EASTERN OREGON
A10 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2022
Members of Irrigon 1955 district championship team return
By ANNIE FOWLER
Hermiston Herald
They strolled up to the
high school wearing their
still pristine letterman’s
sweaters, books of memories
in hand, and tales as tall as
6-foot-6 center Joe Mann.
Two members of Irrigon’s
1955 7-B District Cham-
pionship team visited Irri-
gon High School on April 1,
wanting to get another look
at their trophy, and take a
walk down memory lane.
“It’s been so long since
I’ve seen this,” Mann said as
his 83-year-old hands held
the trophy.
Mann and Cliff Ballard,
82, were two of the six mem-
bers of the championship
team that Grant Schiewe
coached.
When
they
attended Irrigon, the high
school was down behind the
A.C. Houghton Elementary
School.
“The last time we saw it,
the gym fl oor was warped,”
Ballard said. “I think it had
water damage.”
The Morrow County
School District still owns
the old school building, built
in 1921. The school colors
were black and orange, and
the mascot was the Comets,
which dates to 1904.
The former teammates
marveled at the new school
and gym, which is grand
in comparison to their old
stomping grounds.
“The bleachers were only
about three rows up,” said
Ballard, who lives in Des-
ert Aire, Washington. “This
is nice.”
The 1955 district title was
the fi rst the Comets won and
holds special memories for
the players.
“There were only six of
Annie Fowler/Hermiston Herald
Joe Mann, left, and Cliff Ballard pose Friday, April 1, 2022,
with the 7-B District Championship trophy they helped the
Irrigon Comets win in 1955.
us, but I don’t remember
that being a problem,” said
Mann, who made the trip
from McMinnville.
Other team members
included Ival Sullivan, who
died in February, the late
Dale Shingledecker, Ken
Edwards of Pendleton and
Sam Burke, whose where-
abouts are unknown to his
former teammates.
Mann was a junior cen-
ter on the team, while Bal-
lard was a sophomore, but
had earned a starting guard
position.
“I just fed him the ball,”
Ballard said of Mann.
An inquiry as to the lack
of players on the team was hit
with a hilarious reply from
Mann. He quickly asked for
it not to be printed, but it will
forever be remembered.
The Irrigon Comets were
around from 1904 to 1959,
when the students were
sent to Boardman. Irrigon
opened its own high school
once again in 2006, and they
became the Knights.
A season to remember
The Comets got plenty of
press in 1955 with Mann at
the forefront. In high school
he was 6-6 and dominated
play on the court. He got rec-
ognition from the East Ore-
gonian on a weekly basis,
and by The Oregonian after
he scored more than 50
points in a game.
Irrigon went 6-9 during
the regular season with two
losses each to Ione, Echo and
St. Joe’s.
Mann scored 283 points
in the Comets’ fi rst 15 games,
and averaged 22.9 points in
seven league games. At the
time, Schiewe was quoted as
saying, “Joe has been more
valuable to us because of his
defense and rebounding than
his scoring.”
During the regular sea-
son, Mann scored 53 points
in a 76-59 victory over
Touchet, Washington. He
had 50 points at halftime and
played just three quarters.
It was the Class B scoring
record at the time.
The Comets were the
No. 4 team heading into the
7-B District Tournament.
The media labeled them the
Cinderella team.
The underdog Com-
ets opened district with a
56-48 win over Athena, then
moved on to play Echo,
which had beaten them ear-
lier in the season 72-37 and
66-52.
But before we get to the
game, there’s a little story to
be told.
“We had warm-up jackets
back then, but not the pants,”
Mann said. “Echo had just
gotten new warm-ups, and
our athletic director went to
Echo and bought their old
pants for us. During pregame
warmups, their players were
taunting us, asking how we
liked their hand-me-downs.”
Mann went out and
scored 46 points, and the
Comets came away with a
71-55 victory.
“I liked them just fi ne,”
Mann said.
In the district champi-
onship game against Ione,
1,700 fans packed the Uma-
tilla gym to watch one of
the best small-school games
played all season.
According to a well-pre-
served press clipping, “Irri-
gon and Ione staged one
of the two of the evening’s
thrill-packed fi nals, a fi nish
that left the over 1,700 fans
attending limp and wet.”
Mann scored one bucket
and made 2 of 4 free throws
in the fi nal 58 seconds to
help secure the 58-54 win.
He fi nished with 30 points.
“That was a cliff hanger,”
Ballard said.
In three tournament
games, Mann scored 110
points.
The Comets then entered
a three-game playoff series
against Prairie City, with the
winner advancing to the state
B tournament.
