Basketball: '79 squad returns home for reunion

The Carson Valley Basketball Association, an offseason AAU program geared toward bettering the future squads at Douglas High, will be taking a long look back next week at its annual crab feed fundraiser.

All but one of the members of the 1979 2A state champion Tiger basketball squad will be on hand to celebrate its 30th reunion.

"It's really going to be a blast," assocation president Mike Downs said. "We're bringing those guys back, going to roast them a little bit and show off some of the stuff from 30 years ago.

"We've got some of the game film, so we can watch their big games. I've seen it, they were really fun to watch. They had some really exciting games along the way. They were still playing on that old tartan floor at the high school. It's really a kick."

That team still holds school records for winningest season (29-4), most points in a season (2,237) and for points scored in a game (101 vs. Yerington). They are also the last Tiger boys' sports team to win a state title - Douglas moved to the large school classification the next year.

The crab feed/reunion is scheduled for Aug. 22 at 5 p.m. at the St. Gall Catholic Church.

"It's not just that 1979 team we want to honor," Downs said. "We're trying to get some guys from those really great teams in the early days too. We'd love to get Jim Summers (the school's all-time scoring leader) and Ron Wilcks - It's kind of a 'look-back' night."

The fundraiser helps replenish the association's fund every year to help local AAU teams travel to tournaments and offset costs.

"We're hoping to pay for some training equipment this year and some day start up a scholarship fund," Downs said. "This is an important fundraiser every year."

Downs said tickets are selling well already, but that there is plenty of room still available.

"It's a great dinner," he said. "We get Alaskan king crab, baked potatoes, salad, bread - all the good stuff."

Cost is $35 a ticket. Door prizes and raffle prizes will be awarded and a silent auction will be conducted. Tickets are available at Warren Reed Insurance, US Bank on Highway 395 and The Record-Courier. They can also be purchased by calling 267-3306.

Joey Crandall can be reached at (775) 782-5121, ext. 212.