South Eugene High School - Eugenean Yearbook (Eugene, OR)

Page 114 text:

VARSITY BASKETBALL Hoopster Havoc Hank Kuchera, or Kuch as he is affectionately known, began his 22nd year of coaching at South Eugene with a team which was noticeably lack- ing in height. As the season progressed, the absence of a team leader and the inability to work as a unit plagued the Axemen while they accumulated a 3-9 record through the first half of the season. Overcoming their dismal start, South displayed striking improvement in team play and hustle during the last portion of the season. Climbing from tenth place and winning seven out of the last ten games, South wound up in fourth place in league standings. Failure to hit at the freethrow line cost four pre-season victories, including a double-overtime loss to highly regarded Medford, and a one point set- back by South Salem. Defeats at the hands of North Eugene, Thurston, Sheldon and Marshfield further frustrated the Axemen but did not dis- courage them. Highlight of the unsuccessful first half was the drubbing of Springfield, eventual second place finisher, as the Axemen combined tena- cious defense with torrid shooting. Setting the tone for the second half of the season was a 52-51 triumph over Willamette on jim Burke's driving lay-up with just seconds to go. This game saw the first successful installation of the zone defense by South in many years. Preceded by losses to Thurston and Springfield, six of the final seven games were captured by the Axemen, including a season-ending thumping of North Eugene, 65-48, which enabled South to retain the crankshaft trophy, symbolic of athletic superiority between the two schools. Harold Miller, a local businessman and 1940 graduate of Eugene High, donated the Henry E. Kuchera Trophy to be awarded to the outstanding basketball player. Since the award was to be retroactive, john Pinkstaff was selected for 1964 and john Roche was honored this year. Roche and Al Tuttle were named to the district's third team. Hank Kuchera . . . from tranquility to turbulence XXEHUI aa 32 1965 VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM, FROM AI Miller, kneeling. 108 'M S ief A ifiiiififiii 'ftl .1

Page 113 text:

Glen Brigham, left, and Don Wolsler leap high lo conlml opening tip-off. Bill Gloss shools BOYS' INTRAMURALS just for Fun Opportunities for all interested boys to participate in athletics were provided through the intramural program sponsored by the Axemens Council. Satisfying student needs for physical activity, intra- murals extended beyond the program provided by PE classes. Boys not competing on school teams found personal challenge and fun by participating in volleyball and basketball. This year's response was the greatest ever with over 150 taking part. In volleyball, Ed Larsen's squad, consisting of Bill Miller, Al Tuttle, Fred Jennings, jim Burke and Randy Rubenstein, captured the championship of the eight-team league. Ninety students turned out to form two basketball leagues of seven teams each. After two months of tough play under modified rules, Pete Nilsen's team won the cham- pionship, his squad comprised of John Larsson, Fred Jennings, john Guske, Don Walster and Bill Miller. The council purchased a plaque on which the names of championship team members will be engraved. Due to the tremendous interest, the program will be continued next year. Players bottle for rebound under crowded buskel. lO7

Page 115 text:

I Roche Ed Larsen Joe Robe fson Rch Brooke, Jeff Brown, Jim Walhey, AI Tuhle, Mike Johnson, Mike Myers, Hank Skade Jm Burke Manager Medford Medford South Salem North Salem North Eugene Thurston Springfield North Bend Sheldon Cottage Grove Marshfield 3'Double overtime VARSITY SCOREBOARD Roseburg Willamette Thurston Springfield North Bend Sheldon Cottage Grove Marshfield Roseburg Willamette North Eugene