Irrigon won the fi rst game
66-62, then dropped the next
two 61-57 and 79-62.
While Mann certainly was
the star of the show, he and
Ballard agreed that Edwards
was the fl oor leader.
“Ken was always under
control emotionally,” Bal-
lard said. “He would bring
the ball down and we knew
he would get things set up.
He was a quiet guy that set-
tled us down to do what we
needed to do.”
Empty pages
The scrapbook that pre-
served the 1955 season had
several blank pages after the
season was over.
Mann was a senior in
1956, but said they must not
have been very good because
he could not recall anything
memorable.
The powers that be at Ore-
gon Hoops History were able
to help us out, and Mann was
wrong.
Mann posted one of the all-
time great seasons in 1955-
56, scoring 719 points in 21
games (34 points per game).
It also was the fi nal season of
the narrow key, which was
widened from 6 feet to 12 feet
the following year.
He also scored 53 points
his senior year in a 61-59 loss
to Ione. Shingledecker scored
the other six points.
He fi nished his high
school career with 1,859
points.
Mann also played foot-
ball, and ran track and
played baseball in the spring.
He threw the discus and shot
put and did the long jump in
track, and was a pitcher and
fi rst baseman.
After high school, Mann
went to Oregon State for
one year and played on the
rookie team. He then spent
four years in the Navy, and
returned to Oregon State
when he was discharged.
He redshirted his fi rst sea-
son back with the Beavers
and coach Slats Gill in 1962-
63. The Beavers went to the
1963 NCAA Tournament —
a team that included Terry
Baker and Mel Counts. They
reached the Final Four, but
lost to top-ranked Cincinnati
80-46.
“After that season, I didn’t
play again,” said Mann, who
got his college degree 30
years after he started.
After high school, Bal-
lard went on to play tennis
at Everett Junior College,
and later worked in the paint
industry.
Ballard went to the state
tennis tournament one year,
but did not place. His big-
gest win came in a non-
league match over Hermis-
ton’s Dave Griffi n, who had
been a district champion the
year before.
It’s been 67 years since
the Comets won their dis-
trict title, but the years do
not wipe away the memo-
ries. After their visit, they
might have a few new ones
for their scrapbooks.
EASTERN OREGON
marketplace
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East Oregonian
Deadline is 3 p.m. the day before publication
211 S.E. Byers Ave.
333 E. Main St.
We accept:
Pendleton, OR 97801 Hermiston, OR 97838
354 Auction Sales
ESTATE AUCTION
EDWARED WAITF
Saturday, April 16th
1665 NW 11th Street.,
Hermiston, Oregon
Auction starts at 11:00am,
preview at 10:00am
Old license plates, great condi-
tion; 2016 Wells Cargo 18’x7’
like new; small trailer, haul over
1000 lbs. Washer, dryer, bed-
room set, dining set, TV,
couches, household items,
dishes, books, cookbooks,
tools, solar panels. More to
come!
Check for pictures on our Face-
book page Fords Auction. All
items are sold as is. Buyer’s
premium 10%. Pickup and pay
the same day.
Contact us for estate sales and
consignments. Licensed and
bonded in Washington. 541-
561-5798 or 541-314-3153
Colby, sales manager.
BROWN’S ESTATE
AUCTION
Teachers in the are for
decades
Thursday, April 14th
955 West Lathrop Ave.,
Hermiston, Oregon
Auction starts at 5:45pm,
preview at 4:30pm
EVERYTHING MUST SELL!
Fishing tackle: 26 reels, some
fly. Shakespeare, Martin, Hed-
don and Pen. 13 classic fishing
rods Wright McGill. Two com-
puter desktops, Maytag washer,
dryer and fridge in excellent
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loveseat, recliners with lift, rock-
ers, two bedroom sets.
“Spokane” fur coat, old vintage
knives, camping supplies, 50”
TV with sound system, 3 excep-
tional work benches, dining
table, hutch and kitchen table.
China sets, antique dishware,
jewelry,
household
items,
books, cookbooks, clothes,
Craftsman planer molder, belt
sander with stand, Labcon ex-
haust system, like new Crafst-
man router, Delta Mortisen
chisel, radial arm saw, power
and hand tools, old brand axe,
older knives & jewelry. Too
many items to mention.
Check for pictures on our Face-
book page Fords Auction. All
items are sold as is. Buyer’s
premium 10%. Pickup and pay
the same day.
Contact us for estate sales and
consignments. Licensed and
bonded in Washington. 541-
561-5798 or 541-314-3153.
If you have an eye for real
value, you’ll eye the
classified ads daily!
