DOVER - Garaway's 12th place rating in this week's Associated Press Basketball Poll was every bit as much a tribute to the coaching ability of Glenn Bower as it was to the young players under his tutelage. In scanning the list of those 11 teams preceding the Pirates it seemed highly doubtful there were any who could boast 4 underclassmen among their top 6 players as is the case with Garaway. Bower, as have most coaches in this area who have met with any degree of success, has instituted a fine program at the Sugarcreek school. "By the time a boy goes through our complete basketball program, from the grade to the varsity level, he will have played 150 games," he said the other day. Bower, who initiated the grade school program in 1960, points out that this year's Juniors will be the 1st to go through the complete program when they graduate next year. Garaway's basketball system employs 10 paid coaches, 5 at the Grade level and 7th 8th and Freshmen, Reserve and Varsity.
The program is starting to pay off, a 9-1 record by the Varsity being the proof of the pudding. Other records this year include a perfect 7-0 record by the 7th and 8th grade team, an 8-2 record of the Reserves ;although, the Freshmen are 0-6. The latter record is due to the fact that the 5 best Freshmen are starters on the Reserve team. "We are proud of the system and its results. The future looks bright," added Bower.
Taking a look at the present Varsity squad, the Pirates have a lot to be proud of, as desire and speed have made up for lack of size and experience in the Buc lineup. Sophomore Mike Gerber, who stands a mere 5-4, is probably the biggest surprise among the starters as he is an accomplished dribbler and is responsible for getting the ball down-court against the full court press. Bower feels Gerber will be one of his finest players as he gets stronger and speedier. "He can pass through the smallest space," he said. Seniors Don and Rich Richardson, standing 6 foot and 5-5, respectively, have been called on to provide leadership for the Bucs with 2 Sophomores and a Junior coming along in fine fashion. Tim Miller, 5-10 and Kim Sedwick, 6-1, both Sophomores, have come a long way and provide Bower with scoring punch. Errol Miller, a 5-11 Junior, has also been impressive.
The Garaway rebuilding program has shown that the dividends of a fine coaching staff combined with a tradition to uphold will make the Pirates a perennial threat on the basketall court.
Friday, January 13, 1967
Jerry Armstrong
The Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio
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