Vernonia freedom., January 29, 1981, Page 9, Image 9

VHS Timberline—Page three
Varsity boys to come out of their
valley to 'make it happen'
By Salena McDonald
‘We can defeat any team in the league
when we get involved in what we are
doing/ says VHS Varsity Boys’
Basketball coach, Mr. Gary Curtis.
‘Our attitudes appear good, we work
hard in practice, but we have had some
serious let-downs in our games,’ remarked
Coach Curtis, whose team is comprised of
seven seniors, four juniors, and one
freshman.
‘A week ago (January 15) our chances
for going to state were slim, today they
are much improved.’ Mr. Curtis feels the
key is the development of a strong team
on both ends of the floor.
‘We are more of a team this year. I
think we can do it with hard worl and
teamwork,’ says Kurt Dunaway, one of
the seniors on the team.
When asked how this year’s team
compares to those of previous years.
Coach Curtis replied, ‘It is unfair to
compare them; of course they are not as
talented individually as most past teams,
but they show signs of coming together as
a team more than some of the previous
Logger teams did.’
‘Our season, to date, has been a series of
peaks and valleys with too many of the
latter. Hopefully, things are turning
toward more consistent play, and we will
climb out of the valley. *
Coach Curtis went on to add a
determined ‘We can make it happen!
Yes!’
Terry Newton shoots while Doug Curl
Luthern contest.
anticipates a possible rebound in the VHS
Varsity girls a 'pretty spirited' bunch
‘Yes, we’re getting better,’ said Mr.
Melvin Nice, coach of the VHS Girls’
Varsity Basketball team.
‘The girls’ attitudes for their games are
excellent. They seem to enjoy themselves,
and are a pretty spirited bunch.’
Three seniors, and three juniors make
up the team, whose record is one ^in, and
four losses. ‘The girls haven’t let their
games bother them either way. They
Howard Eskins sets up for an underthrow
have a lot of fun, and don’t build up
tension,’ said Mr. Nice.
‘h hope to see gradual improvements
throughout the year, win the playoffs, and
go to State.’
Vickie Pitt, one of the seniors on the
team, added, ‘Even though we don’t win
very many games, we have a good time.
We are really trying to improve so we can
bring our record up to par in league play. ’
his Rainier opponent.
Nimz foresees 4 or 5 state
qualifiers on wrestling team
VHS Wrestling team, with nine
returning members, is expecting to do
well this year.
‘We’re a young team, having only two
seniors,’ remarked Coach Terry Nimz,
‘but I’m hoping four or five boys will
qualify for state.’
‘We have only twelve people on the
team, which is hurting us. We’ve had to
forfeit at least three weight classes every
meet,’ said assistant coach, Mr. Steve
Calhoun. Mr. Calhoun went on to say,
‘It’s hard to win without a full team.’
Their record, after five meets, is third
out of four teams, second out of four
teams, second after four teams at the
VHS Invitational, second out of two
teams, against Corbett, and third out of
four teams.
JV boys need to 'improve
mentally' says Howard
‘We should be doing better than we are
right now,’ says Ross Bellingham,
sophomore member of the VHS JV Boys’
Basketball team.
JV team is supporting a record of 1 win
and 9 losses which Coach Howard
explains as a ‘lack of effort and
concentration. We’re not intense enough
and we aren’t quite handling situations as
Forgey's freshmen a
T think by the time the guys on this
team are juniors and seniors, they will be.
going to State,’ predicts Mr. Pete Forgey,
coach of the VHS Freshmen Basketball
team.
Forgey is coaching the team for the
second year in a row. With a record of 6
and 2, the boys have reached the midpoint
we need to.’
‘I don’t think we’re playing up to our
potential,’ remarked Howard, ‘any team
has talent; ours just is taking a little
longer to come out.’
Five juniors, five sophomores, and two
freshmen make up the team which,
according to Coach Howard, ‘Needs to
improved mentally.’
'smart' ball dub
of their season. ‘The league this season is
weak; there aren’t that many good,
competitive teams to play against.
Clatskanie has been the only really tough
game we’ve played so far.’
Coach Forgey stated that his team of
twelve has a strong offense and is going
to be setting some goals for their defense.
‘They’re smart players.’
JV girls gain
experience
‘I think JV basketball is important
because it is the only way to gain
experience to be able to become a good
varsity player,’ remarked Shawn Brewer,
sophomore at VHS, and a member of the
girls’ JV basketball team.
The team, which consists of nine
players, has a new coach this year. Mrs.
Cheryl Fitzsimmons, is helping her team
improve their basic skills and develop
more knowledge about basketball.
‘Basketball is in it’s growing stages for
girls, and each member of this team will
participate as much as possible,’ says.
Coach Fitzimmons.
‘I think we are going to have a good
season. Even though we may not win all
of our games, we are going to have fun
trying,’ says senior Denise Tracy, captain
of the team.
‘OK! You made the team!*