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The 1950-51 basketball season was nearly over before Coach Walt Johnson could count on his team being at full strength. The most fearsome opponent the members of the team had to face during the season was the mumps "bugs", little packages of dynamite which delivered knockout punches to the jaws of just about everyone on the squad. The Indians could rarely count on a practice session in which all were on hand--sound of health and eager for activity.

Perhaps the climax of the season came one week before the Indians put their uniforms in mothballs when they journeyed to Davenport to stun the Gorillas and amaze everyone by winning a thrilling game in convincing fashion. Coach Johnson reached for his bag of tricks and came up with a neat one--using little Junior Anyan in the key, and no Davenport strategy could stop him or Reardan teammates. The victory gave Reardan a split with its arch rivals in their two-game series and knocked the Davenporters off its perch on top of the league to second place. Two more conference wins were chalked up, one against Wilbur, another against Edwall. The only team to defeat Reardan twice in conference play was Almira as only one game was played against Creston, that being in Creston’s troublesome gym. By mutual agreement of both coaches, the second game was cancelled.

In non-conference play, Reardan defeated Hartline twice, the second game being a one-sided affair at Reardan which saw Junior Anyan (who, along with Atkinson, played spectacular ball all season--when not afflicted with mumps), break all known scoring records on the home floor by chalking up 38 points in a flurry of sensational basketball. About the most thrilling victory of all was seen in Reardan’s one-point home-court margin over Chewelah. Two other well-played, thrilling games were seen here against Davenport and Endicott. The Indians led the vaunted Wildcats at half time by one point and were only behind Davenport by one point at half time, but due to the inexperience and youth of several players, faded somewhat in both games.

During the Christmas holidays the Reardan Lions Club sponsored a four-team tournament, inviting Rathdrum (the winner), Springdale (runner-up) and Edwall. In the true manner of a "good host", three trophies were presented to the top three teams of the tourney, Reardan doing the giving--but not the receiving as the Indians falled to win a game.

This year’s team was composed of three freshmen: John Schultz, Bruce Tramm and Gerald Brommer; three sophomores: Frank Nonnemacher, Clair Jones and Daryl Rogers; two juniors: Dwayne Paul and Junior Anyan; and two seniors: Glenn Atkinson and Bob Rogers.

In view of the talented "young blood" returning next year--plus the help of two or three outstanding eighth graders--Reardan is looking ahead to better years in basketball.

Coach Johnson is shown about to throw up ball for his two young six-foot three-inch centers, Frank Nonnemacher (left) and Cerald Brommer, Players on the left of the centers are Bob Rogers, John Schultz, Daryl Rogers and Glenn Atkinson, Players to the right of center (background to foreground) are Clair Jones, Dwayne Paul, Junior Anyan and Bruce Tramm,

(from a yearbook held by the Reardan Schools.)