502 Real Estate ern
541-377-6855
A PHONE CALL AWAY!
Help to find the home for you with
access to all possible homes on
your list. Call Kerry for details
/tour 541-377-6855
TURN HERE
REALTY & TRAVEL
305 SW Court Ave.
How Much is your Home Worth?
Call Matt Vogler, The Weekend
and After Hours Agent, for a free
Market Analysis. 541.377.9470.
More Listings needed to meet
current buyer demand!
Matt Vogler
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
BUYER meets seller every day
of the week in the classified
columns of this newspaper.
504 Homes for Sale
By owner: 14 acres, Dale/Ukiah
scenic corridor. Home & separate
guest house, year around stream.
Text or leave message, 541-207-
5405.
Interest Rates are
Slowly on the Move
Connect with Financing and find
a home to suit you now... Please
call or Text 541-377-6855 or Email
Kerry at kjcbaird@gmail.com
TURN HERE
REALTY & TRAVEL
305 SW Court Ave., Pendleton
How Much is your Home Worth?
Call Matt Vogler, The Weekend
and After Hours Agent, for a free
Market Analysis. 541.377.9470.
More Listings needed to meet
current buyer demand!
Matt Vogler
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
What is on your
Real Estate WISHLIST?
Buying or selling. Call Kerry at
541-377-6855 for all your Real Es-
tate needs.
TURN HERE
REALTY & TRAVEL
305 SW Court Ave., Pendleton
CHILDREN’S outgrown
clothing, toys and furniture sell
quickly with a classified ad.
Prices are up! Now may be the
time to gain some equity and
move up to a larger home. Call
Matt Vogler for a free Market
Analysis.
Matt Vogler
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
Check today’s classified
ads for excellent buys on
the items you need!
504 Homes for Sale
504 Homes for Sale
$299,900
PILOT ROCK
960 sf(m/l) 2bay shop, w/half-
bath, storage, air compressor
w/floor hoist plus 2bed, 1bath 960
sf(m/l) home upstairs. Oversized
lot, fenced, storage area. Kevin
541-969-8243c. #21226805.
Coldwell Banker
Farley Company
541-276-0021
$149,900 PILOT ROCK
1100sf(m/l), 1bed, 1.5bath. Pos-
sible 2bedroom. 2gas fireplaces.
Large kitchen, laundry room, cov-
ered back porch. Quiet w/creek
running alongside. Not in flood
zone!
Jed 541-969-2887c.
#22392392.
Coldwell Banker
Farley Company
541-276-0021
$535,000 ADAMS
Large landscaped lot, spacious
4490 sf(m/l) home w/4bedrooms,
3.5bath. New furnace. Deck, cov-
ered
patio,
1000
sf(m/l)
garage/workshop, tool shed. Cari
541-377-5058c. #22661533
Coldwell Banker
Farley Company
541-276-0021
$799,000
3bed, 1bath custom built log
home on 6acres. 2780sf(m/l) of
living space, two levels. Metal
roof. Numerous outbuildings for
shops and storage. Jerry 541-
969-6378c. #21298074
Coldwell Banker
Farley Company
541-276-0021
651 Help Wanted
BLACK-JACK DEALER
Play games for a living! Classes
run Monday - Friday for 5 weeks
starting April 25 thru May 27, 9am
to 5:30pm. Great wages, benefits
and co-workers! We will teach
you what you need to know.
Come the first day or call Billie or
Caitlin at 541-966-1549. Classes
will take place in the Birch room
in the hotel lobby. Odds are you’ll
love it here!
2 cabins for 1 price on over 4
acres w/spring, includes barn w/
loft. Relax Winter & Summer with
year around county road access.
Weston Mt $399,000. Call Kerry
for details/tour. 541-377-6855
TURN HERE
REALTY & TRAVEL
305 SW Court Ave., Pendleton
How Much is your Home Worth?
Call Matt Vogler, The Weekend
and After Hours Agent, for a free
Market Analysis. 541.377.9470.
More Listings needed to meet
current buyer demand!
Matt Vogler
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
The City of Pendleton is ac-
cepting applications for a
seasonal Office Support
position in the Parks De-
partment. For more infor-
mation and to apply visit
www.pendleton.or.us/em-
ployment.
HOMES SELL FAST IN CLASSIFIEDS!
$699,000
4ACRES!
4bedroom, 3bath,
2,792sf(m/l) A-Frame home com-
pletely updated. Wall of windows
capture the view. Expansive
deck. Fully landscaped, basalt
stone retaining walls. Jef 541
969-9539c. #21347334
Coldwell Banker
Farley Company
541-276-0021
$365,000 REDUCED
Sunridge Estates.
