1950's All-Decade Third Team

For the first time since we started the All-Decade team project, we have added a third team. The 1950’s was a decade dominated by centers. The early part of the decade featured the narrow key which allowed centers to park themselves three feet from the rim. Many of the highest scoring players in Oregon’s history played during this era, including the third team center.

1950’s 3rd Team All-Decade

The 1950's 3rd team has had many different looks as the research has continued and more has been learned about the players of this era. So much has changed that two players listed on the third team were originally slotted for the 1st team. The selection of these teams isn't scientific or complex. Only a few methods are used including state tournament appearances, all state tournament teams, and some scoring statistics available from the era.

Occasionally, someone will email with a player to consider. They'll supply information and anecdotes, stats and awards and make a compelling case for a player to earn mention on one of the teams. Having never seen any of these young men play, there is no way a true representation can be made. I hope you'll enjoy learning about this era and certainly, if there are others worth mentioning, please do email them to hoops1a@hotmail.com.

Forwards

Roger Dokken – Malin – Dokken and teammate Norm Oliva were linchpins to Malin’s run to the state tournament in 1955 and 1956. Malin made consecutive state championship game appearances and finished the two-year run with a 51-6 over record. As a junior in 1955, Dokken was a consistent scorer and defender for the Mustangs of Klamath County. He scored 10 points in Malin’s opening round state tournament win over Enterprise and matched the total the next night against Powers in the semifinals. Malin’s 53-48 win over the Cruisers pushed the Mustangs into the championship game against Knappa in their first ever state tourney appearance. In the final, Knappa prevailed when Logger reserve Tim Bagley “connected on a rebound shot with three seconds left” to give Knappa the 46-45 victory. At the conclusion of the tournament, Dokken, despite scoring less than 10 points per game, was named to the All-Tournament Second team. The Mustangs returned to the state tournament in 1956 with four of their five starters returning including Dokken, center Norm Oliva and guard Ray Johnson. Oliva and Johnson were both All-Tournament 1st Team members in 1955. Sporting a 25-1 record, the Mustangs were favored to win the title but Knappa and Bob Hunt were back in the mix as was a strong Elkton team. Dokken tallied seven points in the opener, a 77-64 win over Sisters while Johnson and Oliva each scored 25. In a semifinal win over Elgin, Dokken had his best scoring game of his two-year run at the tournament with 22 points leading Malin to the 69-67 win and into their second-straight state championship game. Against Echo in the championship, Malin pulled away for an 80-57 win with Dokken scoring 12 and was one of five Malin players in double figures. At the conclusion of the tournament, Dokken was named All-Tournament 1st Team despite once again not finishing in the top-10 in scoring at the tournament. The All-Tournament team was selected regardless of position so Dokken was voted one of the top-5 players in the entire tournament. With no rebounding or assist statistics, we can only assume that Dokken’s all-around game shined throughout the tournament. Additionally, Malin became just the second team in “B” state tournament history to win the football state championship and basketball state championship in the same season. Pleasant Hill first accomplished the feat in 1947.

Ward Collingsworth – Echo – Collingsworth helped lead Echo to back-to-back state tournaments in 1952 and 1953. The 1953 Cougar team won the state championship in dominating fashion, cruising to a 30-0 record and winning each game at the state tournament by double figures. Collingsworth and Echo entered the 1952 tournament at 25-1 and faced Sublimity, champions of District 2 in round 1. Echo fell 61-58 despite 17 from Collingsworth. He chipped in 17 the following day in a 73-39 drubbing of Culver and then 16 in the consolation finals. Echo took home the consolation trophy after a 50-41 win over Wallowa. Collingsworth’s 50 points made him the second leading scorer in the tournament behind Knappa’s Max Kelly. He was named All-Tournament 2nd Team after the tournament. With the entire team returning for the 1953 campaign, Echo was primed for a strong season. Echo ran roughshod over their competition and fought off a pesky Mt. Vernon squad in the District 7 playoff series to enter the state tournament 27-0. It appeared everyone else was playing for second. In the opener against Drain, Collingsworth coolly chipped in 16 to lead four Echo players in double figures to advance to the semifinals against Chiloquin, who was 22-2 on the season. Collingsworth and Echo jumped to a seven point lead after the first quarter and led by 10 at the half. The lead grew to 20 and Echo pulled out the win to advance to the championship. Collingsworth again led the scoring, this time putting up 19 for his highest scoring total in five games at the state tournament. In the finals, the Cougars overwhelmed Elgin in the first half, racing to a 30-16 lead. The lead maintained in double-figures before a 22-11 fourth quarter provided the final margin, a 67-42 victory for Echo. Collingsworth again led the Cougars in scoring, this time with 21 to lead four players in double figures. Collingsworth led the tournament in scoring and was named All-Tournament 1st Team after the tournament. The victory capped a brilliant two-year run for Echo. The five players and coach George DeLap finished their two-year run with a record of 57-2 and a state championship. Ward Colllingsworth capped off a brilliant senior season by leading the East Shrine Football team to a victory in the annual East/West Shrine Game that summer. He returned a punt 40 yards for a touchdown and was named Most Outstanding Player of the game.

