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February 29, 2008

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Harold Davison

That was an excellent post, Steve! Your message came through loud and clear. As a basketball fan I can definitely relate, and I think non-sports fans will relate as well. Always do your best, in spite of all obstacles, and good things can happen. Anyone who thinks they will be rewarded for giving anything less than their best is mistaken. Thanks for the inspirational post!

A. Bruce Gourley

You said, "The North Andover boys varsity basketball team is in its fifth straight decade of qualifying for post-season basketball. The streak stretches back into the 1960s".

You are wrong.

I would like to point out North Andover's winning streak goes behond the 1960s. Your streak started in the 1950s and you should go back and check. I belive 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, North Andover played in the state finals and they were the state champions in one of those years. I think it was 1957 we won the state championship. I remember three names on that team, Vic, Ziggie and Robin. Maybe someone can write and fill in the remaining other names. I'm sure Robin Monroe still lives in North Andover, he can bring you up to date.

You can post my email, I enjoy hearing from my friends back home as I live in Texas now.
Thank you

Steve Todd

I did some research on this topic over the weekend, and I think we're both right! In the back of my mind I had heard that North Andover did not play in the state tournament in the 1960s, so I contacted Bob Parker from NAHS. Bob played North Andover basketball, coached North Andover basketball, and was my math teacher as well. According to Bob, North Andover has "qualified" each year since (at least) the 50s, but did not play in 1964 because of a technicality. I've appended his email below:

Steve
Basically my comments regarding the '64 team were as follows: In 1964, we were 12 -8 at the end of the season and qualified for the state tournament. At that time, 60 % was needed and we made it. A couple of days before the pairings came out, Coach Licare told us that two of our wins were at risk due to a technicality. It seems that Haverhill Trade School (whom we beat twice) had not paid their league or MIAA dues. After much discussions and objections "they" decided that HT was a non-sanctioned high school and games won against them would not count towards the 60 % qualifying goal.
Thus....we were not allowed to participate in the post-season State Tournament.

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