»RuDIO CITY NEWS"
The NAVCQMMSTA Gymnasium on Wednesday afternoon was the scene of one of the most
thrilling, hard-fought basketball games ever, witnessed here* The gallery of spec
tators was janmed, the overflow crowd standing in the aisles. The event: The First
Annual Challenge Game between the officers and CPO’s*
The game, another contest in the continuing athletic rivalry between the officers
and the CPO’s, was certainly the highlight of the current basketball season, and
was preceded by intense preparation by both teams. The officers, particularly,
craved a victory after suffering ignominious defeats in Softbqj.1, Volleyball and
Bowling at the hands of the CPO’s. The CPO’s were equally ankious ,to--maintain.'
their unbroken record of victories.
At the outset, the teams appeared to be quite evenly matched. While the officers
enjoyed a distinct advantage in both youth and speed, the CPOfs held a definite'
weight margin and were able to employ a "broader" scope of attack. Also, the CPO's,
calling on their years of experience at improvising, threw the'opposition into a
state of confusion by constantly employing new tactics and techniques and shift
ing their style of play. A
From the opening shrill burst of the Referee’s whislte (incidentally, both Refer
ees were congratulated for their unbiased officiating during.the game) to. the -.
final harsh signal of the Timekeeper’s buzzer, it was a ”Cliff-Hanger” marked
with alternating cheers of wild abandon and "Boos1’ of dismay. The final- score -
stood at 57 to 38, and comments.overheard from the spectators leaving the hall
were unanimous that it was a most exciting game.
Ron Gauley, Chief Radioman, -and Bob Walton, Chief.Communications Technician, along
with ’’Marty” Martin, Chief' Radioman, stood out as the offensive stars for the CPO’s; ,
Ron Gauley being most offensive as he.scored a total of IB points, while ’’Flip”
San Fillippo, Chief Radioman (usually quite offensive too), Harry Allison, Chief
Communications Technician, and Bob Lippert, Senior Chief Communications Technician,
put up a ”stout” defense. Among the other key.players supporting the CPO team were
Harry Martin, Chief Communications Technician, R.V. Curtis,-Chief Equipment Oper
ator, Bud Ballard,. Chief Communications Technician, and-’’Big Bob’* Ross, Master
Chief Communications Technician, the. amazing center for the. CPp team. Matt Gilmore,
Senior Chief. Engineman, . provided fine vocal support, for his-team. Chief Commun
ications Technician John Shea, shattered the shooting accuracy record with an al
most unbelievable 1000 percent* „ . ...
For the officers, Lieutenant Mike (’’The Stilt”) Dallam, Civil Engineer Corps, USN,
NAVCQMMSTA Public Works Officer, was the ’’big” man in the scoring column followed
by Ensign Brown, the Supply Officer, -and Firt Lieutenant' De Iuliis,'U.S, Marine
Corps. Lieutenant Martin played a fine defensive game. Lieutenant Bondi survived
the crushing pace of the game well enough to sink some important baskets and .,-.
Lieutenants Cappabianca- and Cox contributed their efforts to. a well-played game".
Ensign Champine also made one basket*
The officers almost immediately demanded a rematch, and, if the CPO’s can nurse
their strained muscles back to normal, a return bout should be forthcoming in
the near future.