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TOP PLAYERS OF THE 1940’s
(Doc: Players of 40’s)

1940 Dick Voris captain of the football team and ALL CCAL center. Also in track. Went on to play on the Hartnell football team that played in the Rose Bowl for the State Junior college champioship in 1942 along with Paul Juhl.

Played at San Jose State, Became a coach at JC, College and pros.

Bernie Bourriague three years of lightweight quarterback football and basketball guard. Was a major contributor on two lightweight championship basketball teams. ALL CCAL in basketball. Played good defense. Played second base on the championship baseball team.

1940

Undefeated basketball team had a talented group of athletes well versed in other sports as well. The two returning starters from the 1939 BEST OF THE DECADE team were Forward Bill Foote leading scorer with a 12 point average and center Brad Trine considered the best inside defensive player on them and an inside scorer. They knew how to win and inspire the rest of the team to another undefeated season.

Returning starters from the basketball team of the DECADE were Bill Foote and Brad Trine.

Bill Foote first man in tennis. Outstanding forward and ALL CCAL player who led the team to undefeated season. Consistently scoring in double figures. Scored 18 and 22 points against second place Salinas. He played up to the competition.

Brad Trine was a top tennis player and the MVP and ALL CCAL on the baseball team. Brad was a dominate pitcher. Ace pitcher striking out 17 in one game and 11 in a row. Missed two no hitters by one hit. Pitched in 8 games and allowed a total of 8 runs for an ERA of 1.00. Very good. Center on the undefeated basketball team. Most valuable player, good scorer and best defensive player. Three sport star.

Paul Juhl went out for basketball this year for the first time and with his athletic ability worked his way into the starting line up. Paul is the oldest of the Juhl brothers who also played for the Cards was considered the best all around athlete in school. Paul was an ALL CCAL end in football. In baseball he was the starting first baseman and at the same time in track did the high jump and ran the hurdles. Went on to play on the Hartnell football team that played in the Rose Bowl for the State Junior college championship in 1942 along with Dick Voris.

Others not mentioned above who were on the undefeated 1940 basketball team: starting guards Don Griffin hustler all over the floor, John Jellison and Hugo Armanini. Talbert Newhart, center and forward Bob Voris filled in for the inside positions.

Future basketball starters and stars came over from the junior highs to be on the team and get in some action were Dick Fassio a Nor Cal outstanding player of the year player and Emmett Thompson a three sport man, who played at Cal Poly and later coached the Cards to championships.

The baseball team led by pitcher Brad Trine had a successful season losing only to league champs Hollister by one run each time. Seniors Bernie Bourriague and John Jellision stabilized the team. Returnees for next year are: Dick Fassio Of and pitcher, Johnny Davis pitcher and OF, Ernie King SS, Malcom Macauley INF and Emmett Thompson 1B.

The championship lightweight basketball team, which lost only one game included forwards Bob Puget and Jim Smethers; veteran center and leading scorer George Bicknell and Guards Bernie Bourrigue and Art Ketahara. In a span of 16 years from 1926 to 1942 the lightweight team won 11 titles. A very good record.

1941

Eugene Shatkin made the tennis finals of NCS. There was a three way tie for the title for a championship that has normally been one that SCHS takes as automatic. Eugene was the starting guard for the basketball team for two years. One was the 1942 championship team.

In track Jack Scofield scored 49 points. Getting them in the high hurdles, high jump 5’9, shot put and relay. At the CCAL meet he took second in the 120 high hurdles and high jump, plus a third in the shot put. At NCS he was entered in 3 events.

Mario Esposito scored 34 points in the last two meets of the season after being out with the measles. He ran the 100 in 10.4 and the 220 in 24.0. At CCAL meet Mario placed third in the 220 and fourth in the 100. Mario played on the lightweight basketball teams up to this year.

Richard Thompson at the CCAL meet took third in the 440 to qualify for NCS.

Four lightweights placed high enough to qualify for NCS . Macaulley in 120 low hurdles, Stiffler 50 yard dash, Morgan 220 low hurdles and Mc Cullan pole vault.

