Basketball Story and All-State Team

Finalists Dominate Bulletin's All-State Basketball Pick -

From Laramie Daily Bulletin, 1939

The Laramie Daily Bulletin presents its first Wyoming all-state high school basket ball team, so we feel there remains some explaining to do.

Unlike the mythical selection which listed ten players and a honorable mention list, the Bulletin presents two teams and two utility players. The roster is dominated by the two finalists, the Casper Mustangs and the Laramie Plainsmen, easily the two best ball clubs in the tournament.

In picking the all-tourney teams, according to the players' performances during Friday and Saturday's sessions, which this writer witnessed, it was necessary to shift several players from their original positions.

Talents appeared most abundant at the guard spot. The tourney presented three fine guards, all outstanding performers of the meet, in Kenny Sailors, Jimmy Darden of Cheyenne and Jack Clark of Casper. Sailors, regarded by everyone along press row as the brightest performer, is shifted to the forward spot, a position he would better fill than either Clark or Darden.

Center Puzzling

The tournament officials saved themselves a hard task in merely listing ten players, as the center position left a puzzling problem. Choosing Bob Blackburn, the lithe Laramie lad, over big Jim Weir of Green River may appear as a friendly home town gesture. However, we stoutly believe Blackburn rated a first place notch, if anyone did.

The Laramie center undoubtedly hit his season's peak those hectic Friday and Saturday nights. Against the dangerous Powell Panthers, Blackburn covered tall Roney, the boy who personally upset Rock Springs, like a veritable tent. His defensive play and bankboard work on both offense and defense against the taller Casper Mustangs was a bright spot of that thrilling final game.

Volker Shifted

Volker, Casper center, is shifted also to a forward spot along with Sailors. A menace at all times on tip-ins and dangerous whirl-shots, Volker was highly instrumental in Casper's first state cage title.