Bio

The 1958-59 men’s basketball team was one of the first successful teams in ENC athletics. In the first half of the season, they easily handled their opponents, posting a 9-0 record. During this run, they averaged 81.1 points per game, outscoring their rivals, 730 to 458. They compiled a 15-1 record and won the King’s Tournament for the first time in school history.

The 1959 edition of the Nautilus reported that "the secret to the success of the team was that it was extremely well coached, committed to teamwork and ran a well-balanced fast break offense, plus a tight-pressing man-to-man defense".

The Nautilus went on to say that "The team was led by co-captain Jack Smith whose deadly outside shooting combined with the hard driving of Dick Mann, while in the front court co-captain David Hutchinson’s high pivot play consistently set up his teammates, not to mention his inside scoring and rebounding. Along with his scoring, Merritt Mann’s rebounding greatly facilitated the Crusaders’ fast break. Jim Bricker, Charles Pillsbury, and Bill Wilhoyte proved to be excellent play-makers and stalwarts on defense." In addition, Bill Webb, Ron Norman, Branson Roberts, Bruce Reeves, Howie Williams, Bill Couchenour, Joe Andrews and Ray Sharpes rounded out the team and all contributed to its overall success.

The team possessed two intangibles: one was great basketball-savvy, and the other was a passion for the game that transcended the gymnasium and basketball season. The common challenge heard at any moment was, “Any time, one-on-one!” And those one-on-one battles that often ensued were part of the iron-sharpens-iron atmosphere that was essential to their success.  The 1958-59 team dominated the opposition with a winning margin of more than 20 points per game.