Starters for heavyweight basketball Dick Fassio 6’ and Newhart 6’2 at forward, George Becknell 6’3 center, Hugo Armanini, captain 5’6 and John Davis 5’6. Emmett Thompson was the top sub. Bicknell a veteran from champion lightweight teams was a top scorer along with Dick Fassio. In the previous two years the team was undefeated in league play. After the first league game this team added to the record 31 straight league victories. Next game lost to Salinas by two. The lightweight team has a 23 game streak going.

The baseball team was mostly sophomores. For Dick Fassio, John Davis, Emmett Thompson, Malcom Macauley and Ed Dysle this is their third sport of the year.

Art Katahara lettered in lightweight football and basketball 3 years. Was a track star before playing baseball mainly in the infield. This year pitched 4 games in one week as some players were dropped by CIF rules calling for no outside competition with other teams during the same season. The lose of these players hurt the team and caused a rash of errors that made Art’s job harder. Art was speedy with coordination and was the boys athletic honor student.

1942

SC grad Wayne Fontes won the NCAA 115 pound boxing championship in 1949 for San Jose State.

The lightweight track team won the NCS section meet. Malcom Macualey won the 220 and the broad jump and was a member of the winning 440 relay team with Stiffler, Antonnetti and Hackbarth. Hackbarth won the 100 yard dash.

The same team won CIF at UC Berkeley. Malcom accounted for 19 points. He won the broad jump at 21’1’ and 120 low hurdles at 14.0, just over the record of 13.9. Also ran a leg on the winning 440 relay team of Bob Stiffler, Harold Antonnetti and Dick Hackbarth. The rest of the scoring was done by Stiffler second in the 50 yard dash and Hackbarth fourth in the 100.

1943

No league games this year. Captain Julio Ghidinelli and Kenny Moulton were high scores for the Cardinals in city league games

In 1943 Dick Fassio the most outstanding basketball player in Northern Cal by the SF Chronicle and Examiner. In 1939 Dick came over from Branciforte Jr High to play on the varsity basketball and baseball teams. In 1942 played center and was the top scorer to help beat the Fresno area champs Madera. Dick scored in double figures. Other top players on the team: guards Bob Hackbarth and Shatkin; forwards Emmett Thompson and Newhart. Along with many others, Dick was now in the service before his eligibility was up and was playing for the Monterey Presidio.

1944

Football was considered the BEST team at SCHS so far. (It was actually the fall of 1943, but for this summary is considered 1944 for the graduating year.) The only other Championship was won in 1928. It went undefeated winning league games against Monterey 13-0, Salinas 12-0, Carmel 41-0 and Hollister 12-3. The three points scored by Hollister were the only ones given up all season. In a practice game the team beat Santa Clara 6-0.

Players were backs Len Noren a sophomore, Malcom Macauley, Clarence Twitchell, Ed Withrow, Mac Greger, Vick Ghidinelli and Rittenhouse. Lineman Ben Krupp, Gino Pini, Ed Dysle, Jumbo Edwards, Larrico, Medina, Fought and Paugh.

Big plays during the season where Len Noren’s average of 7 yards a carry and his 60 yard quick kick, Malcom Macualey’s 80 yard run and his pass to Ghidinelli for a score. Another TD pass from Twitchell to Paugh ended the scoring for the season.

The 1944 baseball team played only 5 high school games.

Pitcher Len Noren was like a machine striking batters in double digits in every game. The list of strike outs starting with the first game; 18, 16, 16, 13 and 12 for a total of 75 an average of 15 per game. He always wanted to play pro baseball, which he was able to do right out of high school. He did get a cup of coffee with a major league team. He also was a good hitter and was able to keep playing after his arm finally had enough. He ended up playing for the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast league. In those days the league paid almost as much as the majors.

Not all high schools were playing baseball in 1944,but the Cards played against local city and service teams. Getting them ready for the next season. It paid off as the team went undefeated as league champs in 1945. The first baseman was Ray Hunter a sophomore who transferred to Reno High and played for former SCHS stellar athlete Bud Beasley.

Ray came back to coach football, basketball and baseball at SCHS spending over 20 years coaching. He started girls basketball in 1974 and had championship teams with the girls. I has continued to be one of the best programs at SCHS.

