West Valley High School - Aurora Yearbook (Fairbanks, AK)

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The 1981 Varsity Cagers were: FRONT ROW: Coach Joe Cacairi, Bill Winterer, Tyrone Thomas, Darrell Case, Benjamin Blackburn and Mike Cacairi. BACK ROW: Tyler Cook, Dave Morris, Bruce Caldwell, Dale Welty, Dan McNelly, Bob Burcell and David Lester, manager. At the Region Vl tournament, Dave Morris contributes another point towards the region championship as teammate Bob Burcell and Lathrop opponents watch closely. -nu if X i wi' 1 s M, R, f ' 10 lg --f .nnss Y R obss K . stl R an-,L 1g, ,Q li ,,1, ,V R, 8 - in ' is Z -...zzgzxf--wwf '5'-' M, , Scrutinizing the game closely, Mr. Noble, Mr McAffee, Tyrone Thomas, and Coach Cacalri watch the boys in action. Lathrop and West players position for the rebound but Benji Blackburn has other thing mind for the ball as he prepares to sink it.

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EPUFH Fl E 'riumphant co-captain Phil Younker holds up the Region Vl Invitational trophy cup as teammates Sam Brice and Coke Wallace enjoy the sweet taste of victory. fr N fr V, s NNN fp fi la' . W athrop opponent watches helplessly as Burcell puts in two more points towards :her Wolfpack success. 1981 was a good year for the sports enthusiasts of West Valley, participants and fans alike. More Wolfpack teams were region champions than ever before. The year got off to a great start as the cross-country running and volleyball team emerged as Region VI champions. The volleyball team went on to take third in State while the girls cross-country team took second and the boys took fifth. The football team had an up and down season, and although they emerged with a 3-3 record the games were exciting and well attended. The swim team came through shortly thereafter as the aqua-jocks, both boys and girls, surfaced with region titles. The boys team took second in State and the girls took fifth. As winter dug in its icy claws the hockey team and basketball team embarked upon exciting and successful seasons. The hockey team gave up only two games all season and took Regionals with apparent ease. The boys basketball team improved as the season progressed and were indomitable in the region tournament as they defeated Lathrop soundly. For the first time in West's history the boys varsity basketball team took regionals. They journeyed to Anchorage and placed third in State. The girls basketball team suffered several team setbacks but they never gave up and remained optimistic about Regionals and State. As spring appro. lied the wrestling and track teams looked rward to regionals. The powerful masters of the mat dominated matches as the season progressed, and the track team began a short but hard season. All in all it was a great year for West sports athletes and school pride was high as these dedicated athletes upheld the Wolfpack reputation. SPORTS FlLE 143 EPUHTE

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,,,. ,,,. ll Opponght . ,,,1 ,,, . ,.V, .,,., . .W,,,::,,l:1,, ,,, .. . 41 . 78 Eielson ..,,,..,,,..., :,,,1h: .:,,, i': f' 'L 0 . 49 .......... NON P012 74 .. ,W , .. ,,,LL ,,,, . Lathrop 61. .W,, . ,,.. .W,, .,,,L.,,,,. . . ..,,,, . ..,, EICISOI 78 Mo'-we T mann Pole ...rl Lathrop -11:-1 sa f,,.:-f '--fff'1 '. . . . 65 ,,,.. .. .,,, .57 lfathmp :,, IIW . . 55 Place 3rd Place W'20 U6 ill ways on the move, Varsity eager Dale :lty posltions himself on the floor. THE 1980-81 SEASON WAS A STORY OF SUCCESS FOR THE BOYS VARSITY CAGERS The 1980-81 edition of the West Valley Wolfpack boys' Varsity basketball team was the most successful team in West's five year history. It won its, first region championship and finished the season with a sparkling 20-6 record. The team had five returning seniors lead by Captain Tyrone Thomas. After a rocky 5-3 start the team members got themselves together and learned their roles. They finished the regular season with a 17-5 mark. After the team's second road trip to Anchorage they compiled an eleven game winning streak, including three wins over tough arch-rival Lathrop. Because West was the number one seed in the region, they automatically played in the championship game. They faced their old foe Lathrop and sailed past the Malemutes 70 to 63. West Valley went to the state tournament ranked second in the statewide basketball poll to the undefeated East High Thunderbirds. However, because of the seeding, West faced East in the semifinals instead of the finals. West Valley fell to East as they had in their two previous meetings, but came back in the consolation game to take third With eyes intent on the basketball Bob Burcell and a Barrow opponent prepare for a possible rebound. Before the tip-off that will mark the beginning of another Wolfpack victory, team captain Tyrone Thomas meets with the officials and the Barrow Whalers' captain. in State. The Wolfpack owed its' late season surge to the maturing of its' seniors. Ben Blackburn, although only 5'10 , sprang to the boards and helped the team in that area immensely. The team was small and relied heavily on a fulllElUcourt press and a whirlwind fast break. The Wolfpack hounded their opponents into submission, and because of their greater playing experience were able to win close games that were decided in the final moments. West's domination on Region VI was evident when West landed three players on the all-region squad. Dave Morris, with his assortment of racehorse drives to the basket and thirty-footers was one of the region's best scorers. Bob Burcell was West's ball handler and field marshall. He played his best ball under pressure. Despite being outsized by many of his opponents, Dale Welty pulled his share off the boards and scored with numerous inside moves. The 1980-81 basketball team began a basketball tradition that is an example of the excellence that is constantly growing in West sports. BASKETBALL 145