West Mecklenburg High School - Tomahawk Yearbook (Charlotte, NC)

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Fleet half-back Mike Cox turns the corner on an end sweep only to find himself met by two East defenders. During a home junior varsity football game, David McGee obtains further yardage with assistance from Randy Walker. Junior Varsity Compiles a 6-4 Season Record With a well-balanced attack on both offense and defense, the junior varsity gridders compiled a 6-4 season record. Under new head coach Morgan Walker, the junior varsity switched from the single wing to the T and winged-T formations. One of the biggest wins of the season came when the Indians defeated previously unbeaten East by 13-7 on the Tribe’s gridiron. Another big win came when the Tribe handed once beaten South a 6-0 defeat in a muddy battle at South. Some of the outstanding gridders for the junior varsity on offense were fullback David McGee, and quarterbacks Mike Bass and Baron Beckham. The Tribe was led on defense by Doug Starnes, middle guard; Randy Walker, a defensive end; and Jack Watson, a guard. Putting on a burst of speed that leaves his two defenders behind, Rex McCall heads down field for a long gain. First Row: Jim Beatty, Johnny Leatherman, Larry Gilbert, Mike Cox, Ted Joy, Mike Flannigan, Jimmy Brock, Steve Hinson, Lee Overturf. Second Row: Bill Miller; Randy Moore; Wilson Davis; Charles Bridges; Jack Watson; Calvin Tinker; Mike Bass, co-captain; Bill Rackley; Mark Van Malssen; Randy Walker. Third Row: Coach Walker, Dave Brewer, Rex McCall, Baron Beckham, Mike James, Doug Starnes, Mike Plummer, David McGee, co-captain; Christy Laine, Carl McCullough, Coach Patterson. 19

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First Row: Coach Walker, Tinker, Beatty, Bass, Faile, Van Malssen, Daniels. Second Row: Hayes, Mathis, Starnes, Walker, Sheets, Cash, Brookshire. Determined Junior Varsity Gains Experience After losing to Second Ward 39 to 48 in the first game, the junior varsity beat Anson 80 to 31. Then they beat Harding 53 to 49 and Hunter Huss 56 to 47 at the start of the season. The Indians then lost the next six. They lost to East 68 to 53, to South 47 to 45, to North 53 to 51, to Ashley 42 to 38, and to Myers Park 61 to 32. West started the second half of the season with determination as they beat Garinger 59 to 55 and Harding 59 to 50. They lost to Hunter Huss 75 to 67 but came back to defeat Olympic 43 to 42. The Indians ended the season by losing to East 71 to 42, to South 43 to 36, to North 51 to 48, to Ashley 55 to 40, to Myers Park 67 to 50, and to Garinger 67 to 50. West lost in the first round of tournament play to West Charlotte by 63 to 44. Driving by a South Mecklenburg defender, junior varsity guard Calvin Tinker makes his move toward the West basket. Surrounded by South players, Indian Randy Walker tries to gather in the rebound from the midst of the confusion. Trying to monopolize a loose ball, Captain Jeff Jackson runs into opposition from a Second Ward opponent.

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First Roy: L. Graham, Long, Shaw, Keener, Kinley, Cherry, Severs, Gaskins. Second Row: J. Graham, Henderson, English, Kirkman, Wherry, Self, Biggers, Fiorello, Kistler, Armstrong, Bridges, McCullen. Indians Finish Third in State Play-Offs With a season record of fifteen wins and only four losses, the Indians made their play for the state championship. After beating Asheville 6-3, West lost to North in the semi-final round of play by a score of 6-1. This loss placed West as the third-ranked team in the entire state. After a slow first half with only four wins to three .losses, the team came on strong in the secon d half to win eight games and to lose one. Trailing 10-9 in the seventh inning of the Tribe’s first game, Lane Biggers came on to get a hit and bring in the two winning runs. Two weeks later West played North in an impor¬ tant game. After seven full innings the score stood tied 5-5. In the eighth inning Mike Kelly stole home to win the game for the Rebels. Led by the strong pitching of Baron English, West toppled South 3-0 to start the second half of the season. English took charge of the game by pitching a four hit shutout. Teammates Doyle Shaw and Phil Armstrong supported English by hitting a home run and three base hits. In the final game of the regular season, West beat Garinger 3-2 after eight innings of play. In the top of the eighth inning, Johnny Severs scored the winning run on a delayed double steal. Doyle Shaw and Jay Kistler led the team in batting with .318 and .317 averages respectively. Indian coach Carl Bolick confers with the umpires to decide if the semi-final playoff should be played. Batter Johnny Severs smashes a long hit against North, as the catcher and umpire await the pitch. 20