In the opening round, held in Vancouver: …………………………………………………… The Nanaimo Islanders nipped the Vancouver Killarney Cougars 36-34 as Gary Williams scored 10, Harvey Thom 8, Gordon Robinson 7, Ben Dugas 6, Ben Squire 3 and Gary Laird 2, while Bryce, Mahoin, Stevenson, Coombe and Findley were scoreless. The Islanders took a 36-33 lead on a driving layup by Gary Williams with 58 seconds to play and then stalled for the final 55 seconds. The Islanders led 17-16 at the half. Randy Berg led the Cougars (coached by Dave Renwick) with 18. Kettewell added 8, Moffat 4, Stevenson 3, Bufton 2 and Elrick 1, while Luce Toews, Trainor, Smith, Dougan and Steeves were scoreless. …………………………………………………… The Courtenay Towhees dumped the Prince Rupert Rainmakers 50-37 as Ted Clark scored 20, Ernie Schilling 13, Ron Penner 10, Woodrow 5 and Taafe 2, while Dick Jones, Shak, Boyle, Lewis and McKellar were scoreless. Wayne Heldene led the Rainmakers with 16. Al Cronck added 7, Dennis Rooney 5, Bryan Specht 4, Duncan Anderson 3 and Dave Pitrie 2, while Tom Galpin, Cliff McArthur, Allan Mah, Bill Petle?, Ken Shields and Wayne Specht were scoreless. …………………………………………………… The North Surrey Spartans thrashed the Penticton Lakers 42-27 as Detleft Moeller scored 13, Robyn Todosyschuk 10, Terry Wiens 8, Molberg 7, Bill Notter 4, while Lindberg, Proust, Logan, Larson, Bozzard, Baehr and D Wiens were scoreless. Gil Schmunk led the Lakers with 6. Ellis added 4, Conley 4, Sharp 4, Polanio 3, Affleck 2, Leigh 2 and Morgan 2, while Roadhouse and Specht were scoreless. …………………………………………………… The West Vancouver Highlanders edged the Abbotsford Panthers 50-47 on two late buckets by Murray Stewart, who scored 19. Warren Hamil added 13, Dowty 8, Kern 6, Bremer 2 and Allison 2, while Langley, Fiddes, Armstrong, Paulson, Morris and Keetch were scoreless. Mike Shannon led the Panthers with 20. Vic Rahn added 13, Larry Grist 8, Don MacDonald 5 and Sam Vandermuelen 1, while Frank Dyck, Dan Enarson, Dave Brownlee, Mike Inman, Bob Jory, Fred Cummings and John Isaak were scoreless. …………………………………………………… The Alberni Chieftains defeated the New Westminster Lester Pearson Mikes 54-43 as Marvin Johnson scored 13, Gary Grunland 13, Alex Brayden 12, John Drew 7, Rick Burnip 5, Ralph Fridfinnson 2 and Ken Hutchinson 2. Wyatt Dreger led the Mikes with 16. Sackville added 12, Shaw 9, Dan McMillan 4 and Sparkes 2, while Davies Munroe, Kingman, Wayne Russell, Dodds, Vael and Craig were scoreless. …………………………………………………… The Clearbrook Mennonite Educational Institute Eagles clocked the Creston Prince Charles Comets 99-28 as Ed Suderman scored 24, Jim Falk 20, Howard Loewen 17, Dan Ratzlaff 14, George Heidebrecht 11, Don Wallace 5 and Albert Pauls 4, while Pete Hooge, Harold Derksen and Wes Giesbrecht were scoreless. Cliff Schofer and Ron Masenchuk each scored 8 to lead the Comets. Huth added 4, Stubbington 3 and Russ Nichol 2, while Henker, Truscott, Robertson, Heric, Miller and D Henker were scoreless. …………………………………………………… The Vancouver College Fighting Irish stomped the Prince George Polars 64-34 as Neil Williscroft scored 26, Lorenz 18, Bibby 10, Dumont 6, Smallenberg 2 and Rogers 2, while Poltak, Coughlin, Rivas, Stewart, Fitzpatrick and Rowles were scoreless. The Fighting Irish led 12-10 after one quarter and 38-14 at the half. Stan Kellett led the Polars with 10. Lofting added 9, Johnson 8, Walters 4, Adams 4 and Matthews 1, while Ruse, Paton, Bee and McNeil were scoreless. …………………………………………………… The Surrey Queen Elizabeth Royals shocked the Vancouver Lord Byng Grey Ghosts 62-48 as Jack Hik scored 34 and nabbed 25 boards, Don Goodwin 9, Mike Brooks 8, Dave Smith 6, Murphy 3 and Olson 2, while DeBray, Pont, Chrysler, Sasaki, Dickinson and Tisdale were scoreless. The Royals led 35-28 at the half. Dave Gardner led the Grey Ghosts with 15. Jimmy Walker added 9, Dave Bardsley 8, Tony Bardsley 8, Henry 3, Thompson 3 and Butler 2, while Hanson and Edwardson were scoreless.
