DARRINGTON — For longtime Logger coach Nancy Snyder, the Darrington High School trophy case held more than a few mysteries. Who were the kids who brought home all these sports awards?
The question turned into research and the research became part of planning for a Darrington High School Athletic Hall of Fame. On Saturday, the Darrington community plans its first hall-of-fame induction ceremony.
Snyder knew all the outstanding athletes dating back to the early 1970s. That’s when she started teaching and coaching a variety of sports at the school. For example, she remembers all the boys on her 1981 state 2B championship baseball team. And, of course, she had heard much about the legendary boys basketball state championship teams of the 1950s.
But what about Harvey Wood, Les Green and Darrell Crawford, some of the star athletes of the 1940s?
“It’s been an exciting project. These first inductees are just a drop in the bucket,” Snyder said. “There are so many more who also are deserving. But we will get to all of them.”
Among the list of those honored this time around, Bill West is to be inducted with his son, Andy West, and Randy Jones with his daughter, Amy Jones.
Ned Miller is traveling from his home in Bozeman, Mont., for the ceremony. Snyder was coaching when Miller played baseball during his freshman year. Snyder called Ned’s dad, Bud Miller, one day and told him he had to get Ned on a track team instead. Miller later attended Montana State University on a track scholarship.
“She needed all of us on that baseball team, but she was unselfish. She made it possible for me to run,” Miller said. “The Hall of Fame is a great idea. Nancy has been good for Darrington.”
Darrington grocery store owner and sports booster Kevin Ashe agrees. Snyder also will be honored at the ceremony, he said.
“For all of us who were raised here in Darrington, this is a big deal and a chance to celebrate,” Ashe said. “We have our heroes.”
In the mid-1950s, the Loggers ruled in Class B basketball. They had a new gym built by the community. They had big crowds to cheer them on. The championship 1955 and 1957 teams, along with then coach LaVerne Simmons, also are among those who will be remembered and honored on Saturday, Ashe said.
“It was the golden era of basketball,” Ashe said. “People didn’t have a lot else to do and the whole town came out for the games.”
Gerald Green, who played on the 1955 team, still goes to all the home games.
“I am pleased to be selected for the Hall of Fame,” Green said. “I will be 76 in January, and even my great grandkids plan to attend the ceremony.”
Snyder had help on the Hall of Fame project from Ashe and a committee of lifelong Darrington residents, who made use of the well-kept collection of yearbooks in the school’s library.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
The list of people set to be inducted Saturday include:
n Sandie Edwards, Class of 1993. Basketball: At 6-foot-5-inches, Edwards was listed on the all-state team in 1993; state record for the most blocked shots in a game; the school rebound record of 1,000 and 1,600 career points scored. Edwards played basketball for the University of Oregon.
n Angie Meece, Class of 1998. Basketball: Northwest All-Area most valuable player three years; all-state team in 1998; and career record of 1,500 points scored. Volleyball: all-league first team three years; 346 kills in a single season; 936 career kills.
n Ned Miller, Class of 1999. Basketball: all-state first team; Everett Herald Letterman of the Year; 1,453 career points. Track and cross country: state A/B cross country champion in 1997; State B 1999 track championships in the 1600 and 3200 events. Miller ran track for Montana State University.
n Andy West, Class of 1999. Football: all-league team two years. Wrestling: fifth at state in 1997; first at state in 1998 and first in 1999. Weight was 275 pounds.
n Bill West, Class of 1973. Wresting: 1973 state champion, weight 215 pounds. Wrestling coach of the year in 1998.
n Amy Jones, Class of 2004. Basketball: all-league and all-area teams; league most valuable player in 2004; played twice in the all-state game; scored seven 3-pointers in a single game; career points of 1,801. Volleyball: all-league and all-area teams.
n Randy Jones, Class of 1978. Football: all-league and all-state teams; 28 touchdowns in 1978; career 4,200 yards rushing. Basketball: Career 1,831 points scored; all-league scoring leader. Baseball: drafted by Texas Rangers in 1978. Still coaching for Darrington.
n Verco White, Class of 1939. Excelled in football, basketball and baseball.
n Calvin St. Louis, Class of 1947. Played football, basketball and baseball. Pitched four no-hitters, three in his junior year. Played minor league baseball for 11 years on teams in Canada, Texas, Louisiana and California.
n Jim Reece, Class of 1951. Excelled in basketball and baseball.
n Bobby Thomason, Class of 1953. Excelled in basketball and baseball.
n Scott Parris, Class of 1954. Parris was a senior on the basketball team in January of 1954 when the first high school game was played in the Darrington Community Center gymnasium. Starting catcher on the baseball team.
n Gerald Green, Class of 1955. The most valuable player on the 1955 Class B state championship basketball team.
n David Edwards, Class of 1958. Excelled in football, baseball and tennis. Member of the 1955 and 1957 Class B state championship basketball teams.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
