Players
Varsity Team Pre-Season photograph. (back row, left to right) Coach Bobby Toon, Glen Jackson, Eli Alexander, Johnny Shelley, Tyrone McCouston, Bob Wilder,
David Frank, Danny Hudspeth, Phil Miller, Ray Lane, Coach Jerry Shelton.
(front row, left to right) Dale McCuiston, Manager Phillip Adams, Mark Williams.
The following player profiles are from a March 12, 1974 article in the Sun-Democrat titled ‘Believing’ Helped Murray Get To State by Jerry Atkins, Sun-Democrat Sports Editor in his regular 'Atkins Alley' editorial.
Tyrone McCuistion
A 6-2 high jumper, McCuiston ranks high on the Tiger list for his contribution. Not only is he the team’s leading rebounder with a 13.1 average, but also ranks alongside Hudspeth with a 14.2 scoring average and trails only Lane in the assist department. As a sophomore, Ty was the team’s second-leading rebounder and scorer behind his older brother Porter, who was a senior that year. Now, after missing his junior year, he’s retained a leadership role for the Bengals. “He’s a very emotional-type kid,” is coach pointed out. “He can stir up a ball club, and he can also intimidate another club. He shows his emotions on the floor, but is probably the most competitive kid I’ve ever coached….he refuses to quit.”
Ray Lane
A 5-11 senior guard, Lane averaged almost 14 points a game last year and upped it by four points this time out. Blessed with a brilliant talent of ball-handling and passing, he led the team in assists with five a game (136 for the season). “Ray is a smart ball player,” Coach Toon pointed out. “Not only is he a good ball handler, but he’s probably our best outside shooter. He loves basketball and plays to win.” Lane, who broke into the Tiger starting lineup late in the season as a sophomore, hits at a 41 percent clip from the field and 67 percent at the free throw line.
Glenn Jackson*
Also a senior, the 6-foot Jackson leads the Tigers in scoring with a 19.5 average. Blessed with the knack of getting into the “key” for a short jumper, Jackson ranks as one of the best shooters on the team with a season percentage of 44, “He’s made tremendous improvement this year in controlling himself,” his coach said. “He has become a leader for us and has proven to be the most consistent player on the floor. Jackson sets up the Tiger offense from the point and ranks as the third leading performer on assist charts.
Danny Hudspeth
A rugged performer inside, the 6-1 Hudspeth is actually “taller” than his size indicates. The husky center, who averaged 11.2 points and led the team with rebounds a year ago, carries credentials of 14.2 and 12.3 respectively this season. “He’s the type kid who never says much, but just gets the job done,” Toon said. “He’s a hard worker, but gets into a lot of foul trouble because he’s hustling after the ball.” Hudspeth, who plays “down under” all the time, has hit 66 per cent of his field goal attemps this season, the best on the team.
Bob Wilder
The tallest of the starting Tigers at 6-foot-5, Wilder moved into the fourth position in the lineup somewhat unexpectedly. “Bob plays a good floor game, but sometimes gets into foul trouble because of his good defense,” Toon said. “He’s very serous about basketball, and we use him at three positions – high post, guard and forward.” Averaging six rebounds a game, Wilder, who is only a sophomore, doesn’t shoot very much but still contributed just over five points an outing.
Johnny Shelley
A 6-3 senior, Shelley moved along with Wilder in unexpected fashion. A starter at times throughout the season, he became better known for his dependability as a valuable sixth man. “He gave us the spark we needed all year long.” Toon said of his senior. “Coming off the bench like he did, I’d have to him a ‘Mr. Hustle’ for us….he never complains, just does his job.” Shelley average three points and five rebounds for the Tigers this year.
Phil Miller
A big, strong 6-2 junior, Miller became the seventh man for the Tigers, being used mostly in a post positon. At the first of the season, Murray coaches were looking at him to fill the fifth spot, but Wilder and Shelley came on strong to push him back. Still, he’s been a valuable contribution to the season. “Without him being ready, we couldn’t be where we are now, “ his coach commented. “He’s really added to our strength on the boards.” Miller, who has played in 24 of Murray’s 28 games, averaged four points and 3.5 rebounds.
Dale McCuiston
A 5-8 junior guard and younger brother of Tyrone, developed as the so-called eights man and played enough to have the experience to perform when needed.
Eli Alexander
Keith Tabers*
Kim Grogan
David Frank
Mark Williams
Lindy Suiter
Robbie Hibbard*
Todd Harrison
Donnie Williams*
Chris Kurz
