All-Decade Team: the 1920's

The first of the Oregon Hoops History all-Decade team will focus on the first full decade with interscholastic basketball, the 1920’s.

As I’ve discussed before, the tournaments origins can be traced back to 1909 at least. College basketball was going in full swing by this time so there likely was high school basketball in some form in the state. By 1920, the state interscholastic basketball association was getting more organized and more kids were participating in structured basketball contests.

For obvious reasons, the early years will be the hardest to determine. But after going through my notes, I was able to figure out a pretty definitive 1st and 2nd Team


1st Team Small School All-Decade Team

Guards

Vandon Sarrett – Wallowa – In an era when freshmen didn’t play varsity very often, Vandon Sarrett broke the mold as a four-year starter at guard for Wallowa. By his senior year, Sarrett, according to the Wallowa Sun “is one of the best guards in the entire state.” [1] A magical 1929 state tournament season was nearly derailed in the opening game at the sub-tournament in La Grande before Sarrett and center awakened and barely led Wallowa to a one-point victory over the Tigers. Once the state tournament rolled around, Sarrett was in top form, leading Wallowa to a lead after three quarters in their opening game against Portland power Washington. Sarrett turned his ankle late in the third quarter of the Washington contest, which allowed the Portland five to seize the lead. Later, on the bad ankle, Sarrett rallied Wallowa to two straight victories, including scoring 15 of Wallowa’s 21 points against McLoughlin in a consolation game. In Wallowa’s second game of the tournament against Myrtle Point, Sarrett “saved the game for Wallowa with his ability to break the tight Point defense” [2] Sarrett, while not the flashiest guard or even highest scoring, really came through when it mattered for Wallowa and deserves mention as one of the top guards of the 1920’s. Vandon was one of only two small school players to garner all-state tournament mention for his play at the state tournament.

Bill Baker (pictured at left 4th in from the right) – Independence – Baker was the first ever All-State tournament player from a small school as it was defined at the time. Baker helped lead Independence high through Polk County and the district schedule to a trip to Salem for the 1924 state tournament. Baker tallied 10 points in Independence’s 18-10 win over Pilot Rock in the opening game at the state tournament. Baker drew acclaim with a long range shooting display in a close, 12-11 loss to Salem in late February with 10 points including shots “far enough away to make thrillers for the enthused spectators.”[3]

Forwards

John Young – Madras – By the time Madras took home the 1920 Central Oregon league championship, John Young was a three-year letter winner and the unquestioned star for Madras. He tallied 17 of Madras’ 28 points in a 28-23 win over Bend at Bend. He also led Madras to win over Redmond with “long shots from the center of the floor” that “showed splendid judgment of distance.” [4]

Hugh Cole (pictured with coach Pepper at right) – Joseph – Cole was the only returning player for Joseph off of the 1922 Eastern Oregon district championship team. He played the forward slot aside Ted Mays as a sophomore in 1922 and moved over to the center position in 1923. Cole assumed the leadership role for the Eagles after Ted Mays graduated after a stellar 1922 season. Cole sparked Joseph’s dramatic return to the Eastern Oregon title race with 28 points again Enterprise, sparking a five-game win streak to close the season. Once Joseph hit the state tournament against Salem, it was clear that Joseph was going to struggle. “Coley” tallied 16 of Joseph’s 22 points in their defeat at the hands of Salem. Cole’s work for Jo-Hi in 1923 is unquestioned and he is easily one of the top players from this era.

Center

Glen Crawford – Center, Wallowa – Like his teammate Vandon Sarrett, Crawford was also a four-year varsity player for Wallowa. Crawford appeared to be a star in the making even as a youngster on Wallowa’s grade school team. Teaming with Vandon Sarrett even as grade schoolers to terrorize eastern Oregon opponents, Crawford’s work for the varsity, particularly in the 1929 run to the state tournament was instrumental in leading Wallowa to Salem.

2nd Team Small School All-Decade Team

Guards

Tony Greer – Wallowa – Greer was the captain of Wallowa’s state tournament team of 1925. The forward was consistent all season, leading the Cougars in scoring in many games. Greer tallied 18 points in two sub-tournament games at La Grande in 1925.