1level,
1664sf(m/l)
w/3bedrooms,
2baths. 9’ceilings, open kitchen
floor plan w/eating bar. Oversized
patio, tiered backyard. Oversized
double car garage. Marsha 541-
377-5152c. #22620931
Coldwell Banker
Farley Company
541-276-0021
JM Eagle of Umatilla, Or.
The world’s largest plastic
pipe company is seeking a
CLASS A CDL
TRUCK DRIVER
for our fast paced shipping
department. Full time hours
will vary daily Monday-Friday.
Must have a current medical
card and clean driving record.
Hourly wage DOE, excellent
benefits to start immediately
after hire, paid holidays.
Apply in person at 31240
Roxbury Rd, Umatilla, OR
97882 or send resume to:
branditurner@jmeagle.com
651 Help Wanted
651 Help Wanted
JM Eagle of Umatilla, Or.
The world’s largest plastic
pipe company is seeking a
Morrow County Health District
is seeking a Director for Irrigon
Medical Clinic, a Rural Health
Clinic and Patient Centered Pri-
mary Care Home. Located in a
recently expanded and updated
clinic, the Director will manage
the operations and delivery of
services at the clinic. This in-
cludes implementing standards,
standard work protocols, poli-
cies and supervision of all cler-
ical staff and medical assistants.
This is a leadership position
and requires leadership skills
and experience.
Essential
Functions include increasing or-
ganizational awareness in the
community served to increase
patient volumes, working with
various District partners to im-
plement programs that promote
health and access to primary
care in the service area; work-
ing with various staff to ensure
the clinic is certified and contin-
uously meets criteria and com-
pliance for various programs,
working collaboratively with
medical providers and staff to
ensure meaningful quality met-
rics are selected, tracked and
continuously improved. The Di-
rector works closely with the
COO, prepares annual clinic
budgets with the CFO, and par-
ticipates in monthly Department
Director Meetings.
Requires excellent organiza-
tional and communication skills;
planning and project manage-
ment skills and the use of proj-
ect management tools. Critical
thinking capability, demon-
strated skill with software pro-
grams including Access, Excel,
PowerPoint and Word, required,
along with the ability to become
an expert user of the District’s
Electronic Medical Record soft-
ware. Successful applicant
must have five years of leader-
ship and management experi-
ence,
medical
clinic
management preferred. Some
college education required,
Bachelor degree in Healthcare
Administration, Business, or re-
lated field preferred. Pre-em-
ployment background check
and drug screen required.
Starting salary $75 - $84+K
with COLA 7/1 and after proba-
tion increase. Excellent benefits
package. Complete job descrip-
tion and application are avail-
able
at
www.morrowcountyhealthdis-
trict.org or by calling HR Direc-
tor Patti Allstott at 541-676-2949.
EEOE.
PRODUCTION
LINE OPERATOR
No experience necessary,
employer is willing to train.
Requirements:
• 18 years old
• Pass drug screen and
background check
• Work schedule may include
weekdays, weekends and
holidays.
Pay is $17 per hour DOE.
Hours are 7am-7pm or 7pm-
7am. Great benefit package,
medical, 401K and
retirement. Benefits start im-
mediately after hire.
Apply in person at 31240
Roxbury Rd, Umatilla OR.
97882 or send resume to:
branditurner@jmeagle.com
CHIEF NURSING OFFICER
Morrow County Health District
is recruiting for a full-time Chief
Nursing Officer at
Pioneer Memorial Hospital in
Heppner, OR, a small 21-bed
CAH located 45 miles
south of Hermiston, OR. This
position plans and coordinates
nursing services with
members of the Health District’s
medical and administrative sys-
tems. Also participates as
a member of the District’s Exec-
utive Team. The CNO is respon-
sible for patient care, staff
management, esource man-
agement, fiscal management
and Nursing quality assurance.
Position requires a minimum of
an Associates of Applied Sci-
ence degree in Nursing, BSN
or Masters degree preferred, 2-
5 years CNO/DNS experience
or demonstrated progressive
supervisory experience, current
Oregon
RN
license,
ACLS/PALS/TNCC certifica-
tions or
become certified. Background
check and drug screen re-
quired. $131,120 - $148,354K to
start, Cost of Living Adjustment
7/1 and excellent benefits.
EEOE.
ADDING a room to your home?
Furnish it with items advertised
in the classifieds.
GIVE your budget a break! Check
today’s classified ads for excellent
buys on the items you need.
HOMES SELL FAST IN CLASSIFIEDS!