats hit tlhe road for one of four remaining games to be played on the road. They tangled 'with the high-flying Viola Blue Jackets, who had won seven straight and had not lost since playing the Cats in La Farge on the 6th of January. -Coach John Popenfus' boys took no time in pointing out a 17-14 first quarter lead. Then witlh Rod Kennedy, Jim Harris and B-ob McNatt spear- heading Une attack the Cats ran to a 37-18 inter- mission advantage, The third period was nip and tuck with Lea Farge holding a slight 23-22 lead in points but led in the game 60-40. The last stanza La Farge out- scored Viola 24-13 and won going away 84-53. Dean Kennedy potted 25 points to lead the assault followed by Big Jim Harris with 20 and Bob McNatt with 18 markers. Bob Kennedy tossed in 14. Dewey Huston racked up 17 and Jim Matthes tallied 16. Jim Endicott tossed in 13 in a losing cause. With this win the Wildcats clinch no worse than a tie for the conference clhampionship. Just one more win will 'give them the crown, XVilldc.ats Capture Kickapoo Valley Crown February 10, 1956, Grays Mills There La Farge clinclhed the Valley championship by posting a 62-61 win over a never-say-die Gays Mills team. The Cats led by Big Jim Harris all the way, jumped to an 18-15 first quarter lead. Both squads posted a 16 point second stanza and La Farge main- tained its slim three point lead at ihalftime. The third period saw La Farge just one step closer to that coveted crown by outscoring the Ti- gers 13-11 and controlling a 47-42 lead. The final period almost saw the Cats throw it out the window. At one time they held a nine point lead but saw it dwindle down to one point as the horn sounded. Harris pumped 11 field goals and 9 out of 12 -gift tosses for 31 points. Bob McNatt tossed 12 and Rod Kennedy had 10. Jack Lucey potted 26 points and Doug Petit 18 for Gays Mills. Cletus Fleming tallied 10. Cats Trim Hillsboro 74-66 February 14, 1956, Hillsboro 'There La Farge traveled to Hillsboro and found themselves on the short end of a 18-15 first quarter score. By -half time the Wildcats were back- in con- trol and held a 34-28 lead. The third period the Wildcats rang up 22 points to the Oriole's 12. At one time in the last quarter t'he Cats led 'by 25 points. Hillsboro started to roll and wvhittled the lead to 8 points as the game ended. Jim Harris tossed in 11 field goals and 6 free throws for 28 markers. Bob McNatt hit 6 field goals all in the first half and 10 out of 10 gift tosses all in the second half for 22 points. Jim Tho-mpson added 10 points. Don Hora tallied, 14 field goals and one free throw for a losing cause, 29 points. Dave Hammer ohalked up 14. La Farge Posts 19th Win of Regular Season February 17, 1956, Readstown There With the conference crown under their belt and 18 wins out of '19 games in the bag t'he Wild- cats journeyed to Readstown for the last encounter of the regular season. The Cats toyed with the Eagles all night long in using this as a tune up contest for the coming De Soto District Tournament. La Farge held a 10 point 39-29 half time advantage and plrayed good steady basketball the rest of t-he way for a 74-62 win. This win notched the Cats their 15th in 16 league games and their 19th over all. The Cats came up with good even scoring with guards leading the way. Bob Kennedy and Bob McNatt continued to combine talents and baskets by chalking up 39 markers between them. Kennedy tossed in 10 field goals for 20 points and McNatt 19 tallies. Jim Harris flipped in 17 points from his pivot position. Jim Thompson ad-ded 8, Rod Ken- nedy 6 and Dick Steinmetz 4. McManamy led the Readstown scoring with 18 points followed by Burdell Smith with 16. Sklklklklklli Cats XYin First Tourney Game February 23, 1956, DeSoto There La Farge, after drawing a first round bye, drew DeSoto to open tlhe second evening festivities. The Cats dlrew first blood in rolling to an 18-14 first stanza lead. The second quarter saw La Farge add 18 more to their cause and held a 36-27 intermission lead. The second half led by their pair of hot-shoot- ing guards, La Farge increased their lead to 61-44. The fourth quarter with numerous records being broken, both team and individual, the game became a wide open affair. Tlhe final score after t'he last 8 minutes of run and shoot, was La Farge 85 and DeSoto 68. ba Farge's scoring twins, B-ob McNatt and Bolb Kennedy, accounted for 52 points between them. McNatt tossed in a record breaking 12 field goals, 6 free throws for 30 points. His running mate in the back court, Killer Kennedy, sacked the nets for 7 field goals and 8 out of 9 lgift tosses. Big Jim Harris racked up 20 markers from his center spot. Legs Lerum and Raymond Vangan had 18 and 16 respectively. La Farge Scores Over-Tilne Victory Over Soldiers Grove Cardinals February 24, 1956, at De Sto Favored La Farge walked off with the Cham- pionship of the WIAA sub-district tournament by clipping a. fighting Soldiers Grove quintet 70-68 in a torrid overtime battle. Coach John Popenfus' Wil-dlcats clawed their way into the overtime by tieing, tlhe score 64-64 in the regulation contest after Soldiers Grove had taken a four point lead in the final two minutes. The losing Cardinals paid no heed to La