Southwest High School - Spirit Yearbook (Macon, GA)

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Young Team shows Promise Coach Danny Grube knew 1985 was to be a time for rebuilding. The on- y returning Varsity starters from the fearsome '84 team were Tony Butler and James Marshall. The new ‘85 team was obviously a young one con- sisting of four freshmen, four sophomores, three juniors and only one senior Southwest has been hosting the SW Invitational Wrestling Tournament for several years. Every year the tourna- ment grows in popularity. The '85 tour- nament was no exception — for two Straight days schools from all over the state competed against each other. Southwest's young squad had three wrestlers find their way to the winners’ platform with third place finishes; Tony Butler — 170 Class Division, Harold Franklin — 147 Class Division, and James Thorpe — 105 Class Division. The '85 team finished with a record of 5-11 which was respectable con- sidering the youth and inexperience of the team. Virtually every member of the team had little or no previous ex- perience. Coach Grube stressed the fact that the regular season is used to get the team ready for the Regional Tournament which qualifies wrestlers for the State Meet. Southwest did well in the Region Tournament with Tony Butler coming away with the championship in the 170 Class Division. Eric Jordan was the runner-up in the 132 Class Division. Chris Simmons placed fourth in the Heavyweight Division. Tony Butler went on to the State Meet and was runner-up in the 170 Class Division. i - ih. Hf TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT: Varsity Wrestlers: First Row: J. Thorpe, W. Alexander, E. Ludiam, F Sallette, A. Simmons, E. London. Second Row: C. Hendley, H. Franklin, J. Marshall, T. Butler, D. Franklin, C. Simmons. Coach Grube gives words of encouragement. MIDDLE, LEFT TO RIGHT. Coach Grube advises wrestlers during match Alvin Gibson controls the opponent. Tony Butler relaxes before a match. BOTTOM: B-Team Wrestlers. First Row: C. Zeliner, R. Manuel, B Ward, A. Simmons, J. Marshall, A. Gibson. Se- cond Row: M. Hughes, J. Rushin, E. Lowendo, H. Franklin, W. Daughtery, E. London. Third Row: R. Lamar, C. Graham, C. Moss, K. Pollard, D. Thomas - —— — a Wap 20 — Wrestling

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Quality and Depth Lead to Success The Southwest Patriots Boys’ Basketball Team continued the winn- ing tradition established by past Southwest teams by finishing NUMBER ONE in the Middle Georgia Top Ten Teams and capturing the State AAAA Championship. Their outstanding record of 26-2 reflected dedication and hard work on the part of the team and coaches. Under the direction of Head Coach Don Richardson and Assistants Robert Hudson and Clyde Barden, Southwest has been in the state playoffs eleven of the past fifteen years, and with this year’s title, they now possess five State Championships and one National Championship. As one of the teams leaders, 6’7” senior Steve Grayer was voted Player of the Year on the All-Middle Georgia and All-CityeBoys’ Teams. He was nominated for the McDonald’s All- American High School Basketball Team as well as being selected to the Converse and the Addias All-American Teams. Steve was consistently in dou- ble figures and had a playoff high game of 22 points. Steve has signed a scholarship with Wichita State College. Thomas Lowder, the other starting senior, went almost unnoticed throughout the year, but in the victory over Heritage High School, he reached his season high total of 25 points and was instrumental in the Southwest vic- tory. Thomas was selected to the All- City Boys’ Second Team. He has signed with Missouri Southern. Both Grayer and Lowder played in the Georgia State All-Star Game. Junior 6’7” center Earl Wise turned in an outstanding season by averaging 15 points and 9 rebounds a game. He was selected to the All-Middle Georgia Second Team and to the All-City First Team. Eric Manuel, sophomore for- ward, kept pace with the rest of his teammates by averaging 14 points and 8 rebounds a game. He too was selected to the All-Middle Georgia and All-City Teams. TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT: Eric Manuel fires a jump shot for two points. Steve grayer dominates the boards. BOTTOM: Thomas Lowder brings the ball down court 22 — VA Boys Basketball