University of California Davis - El Rodeo Yearbook (Davis, CA)

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-yW mr-nv aww hm, -7 -..W.- -- - '1. Braun caught in an awkward pose following a iump ball as Reich UH Goldsmith iumps high to sink a basket against S. F. State. Ron Knight and Sconyers i24i head down court. gets set for the possible rebound. However, the Mustang defense in the second half was nothing less than sensational as they held the Hornet hot shots to I3 points in the entire second stanza. Meanwhile, the Aggie offense started to roll again. The Mustangs pulled out in front midway in the half and won 44 to 38, snapping the Hornet winning streak at six games. This game gave the Aggies the odd game of the three game series. In other non-conference games, the Mustangs played some top notch teams from around the state. After opening the season with an easy 61 to 49 win over the Gem Garage of Sacramento, the Aggies played LaVerne College from Southern California. Even though LaVerne was rated rather high, the Aggies went out in front and stayed there, winning 57 to 45, for their second victory in as many starts. - After being defeated by the California Blues, 44 to 36, beating Sacramento State, and losing to the Stocton Amblers, all former C.O.P. stars, 53 to 45, the Aggies tangled with another barnstorming Sacramento State. This game was the highest scoring of the year, and the only ones except the final two against Chico that the Aggies failed to hold their opponents to less than 55 points. The Mustangs led all the way, but were never out in front far enough to feel safe until the final gun. The game was a fast breaking contest- which ended 67 to 61 in the Aggies' favor. One other top flight team ran head on into the Aggie defense as the Olympic Club of San Francisco was defeated 54 to 48.

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,7 ,r?; W; 3f UPPER LEFT: Jim Becket 0C0 lets go with a driving shot against Sacramento State. Ron Knight prepares for a rebound. UPPER RIGHT: Bill Wetmore gets smashed between two Sacto State players in a fight for the ball. Grant Braun C33 and Glenn Goldsmith CLO are other Aggies in picture. MIDDLE RIGHT: Nelson i23i moves in for a rebound following a shot in the S. F. State game. LOWER RIGHT: Frank King lets go with a shot from the back of the foul circle. Perhaps the most interesting of the non-conference games which the Aggies played during the season was the three game series with Sacramento State. Sacramento had a team composed of several former J.C. and college stars who were plenty good. The first of the contests was played on the local hardwood early in the season. The game was strictly an offensive affair and was nip and tuck all the way through. Leading by seven points going into the final two minutes, the Mustangs hung on in an exciting hard fought finish to win by a narrow four point margin, 57 to 53. It was a thriller from start to finish and deeply hurt the Hornet's pride. The second game was as rough and as close as the first, but the outcome was somewhat different. The Hornet's were not to be denied this time and won by the same four count gap, 48 to 44. The victory started Sacramento out on a streak of wins. Among the teams which the Hornets defeated were Y.M.l. of San Francisco, a good A.A.U. team, twice; C.O.P.,- San Jose State; and Chico State. The Hornets were red hot, and according to the Capital City sports writers were going to take the Aggies without much trouble. However, the Mustangs had another story to tell. The opening minutes indicated a high scoring contest as both teams swished shot after shot from any angle. The Mustangs led for the opening minutes, but the Hornets pulled ahead, 14 to T3, and looked like they were going to stay there. The half time score was 26 to 22 in the Hornet's favor and from all indications the experts were right in picking a Hornet victory.

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Hal Nelson HOT lays up a close one while Bill Wetmore li5t and Jim Becket 00 look on. Ron Knight sinks two points for the Aggies as Hal Nelson moves in for the possible rebound. The defense of the Aggies was the brightest spot of the season. The Mustangs ended the season eighth in total defense in the nation for small colleges. Hal Sconyers was the main cog in the defense and was usually given the top man to guard. Not only was Hal the top defensive man, but also one of the leaders in offense with a 7.5 points per game average. The leader in offense was Grant Braun with a 9.7 average. Braun's delayed action iump shot from the pivot spot accounted for most of his points from the floor. Not far behind Braun was Glenn Goldsmith and Hal Nelson, two more pivot men who scored : plenty of points. Braun was honored on the all conference selection. Hal Nelson and Hal Sconyers were placed on the second string all conference. The Mustangs were hit hard at close to the end of the season by the loss of Frank King and Ernie Wetmore, both first stringers. However, Carl Reich and Bill Wetmore moved into the starting positions and did an excellent iob. Outlooks for next season are bright with most of the team coming back. The biggest loss will be at the pivot positions as the top three men in the position, Braun, Nelson, and Goldsmith, probably won't be back. However, Ronnie Knight, big sophomore improved rapidly this season and will be around for plenty of action. Returning for work at the backcourt are Sconyers, both Wetmores, Reich, and Becket, all lettermen, to form a good nucleus for another good varsity ball club.