Siskiyou Union High School - White and Gold Yearbook (Weed, CA)

Page 33 text:

As he turned on the light he saw a letter lying on the dresser. He picked it up and noticed that it was from his brother. Tearing it open, this is what he read: Dear Bill: Saw your team play tonight, would have stopped to see you, but was on a business trip and didn't have the time. Remember, kid, the time I told you that someday an inferior player might be picked over you. When I saw you on the bench, I knew you weren't a quitter. I am glad that you didn't let me down by quitting. Stay with it, kid, and remember this, 'Class, though sometimes late, Always Tells.' I will be waiting to see the big game between State and Pacific. Bet you're starting by that time. Love, Iim. As Bill read the letter his eyes became blurred. Good old lim, he had always understood and stood by him. l'll show that coach, he told himself. I'll stay till the end of the season if it kills me. The next week in practice, Bill Smith played as he had never played before. Single handed he defeated the varsity in scrimmage. All the players on the team were talking of the raw deal Bill was getting, but Saturday's game- with Union was played, and Bill saw it from the bench. I-le was again tempted to quit. I'll try once again. lf I don't get in the big game against Pacific Saturday, I might as well quit, he decided. The night before the big game, a rally was held. Bill Smith, being captain of the team, was to be the principal speaker. As Bill rose to make his way to the speaker's place in front of the student body, he received a tremendous ovation. As he started to speak you could have heard a pin drop, many students were wondering if he was going to criticize the coach, or if he was going to predict a defeat for the State team. Bill spoke and his voice was clear and loud. Fellow students, I want first to thank you for the way you are supporting the members of the team. Due to our record so far this season, we find ourselves entering our biggest game the underdog. Taking the records of Pacific and O111' school, we find that their record is best, but you and I know that we have just as good a team as they have, and though, 'Class is sometimes late, it always fifgf' . ,ss f ' fl' -I -'A' i.1f3L: ' E:'J ms 5'-'V J LITERARY 25

Page 32 text:

was lost, he was a second stringer, his brother had never been a second Stringer, never anything but first string. As Bill thought it over he decided he would quit. Surely they couldn't treat him like this, not Bill Smith. Why he had been iirst team for two years, and for his excellent playing, was rewarded by being elected captain. He would quit, but as he entered his bedroom fhe glanced at a picture ot his brother, that he kept on the wall above his bed. He had often looked at this picture when he had problems to solve, and it had always helped him to decide right. As he looked at the picture he thought ot the time he graduated from high school, and had proudly told his brother that he was entering State. He could remember his brother's words as well as it his brother had said them just yesterday. Bill, l'm very glad for you kid, but l want to give you some advice. You're entering a school oi tough competition. l know you're plenty good, but there are players at State that are your equal, or better, then the coach may pick an inferior player over you. Now Bill, don't get madp just keep plugging along, play your best and, remember this, never quit, as nobody wants a quitterp it the coach ever picks an interior player instead ot you, just keep playing all the harder, and remember this, 'Class, though sometimes late, Always Tells' . As Bill Smith went to bed there was only one thing he wished tor, and that was tor the game with Brentwood, he'd show that coach, he would show him better basketball than he had ever seen before. But the Brentwood game was played, and to the amazement ot all State's rooters, Bill Smith didn't even get to play. State's starting tive played the whole game, and had just managed to win out by two points in the last minute of playing time. That night as Bill and Hal were walking home, they discussed the game. Gosh, Bill, it we had had you in there we would have won easily, I think the coach ought to be shot. Maybe he's right Hal, maybe Robey is better than me. Better than you. Don't make me laugh, you're the best player in State and you're getting a rotten deal, and it it were me, I'd kick and kick plenty, re- plied his churn. As Bill left Hal and continued home the desire to quit the team came to him again. l'll quit, that's what I'll do, he told himself. -D , - 1 Q Q , . 3, Ll-, ,S -'5::- ,- , -- - -. - Y gt :-L. fi 5 .1'x::'5: ? , get 5 gs-Y 24 2' wr -, 7 ' ' XL: v .- , - - . ':'.-5 ' ,4 , -:-- 'SY fi fc-eff: :EA B LITERARY

Page 34 text:

tells,' therefore, believing that our team is about to show its real class, I predict a victory for State. As Bill left the speaker's stand, the ovation was terrific, for he had shown himself a true Sportsman and a supporter of the team and coach, when he had a cause to be resentful to that coach. The next night State's gymnasium was packed to the roof, six thousand people had jammed their way into the building. As the State team took the floor, there was a terrific roar. The two starting lineups took the floor to start the game and many a State rooter felt like leaving the game, for as they looked at the bench there sat their star player, Bill Smith. Why doesn't Smith play anymore? asked a Pacific rooter. I thought he was your star player. He is, but the coach doesn't think so yet, replied a State man. The first half was a drab affair for State was completely outplayed by Pacific: they were trailing by twelve points. Guess the coach will have to use Smith if he wants to even make a game out of this, shouted a State rooter. When the State team took the floor for the start of the second half, State went wild for Bill Smith was opening the last half at his old position for the first time this season. We'll take them now, encouraged arooterl I hope so, but I doubt it, replied a pessimist. The score was 28 to 16 as the referee tossed the ball up to start the second half. Hal Siefert jumped high, tipped the ball back to Bill, who passed to Torn Iones, Iones dribbled, and then passed a beautiful pass to Bill Smith, who brought the State crowd to its feet with a wonderful shot from 30 feet out. Pacific brought the ball down fast and Lou Iohnson, star player, took the shot and missed. Bill Smith took the ball from the back board and dribbled the ball the full distance of the court to make the score 20 to 28. Pacific again took the ball out only to have it stolen from them at half-court by Hal Siefert, who passed to Bill, who promptly sent the crowd into hysterics by making his third straight goal and bringing the score to 22 to 28, Pacific leading. Both teams battled hard for the next five minutes until the end of the quarter. Pacific scored once and State, with Bill Smith playing wonderful basketball, scored three times. Hal Siefert made three wonderful shots, and at the start of the fourth quarter the score read, State 28-Pacific 30. +- . , 's ': 1 a Rs Z' , : N - : - ' r 5. -. ',- ' S7 -ft Sv x -W A. es' 26 - 51 1 - if .Q-EE-si,-. LITERARY