Stroman High School - RoundUp Yearbook (Victoria, TX)

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THE YEAR UF THE RAID R It is absolutely and positively THE YEAR OF THE RAIDER. Before 1,000 screaming fans John Thomas sank a twenty foot iumpshot with two sec- onds left on the scoreboard and the Stroman Raiders had their first vic- tory in fifteen games over the rival Victoria High Stingarees by the score of 39-38. The last second shot touched nothing but net and was a climactic way to finish what had been a tense, exciting game. Just a little over three months ago on the cool autumn night of Novem- ber 15, the great Raider football team knocked the Stings all over the field for a one-point, 7-6, fist in that sport. Now, February 25, 1975 will go down in Raider history as the great basketball victory. No more can the Stings gloat over the fact that we have never beaten them in these two maior sports and we couldn't have done it in a better way than the way we defeated them. Special credit should go to Coach Dwayne Wilkinson who waited a long time for this special victory and who stuck by the Raiders through the good and bad years and now has the Raider basketball program on an excellent level with a bright future ahead. Now to tell about the momentous game. The game was close all the way, but was not a see-saw affair with the lead changing hands only six times the entire contest. The Stingarees led 11-9 at the end of the first quar- ter and 24-21 at halftime. Never during the entire game were the Raiders unsure of themselves and it was during the third quarter that the Raider squad made their move. A three point play by Howard Terrell evened the score at 24-24 with 6 minutes remaining in the quarter. Victoria High scored two buckets and a free throw with the Raiders scoring at the same pace. Then the Raiders hit three straight free throws and John Thomas hit his first buzzer shot for a four point, 33-29, third quarter lead. The stage was now set for the amazing fourth quarter. Stroman stayed in front for all of the quarter until the last hectic seconds. With twelve seconds left, a Stingaree stole the ball, drove the length of the court, and made the basket for a 38-37 Sting lead. The Stingaree fans now thought they had the game wrapped up, but it's too bad for them because the Raider team ref- used to quit. They quickly brought the ball downcourt and John Thomas made his historic shot to end the game. Then the scene turned to total bedlam as the Stingaree fans gaped in total disbelief and aston- ishment. How sweet it is! Coach Thiele and Coach Balzur quickly had Coach Wilkinson on their shoulders as he raised his fists in ci triumphant victory salute. Other willing shoul- ders hoisted Howard Terrell and Gene Moore up and soon the net came down off the goal, but that didn't end the celebrating - it had only begun. Just about everybo got thrown into the showers a thanks to the Anchor Club girls a the cheerleaders, there were t beautiful cakes to help with the cel brating. lf you weren't eating cak getting thrown into the shower, getting the breath beat out of y by some iubilant teammate, y were dancing to the music on t record player that had, by no found its way into the dressi room. What a night! The leading scorers for the ga were Howard Terrell with 17 points and sophomore Ron Kubenka with 13. Howard not o scored a lot of points, but made big plays for the Raiders as he been doing all year. Charlie Tho turned in a superb floor game as John Thomas. Nate Johnson di good iob coming in for starter M Meek who drew too many fouls. other players who made up the te who first beat the Stings are G Moore, Robert Walker, Ri Mimms, Arthur Wells, and Da Meek. The future looks very bri for the team next year as 4 ou the five starters return! lf the Rai set their minds to it, the Dist Championship can be theirs n year. As I walked through the e gym on that memorable night, l an immense surge of pride in kn ing that it was the Year of Raider!!

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