Slocum Truax High School - Monguagon Yearbook (Trenton, MI)

Page 66 text:

-W-' 1 -H I ,,..1 Four outstanding players onthe varsity quintet this year are shown above: George Ridcnour, Jim Spradlin, Nick Mans, and Dale Urubzikc-r. Fifth mari on the Varsity five was tall and lanky Art Boyd, shown at extreme right. f r Reserve squad takes time out during practice session with coaches.

Page 65 text:

The Trojan gridders co-ordinated a big, quick-charg Y Q ing line with a fast, hard-driving backfield and grabbed a share of the 6-B League title during the 1953 season. A trick they hadn't done since 1944. The season opener was a discouraging affair, with the Trojans dropping a close 20-19 decision to Class A Monroe High, but they bounced back quickly, racking up four consecutive league victories. The victory string was broken very abruptly by a fired-up Allen park ll, 25-6, Because of this loss, the Trojans were forced to share first place with the Plymouth Rocks, whom they had beaten previously, 16-3. Coach Neil Van Riper's gridmen then finished out the season with two non-league tilts, winning both with comparative ease. The Trojan juggernaut rolled over position to the tune of 192 points, while having only 72 scored against it. A ratio of almost 3 to l. Although winning the championship was a team effort, the Trojans had more than their share of individual stars. Brightest of all was Captain Don Henderson who was named All-State guard on the first team. Nich Mans, Jim Saunders, and Ray Driscoll received honorable mention on the All-State listing. Trenton also placed three men on the All-League first team: Henderson, Mans, and Saunders. FOOTBALL RESULTS 1953 SEASON Trenton 19 Monroe 20 16 Plymouth 3 39 Bentley 12 ' 27 Belleville O 38 Redford Union 0 6 Allen Park 25 ' 25 Monroe CC 6 26 Walled Lake 6 li 55 VICTORY SMILE-- Players huddle around Coach Van Riper after defeat- ing Walled Lake in the season finale. The group flashes its well- known victory smile, seen so often during the successful season. mmm fx, lil 1f,,i

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Clgefd 0,0 QCOFLJ .S?00t .yn 6-golzaglle The Trojan cagers opened their 1953-54 season in a promising manner by surprising Monroe, 45-43, with Art Boyd dropping in 25 points. The Trojans then rolled over four league opponents, including the defend- ing champion, Bentley, whom Dale Brubaker wrecked with 18 points. Coach Harold Jaroch's champion- ship dreams were given a severe jolt, though, as Allen Park dropped his team from the unbeaten ranks, gaining a close 36-32 decision. From then on the THS quintet fell into disorganized confusion, losing two more league games by decisive scores. The cagers snapped out of their tail- 1 spin in thrilling fashion by trouncing Belleville in overtime, 52-49, with Captain Nick Mans banking in 18 points Trenton finished out the regular season by beating Redford Union and avenging its previous loss to Allen Park. The Trojans fared only moderately well in the tournaments. They breezed by Mt. Carmel in the opener, 40-21, but were dropped abruptly from con- tention by Ecorse, 43-4l. The THS cagers vastly improved over the 1952-53 team, finished in second place in the 6-B loop, and gave promise of greater things ahead. Members of the Varsity basketball squad as shown above are: STANDING: Coach Neil Van Riper. Jim Fagon, Dick Gay, Dale Brubaker, Jim Spradlin, Art Boyd, Bud Cummings, Nick Mans, Melvin Burley, Byrne Hold- ren, Eric Reickel, and Coach Harold Jaroch. KNEELING: Joe Doherty, Don Henderson, Gordy Kerr, Jim Pryor, Chuck Stevens, George Ridenour, and Dick Price.