Mount Saint Marys College - Eagle Yearbook (Orchard Lake, MI)

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THE EAGLE r- HaH OF I » 4 4 f- rep (q u In tet The Saint Mary ' s High School quintet, which was considered one of the hottest and best crews of the state, sailed through an unpredictable and unfor- getful schedule of twenty-one consecutive victories with only a single defeat. Having endeavored for a number of years to be admitted into the Catholic League of Detroit, Coach Bruno Neumann ' s desire was finally granted and the Eaglets were permitted to compete in the West Side Second Division. It was here that the Eaglets received attention. Various newspaper writers lauded the accomplishments of the team. Naturally, with a very good offense and an exceptionally strong defense, the Eaglets advanced, breaking a number of records. The first record was broken when the Eaglets ran up a score of 80-9 (the highest total ever scored by a member of the Catholic League) against St. Mary ' s of Mt. Clemens. Johnny Rakoczy, ace forward, set the highest indi- vidual scoring record ever accumulated in the Catholic League, which pre- viously was 45 points, with his 54 for one game. The Eaglets were the first ever to be accredited with having more than 500 points (617 to be exact) in League competition. Within the course of events that followed, the Eaglets came in combat with the St. Ambrose five, the East Side champions of the Second Division, competitors for the City Title. Throughout the first half of this event, it looked rather hopeless for the Eaglets, but, as usual, they once again displayed their Never say die spirit and shattered St. Ambrose ' s defense with a 31-point splurge in the second half, thereby emerging on the top side of a 39-25 count, and the Second Division Champions. Many coaches agree that a team with a good offense usually has a poor defense. The Eaglets, however, proved this to be untrue. In the twenty-two games which ensued, the Eaglets ' offense had a 45-point average per game, while their opponent average was kept to a low 18-point level. Page Seventy-six SAINT MARY ' S HIGH SCHOOL

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THE EAGLE OF 1 » 4 4 CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES Catholic League, Second Division — West Side Saint Mary ' s 27— St. Frederick ' s 21 Catholic League, Second Division — City Title Saint Mary ' s 39— St. Ambrose 25 State District Tournaments Saint Mary ' s 51— Milford 17 Saint Mary ' s 79 — Big Beaver 4 Saint Mary ' s 28 — Keego Harbor 23 State Regional Tournaments Saint Mary ' s 30 — St. Frederick ' s 21 Lakeview 37 — Saint Mary ' s 18 SEASON ' S TOTAL Saint Mary ' s 990 Opponents 412 SAINT MARY ' S COLLEGE Page Seventy-five

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THE EAGLE :! HJ ? OF 1 » 4 4 Eventually, it was the State Championship which the Eaglets craved to have within their grasp. The District Tournament at Farmington failed to give the Eaglets much competition. Roosevelt High School of Keego Harbor, how- ever. Saint Mary ' s ace rival for many years, proved itself a good opposing team for a 28-23 count in a closely fought battle. This victory left the Eaglets Champions of their District. A week later, they, for the third time this season, met St. Frederick ' s Five from Pontiac. Both teams were in quest of the Regional Championship. The Eaglets, however, once again turned back the determined Red and Black ' s of Pontiac with a score of 30-21. The second encounter in this tournament turned out to be Waterloo for the Eaglets. Due to a strain caused by a lengthy schedule and the close proximity in which these games were played. Saint Mary ' s faced the awful realization, that, as all good things, their success will have to, now or later, come to an end. And so it happened. On the evening of March 10, 1944, the Eaglets met the tall Lakeview Team. Using this height to their advantage, Lakeview downed the determined Eaglets 35-18. To the Coach, Bruno Neumann, and to the individual members of his team, the entire Institution extends its sincerest appreciation for the many benefits which Orchard Lake has derived through their efforts — efforts which to the Coach and the Team are truly an honor. SAINT MARY ' S COLLEGE Page Seventy-seven