PORT WASHINGTON - Down in Purple Rider territory basketballs have been bouncing and nets swishing since October 1st as first-year Head Coach Joe Lopez sends his cagers through their training program. It's already began to pay dividends. Last Friday night the Riders (1-0), who lost their first 6 games a year ago, launched their campaign with a 40-35 victory over Zane Trace, formerly Old Washington. Port hopes to make it back-to-back decisions when it entertains Madison on Friday night.
Lopez is working with 4 returning veterans from last year's 6-13 squad which compiled a 2-4 mark in the Tuscarawas County Class A League. The most promising is 6-1 Sophomore Jeff Huston. He tallied 176 points as a Freshman and has already developed into an even more consistent scorer this season. He's also being counted on to take care of much of the rebounding. Three Seniors with varsity experience are:
Greg Bender 5-8
Jerry Stephens 5-8
Tim Page 6-0
Bender connected for 124 points during the 1965-66 campaign, Stephens 242 and Page 37. Also expected to play a major role in port Washington hopes this season are:
Senior Jim Hagen 6-0
Junior Mike Peepers 5-9
Reserve mentor Jim Pfeiffer boasts a ranging group of prospects that round out Pfeiffer's hopefuls:
Junior Mike Cappell 6-0
Junior Don McCune 6-0
Junior Mel Skaer 5-10
Sophomore Tom Johns 6-1
Sophomore Bruce Stevens 5-10
Sophomore Kim Cappell 5-11
Sophomore Don Herbert 5-11
Sophomore Dick Hursey 5-8
Sophomore Pat McCune 6-0
Both coaches predicted winning campaigns and added, perhaps as a warning to other teams in the area, "they'll know we are in the league before the season is over".
These coaches and players are THE LAST OF THE PURPLE RIDERS!
Wednesday, November 16, 1966
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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