Coming on the heels of a recent run through the 2009 1A Oregon State Championships, the Imbler Panther's continue to live on the legacy established basketball teams past. A recent scan of the walls in Panther gym reveals decades of success on the hardwood. A championship bracket board from 1984 hangs above the door like a guardian angel sent to guide all who strived for success before them, and those certain to follow. As most sat in the stands watching the 2009 girls basketball team embrace the hard work and dedication associated with the pride of a small Eastern Oregon community, they almost certainly realized the value of those who have paved the path to achievement. Yet, legacies begin with opportunity and end with a willingness to change. Across the way from the current Panther gymnasium stands a dilapidating Wade Hall where the 1972 version of the Panther Men's Basketball team took form under the leadership of first year head coach, Larry French.
Unlike the 1984 and 2005 versions of Imbler basketball which found the ultimate goal and achieved true success in state basketball titles, the '72 panthers had a new coach and were coming off of a dismal 1-11 '71 campaign. According to one of the players on the '72 team, Imbler basketball had not seen success on the hardwood of Wade Hall for years. It was up to this new coach and a roster highlighted basketball a cast of underclassmen (Roben Arnoldus, Ed Calhoun, John Howard, Randy McKinnis, Leon Sanderson, Mike Smith, and Larry Wagoner) to invite success through the double doors of mediocrity. In an interview with Tim Marsh of The Observer Coach French reiterates one sediment which would drive the program for years to come, "We will improve".
Like any good coach, 'French' as he later would be known by his close friends measured improvement outside of the team's win/loss record, often praising players for continued advancement in their skills, "Mike Smith looked great tonight, sunk some key foul shots." in a 48-44 victory over Ukiah, claimed French. Smith was not the only one that season to get praise for his actions, in French's account of the 1972 season he bolstered about upcoming sophomores Randy McKinnis, John Howard, and Leon Sanderson who would later create the nucleus for a district playoff run in 1973.
The 1972 Panthers marked the backbone of the tradition held by today's teams. Coach French demanded hard work, discipline, desire, goals, hustle, and fewer turnovers. These characteristics would go on to make up a 5-12 1972 campaign, but more importantly would lay the foundation for seasons to come. French and his band of short, speedy, and undermanned boys of 1972 paved decades of Panther success on the basketball floor. Eventually, Coach French moved on and won his state title with Riverside High School in 1980 and the sounds of chattering feet and bouncing balls were left to only echoes in Wade Hall as a new gymnasium was constructed across the way; the numerous great-maybe even Oregon Hall of Fame-coaches to follow French and the boys of 1972 would remember the value placed upon gamesmanship and innovation.
For those of us who have grown up in Imbler basketball lore, we should pay homage to a small town first year coach with a catchy last name for helping Imbler basketball turn the corner of greatness and create a history filled with many silver linings. For as many great and talented coaches have come and gone over the years in Imbler, it is the one we call 'French' which took a dilapidated program and group of over achievers and cast a community who adores a tradition we call Panther basketball.
Coach Mac's Basketball Resources http://www.coachmac-basketball.com
More from this author read his blog at http://www.squidoo.com/High-School-Basketball-Offenses
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