In the quarterfinals, the Clearbrook M.E.I. Eagles dumped the Nanaimo Islanders (then the Hubsters?) 78-29 after leading 45-12 at the half. George Heidebrecht paced the Eagles with 21. Suderman added 11, Ratzlaff 10, Loewen 9, Falk 7, Derksen 6, Pauls 4, Neumann 3, Hooge 2, Giesbrecht 2 and W. Giesbrecht 2, while Wallace was scoreless. Bob Dugas paced the Islanders with 8. Gary Williams added 8, Harvey Thom 4, Gord Robinson 4, Bob Squire 3 and Gary Laird 2, while Dave Bryce, Ron Manion, Rick Stevenson, Larry Coombe and Ron Findlay were scoreless. The Islanders (coached by Bob De Buyssche, manager Pat Hurshow) also included Dennis Paugh.
The Surrey Queen Elizabeth Royals clipped the Courtenay Towhees 56-48 as Jack Hik scored 21, Don Goodwin 14, Dave Smith 14 and Olson 3, while Mike Brooks, DeBray, Murphy, Pont, Chrysler, Sasaki, Dickson and Tisdale were scoreless. Rick Woodrow led Courtenay with 14. Mike Taafe added 11, Ted Brown 10, Ernie Schilling 9 and Ron Penner 4, while Rick Jones, Mike Bate, Robert Boyle and Richard Lewis were scoreless. The Towhees also included Gary Shak and Bruce Callor.
The North Surrey Spartans dumped the Vancouver College Fighting Irish 60-50 to ensure that a Vancouver squad was not in the semis for the first time in the tournament’s history. The Spartans led 26-15 after one quarter and 41-22 at the half. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, a very long time, indeed,” said Spartans coach Andy Molnar. The Spartans effectively contained Neil Williscroft, while guards Robin Todoscyhuk and Terry Wiens scored often in transition. Terry Wiens paced the Spartans with 19. Robyn Todosychuk added 12, Bill Notter 11, Detlef Moeller 10 and Molberg 8, while Lindberg, Proust, Logan, Larson, Bozzard, D Wiens and Baehr were scoreless. Williscroft led the Fighting Irish with 22. Hans Lorenz added 13, Dennis Bibby 11, Garry Smallenberg 2, Les Poltak 2, Dumont 2 and Bob Fitzpatrick 2, while Jim Rogers, Barry Coughlin, Jorge Rivas, Bill Stewart and Rowles were scoreless. The Fighting Irish (coached Brother Finch, managers Tom Firth and Bill Duff) also included Mike DeCicco.
In the last quarterfinal, the Port Alberni District Chieftains defeated the West Vancouver Highlanders 60-53 as John Drew scored 20, Rick Burnip 14, Alex Brayden 10, Gary Grunland 8 and Marv Johnson 2. Warren Hammill paced the Highlanders with 17. Mike (Murray?) Stewart added 17, Mike Dowty 7, John Bremer 4, Ken Kern 4 and Peter Paulson 2. The Highlanders also included Phil Langley, Fiddes, Armstrong, Allison, Morris and Keetch.
In the semis, the Clearbrook M.E.I. Eagles dispatched the Surrey Queen Elizabeth Royals 62-50 as Ed Suderman scored 19, Jim Falk 12, George Heidebrecht 10, Dan Ratzlaff 9, Howard Loewen 5, Vern Giesbrecht 4 and Albert Pauls 3, while Peter Hooge, Harold Derksen, Wes Giesbrecht, Dennis Neumann and Don Wallace were scoreless. Jack Hik paced the Royals with 20. Don Goodwin added 12, Dave Smith 8, Olson 7 and Mike Brooks 3, while DeBray, Murphy, Pont, Chrysler, Sasaki, Dickson and Tisdale were scoreless.
In the other semi, the Alberni District Chieftains clipped the North Surrey Spartans 60-47 as John Drew scored 20, Gary Grunland 16, Rick Burnip 11, Marvin Johnson 9 and Alec Brayden 4, while Fridfinnson, Dolling, Praiseley, Thomson, Hutchinson and DeWaal were scoreless. Terry Wiens led the Spartans with 14. Detlef Moeller added 12, Robyn Todosychuk 10, Notter 7 and Ross Molberg 4, while Lindberg, Proust, Logan, Largson, Bozzard, D Wiens and Baehr were scoreless.
In the bronze medal match, the Surrey Queen Elizabeth Royals whipped the North Surrey Spartans 59-44 as Jack Hik scored 25, Don Goodwin 20, DeBray 6, Mike Brooks 5, Olson 2 and Dave Smith 1, while Murphy, Pont, Chrysler, Sasaki, Dickson and Tisdale were scoreless. Robyn Todosychuk paced the Spartans with 12. Ross Molberg added 10, Bill Notter 8, Terry Wiens 5 and Lindberg 2, while Proust, Logan, Bossard, D Wiens and Baehr were scoreless.
