1937-38: Where’s The Shadow When We Need Him?
Mystery surrounds Hoover’s basketball season. Someone, call the Shadow. The mythical sleuth, introduced to American radio audiences early in the decade, had gained so much popularity that a movie “The Shadow Strikes” was released in 1937. The Shadow‘s alter ego Lamont Cranston, or more important, an enterprising newspaper reporter, would have determined why, after Hoover […]
Read More1936-37: Cardinal B’s Stunned After 48 Wins in Row
Class B teams were not junior varsities and not necessarily inferior to Class A (varsity) clubs. The B designation was based on exponents, which combined height, weight, and age. It was not unusual for seniors to play on B squads. Under Coach Bruce Maxwell, Hoover ruled the B world, many times playing the feature, late […]
Read More1964-65: Leave it to Some Grossmont Gym Rats
The best teams could be very disappointing, which is why a group of pickup-playing hoopsters almost stole the show. Eight Grossmont High students, with blistered feet, sore arms and legs, and with a burning desire to get home and sleep, claimed a record for the longest game, ever. Basketball historians would argue the point, but […]
Read More1939-40: Outdoor Inconvenience Becomes Indoor Comfort
There would be raised eyebrows and at least one exclamation of “Really?” and another of “No Way!” should a copy of Charles Byrne’s Jan. 4, 1940, article in The San Diego Union have been placed in a time capsule and opened 20 years later. Basketball was evolving and moving indoors, although the game still was […]
Read More1963-64: La Jolla Gets All the Way to the Final Game
La Jolla, winner of 30 in a row, including 28 consecutive this season, was on the cusp of getting to a place no other team had gone. A 29-0 season was unprecedented. The only San Diego County team to come that close was the 1959-60 Hoover squad that won its first 26 (most reports say […]
Read More2018: Oscar Foster, 69, San Diego High’s Big O
Oscar Foster never won an individual scoring championship at San Diego High, but Foster finished his legendary prep career with the San Diego Section record for most points. Consistent, often brilliant, Foster’s record was testimony to the popular, team player that he was. Foster passed away recently in Los Angeles at age 69, a victim […]
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