Monson Academy - Academy Bell Yearbook (Monson, MA)

Page 53 text:

CLASS 46 Q v at BASKETBALL TEAM First Row, left to right-Richard O'Malley, Donald Chase, Capt. Iames Kelly, Elihu Martin, Edward Lonczak, R Cl. . Secddrlrdygdlvifelefsleto right-Coach Sweeney, Norman McMahon, lClCk RUSSG11, Eugene Dlbble. lOhI1 Moran, Mgr. William Sullivan. The l945-1946 season got under way with two hold-overs from last year to form the nucleus of Coach Sweeney's team this year. The brand of basketball played by the team far exceeds the record which it com- piled during the season. The never say die spirit was displayed nobly throughout the seasoon. Captain Iames Kelly, of Holyoke, led our team at one forward spot and was ably assisted on the other side of the floor by Norman McMahon, who relinquished his position to Ed Lonczak because of an ailing knee. Ed was a new- comer to our school, having just completed three years in the Air Corps. Gene Dibble was at the center post, and, while rather weak on the scoring punch, was invaluable to us in controlling the ball. Elihu Martin, af Pittsfield, and Don Chase, another Holyoke boy, combined their efforts in the backcourt and scored frequently. Dick O'Malley and Bill Martin were two forward replacements who saw plenty of action during the season, along with Iack Russell, Larry Reed, Herb Aronson, and Iohn Moran, also a veteran of three years' service with the U. S. Army. The season opened at home against Monson High, and after we played even ball for three quarters, early season jitters spelled doom for us and we went down 30-26. We then traveled to Wilbraham Academy and were entertained by the Red and White rooters with one of the best played games in their gym in years, but we were turned down again, 40-36. The teams matched basket-for-basket, and, with 30 seconds left, Monson was in the van by three points, only to have Wilbraham tie the game and go on to win in the overtime. Close competition was a specialty with our boys and was shown again at Suffield Academy, where, trailing by ten points throughout the game, the Nutmeggers suddenly came to life and tied the score, forcing the game into the overtime period. However, Monson was not to be denied and gained her initial victory, 33-31. Another highlight of the season was the premier nocturnal game for our boys against Cushing Academy, who had a clean slate of eleven wins. After a poor first half, we went out to put on a great rally that carried us to within three points of victory and, undoubtedly, it was the best-played game of the year. The scoring honors went to Eddie Lonczak, who poured in close to a 100 points for the year. He was closely followed by Don Chase and Norm McMahon. The seniors, having played their last game at Monson, appreciated the time and co-operation which Coach Sweeney gave them and also the enthusiastic support of the student body. Those graduating this year are: Captain Iames Kelly, Ed Lonczak, Don Chase, Herb Aronson, Elihu Martin, Dick O'Malley, and Bill Martin. Norm McMahon, Larry Reed, Iohn Moran, Gene Dibble, and lack Russell are the boys who will form the back- bone ot next year's team. We wish them luck in having a successful year.

Page 52 text:

IUNIOR SOCCER ' First Row, left to right-Donald Robinson, Francis Martell, Capt. Donald Delong, Leo Zacks, Kenneth Comee Second Row-Richard Platt, Leonard Rome, Roger Castle, Minot D'Arcy. Third Row-William Gates, Lawrence Cushman. CMissing from picture, Richard Pelletier, lean Beaucheminl The I. V. Soccer squad, composed of the boys of the younger grades and underclass- men, participated in two games in the 1945-46 soccer season. Their both games were with Wil- braham with a final score resulting in advantage for neither team. Monson took the first game l-U while W. retaliated in the second game with the same score. The line-up was as follows: I. Beauchemin Lett inside L. Zacks Right halt S. Iacobs Leftdwing M. D'Arcy Lett fullback L. Cushman Right inside W. Gates Right fullback R. Pelletier R. wing L. Rome Goal A. Young Center half F. Princiotta Coach Captain D. De long Left half P. Saunders Assistant coach Unfortunately L. Rome was injured in the second half ot the first game. R. Castle took over for the remainder of the season and did an able job. According to Capt. De long it was a successful season and he expects a better team to turn out next year.

Page 54 text:

,V -4-r wif? vt it f 4 'f fiSE'1Sfu'Y't f?K'-I RIFLE TEAM First Row, left to right-Roger Castle, William Sullivan, Archie McConnell, Irwin Rosenthal, Ioseph Stone. Second Row-David McLamore, Robert Holland, Ronald Knight, Elmer Tidmarsh, Capt. Iames Berger. The 1945-46 indoor shooting season saw about 60 contestants at the firing line of the Monson Academy Indoor Rifle Range. Notwithstanding the unusually large number of participants, everyone was able to shoot quite a bit. It is believed that more ammunition was expended on the range this season than during any other season since the range has been in operation. This year, as in all other years, the rifle group has maintained a perfect safety record. The rifle team, under the guidance of their coach and instructor, Mr. George D. Morrow, who was ably assisted by the captain of the team, Iames Berger, fired two shoulder-to-shoulder matches and eight postal matches during the season. The team showed considerable improvement in its work in the matches this season, winning against Vermont Academy by a score of 758-739, but losing to the top-rated Wilbraham Academy team by the score of 490-476, although there is considerable contrast between that 476 and last year's 463. Team Captain Iames Berger, the outstanding off-hand shooter, was the only person to achieve the rating of Expert here in recent years. Together with Paul Simon, another distinguished off-hand shot, and William Francis, runner-up in the intramural prone elimination contest, Berger shot a perfect 50 out of a possible 50. Elmer Tidmarsh, the winner of the intramural prone elimination contest, shot, in that contest, 99 out of 100. Roger Castle was top man in the War Department Iunior Small Bore Four Position Course. Due to the efforts of the Rifle Instructor, Mr. Morrow, who was assisted by Team Captain lim Berger, a new 50-yard range will be opened at Sullivan's Field this spring. The scores in the various matches were: Wilbraham - 490 U Monson - 476 Wilbraham - 484 Monson - 461 Vermont- 739 Monson - 758 Hearst Trophy Monson - 746 The squad also fired eight of the National Iunior Club Matches of the National Rifle Association. Exami- nation of the scores in these matches shows that the quality of the shooting improved as the season progressed.