1944 Malcom Macauley earned 14 letters, ten as a lightweight- 3 in football and track and 4 in basketball. Varsity letters one in football, 2 in baseball, but was on the team 3 years as shortstop and second baseman and 2 in golf.

Malcom in 1941 as sophomore shortstop hit a home run the last game of the season. With Malcom leading the way the1942 lightweight track team won the NCS section meet. Malcom won the 220 and the broad jump and was a member of the winning 440 relay The same team won STATE with Malcom accounted for 19 points. He won the broad jump at 21’1’ and 120 low hurdles at 14.0, just over the record of 13.9. Also ran a leg on the winning 440 relay team.

Macauley had a 81 yard run against Monterey in the 13 to 0 win for the undefeated Cardinals during the 1943-44 season. He was quick and elusive as a runner. Malcom’s last season ended at mid year 1944 as he was a mid year graduate. He was named ALL CCAL for lightweight basketball.

Malcom was an elementary teacher and principal in Santa Cruz for many years. He substituted up to last year.

1945

Len Noren All CCAL in 3 sports: Football, basketball and baseball. Back in football, captain and center and MVP in basketball. and strike out pitcher in baseball. Against Watsonville struck out 19 batters. Normal per game in teens. Allowed only one extra base hit all season.

In 1944 there was no baseball league, but SCHS played 5 games against Monterey, Hollister, Carmel and Bellarnine. There were no seniors on this team. Noren no hit Monterey and he had a homer, double and single. In the 5 games he gave up 12 hits and 6 runs. In losing to Hollister 3-4, while Len gave up 4 hits, had 16 strike out and SCHS had 7 errors. Can imagine that most of the 4 runs were unearned. Making his ERA less than 1.

In a 3-1 win against Hollister he had a home run and a triple. Noren was like a machine striking batters in double digits in every game. The list of strike out starting with the first game; 18, 16, 16, 13 and 12 for a total of 75 an average of 15 per game.

The undefeated 1945 baseball team was led by pitcher Len Noren who struck out 61 batters for an average of 12.5 a game, gave up 7 hits for a 1.4 average, plus being the top hitter on the team.

Len always wanted to play pro baseball, which he was able to do right out of high school. He did get a cup of coffee with a major league team. He also was a good hitter and was able to keep playing after his arm finally had enough.

Noren played in all parts of the country, NY, mid west, Pacific Coast league and Canada. In 1952 he played for the SF Seals of the Pacific Coast league, which was the big leagues of the West. He hit .325 at first base. He also managed.

As a sophomore in 1944 school year he was the leading rusher at an average of 7 yards a carry, on at the time the best team ever, which only gave up 3 points in their 5 game season. Len was also a great kicker. Had a quick kick go 62 yards.

Ed Dysle was a lineman and fullback on the great 1944 team. He was like a rock. He could not be moved. His most productive day rushing was for 83 yards. 1945 ALL CCAL in football. Catcher on championship 1945 baseball team catching Len Noren. Played football at Hartnell where he was a Junior College All America. He went on to play at U of Nevada.

1946

The 1945 fall season football team lost only to undefeated Hollister. The team was rewarded with four ALL CCAL players: Ed Dysle, Alvin Demos, Ed Withrow and Roy Johnson. Sophomore Ray Hunter was the kicker and passer on the team. He also made honorable mention on the all league team.

The second place basketball team had a line up with all the players six feet or taller. Forwards were Rich Rapone, Ray Hunter and Doug Thorne; center and captain Len Noren; guards Silva and Wood. Top scorers were Hunter, Johnson and Noren.

Lightweight starters were Marvin Gangloff, John Motta (later a coach at Holy Cross and Kerman), Wes Juhl (also later a basketball coach in the Valley), Jim Kerksey and Berger.

TRACK Cards Take Second In CCAL Track Meet and Lightweights third.

It Is first post war meet. Scoring heavyweights: Hollister 69, Santa Cruz 48, Watsonville 24. Lightweights: Hollister 74, Watsonville 49, Santa Cruz 18.

