1969-70: Many Could Hoop, Not Just Bill
No team could match, or come close to, the withering pace of Bill Walton and the Helix Highlanders, but individual play was at an all-time high. Eleven players, meeting a minimum of 15 games, averaged at least 23 points. Eleven also scored more than 600 points. By comparison, just 10 players averaged 23 points or […]
Read More1969-70: Highlanders’ and Walton’s 33-0, Blow by Blow
Bill Walton’s and Helix’ historic season, game by game, with quotes and attributions by and to Bill Center of The San Diego Union: Wednesday, Dec. 3, 1969. HELIX 74, MADISON 60. Mike Dupree scored 28 and Walton 24, off-setting a 30-point performance by Dave Smith, whose Warhawks were down, 57-36, in the third quarter. Thursday, […]
Read More1968-69: Bill Walton Takes Center Stage
Helix won its third championship in the last six seasons, but the Highlanders were just breaking ground. The best was yet to come, thanks to Bill Walton, a once-in-a-lifetime player. Meanwhile, the ball continued to swish through the net. A record twenty-three players scored at least 400 points and junior Paul Halupa of Bonita Vista […]
Read More1966-67: Oscar Left Amid Cheers and Championships
The Oscar Foster era was ending and so was the greatest three-year run in San Diego High’s storied basketball history. The 6-foot, 7-inch forward never was first in scoring among San Diego Section players but set a career scoring record; led the Cavers to two championships in three seasons, established a school record with 41 […]
Read More1965-66: Jacobsen Scores But Helix Wins
Von Jacobsen set the records and Crawford set the pace, but it was defense, played by the champion Helix Highlanders, which narrated the season. “I can’t understand why more teams don’t stress defense,” wondered Bob Speidel, coach of the 23-4 Scots, who parlayed playing without the ball to drive opponents into submission, as witnessed by […]
Read More2018: Hoops Great Arthur (Hambone) Williams, 79
Arthur (Hambone) Williams was 28, out of college for four years but still hoping to get a shot. San Diego sportsman Bob Breitbard had recently been awarded an expansion franchise in the National Basketball Association for the 1967-68 season and Breitbard, after a visit from Merrill Douglas, who was Williams’ coach during Hambone’s two brilliant […]
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