Alcala 1970

The quiet university provided little enthusiasm for the travel weary team as they won two of five more away games before the smiles and encouragement of familiar faces greeted them again. The first home game in more than a month brought a hot shooting Aztec team across town. Key buckets in the final minutes for the Aztecs put a damper on the homecoming with State netting the win 70-67. With the season quickly moving along the team had not yet lived up to its forecast potential. The fast break offense and the hustling and alert defense that the young mentor had envisioned for a nationally rated team was realized only on occasion. It was frustrating for the players and the coaches to have an abundance of talent and be so close to greatness and yet miles away at times. Little All American Gus Magee patrolled the pivot for a third record breaking year as h e led the team in scoring and rebounding, grabbing a season high of 24 in beating Cal Poly Pomona. Substituting freely Coach Bickerstaff got help when need­ ed from all his players. Oscar Foster and Johnny Otis played the wild, gambling style of ball that excites crowds. The big front line controlled the backboards all year with Bob Scot- Ian, Jeff Filzenger, Gie Simpson, and Jim Usher picking up the slack and carrying the momentum when called upon. Mel Arnerich, Neal Schram, and John Boone kept the team running and came up with the hot hand on given nights. Mel scored a season high 33 points against UC San Diego. Senior guard, Neal Schram took charge as the season moved along and sparked some late rallies and hit game winning shots in the clutch. The Torero five put it together in their 10 game home stand as th ey beat some of the top teams on the West Coast. Cal Poly Pomona, San Jose State, Los Angeles State, and UC Riverside fell to the Toreros. Chances for a bid to the College Division Regionals seemed within their grasp. With just two games remaining the hope was shattered as the bid went to UC Riverside, twice defeated by USD. Disappointed and tired they lost the final two games to close at 14-12. The gym is quiet now, and only the memory of the excite­ ment remains.

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