First place finishers: Ray Kranich 100 in 10.5 and 220 in 23.8; Ronald Hall the pole vault clearing 11’3”; Earl Blain the high jump at 5’1”. Second place finishers: Stanton 880; Winterholder mile; Roy Johnson 200 low hurdles; Thorp the pole vault and Jenkins the discus.

Lightweights: second place finishers: Bergen the 330 in 40.6; Trotts the 120 low hurdles and the 440 relay team. Third place finishers were Van Houton the pole vault and Foster in broad jump

At the Hollister Invitational, before 3000 fans in the first post war night track meet with schools from all over the state and under cold conditions that did not help times and field event men. SC placed sixth. Ronald Hall tied with three others for first place in the pole vault. The relay team was fouled, but still came in third.

The undefeated baseball team was led by pitcher Len Noren who struck out 61 batters for an average of 12.5 a game, gave up 7 hits for a 1.4 average, plus being the top hitter on the team. The rest of the team: Ed Dysle, catcher; IB Bob Grossi, 2B John Motta and George Vomvolakis; SS Roy Johnson; 3B Ron Martin OF Bill Casalegno, Ed Withrow, Wes Juhl, George Quadros and See.

Ed Withrow as sophomore was a back on the best ever football team of 1944. In 1945 and 1946 made ALL CCAL as a back. Longest gains were on a 76 yard TD run, plus a 65 yard punt return. Played baseball for three years 1944 through 1946.

The football team had three ALL CCAL players Ed Withrow, Rich Rampone and Don Silva.

1947

Track team tied with Pacific Grove for the CCAL title. Twenty six men participated this year and they had the best record in a long time. The placers in the CCAL meet were: Cas Bly first in the 440; the first place relay team consisted of David Orr, Gene Crowley or Bill Walker, Ray Kranich and Cas Bly; Roy Johnson first in the high hurdles.

Second place finishers were: Jack Burkett in the high hurdles; Gene Crowley in the 440; Jack Stagnaro in the high jump; Ray Kranich in the 100 and 220. Third place was Marvin Glaum in the discus. Fourth place finishers were: David Orr in the 440; Bill Walker in the 100 and 220.

Lightweights who qualified for NCS through the CCAL meet were Al Wright first place finisher in record breaking time 660; Ted Wittwer first in 1320; Bob Bly third in 330 and Jim Van Houten third in the pole vault.

The first through third place winners qualified to participate in the NCS meet at Berkeley.

At NCS Cas Bly took second in the 440. Lightweight Ted Wittmer was second in the 1320. Both Cas Bly and Ted Wittmer qualified to advance to the STATE meet in Visalia.

One of the top performances ever for a SCHS heavyweight team. There have been more points scored by individuals, but none we know of for the whole team. The 1942 lightweight team won both the NCS and STATE.

Wes Juhl was the leading scorer for the varsity and Jack Alzina for lightweights.

Roy Johnson as a sophomore was ALL CCAL on the contending 1945 football team. 1946 ALL CCAL in basketball. In baseball played short stop on the undefeated 1945 team. Many of the baseball players also competed in track also. Roy won the high hurdles in the 1947 CCAL meet, which qualified him to go to the NCS championship meet.

George Vomvolakis played and started in lightweight football and basketball for 3 years each. Played baseball for 3 years. All CCAL in football and basketball in 1947. In 1949 he played basketball for the 4^th Air Force team at Camp Mc Chord, WA.

Jack Alzina was ALL CCAL in lightweight basketball. Went on to play in the service and at Whitworth College in Washington. Jack coached lightweight basketball for ten years and varsity for two at SCHS and then to Soquel as varsity coach.

Cassius Bly 6’2” 160 pounds is going to Stanford. At NCS Bly was second in the 440 qualifying him for the STATE meet in Visalia.

Ted Wittmer 5’6” 130 pounds took second in the lightweight 1320 at NCS qualifying him for the STATE meet at Visalia. 1949 made the NCS and STATE meets in Berkeley.

The 1947 the track team took a fourth at the prestige’s Modesto Relays. The mile relay team of Ray Kranich, Gene Crowley, Davie “Tex” Orr and anchor Casuis Bly beat the school record with a 3:32.5 finish.

