Victory-wise, the basketball team of TC is taking quite a different shape from the football team. Under Coach Tom Collins the Bulldog netmen are currently racing along with only one loss against their record—that a one-pointer to Ft. Smith in which TC scored five more field goals than Ft. Smith but was beaten via the foul line.
In their most convincing win of the year the ‘Dogs lashed out at the University of Arkansas Freshmen 74-66 in Fayetteville.
TEC coaches have picked Lon Morris to take the top spot in the conference with Texarkana picked to finish only fifth.
Texarkana has four lettermen and two starters back this year from last year’s team which posted a 16-10 record. Leading the charges are Alton Weiner, a 6’6½” center and Delbert Garner, a 6-2 forward. Don Messersmith, 6-4, and Jack Warren, 6-2, are the other lettermen. Harvey Harris, a 6-5 forward, has been outstanding so far in the season. Coach Collins also has made much use of Sonny Grubb and Mac Wheat.
The Canines meet the East Texas Baptist College “B” Team tonight and will open their conference play January 8 against Henderson County.
Tackle George Willege and Safety Ray Chancellor were named to first team berths on the All-Texas Eastern Conference team which was chosen by players. This was the first time for an all-conference team to be named from the TEC.
Both were chosen for the defensive team. Chancellor also received honorable mention as an offensive halfback.
Seven Bulldog players received honorable mention to the team. Dale Dupree was mentioned as both an offensive and defensive guard. Tex Williamson was mentioned as an offensive halfback. Others named to the defensive honorable mention list were: Safety Larry McCord, Tackle Doug Farrell, Guard James Henderson, Linebacker Piti Vasquez, and Halfback George Tanoos.
TC’s girls volleyball team is nearing the end of a very successful season which has seen Texarkana College establish itself as a leader in women’s athletics among Texas junior colleges.
Under the able tutoring of Miss Norma Nelson, TC Women’s Athletics Director, the team has swept to single victories over Henderson State Teachers College, and Texas High, and twice over Ouachita Baptist College. The single defeat was at the hands of a very powerful Stephen F. Austin team in what was the closest and hardest fought game of the year.
Leading the TC team have been Pat Williams, Anita Jones, Judy Purdy, Betty Lou McDowell, Linda May, Ann Morrow, and Carolyn Terrell. All drew praise from their coach as being outstanding women athletes.
According to Miss Nelson, volleyball is coming into its own in the physical education departments of many of the schools in Texas as a standard women’s sport. Organized play is also on the increase.
TC’s team will finish the season on January 13 when it enters the Area II Volleyball Tournament at Texas Women’s University in Denton. Sixteen colleges have received invitations to enter, with Texarkana being one of the few junior colleges drawing a bid.
Basketball is next on the women’s athletics agenda. TC’s girls’ opening game will be today at 2:00 p.m. here against Queen City. There will be no admission and all are invited to attend.
