LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
GIL NETTING: Rules Change, Fan Base Grows, Girls Basketball Just Gets Better
By Gil Truitt
As I watched the Region V 4A girls championship game in Ketchikan between the Ketchikan Lady Kings and the Thunder Mountain Lady Falcons, I just about went nuts along with the huge throng that packed the Kayhi gym. It was one of the most exciting games ever and an overtime was necessary for Kayhi to grab the win.
The 1948 Lady Braves. The first and tallest team in the school's history. (Photo provided by Gil Truitt)
I also watched old friend Dick Ortiz, former Kayhi girls coach, who was just as exhausted as his beloved Kayhi Lady Kings, who performed heroically. Tension was evident. More will be said of Mr. Ortiz.
Believe me, girls basketball has come a long, long way. And the girls’ brand of basketball had many miles to travel and the gap between the girls’ and boys’ programs has closed rapidly since 1983.
Old time basketball fans remember when girls’ rules were far different than what they are today. Six girls comprised the starting line up of each team. Three players played on the defense and three on the offense. Each trio was confined to their half of the court and they could not cross the line. The girls were not allowed to dribble the ball outside of bouncing the ball once. And when a player was in ball possession, the defensive player was not allowed to touch the ball. To do so meant inviting a technical foul. There are a number of women residing here who played under the old and quaint rules. Changes in the girls’ game were slow in coming.
As I watched the tourney unfold, I could not help but reflect upon the many obstacles that the girls’ program had to overcome in order to gain respectability. They now have that respect and they have earned it.
There were other exciting games played by the various girls teams. The skill level of the individual girls has enabled them to reach new heights each season.
Prior to 1983, SE girls’ tournaments were hosted by communities such as Metlakatla, Wrangell and Petersburg. Those and other communities should be commended for their willingness to stage such an event. However, the problem was that the girls’ tournament lacked the pomp and pageantry of the boys’ tournament. The girls’ events were devoid of pep bands, cheerleaders and fan support. And this hit a sore spot with some of the coaches who guided the girls’ programs.
In the early eighties, the Southeast Activities Association, more commonly referred to as the “Association”, made a monumental decision in scheduling the 1983 A Girls and A Boys tournament to a single venue. Ketchikan was awarded the event. Many stated that such a decision was controversial and it might have been. Years before, the Association made a very controversial decision when Sheldon Jackson High School and Mt. Edgecumbe were invited and admitted into the association.
The 1983 tourney opened amidst criticism; skepticism and much negative comments from coaches of boys teams as reported by the Ketchikan Daily News. Old time coaches still around are Rod Nutting and Dwayne Davies, Mt. Edgecumbe; Mike Hirai, Sitka; Lee Ribbich, Petersburg and Dick Ortiz, Ketchikan.
John Holst, who was a Ketchikan administrator at the time, was quoted in the Daily News “The success of the Class B Tourney (hosted by Edgecumbe) weighed on the decision. The Class B Conference recently concluded its second tournament under a combined format (both boys’ and girls’ tournaments).”
In his report to the Association the Edgecumbe athletic director (he was also principal) stated the gate receipts more than doubled with capacity crowds in the island fieldhouse each session; the participants liked it as did the fans and parents.
As a matter of fact, the same athletic director with administrative approval, brought the girl-boy tourney issue to the table. After heated debates, a roll call vote was taken and it revealed that only two schools in the association were opposed to staging the girls’ and boys tournaments in a single venue. Kayhi was awarded the 1983 event. And things have gotten better for the girls each year.
When the combined tournament started play, the February 23, 1983, Daily News appeared with the following selected quotations from boys’ team coaches:
“This is an atrocity. Someone or some people have decided we will sacrifice the tournament to force people to watch girls’ games.”
.
“I don’t care how you divide it (the tournament) up, people are going to come to see the boys games. The tournament always makes money. It’s the goose that lays the golden egg. I hope we’re not killing it.”
“I don’t know if any coaches were consulted on the tournament arrangement. I am not comfortable with the changes at all.”
When the Association made the change decision, coach Jim Hamey of Juneau-Douglas was allowed to present his case and it was presented in a gentlemanly manner. His case did not sway anyone.
The same Daily News on February 25, 1983, ran an editorial and chastised the skeptics and detractors with a strongly worded editorial that caught the eye of basketball fans: “Coaches Set Bad Example”
The quotations above came back clearly as I watched the championship game referred to in the opening of this story. Throughout the tournament, I thought of the skeptics and their complaints and predictions. What I saw on the playing floor, was just the opposite of what was predicted. I am glad that they were wrong because the girls basketball programs needed fair treatment. And that was the whole purpose of combining the girls and boys tournaments into a single venue.
At the time, there was virtually no turn-over in the ranks or the Association. It was my conclusion that the interest and well-being of students and activities took precedence over all else.
I always visit with longtime friend Dick Ortiz at Regional tournaments We always talk about the ups and downs but are extremely proud of the tremendous progress that the girls programs have made.
After witnessing many exciting girls games at the Regionals, Mr. Ortiz always asked “In your wildest dreams, did you ever think it would come to this?” And he always concluded in jest “I am worried and afraid that since the girls are providing so many good and exciting games, they may want to have a tournament of their own”
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20 YEARS AGO
March 2004
Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.
50 YEARS AGO
March 1974
Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.