St John High School - Aquila Yearbook (Concord, NH)

Page 46 text:

BASKETBALL-1950-1951 The basketball season of 1950-1951 was greeted by St. 1ohn's with many new faces. Douglas Mitchell from Derry had succeeded William D. Holler as head coach, and a nucleus of five seniors who had been substitutes in the preceding year were the material to be developed. Coach Mitchell outlined a program that called not only for the implicit following of instructions but also for the strict observance of rugged physical condition. The Knights under careful coaching were not expected to do much damage but before the campaign had finished they left their imprint of upsets as in past years. The boys showed great teamwork with a forward line of Coecaptain Gus Dorais, Dick Donahue, and Co-captain Billy McLean that continually scored in the double-digit numbers. The team could not be complete without Iohn Bilodeau and Bob Mooney, who many times snapped rebounds at precious moments that enabled the D-M-D line to hoop-em-up. These were Coach Mitchell's iron men and throughout many games these five stayed in there from the opening jump to the final gun. As the season progressed, the team improved but by heart-breaking losses on our home court to Somersworth, Groveton, and Pinkerton, we were elimi- nated from an invitation to the Class B tournament at Durham. These losses were remedied somewhat with wins over Somersworth and Pinkerton on their own courts but they were not enough for qualification. The season showed that St. Iohn's had not lost the fighting determination and splendid team play that has characterized all lrish teams. The will to Win and good sportsmanship combined with excellent coaching showed the hearts of many followers that a golden era was not yet over for the Green Knights from Concord. Robert Walsh, '51 Coach Mitchell , 4 i ,w 1 1,1175 ,, , f,

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Richard Donahue lolm Collins Robert Mooney Miwleflaf One day in the early spring ol l95O candidates for the basketball team were asked to report at the hall for a practice session. On arriving, everyone was asking everybody else about the new coach. Little was known about the successor to Mr. William D. Haller, who, after six years of coaching, had resigned. All that was known about the coach was that his name was Douglas Mitchell and that he was a graduate ot St. Ioseph High in Manchester. On being introduced to Coach Mitchell that day by Father Burke, We found a handsome young man who looked more like a player than our new coach Since that day in the spring, St. Iohn High has found that it has received more than an excellent teacher ot basketball. ln the person ot Doug Mitchell St. Iohn's has obtained a teacher ot character, sportsmanship, and love ot the game. Many a time during the past season when the going was rough, Coach Mitchell would give the teams morale a big boost with one of his famous pep talks. Inspired by this young man with so thorough a knowledge of basket- ball, the team will endeavor to play all the harder forthe school. The Class ot Sl sincerely hopes that Doug Mitchells stay at St. Iohn's will be a long and successful one. Iohn Bilodeau Billy McLean Andre Dorois v .' H , y . xi. !' I

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CL BBVAGJEF5 u- ' X S f .M .S + X 7L.5XbrbXv 'A Am. . Q. , .WM . i Lorraine, Mary, Claire, Dorothy. Beverly, Ioyce if -My Gur CAoice for Me Clear olleazlera, gonfeaf z?..,i.fi.,.ff First Row: C. Crowley, P. Welch, S. I.aBontee, B. Burke, B. King Second Rowi Mrs, Iohn Healy, Coach, C. Vezina, S. Clinton, R. Slattery, S. Perry, I. Landry D. Periello v 'WWE 1 . 4