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

Page 154 text:

x as Y, 2 ,ff -gf ,. ,yi X, ., A ,ffl -...M uno-W

Page 153 text:

VARSITY BASKETBALL Backboard Jungle With only one returning starter in a group of five lettermen, Hank Kuchera was faced this year with a problem he had so successfully solved in the past-how to build a winning team. Kuch took a group of players with no outstanding individuals and molded them into a smooth-running team that finished fifth in district with a TO-8 record, Kuch had lettermen Jeff Brown, Mike Johnson, Mike Myers, Hank Skade, and captain and lone returning starter Jim Wathey for the nucleus of this years squad. With the valuable help of Tom Nilsen and Leo Tsou, the Axemen compiled an overall li-ii record, moving Kuch's 23-year coaching mark to 444-loo. The Axemen got off to a dismal start, losing to South Salem, a team that was later ranked No. T in state, Two losses to powerful Medford followed before South was able to win against North Salem. District competition began against arch-rival North Eugene at McArthur Court. North, eventual state champion, won 65-43. But South bounced back with an impressive victory over district co-champion Thurston. Against the Colts, the Axemen sped to a 25-9 first quarter lead, led 40-29 at the half and held off a Thurston rally in the fourth quarter to win 68-ol. Back on the winning trail, the Axemen easily beat Cottage Grove and took a big victory in downing the Marshfield Pirates, looking like a contender for a tourney berth. Roseburg, sixth in district, was next in a game that proved to be the turning point of the season. After falling behind the first three quarters, the Axemen rallied in the last period to catch the Indians with minutes left. The Axemen then forged ahead with seven seconds to go, but Roseburg won the game on a disputed basket made with no time remaining. A win at Roseburg would perhaps have given the Axemen the needed momentum to win several close contests later in the season. South split'the next five weekends, losing again to North Eugene, Sheldon, and Roseburg and also to Thurston and North Bend. But the last ten games were not without bright spots. One of these came with South's 31-T8 victory over Marshfield. Nilsen, who came on strong in miclseason, sparked the win as he outscored the entire Pirate team with T9 points. Although the Axemen lost the second game with North Eugene, the contest was one of South's better games, The Axemen came from T4 points behind in the first period to lead by one at halftime. The second half was nip and tuck, with the state champion Highlanders finally winning 48-45. Willamette, the season finale, was another high point, With seniors Wathey, Skade, Brown and Scott Shaw scoring in double figures, the Axemen bombed the Wolverines 86-45. At the conclusion of the season, Wathey was named recipient of the Henry E. Kuchera Trophy as this years outstanding player. Skade was given the Player of the Evening award presented annually by the Pep Club. In addition, Wathey was named to the second All-District team. Hank Skade drives Sheldon defender into Nilsen's screen.

Page 155 text:

ENE 'Es' ,f ,f 91 I 1' I ,