Seadog Victory Brings Entire County Glory By HAL SHAPIRO Not only did the victory of the Beaufort Seadogs bring credit and glory to their own town, but to the whole county. When one considers the out standing teams and players right within Carteret County we can see that the Seadogs had some of their hardest-fought contests with teams in their own backyard. Jerry Willis 01 Morehead City was one of the outstanding players to face the Seadogs this year. As a matter of fact, in the game play ed in the county tournament at Morehead City Willis hit for 33 points, his season high, and the highest score made by an individ ual in a game involving the Sea dogs this season. Had his teammates been hitting in the same manner that night, the Beaufort team might not have rep resented the county at the district playoffs. Another outstanding player the Beaufort boys met was Walker Gil likin of Smyrna. Walker, a strap ping 6 foot 3, was one of the more rugged ballplayers the Seadogs had to battle. High Average Walker, averaging better than 20 points per game throughout the season, was as good as any re JBounder the Beaufort team played against all year. With a few breaks he may prove 'to be the outstand ing ballplayer the county produces this year. Down Atlantic way Tom Salter A was the leading light of a rather y lack-lustre squad. A* a matter of fact, the Atlantic Pirates won only one game all year, but it wasn't * because Salter didn't give it his all in every contest. Tom wound up the season with a double figure average and show Beaufort Was Ready for This Year! Whoa There Ball! fnolo by Gieensboro Dally Newt Beaufort's fiehrmann Holland, at left, It about to lose possession of an elusive basketball during the first round game against Hilde bran won by the Seadogs 68-56 in the state tournament at Greens boro. Coming up fast to contest with Gehrmann for the ball is Jimmy Houser. Hildebran's high scorer in the afternoon game. ed the fans that he too may be what some college coach is seeking. Scrappy Club In Newport thii year Coach Bob King started practically from scratch and came up with the scrappiest club in the county. Two of his boys who stood out especial ly well against the Seadogs and all other opponents were Berlyn Tem ple and Jimmy Kelly. Temple was one of the sharp shooting guards on the Newport quintet, with Kelly also a fine shot from his forward slot. Other boys who played well against the Seadogs would include Roy Styron of Smyrna, Wayne Cheek of Morehead City, Eugene j Edwards of Newport, and Barney 'Hill of Atlantic. ? Beaufort's number was up this4 year ? Carteret folks felt it in their bones. This was going to be the Seadogs' shining season. Beaufort's 1954 record augured nothing but good for 1955. Tucked under the Seadog belt last year was the county title, district title and State Class A consolation trophy. Thus in losing only two players by graduation, Hugh Mason and Jimipy Willis, Coach Tom McQuaid had a powerhouse: Herbert Mas An. Murray Pittman, Gehrmann Hol land, Jimmy Davis, Henry Safrit, and Ed Willis ? plus a few more that a new season brought into the squad. The 1954 cagers went to Xenans ville last year and put Bolivia out of business in the first round, 64-34. Pittrnan took high scoring honors with 21, followed by Holland with 20. Top Kenansville In the semi-finals, the Seadogs slipped by Kenansville on its home court to tally a low-scoring 36-32 victory. Holland made 20 of his team's 36 tallies. Mason and Hol land did a stellar job on defense. Beaufort claimed the district crown in the finals by downing Wallace 47-38. The Seadogs left the court at halftime with a 21-15 lead. THE NEWS-TIMES sports scribe recorded, "Pittman played superb offensive and defensive ball as did Jimmy Willis ,pnd Holland . . . Coach Tom McQuaid's charges looked every inch a championship team as they congratulated the los ing team for a good game." The state class A championship games were played at Aberdeen. But the Seadogs bowed in their first game to western district 2 champions, Odell, 76-40. Odell fielded a squad of whom four were over 6 feet. Odell led all the way, giving the Carteret champs a lot of trouble because the Seadogs couldn't get in under the basket. Their shots from the outside seldom scored. Odell also put up a terrific show on free throws, making 20 out of 23. Stanley Dumped ? ? t The Seadogs then went into the consolation bracket and met Stan ley whom they headed all the way. In the fourth quarter Stanley went ahead for the first time. 47-46. From THE NEWS-TIMES sports page: "Gehrmann Holland came to the rescue, scoring 10 markers in the *ast 10 minutes to break a 52-52 tie and grab the well-earned vie* tory. "Holland hit a field goal with 10 seconds to go, putting the SeadogB ahead 54-52. Then he scooted down court to nab a rebound from Stan ley's backboard and was fouled with three seconds left. In the tense moment, Holland remained cool as ice and plunked both tosses through the net, putting Beaufort ahead by 4 points/' In that game Holland, selected to THE NEWS TIMES All-Seashore conference team and the Greens boro Daily News All-State team this year, racked up an individual scoring record of 29 points. Pittman was second high scorer for the Seadogs with It). Ahoskie Bows In the finals of the consolation match, Beaufort met Ahoskie, and came home with the consolation trophy, downing Ahoskie, 44-41. Again THE NEWS-TIMES sports scribe reported: "Beaufort led by only two points with less than three seconds remaining, 41-39. But Holland and Pittman teamed to control the ball during most of the final action with Holland sinking three charity tosses." Holland was top scorer with M points, followed by Pittman, the Merrimon Mustang, with 18. And that wrapped it up for 1094. Tallest Man on Team The tallest player on the Beau fort team this year was Henry Sa frit at 6-3. Shopping For Furniture Is As Exciting As A Basketball Game ? \ Excite Yourself ---- SEE THE BEAUTIFUL, WINNING GROUPS FOR EVERY ROOM ON DISPLAY HERE COME IN TODAY! R & N Furniture Co. PHONE 6-3419 ? ? i fy Jb j . \j* 1211 MIDGES ST. MOREHEAD CITY, N. C.