Los Banos Rotary Club History
High School Basketball Teams Are Feted at Annual Lions Club Banquet

Miniature gold basketballs were presented to graduating members of the high school varsity basketball team at the annual Lions Club basketball banquet at the Henry Miller school cafeteria Tuesday night. Receiving the gold basketballs were Ernest Arambel, Bob Cook, Don Hansen, Raymond Talbott, Dean Jackson and Garlyn Bretz.

The dinner feted all members of the varsity, B, C and D squads, along with Coaches Doug Pederson and Tom Wallace. Additional guests were Gilbert Mendonsa, Tiger football coach, and Robert Williams, who scouted the Los Banos basketball opponents during the past games.

Members of all squads were introduced and complimented for their sportsmanship and the fine showing they made in league competition. Wallace noted the D team in its first season of play won 12 straight games for the championship in its division.

Also praised was the B team which placed second in the southern division of the Joaquin league.

Carlyle Loftin, superintendent of the high school, complimented Wallace for the excellent records made by his B, C and D squads, stating "I am very proud of the boys who played on the teams."

He also commented the success of the varsity team was the outcome of the outstanding coaching done by Pederson.

Loftin said teamwork was responsible for the varsity cagers comeback after being fumbled 42 to 19 by Le Grand in mid-season. They went on to win every remaining conference game on their schedule to win their division championship and beat Linden for the overall league crown.

"The players were totally unselfish and there was complete teamwork," Loftin said. "I think it is a wonderful group and their success reflects on the coach. He did a fine job."

Picked for special recognition were Jackson, Talbott, Arambel and sophomore Doug Jordan.

Jackson was introduced as the only unanimous choice for first team All-Southern Division honors; a first team choice on the All-Central California squad; and a third team choice on the All-Northern California roster.
Talbott was chosen for the second team All-Southern Division and Arambel and Jordan received honorable mention for the division choices.

Tabbed as a defense standout was Arambel who "always drew the toughest defensive assignment and always came through." He was considered as the most underrated member on the team and in the conference.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by a championship judo team from Castle Air Force Base which demonstrated various throws and methods of disarming armed assailants. A/1c Clarence Zembee introduced the team from the 93rd Bombardment Squadron which took first place in competition at Topeka, Kansas.
Their appearance at the banquet was arranged by Lt. Bob Garrett of Castle AFB and they were roundly applauded for the fine demonstration.
Guests of the Lions were members of the local 20-30 and Rotary Clubs. The meeting was conducted by Dominic Paradiso, president of the Lions Club, and Anthony F. Patricio acted as master of ceremonies.

March 23, 1956

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