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The CCIL - 1966
A few weeks ago the blog "The CCIL" stirred up names from the schools surrounding Plattsburgh during the 1950s and 1960s. Recently, while clearing out some old files, I came across the game program for the Clinton County Interscholastic League All-League basketball game. It was dated February 24, 1966, the year I graduated from high school. This program was given to me by "Uncle Bob," meaning Bob Venne of Champlain. Yes, he was a relative of mine, but that's a story for another blog.
The All-League game was played at the "State University Gymnasium," which is to say, Memorial Hall, I presume. Believe it or not, there were selections for junior varsity All-Stars and All-League cheerleaders, as well as varsity selections. What follows are the names listed in the program as "All-League" players and cheerleaders.
Apparantly the Saranac junior varsity team won the 1965-1966 league championship, because they provided the opposition for the All-League jv players. On the Saranac jv team, coached by David Young, were: Marc Saari, Glen Hamel, Roger Dubray, Walter Kemp, Jim Sears, Mike Doyle, Keith Facteau, Roger LaMora, Ronnie Davidson, Sam Campbell, Mike Hobbs and Eddie Dubray.
The All-League team, coached by Glen Gallagher, had these standouts: Tom Crowley (Altona), Ronnie Vincent (Chazy), Larry Bliven (Champlain), David Chevalier (Champlain), Mark Rogers (Dannemora), Gary Bingle (Lyon Mt), Joe LeClair (Lyon Mt), Brent Golden (Ellenburg), Francis LaBarge (Ellenburg) and Dale Gonyo (Mooers).
The All-League jv cheerleaders: Diana Young (Altona), Martha Riley (Chazy), Kathy Brennan (Dannemora), Meg Casey (Champlain), Margo Wood (Lyon Mt), Dannielle Hoff (Ellenburg) and Nancy Jubert (Mooers). Carolyn Slocum was the coach.
The junior varsity All-League game was officiated by Pickles Proctor and Dud Bullis.
The varsity All-League game was officiated by Bob Parker and Bob Garrow. The Dannemora team won the CCIL title, so they challenged the All-League team. Dannemora, coached by Dick Cole, had the following roster: Jack Kiroy, Byron Wing, Tom Welch, John Recore, Jim Recore, Hal Recore, Don Brennan, Mike Tacy, Tim Ryan, John Mitchell, Russell Haley, Roger Taft and John Fitzgerald.
Their All-League opponents: Gary Dragoon (Altona), Andrew LaFave (Altona), Leo Payant (Chazy), John NIles (Champlain), Gary Moeller (Champlain), James Miller (Ellenburg), Steve Tolosky (Lyon Mt), Jack Mousaw (Mooers), Harold Hackett (Saranac) and Alan Coryer (Saranac). The coach was George Brendler of Chazy.
The All-League varsity cheerleaders: Lynn Van Arman (Altona), Jill Relation (Chazy), Margaret Walsh (Champlain), Linda LaBombard (Ellenburg), Joyce Wood (Lyon Mt), Sandra Barcomb (Mooers) and Laurie LaGoy (Saranac). The coach was Donna Collins.
The court announcer was Bill Fritz, the Ellenburg principal. The varsity contest was easily won by Dannemora over the All-Stars 98-62. Tom Welch scored 28 and captain Jack Kiroy tossed in 22. Co-captain Byron Wing added 17. The All-Leaguers were paced by Johnny Niles with 17.
Some great names from the CCIL, a league that eventually disintegrated with the centralization of schools in the North Country.
Comments
foxy thanks for reminding us of some great times together. just to inform you kerri our daughter had a baby girl born on st patricks day. so now we're officially grandparents i guess we're getting older haha thanks again for everything - john and brenda
Posted by: john and brenda | March 21, 2006 7:33 PM
Foxy,
All this talk about players from the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's have made me think. On Thursday night, March 9th, the 18th Annual, 5th and 6th grade, AuSable Forks Basketball Tournament to benefit the Missing and Exploited Children's Foundation will be held. This tournament originated and continues as a way to remember and pay tribute to Kari Lynn Nixon. There have been many, many great volunteers who have made this tournament the "BEST" of its kind around! There have been many spin-offs, but none can quite match this one! This tournament started with just boys teams, and boy were they good ones.........I am going to throw some names at you of who has played in this tournament; Baroody, Fortunatas, Nixon, Butchino, Nolan, Willette, Michalak, Bezio, Castine, Akey, Earle, Bombard, Douglas, Bouyea, Passino, Douglass....just to mention a few! Many of these had brothers play through the years. Then about 6 years ago we added girls.....and now those girls are CVAC stars....Rock, Remillard, Nutbrown, Coryea, Lamberton, Dirolf, Rostak, McCallister, Ruff, Turner, and many more as well! Also, two Varsity boys coaches cut their teeth here; AVCS' Jamie Douglass and Saranac's undefeated Class B Champion head coach Gary Castine. The Patriots JV coach Kevin Douglas along with longtime Peru assistant Pat Mcginn did their stints as well. In girls, AVCS' JV coach Jack Dirolf and his assistant Kevin McCallister also started here. I am sure I am missing many great players and many great coaches, but the point is, this IS WHERE IT STARTS! In closing, not to take away anything from NCCS head coach Andy Landry, as his record speaks for itself, but is easy to see where the success of NCCS begins. The Cougars enter a 5th and 6th grade team as well as a 3rd and 4th grade team under the name of Sandy's Kitchen. I can honestly say that every year their 5th and 6th grade girls teams could play and win against several boys teams. And their 3rd and 4th grade team has placed 2nd before, being eliminated by, you guessed it, the 5th and 6th grade team. Who will be tomorrow stars; a couple to watch this week-end, Brody Douglass and Keegan Ryan, just to name a few! Hopefully people can find time to take in a game or two, because in no time, these kids will be the stars making headlines in the future! Games run Thursday and Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday, with the Championships being held Sunday afternoon, followed by trophy presentations. Hope to see you there!
Posted by: Ed McCallister | March 6, 2006 11:41 PM
Hey Foxy. I went to good ole Dannemora High school in the 60"s. when I think we had 4 Championship years in a row. Thanks for the memories. I would like to mention about a game between Dannemora and Ellenburg. My brother Keith played for Dannemora and my cousin Charlie Shatraw played for Ellenburg. It was on the radio and all you heard was Shatraw versus Shatraw. I still tease Keith about that to this day. Thanks again for the mention of the CCIL and all its wonderful players.
Posted by: Kevin Shatraw | March 6, 2006 7:39 PM
Foxy,
Just a note to say "Great job". I have always been amazed at some of your commentaries and always loved your videos. Keep up the great work! You were always saying great things about both Shannon and Keith which we appreciated.
Posted by: Denny Kane | March 6, 2006 3:58 PM