1948

Heavyweight football captain Wes Stanton and Bill Walker were chosen ALL CCAL

Ron Hindley, who was high point man for the heavyweight basketball team and was selected ALL CCAL. Captain Dick Garvey made second team ALL CCAL.

Lightweight forward, Don Lusby and center, Barry Middaugh were selected ALL CCAL.

Dick Dietz and Terry McCambridge carried the load pitching wise for the Cards. Dick had the most innings pitched with 49 and Terry was close behind with 40. They had excellent earned run averages. Terry led with a 1.10 average per 7 innings and Dick allowed a 1.90 ERA.

Qualifiers for the CCAL meet: Ray Kranich, Don Dakan, Wayne Thorp, Bob Bly, Durmond Tucker, Marvin Rickard, Terry McCambridge, Howard Crampton, Ted Wittwer, Dave Jordan, Charles McLean and Bob Farrand.

Qualified for NCS: Wayne Thorp, Ted Wittmer, Marvin Rickard, Don Dakan and Dave Jordan. To qualify means a person had to take a first or second in the CCAL meet.

The number one tennis player was Don Duckering.

In tennis Leo Amaya took third at the league finals.

1949

ALL CCAL heavyweight football selections were: bullet passing quarterback Stocky Sommer and rugged guard Bill Kirby on the 14 man squad. They were chosen by both the sports writers and the coaches who picked separate teams. Kirby was All CCAL in baseball also

Cardlet football guard, Ted Wittwer received ALL CCAL lightweight honors on a 14 man squad.

Heavyweight basketball ALL CCAL selections were Ron Hindley and Don Dickson.

Lightweight Fred Maroni was selected for the ALL CCAL team.

Three pitchers threw a no hitter against Gilroy in a 4-0 win. They were Patrick, Joe Aliberti and Brumlay. In the same game Stock Summers hit consecutive home runs. Top players in baseball were pitchers Patrick, Ron Hindley (who also played outfield to get his bat in the line up and Joe Aliberti. Joe was versatile, beside pitching well he played infield and outfield as needed. He was also the leading hitter on the team with a .378 average. Sophomore Ron Walters was just starting his stellar baseball career.

In a 3-2 loss to Monterey in the last inning, Joe Aliberti threw a 4 hitter. The locals played the best brand of ball that they have played this season.

At the CCAL championship meet varsity placers were: second place finishers were Bob Bly in 440 and Ted Wittwer in mile. McLean took fifth in the 880 and SC took fourth in the 880 relay.

Lightweight placers: Adams placed second in the pole vault. Menefee took third in the 120 high hurdles and fourth in the 220 low hurdles. Migues took fourth in the pole vault. Neil Gittens fifth in high jump. The 880 relay team took fifth place.

NCS at Cal Berkeley the varsity had two entrants Bob Bly 440 and Ted Wittwer in mile. Bly who’s best time of :51.2 is better then the best San Francisco runner, but .8 seconds off the meet record is expected to at least be in the top three.

Lightweight NCS entrants Dick Menefee high and low hurdles; Art Adams and Fred Migues pole vault and Neil Gittens high jump.

At the STATE meet at the Los Angeles Coliseum Ted Wittwer, the only participant from SCHS, placed third in the mile against the best in the state. Very high honors.

The tennis teams best player is Don McPherson, who only lost one league match.

Top man in golf is junior, Gene Paccine who is a basketball player of some renown. Several times he has scored in the 70’s at Pasatiempo, a fairly tough course. The player with the most potential is smooth swinging, sophomore, Skeeter” Cunard.

Wayne Fontes was 115 pounds the year was 1942 at SJS. He was a NCAA champion boxer, when it was a college sport. He was as a principal at Soquel elementary.

Robert Loeher catcher and clean up hitter. Robert had two good pitchers to handle Lefty and Bill Holton who became the ace the next year. Robert also was an ALL CCAL guard known for his ball hawking, aggressive play on the basketball team. Bob was ALL CCAL as a fullback in football. An accomplished athlete. First team in three sports and won 8 letters.