In the final, the Clearbrook MEI Eagles, guided by coaching legend Jake Braun, rode their disciplined game to a provincial crown with a 58-40 pounding of the Port Alberni District Armada. The Eagles had no player taller than 6-2 but played tough defence and slowed all games to a crawl to dictate the tempo and overcome their size disadvantage. MEI led 36-35 after three quarters. But George Heidebrecht hit a free throw and a bucket, Howard Loewen drove for a layup, Ed Suderman hit a jumper from the corner and a free throw, and then Heidebrecht a layup to cap a decisive 12-0 run. MEI led 15-7 after one quarter. The Chieftains led 28-27 at the half. George Heidebrecht paced the Eagles with 21. Ed Suderman added 18, Howard Loewen 12, Jim Falk 5 and Vern Giesbrecht 2, while Peter Hooge, Dan Ratzlaf, Albert Pauls, Harold Derksen, Wes Giesbrecht, Dennis Neumann and Don Wallace were scoreless. Marvin Johnson paced the Chieftains with 13. John Drew added 9, Alec Brayden 7, Rick Burnip 6 and Gary Grunland 5, while Fridfinnson, Dolling, Praiseley, Thomson, Hutchinson and DeWaal were scoreless. Some 5,700 tickets were sold for a gym with a seating capacity of 3,088. Five decades later, Eagles point guard Bob Falk told the Abbotsford News that MEI knew they had the game won when, during the half-time, one of them visited the washroom and heard a foe say “even if we lose, at least we’ve still got second place.” To the Eagles, a group of farm boys, that sounded soft. The bulk of the team grew up on farms within walking distance of each other on Huntingdon Road, the News reported. “My uncle’s barn was only half a floor, so we had one hoop with free throw lines painted on the floor,” said Falk. “It was a social place for us to go. You know what kids were like back then – we all wanted to be white Globetrotters. We all listened to Sweet Georgia Brown.” Defensive stopper Dan Ratzlaff said “we were cousins or second cousins, a good number of us. I was related, really, to all of the starting five. George Heidebrecht, I wasn’t related to, but then later on I married his sister, so we were brothers-in-law. … You were always playing in front of a full house, standing room only. They’d have two rows of chairs at the ends (of the gym) … and the bleachers, the stage, everywhere was full. It was very electrifying to play in that kind of a setting.” Falk said “it was an era of entertainment that the community had never experienced before. There was nothing else, really – there was a theatre in Sumas and a bowling alley in Abbotsford, and basketball games at Abby Junior.” Ed Suderman noted that most of the players were the products of Mennonite families that that fled Eastern Europe to escape communist persecution. “It was kind of like, ‘What’s this thing, basketball?’ It seemed like a bit of a luxury or maybe a bit frivolous to some.” But gradually the Mennonite community grew enthusiastic. “It was a coming-out party for the Mennonites, from a very reserved, quiet people in the land to someone who said, ‘Look, life is here to take a hold of, let’s become part of the Abbotsford community’,” Falk said. “We all wanted to be accepted.” Braun arrived at MEI in the fall of 1962. “He was his own man – if six words sufficed, he wouldn’t use seven,” Suderman said. “He spoke in a very straightforward way, a little bit on the quiet side, very much to the point. That’s the way it went.” The Eagles had finished third in B.C. in 1961 with Suderman’s older brother John at the helm, and (consolation) fourth in ’62 under Ed Janzen but Braun introduced the “shuffle” offence, under which players had to well-versed in playing all five positions. “We didn’t have quarrels about who was passing the ball or who wasn’t, because it actually just happened,” Suderman said. “It was really pure teamwork.” MEI won its first 22 games of the season. “The term Mennonite, to most people then, meant black bumpers and long beards and ladies with long dresses,” Falk said. “Little did they realize that was a certain group of Mennonites in Pennsylvania, in the middle of the United States, and over here that never was the case.” Suderman had spent the evening before in the Vancouver General Hospital, nursing a swollen ankle suffered in the semi. “At 2 a.m., it appeared that I wouldn’t be playing (in the final),” he said. He spent the night at his sister’s house – she worked as a nurse in Vancouver – and the next day with his ankle elevated and wrapped in ice packs. “A UBC trainer taped up his ankle so comprehensively, it bordered on mummification,” the News reported.
The bronze medalist Surrey Queen Elizabeth Royals; Jack Hik; Don Goodwin; Dave Smith; Ed Olson; Mike Brooks; Debray; Murphy; Pont; Chrysler; Sasaki; Dickson; Tisdale
The silver medalist Port Alberni District Armada/Chieftains: Marvin Johnson; John Drew; Gary Grunland; Alex Brayden; Rick Burnip; Ralph Fridfinnson; Werner Dolling; Larry Praisley; Bill Thompson; Ken Hutchinson; John DeWaal; coach Jack Gilbert
The gold medalist Clearbrook Mennonite Education Institute Eagles: Ed Suderman; Dan Ratzlaff; Jim Falk; George Heidebrecht; Vern Giesbrecht; Howard Loewen; Wes Giesbrecht; Albert Pauls; Pete Hooge; Dennis Neumann; Don Wallace; Harold Derksen; coach Jake Braun; assistant Ernie Remple; manager Ernie Braun; manager Dave Cornies; manager Henry Klassen