Responses to  Feb. 4th News Letter
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From: Bill Nennstiel
Date: 3/6/2009 10:59:32 AM
 

We lived behind the Cantwells and as a teenager I had various contacts with Leo Cantwell including going to Lake Placid to see a football game. I believe Gus Dering, brother of Peggy, Bob, and Elmer played football for L Cantwell. L.Cantwell license plate was ND-26 in honor of the fighting Irish.

 
Bill     Nennstiel

 

From: Earl Hunt
Date: 2/5/2009 7:49:24 PM

Ken,

Great articles on the games. I actually remember the Stillwater game in the sixties. Stillwater was undefeated and do not remember what Cambridge's standing was. But as you stated they definitely were the underdogs. The game was a thriller with Cambridge winning by the
score of 50 to 48 . Stillwater got its revenge winning by the score of 100 to 60 in the second meeting.

Thanks for the reading material and keep them coming,

Earl D. Hunt s
From: Willis Hunt
Date: 2/5/2009 11:47:51 AM

Thank you for taking the time to do this kind of news letter, it is nice to hear about the good old days for all of us that do not live in Cambridge area now. I hope to see everyone at the summer event.

Regards, Willis Hunt
Class of 1971

 
From: Ann Theissen
Date: Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:04:33 -0500



Ken, Here's what I remember about the Stillwater incident: There may have been others also. I was a cheerleader at this game so it took place either in '59 or '60. I think it was '60.

After a basketball game AT Stillwater, Cambridge won and the cheerleaders were upset especially because of a cheer that we always did when we were sure of a win. We did that cheer and while in the locker room after the game, the cheerleaders came in and started throwing punches and trying to pull apart a "doll" that we had that was dressed like us. Betty Herrington (also a cheerleader) slipped out of the locker room and went for help. Help came quickly and no one was hurt (that I remember). The doll suffered the most!! That's all I remember but it was talked about for quite some time.

Anne Thiessen

 

From: Ed Cantwell
Date: 2/5/2009 10:14:17 AM


Does this ring a bell with anyone? Got any details, dates, or news clippings? Ken-

The answers are: YES ... and .... NO!

I think this game was played when I took my PG following graduation in 1958. That would have put it in the 1958 - 59 season. Believe I attended the game because I remember the height on their team. Their starters averaged about 6' - 5" or so. The Indians played a great game and came away with a hard-earned victory. Maybe Don Vitello, Bob Nygard or others can fill in the details.

Another great column!

Regards,
Ed
 
From: Mark Spiezio
Date: 2/5/2009 8:00:24 AM

Ken,

I don’t remember the event from the 60’s you were referring to, however, another interesting event occurred in either 1982 or 83.

 CCS was in 1st place in basketball for the first time in a very long time. We were playing in Stillwater, which, you know the tradition of playing there, on their small gym. CCS was ahead which wasn’t sitting well with the Stillwater coaches & fans. With only a few minutes to go in the game the Stillwater JV coach (Butch Lilac) & brother of Varsity Coach & Section II Basketball Chairman (Mike Lilac), during an argument with the referees, went to the scorer’s table and hit the table with his fists. It caused the scoreboard to black out. The result was a discrepancy between the CCS and Stillwater score keeper that change the outcome of the game.


It was the only loss for CCS that year, the group went to the sectional finals at the Civic Center, loosing to Rensselaer. Some folks that could fill in some of the blanks if interested – Coach – Joe Vitello; Players – Paul Gruber, Jim Cummings, John Cummings, John Anderson, and Jeff Audi.

Thought I’d pass it along. Thanks for the weekly history lesson – it is GREAT!


Thanks,
Mark Spiezio

 

From: Sean McLenithan
Date: 2/5/2009 7:46:51 AM

Hi Ken.

Great articles. Very funny. Brings back a lot of memories.

We had a similar incident in 1983 at a home basketball game between Cambridge and Salem. Joe Vitello was coaching. Baldie McLenithan was running the score board as he always did. John Luke was filming (If he's still alive he may have the films, else maybe his son's have them). I remember it distinctly for several reasons, one of which involved Baldy yelling out during warm ups, "Hey Mclenithan! What are you, a faggot? Take that God Damn earring out of your ear ya homo!" Ya see, I was the first guy at good old CCS to ever have an earring and Baldy hated it.... Earrings were just coming into fashion as was MTV  and music videos. If you remember Baldie, you'll remember that he was never afraid to speak his mind. Sparky (Ed Oliver) was still alive and well also, working as team manager.

Unfortunately it was I that was the cause of the outbreak and ensuing fist fights, caused after I shot off the bench and tackled a Salem player who had trapped John Cummings (class of 84) at half court, blatantly elbowed him directly in front of the Cambridge bench and was
not called for the foul. I pile drove the guy and landed on top of him near half court. The entire Salem team then jumped on top of me. The stands emptied, adults and team members alike were throwing fists at anyone who moved from their seat. The Cambridge police ran out onto the court with weapons drawn and pointed their guns in the air, as if they were about to shoot a warning shot in order to stop the riot.

Ah. It was great fun. Naturally, I was suspended from the team (for 5 games / the rest of the season) but Joe Vitello made me attend practice anyway, doing laps around the gym nearly the entire time, and saving an extra 10-15 minutes for sprints at the end of practice.

I'll see if I can find the article for you that was in "The Eagle".
 

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