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"I think it's a nice accomplishment along the way (the record Class B win streak set against Fort Calhoun), but it's not the ultimate reward. We want another state championship." -- Coach Anderson
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| Coach Andeson would express similar sentiments regarding the Conference Championship |
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| Ryan Eddie applies defensive pressure in the first Fort Calhoun game. Eddie was one of the Warriors' shorter players -- the "mismatch" is evident. |
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| "After they got going, there wasn't much we could do to turn the tide." -- Bill Paar, Ashland Coach |
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| Trent Toline goes in for a layup vs. Bennington. Even in the Conference Semi-Final, the reserves got a lot of playing time. |
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The Journey
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| a nice accomplishment |
Conference Tournament Video
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With the “circled” games already discounted, it was obvious that the rest of the ‘89-’90 season may not provide much drama. That assumption was proven true as Wahoo would dominate its other opponents with performances that rarely left little doubt as to the outcome by the end of the first quarter. The trip to Fort Calhoun on January 13 could have produced some excitement as that night the Warriors set a new Class B record for consecutive wins, pushing the win streak to 48, breaking the old record held by Norris. But there really wasn’t much excitement as the outcome was nearly a forgone conclusion with the Pioneers sporting a winless record. In that game it was 30 - 4 at the end of the first quarter. The final was Wahoo 105, Fort Calhoun 22. A February 2nd game against Ashland wasn’t much different. Ashland was down 35 - 6 in the first and ultimately lost 103 - 27. The next night Fremont Bergan was able to at least keep Wahoo under 100, but lost 95 - 52. Valley did make the Warriors a little uneasy when the Warriors visited on February 9th. The Terriers were actually within 12 at half time (45 -33), but Wahoo responded with a 24 - 7 third quarter and went on to win 96 - 53. In the final game of the season, the Warriors had a slow start against North Bend, leading only 16 - 11 in the first. But the game was never really in doubt as Wahoo won 79 - 48. So, most of the games lacked a lot of excitement.
For most Nebraska high schools there is a conference basketball tournament, usually played towards the end of January that injects some energy into the competition. There are multiple games to be played, somewhat of a lose and done environment, and a trophy to be won. Wahoo had earned the top seed in the 1990 Capitol Conference Tournament and played the #8 seed, Fort Calhoun, in the first round -- the infamous “embarrassing” or “shouldn’t have been played” game. Following the 130 - 19 rematch with the Pioneers, the Warriors had another repeat game in the semifinals -- Bennington. Victimized by 81 points early in the season, the Badgers fared better in the rematch, losing by only 53.
Two teams originally thought to provide challenges to the Warriors squared off against each other in the other conference semifinal game. Syracuse prevailed over Raymond Central and won the right for a rematch with the reigning champions. Having already lost to the Warriors by 26 points, the Rockets might have garnered some hope from playing the Champions on a neutral court at Raymond Central High School. The first quarter performance by the challengers was certainly an improvement. Syracuse had fallen behind early in the first game; this time they hung with the Warriors, actually posting 19 first quarter points, the most any team would score in the first quarter against Wahoo that season. But the Rockets offense collapsed in the second quarter while Wahoo kept rolling. It was 43 - 24 at half time and the die was cast. By the fourth quarter, the “mop up” team was on the court and the final margin was 88 - 47. The Warriors dominated from all positions. Ryan Eddie netted six threes, Randy Hoffman owned the middle scoring 15, and Jason Glock roamed the court, finishing with a game high 36 points.
With such a display of basketball might, a raucous celebration might have been expected. For many teams, winning the Conference Championship would precipitate the cutting down of nets and photo opportunities accompanied with chants of “we’re number one.” But there was none of that from the Wahoo faithful. The Wahoo seniors smiled broadly and courteously accepted the Championship plaque, doing the obligatory hoisting above the head, but with marked reserve. Coach Anderson explained, “With the talent we have, the Capitol Conference, we want to win it, but that’s not our ultimate goal. It’s a nice accomplishment along the way.”
the big circle |
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FORT CALHOUN: Off the press, Mike Dvorak gets the steal and Jason Glock gets the dunk; Jeff Simons, getting some first quarter playing time, hits a three; Ryan Eddie drives and dishes to Randy Hoffman for two and the foul.
BENNINGTON: Eddie to Hoffman in the post for a turnaround two; Troy Johnston drives and passes to Glock who scores from the baseline; Simons connects with Trent Toline for two in the post; Hoffman gets the steal, to Eddie, to Glock and back to Eddie for the score; Glock hits Hoffman on the back door lob; Johnston gets the steal and passes ahead to Glock who hits Steve Volin for the layup.
SYRACUSE: Volin drives and dishes to Glock for the basket; Eddie to Glock on the baseline for two; Eddie drives and finds Hoffman for two; Eddie nets a three; Scott Latham hits a baseline jump hook. |
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1990 Regular Season Capitol Conference
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| date |
Opponent |
Wahoo |
Opp. |
| 12/12/1989 |
Bennington |
105 |
24 |
| 12/15/1989 |
Arlington |
93 |
32 |
| 1/12/1990 |
Syracuse |
80 |
54 |
| 1/13/1990 |
Fort Calhoun |
105 |
22 |
| 1/19/1990 |
Raymond Central |
88 |
60 |
| 2/2/1990 |
Ashland |
103 |
27 |
| 2/9/1990 |
Valley |
96 |
53 |
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1990 Capitol Conference Tournament
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| date |
Opponent |
Wahoo |
Opp. |
| 1/23/1990 |
Fort Calhoun |
130 |
19 |
| 1/26/1990 |
Bennington |
91 |
38 |
| 1/27/1990 |
Syracuse |
88 |
47 |
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| " ... they have a lot of ways they can beat you." -- Mark Sheppard, Bennington coach |
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| Even though the games lacked a lot of drama, the Wahoo fans faithfully followed the team. In the game at Ashland, Wahoo quickly filled up their side of the gym. |
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| The Seniors receive the Conference Championship plaque -- there wasn't much "hoopla." |
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| 12/26/09 |
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