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

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Stretching for a close play, Don Wherry makes sure his foot does not leave the bag as an opposing coach awaits the call. During spring training, which starts in February, Joey Fiorello squares around to practice his bunts. All eyes follow the ball as it is fouled by batter Joey Fiorello while the umpire reaches for a new ball. Waiting for the pitch, catcher Joey Fiorello readies himself for a throw down to second base in an attempted steal. SCOREBOARD West. .. . . 11 South . .... 10 West. .. . . 5 Myers Park . . . . . .. . 1 West. .. . .... 10 Gastonia . . .. . 5 West. .. . ...... 3 North . . . . . 5 West. . .. . 1 Harding . ... .10 West. ... . 0 Garinger . . . . . 6 West. .. . . 6 Hunter Huss . .. .. . . 3 West. .. . . 7 East . . .. . 1 West. ... . 3 South . . . . . 0 West. .. . . 7 Myers Park .... .... 2 West. .. . . 3 Gastonia . . . . . 0 West. .. . . 1 North . . . . . 0 West. .. . . 1 Harding . . . . . 4 West. .. . . 2 Garinger . . . . . 0 West. .. . . 3 Hunter Huss . .. .... 2 West. ... . 7 East . . . . . 0 West. .. . . 3 Garinger . Play-off . . . . 2 West. . 6 Asheville . . . . . 3 West. . 1 North . . . . . 6 Waving in a runner, Lane Biggers watches as Phil Armstrong tags home to score as the catcher awaits the throw. 21

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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

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5 J b m Jrw MM ] LMuJSL ! T W HBE i i n ot. First Row: Graham, Murray, M. Bingham, Kitchen, Watson, K. Bingham; D. Wingate; K. Wingate, co-captam; Coach Wooten. Schroeder. Second Row: Miller, co-captain; Burgin; Brown. Four Grapplers Wrestle in State Tournament With fewer participants than in previous years, West grapplers won three matches out of eleven scheduled ones. In the Western 4A tournament held at East Meck¬ lenburg, Robin Wooten won the championship for the 112 pound class; Kelly Wingate, the 154 pound class; and Ray Miller, the 165 pound class. Ray Miller, Robin Wooten, Kelly Wingate, and Steve Schroeder represented the Indians at the state tournament. Ray Miller became state champion for the 165 pound class. Robin Wooten, 112 pound class, placed third in his matches; and Kelly Wingate and Steve Schroeder represented the 154 and 120 pound classes respectively. Coached by Coach John Brown in his first year at West, the grapplers worked to gain endurance and co-ordination, to learn fundamentals, and to maintain an attitude of sportsmanship. Indian grappler Mike Bingham tries to shoot the half nelson on his Independence opponent during an early match. Trying for a pinning combination, grappler Steve Schroeder holds his Independence opponent to the mat. Engaging his opponent in a standing position near the center of the mat, Butch Murray tries for a take down.