Center

Joe Mann – Irrigon – Mann never made a state tournament and was the definition of a one-man team. Mann stood 6-7 and he nearly carried his Irrigon team to the state tournament. His senior year, 1956, was the final year of the narrow key and Mann took full advantage of his height. Mann posted one of the all-time great seasons in 1955-1956 with 719 points in 21 games, good for 34 points per game average on the year. He twice scored 53 points in one game, once as a junior and once as a senior. The first 53 point game came in a 61-59 loss to Ione and only one other player from Irrigon scored in the game when Dale Shingledecker put in six points in the loss. Later that year, Irrigon advanced to the District 7 championship series vs. Prairie City. Mann scored 43 points in Irrigon’s game 1 victory. Prairie City went on to win the final two games and earn the state berth. Mann finished his high school career with 1,859 points which ranks him 29th all-time in Oregon High School history. (Editor’s note: I have been in contact with Joe Mann for an interview and I hope to speak with him soon.)

Guards

Norm Evans – Stanfield – A 6-0 guard, Norm Evans paced Stanfield into the 1958 tournament. The home town Tigers, competing just 25 miles from home at the tournament in Pendleton entered the tournament with a 24-1 record and #3 ranking. They also captured the football state championship in the fall and Evans played a key role in that title as well. Evans scored 18 in Stanfield’s 52-42 opening victory over Talent, despite playing the entire second half with four fouls. In the semifinals Stanfield met Jefferson. Evans, in front of a large rooting section, poured in 28 points, including several 30-footers according to the dispatches from Pendleton. The Tigers were unable to overcome Alan Nyman and Phil Hochspeier, who combined for 35 of Jefferson’s 54 points. In the third place game Evans led connected on shots “from outside, from inside, and from the free-throw line in preserving, time and again, a slender Stanfield lead” enroute to 26 points in a 58-55 win over Yoncalla. Evans finished the tournament as the leading scorer with a 24.0 points per game average. He was voted All Tournament 1st team at the conclusion of the tournament.

Phil Estergaard – Harrisburg – Known as the “one-man stall” by teammate and fellow backcourt mate Merlin “Red” Crabb, Phil Estergaard was light years ahead of his peers with the ball in his hands. Crabb says Estergaard was one of the first players in the area, small school or large, who could dribble the ball behind his back. Crabb says that if the Eagles were in the lead late in the game, they would simply give the ball to Estergaard, spread out and watch as he dribbled out the clock. Led by Estergaard, center Terry Woods and Crabb, Harrisburg was a force in the 1950’s. They entered the 1954 state tournament at 19-2, fresh off a victory over a strong Coburg team in the District 3 championship game. Estergaard was named to the all-district team, but seemed to take more of a backseat role in terms of scoring on the team. Harrisburg at 19-2, Talent at 20-1 and Ione at 23-0 figured to be the favorites in the 1954 tourney but Knappa, led by freshman Bob Hunt was a known commodity and preparing to hit their stride at the state level. Powers at 22-3 rounded a highly competitive field. The Eagles opened against Heppner and quickly showed why they were a favorite. The big three of Estergaard, Crabb and Woods scored 50 of Harrisburg’s 69 points in the dominant 69-50 win. Estergaard chipped in 11 in the victory. Estergaard increased his totals in the semifinals, a 42-40 win over Powers. One of only two players in double figures, Estergaard helped lead the Eagles to the state title game against Ione and high scoring guard Duane Baker. Harrisburg countered Ione’s one-man scoring with five players in double figures, led by Estergaard who led Harrisburg with 19. The Eagles prevailed over Ione 69-63 despite 24 from Baker. After the tournament, Estergaard earned All-Tournament 2nd Team honors. And, with the “Big Three” back in ’55, Harrisburg would again be a force. After spending a summer with his friends Red Crabb and Terry Woods riding bikes to gyms throughout the area, Estergaard and the rest of the Eagles stormed through the 1955 season and finished the regular season at 23-4 and District 3 champions. Estergaard was second on the team in scoring with 12.2 points per game during the season, but once the state tournament hit, he once again took his game to another level. Knappa (23-2), Malin (21-4) and Heppner (21-2) figured to be the other favorites in the 1955 tournament. Harrisburg put the rest of the tournament on notice with a dominating performance in the tournament opener. The Eagles poured in 81 points and swamped Prairie City 81-40. All 10 players scored for Harrisburg in the rout, Estergaard chipping in 12 in the easy win. The victory set up a monumental showdown in the semifinals with Knappa and Bob “Pudgy” Hunt. The Loggers needed all 24 of Hunt’s points in the 56-51 overtime victory. Harrisburg led late in the game but a late turnover proved costly which allowed Knappa to tie the score and force overtime. In OT, Knappa surged ahead and played a stall game and won the right to enter the championship. Estergaard led the Eagles with 16 in the losing effort. Wanting to finish their careers on a high note, Estergaard, Woods, Crabb and the rest of the Eagles jumped all over Powers in the 3rd place game and coasted to another easy victory. Harrisburg bolted to a 32-13 halftime lead and cruised to a 70-40 win to capture third place. After the tournament, Estgaard earned All-Tournament 1st Team honors and finished as the 4th leading scorer in the tournament at 14 points per game. Estergaard would later go on to “make more money than all of us” as a sheep farmer according to Crabb who also reports that the pair still live near each other and talk frequently.

To read about other All-Decade Teams:

1920's All Decade Team
1930's All Decade Team - Honorable Mention - 2nd Team - 1st Team
1940's All Decade Team - Honorable Mention - 2nd Team - 1st Team
1950's All Decade Team - Honorable Mention