Rhode Island College - Ricoled Yearbook (Providence, RI)

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First row, left to right: R. Brochu, V. Cullen. R. Blais tCapt.j , D. Steele, J. Veader, E. Maxwell Second row: R. Brassard, j. Kean, R. Coelho, R. Viera, A. Polouski, R. Brown QCoachj . gcweetfall mm The opening of the 1954-55 basket-ball sea- son showed R.l.C.E. to possess a small but spirited ball club. Through the efforts of Coach Robert Brown, the boys were molded into a smooth working quintet, endowed with speed but lacking the necessary height for a very successful season. Sharpshooting Roland Blais, .phenomenal high scorer who totaled more than 1,000 points in his three years of varsity competi- tion, was elected captain of the 1955 team. Despite the line performances of Captain Blais, the team started oli slowly. During this time, the boys acquired the experience they needed. This experience showed itself when R.I.C.E. upset the highriding lfVilli- mantic Teachers live, 89-79. Standouts in this game were Blais and Vin Cullen, who scored 35 and 19 points respectively, and Roger Viera and Bob Coelho, who consistently took rebounds away from much taller opponents. After a short slump, R.I.C.E. again hit the victory trail by trouncing North Adams, Ql- 68. A trip to Fitchburg snapped the victory string as the home team eked out an ex- citing 64-62 win over R.I.C.E. Losses to the powerful New Britain and Salem quintets closed out the season. Despite the won-and Page Ninety-six lost record of the team, they gave a very creditable performance. The seniors of this team were headed by Roland Blais. Vinnie Cullen was the third leading scorer, setting up many scores with his passing and playmaking. Bob Coelho was the third senior and proved to be a tre- mendous rebounder. A great loss to the team was that of Bob Coker near the beginning of the season. The junior aggregation supplied the team with Roger Viera. Using his height to acl- vantage, Roger cleared the backboards, and was second top scorer. -lack Kean proved to be an able 'back court man, while Dick Bras- sard showed considerable prowess as a driving lforward. Dave Steele's elhciency was hamp- ered throughout the season by a -broken hand. The sophomores on the team supplied a strong reserve on which the team could rely. Those acquiring considerable experience were Don Verissimo, Andy Polouski, Dick Brochu, Ev Maxwell, and John Veader. Through the achievements of all these players and the guidance of Coach Brown, R.I.C.E. proved to be a formidable foe for all its opposition.

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Bobriioclho lries for tw-o poinLs in typical Clearing the boards snccessfl ll R 1' 1 y 15 ogm X 1Cl'2l :ulcls :mother Iiclcl goal Coelho style. Dick B1'znssa1'd. do R.11C.l2.'s score. i T Alu., .v.:r ' Z , . lx L f R , al: Q 1 , if 'J' V .i Lv 111-, 1' 4.21. 7 w A .vi :A -1 1 'i , fl l ' ff wl:j .5EQ,'1!. gal- , N ..,- ' 1 1. nf. 11 51! J., L H l fL-1 if ' Vinnie Cullen boots the bull lowurcls A. Pol-ouski, il. Gcnereux, and R. I-ligll scorer, Doug l?inLo, clribhlcs the Keene goal. 'l'cn'c-:lull luke a short lJl'CZlfllCl'. Llurough Kclenc opponcnls.