1964 Salinas High School Boys Basketball Team

In 1964 – an era when all California high school varsity sports competed in one division – the Salinas High boys basketball team was the Coast Counties “A’’ league champions – going 17-2 in the regular season (7-0 non-league, 10-2 in league), including winning the Santa Cruz Dad’s Club tourney. The Cowboys were then invited to compete in Northern California’s top two post-season tournaments – the Camella tourney in Sacramento and the Tournament of Champions, a 3-day, 8 team event at UC-Berkeley. The Cowboys went 2-1 to claim the Consolation trophy by beating Albany 49-47 and Napa 51-37, falling to Harry Ells 63-47. 
 

Team members: Rusty Critchfield, named California State High School “Mr. Basketball’’; Andy Ish, Ken Noren, Steve Siemers, Larry Mammen, John Schardt, Padgett Decker, Eric Schween, Rick Walker, Dave Harris, Larry Myers, and coach Russ Messner.