Boyd Staglund – Madras – Tragedy struck in Madras when popular athlete and star basketball player Boyd Staglund died of Pneumonia towards the end of the 1921 season. Staglund was one of the top athletes in all of central Oregon and highly regarded by coaches of the territory. He was recognized as one of the top guards in the district in 1920 as a junior and excelled in football as a tackle during the fall of his senior year. With several players returning from the championship winning team of 1920 including Dick Young and Jess Gard at forwards and Stagland at guard, Madras figured to have a strong shot at the district crown. Stagland started and played the whole game in Madras’ 1921 season opener, a 17-16 victory against Prineville. But by early February, Staglund was confined to his house and unable to play. The two remaining Young brothers also were injured and the season quickly came unraveled for Madras. A disappointing and sad end for the Madras team in 1921, a team that definitely could have made a return trip to Salem.

According to the Madras Pioneer, Boyd was “a fine, upstanding youth, his associations with the people of the community had placed him in a position enviable for any young man. He was honest and honorable and people treated more as a man than a boy.” [5]

Forwards

Merle McCready - Forward, Powers – McCready was one of the early stars for one of the most storied small school basketball programs in the entire state. As a sophomore in 1926, McCready tallied 16 of Powers’ 36 points in the District 5 Tournament. As a senior in 1928, the Southern Oregon College Invitational debuted and McCready led the men from Power’s to the crown. He poured in 17 of Powers’ 28 points in an opening round win over Glendale. He followed it up with a cool 10 points in a 46-13 blowout of Reedsport. Facing Central Point in the quarterfinals, McCready rose to the occasion with 19 of their 28 points pushing them to the semifinals. In the championship game of the first ever SOC invite, Powers and Phoenix were locked in a pitched duel before “the speedy Powers forward Mcready, broke through the Phoenix defense repeatedly for successful shots.”[6] Years later, Powers would rise to prominence in the state of Oregon behind such names as Shorb, Boutin, Stallard and Bushnell. Before them all was Merle McCready.

Desler – McLoughlin – An interesting case. There is a Dresler mentioned for Joseph in 1922. In 1923 there is no Dresler mentioned for Joseph but there is one at McLoughlin, and he’s putting up big numbers. I have no way of knowing if this is the same guy, but if I had to guess, I would guess it is. Desler was a big player for McLoughlin as a team leader two years for them. Losing Desler to measles in the 1924 District tournament is believed to have cost McLoughlin a shot at the district title.

Center

Ted Mays – Joseph – Mays led Joseph to the first of two straight trips to the state tournament in 1921. His game-winning shot at Enterprise gave Joseph the district title in 1921 and sent Joseph to the state tournament. Against Enterprise the first time, Mays was so active from his forward slot and his play was “so much appreciated by the opponents that two of their men were usually attempting to guard him.” [7]

Others

Hartley – Center, Myrtle Point - the center of the Bobcats led the entire county in scoring from the pivot position with 176 points in 19 games.

Jared Aiken – Center, Heppner – Not much was known of Jared Aiken, lanky center for Heppner high’s district championship basketball team of 1920.

Laurence Gaulker (pictured at right) – Forward, Rainier – Gaulker captained the 1920 Rainier team that made it to the state tournament. Noted as a strong defender, Gaulker was capable of defending many positions and making things difficult for anyone he came across.

Glen Clark – Forward, Wallowa – this forward was a newcomer to Wallowa’s first team in 1929 but was the second leading scorer behind Glenn Campbell and ahead of Starrett for much of the ’29 campaign.

Edwards – Center, McLoughlin – another quality center gets bumped from consideration. Edwards teamed with Desler to make Mac a strong team but they were unable to get past the district tournament losing to Athena in the championship in 1923 and Pilot Rock in 1924.

[1] Wallowa Basketball Squad Leaves Friday to win Title in Hoop Sub-Tournament,” Wallowa Sun, February 21, 1929, page 2.
[2] “Wallowa Places Fourth in State Tournament; Sarrett is Placed on All-State Five,” Wallowa Sun, March 21, 1929 Page 1.
[3] “Salem Win First Game by 1 Point,” Independence Enterprise, February 22, 1924
[4] “Madras Wins Again,” Madras Pioneer, February 5, 1920, Page 1
[5] “Boyd Stanglud,” Madras Pioneer, February 24, 1921 Page 1
[6] “Coos County Squads Win Contests,” Ashland Daily Tidings, March 19, 1928 Page 1
[7] “District Title Still in Doubt,” Joseph Herald, March 9, 1922, Page 1