The All-State Basketball Project - Saluting 1965

By Bobby Mills (1000 Yard Guy)

This is the 2nd in a series of 50 years of all-state basketball and today we spotlight the 1965 high school all-state teams. Class A had two repeat selections and Class C was once again loaded with top notch talent. Let's have a look at the Class of 1965.

1965 Nebraska High School All-State Basketball Teams.

*Class A*

John Buller-Omaha Westside - 6-5, 200, Sr.

Bryce Doebele-Lincoln Northeast - 6-0, 178, Sr.

John Mackey-Omaha Tech - 6-2, 170, Sr.

Roger Leitner-McCook - 6-6, 185, Sr.

David McGuire-Boys Town - 5-11, 165. Sr.

*Boys Town (22-2) beat the invaders from the West, McCook 45-41 for the Class A crown. Boys Town southpaw David McGuire, a repeat selection from 1964, led the Cowboys with his floor leadership and 19.6 ppg average. McCook's Leitner was the real deal, averaging 26.7 point a game and dominating inside. Leitner and fellow all-stater John Buller of Omaha Westside hooked up in the semis to put on a great show, both dropping in 28 points in the Bison 51-50 victory. Lincoln Northeast's Bryce Doebele was widely regarded as the finest back court player in the state and was an outstanding shooter as well as dribble drive expert.

Some names you may recognize on honorable mention Class A were: Fremont's husky Erich Wiegert, Rod Ehler-Scottsbluff, Arthur Allen of Omaha Central, Larry Rice-Gering, Mike Bohaty-Lincoln Pius X, Bob McAuliff of Hastings, who later was the Tigers athletic director for years, Klaus Brotzki-Omaha Bishop Ryan, Ron Johnette-Omaha Benson, one of the Deans of Coaching in Omaha later, Henry Claussen-Columbus and Jpe Armstrong of Beatrice. Yes, the Orangeman were Class A.

*Class B*

Dave Cottingham-Ralston - 6-4, 195, Sr.

Bob Grattop-Geneva - 6-4, 190, Jr.

Keith Maurer-Madison - 6-2, 175, Sr.

Richard Osentowski-Ord - 5-11, 165, Sr.

Gerald Schenck-St. Paul - 6-6, 190, Sr.

*The unstoppable Bob Grattop led his Geneva team to the "B" title with a 59-53 win over Madison and Keith Maurer. The incomparable Grattop put on one the wildest state torunament 3 game performances in history that year. The 6-4 junior wizard scored 50 points against Ord in the opening round, then added totaled 49 more in state tourney games against Ralston and Madison. The 50 point outburst against Madison was a record at the time. Grattop shot 60% from the field in 1965. Schenck averaged 22 an outing for St. Paul, often playing only 3 quarters a game. Ord's Rich Osentowski had to be the slickest overall player in Class B that season. Rich had it all, quickness, smooth moves, great defender and almost impossible to guard. Nobody had a picnic playing against Ralston's rugged Cottingham, who was a key cog in the Rams 1964 state title run.

Honorable Mention names you may recognize: Bob Schweizer-Albion, Mike Aspen-Hastings St. Cecilia, Bill Bartunek-David City Aquinas, Tom Lehan-Omaha Holy Name, Rich McGill-West Point CC, Doug Anderson of Superior, an outstanding all-arounf track athlete, Sam Spearman-Ainsworth (Sutton vintage?), and Aurora's Mike Newman.

*Class C*

Ken Ahl-Loiusville - 5-10, 150, Sr.

Gil Frey-Emerson-Hubbard - 6-6, 195, Sr.

Lavonne Kassabaum-Hebron - 6-1, 182, Sr.

Glenn Mays-Wood River - 6-5, 205, Sr.

Ron Schroeder-Lincoln University High - 5-10, 160, Sr.

*21-4 Lincoln University High beat Hebron (20-2) for the Class C title with some to spare, 54-38. University High head coach Dale Snook had a dandy in the long range popping Schroeder, who scored 704 points in 1965 and poured in 1,779 for his career. Not bad for a 5-11 dude. Wood River's Glenn mays was nothing short of phoenominal that season, averaging 31.6 ppg and 16 boards a contest. Lurch just had some sweet battles with Kurt Lauer the year before, but 1965 was all his most nights. He scorched Aurora in '65 with a 48 point outburst. Louisville's Ken Ahl was pure gold with his 27 ppg average that spanned both his junior and senior seasons. Hebron's Kassabaum was the defensive specialist of this Class C bunch. Some names on honorable mention of note: Big 6-11 Jack Kramer of Fullerton, along with teammate Dave Christensen, Don Keiper-Gibbon, the late great Bob Sixel of North Loup/Scotia, Bob Lake of Leigh and Fred Baumert of Howells.

*Class D*

Steve Lane-Herman - 6-1, 170, Sr.

Bill Thayer-Guide Rock - 6-3, 190, Sr.

Larry Vlasin-Madrid - 5-10, 173, Sr.

Dale Von Seggern-Orchard - 6-6, 190, Sr.

David Zumbahlen - Odell - 6-1, 176, Sr.

*A 6 loss Beaver Crossing team repeated as Class D State Champs by besting Odell in a 48-46 nail biter. In my opinion, the outstanding athlete of this group was without a doubt, Madrid's Larry Vlasin. A two time all-state football player, Vlasin averaged 27 ppg on the hardwood and was simply a freakish athlete that only comes along once in a liftime in a town the size of Madrid. Vlasin scored 55 in one game and was so unselfish he averaged 12 assists a game. Guide Rock's Bill Thayer must have idolized Wilt Chamberlin because his hook shot with either hand was a thing to behold. Thayer averaged 25 ppg and 16 rebounds in 1965. Herman's Lane could jump to the moon for a 6-1 guy, averaging 19 caroms an outing. And Von Seggern just plain dominated underneath. Some names you may recognize on honorable mention all-state were: Dennis Loewe-Clearwater, Terry Henn-Elgin St. Boniface, Wayne Hinrichs-Hildreth, Terry Egger-Sprague-Martell, Dennis Brewer-Paxton, Gordon Alderman-Davenport and of course the very fine Dennis Sealey of Polk.