Pardeeville High School - Whisper Yearbook (Pardeeville, WI)

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• Standing: Mr. Bruce Hammond. Head Coach; Tom Bortz. Jeff Warnke. Kevin Bernander. Phil Tarrant. Jeff Smith. Paul Taylor. Kerry Ohnesorge. Bob Neesam. Steve Jacobson. Ralph Turner. Jeff Haynes. Mr. Ray Forbes. Superintendent; Mr. James Malinovsky, Principal; Mr. Robert Bostad. Athletic Director. Assistant Coach. Kneeling: Joel Hammond. Mgr.; Scot Smith. Mgr.; Tim Kath. Mgr. Absent: Dave Allman. A DREAM COME TRUE!!! Pardee High students received the thrill of their lives as the basketball team made it to the WIAA State Tournament. The Bulldogs had to survive strong challenges to earn their berth in the playoffs in Madison. Sub- regional play opened at Cambria. March 27 and saw the Bulldogs outclass Dual County League runner-up 75-53. Saturday night, the Big Blue exploded in the first quar- ter for 28 points and held off the Cambria Hilltoppers for a 72-50 final score. Laconia was the next stop on the way to Madison. A tall Oakfield ball club gave the Bulldogs some static in the first half, but Pardee pulled away in the second to notch a 68-54 win. Speculation by Fond Du Lac sports writers as to the quality of the Dual County Conference was dimin- ished as both the Bulldogs and the Princeton Tigers advanced to the regional championship. Hearts were beating rapidly as a surprising Tiger squad took the game down to the last few seconds be- fore a cool Jeff Smith calmly sank two free throws to put the Bulldogs in the win column by one point. On March 14 the Bulldogs journeyed east to West Bend to face a tough Oostburg team. The Flying Dutch- men came into the game with a 19-3 record and was rated ninth among state Class C schools. Second ranked Pardeeville had their hands full and didn't clinch the victory until only 11 seconds showed on the clock. Tom “Bumba” Bortz sank two charity throws to put the Bull- dogs up by four. Oostburg scored the last basket of the game, but it wasn’t enough. Sectional championship night found the Big Blue Machine battling a short Monticello Pony team. Ph I ,,Silly,‘ Tarrant erupted for 34 points to spearhead the Bulldog offensive attack. Pardeeville rebounders Jeff “Bones” Warnke, Tom Bumba” Bortz. and Jeff “Clutch” Smith held a commanding 37-24 rebounding lead. Ralph “Spunky” Turner followed Tarrant in scoring with 14 points to match his 14 assists. Final score. 76-45. A dream come true. Pardeeville in the State Tourna- ment! That was the goal set by players and fans alike when this graduating class was in the eighth grade. It was the first time since 1940. and the fourth time in his- tory that Pardeeville entered a team in the state playoffs. Coach Bruce Hammond in his third year at the helm had gotten his wish as well. His desire and dedication was instilled into the hearts of the players,and -they were determined to make a good showing at the fieldhouse. North Crawford had ideas of their own. They em- ployed a slow deliberate offense to offset the high scor- ing Bulldog offense. It worked. Pardeeville only scored 31 points; but North Crawford only lit up the scoreboard for 30. The Bulldogs advanced to the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. Saturday.March 22. 1:05 p.m., the Pardeeville Bull- dogs, undefeated in 25 contests met the Marathon Red Raiders, 24—0, and ranked first in the state. The first half seemed to go in Pardeevilie's favor. The Bulldogs dominated the boards and opened up a nine point lead with 2:39 remaining in the second quar- ter. Marathon closed the gap, and the Bulldogs main- tained a 32-31 halftime lead. Third quarter action found Marathon open up to a six point lead 52-46. Fouls on Bortz and Warnke forced the Bulldogs to play cautiously underneath, thus slowing down the Bulldogs offensive attack. Marathon unleashed its shooters, and it seemed they couldn't miss. Throw- ing up the ball from anywhere, the basket drew the ball through via radar. Pardeevi lie’s basket had a lid on it. and the shots wouldn’t fall. Phil Tarrant led the Bull- dog attack with 20 points followed by Turner with 16. Final score. Pardeeville 57. Marathon 65. A caravan of cars and a packed reception welcomed the team home. Sentiment was high and excellent sup- port from the fans and the almost perfect season by the Bulldogs made a lasting impression on everyone.