Bob Barker’s got more knowledge to drop!!

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Bob Barker’s got more knowledge to drop!!

March 14, 2016 by David Svien

Wolf legends Barry Brown and Jeff Stone, with some of their ’67-’68 basketball teammates. (Photo courtesy Stone)

Bob Barker (Photo courtesy Sherry Roberts)

Bob Barker spent 31+ years at Coupeville High School, working as a teacher, coach and Athletic Director, affecting countless lives over the years.

A 1959 grad of what would become Western Washington University, he led baseball and basketball (both boys and girls) teams at CHS, taking three to state.

Hailed by his former players as “the best coach I ever had” and “one of the three or four people who shaped who I am today,” his impact lingers long after his retirement.

In this series, Barker responds to my questions as only he can, eloquently and passionately.

Today’s question: “Was Jeff Stone the greatest athlete you ever coached at CHS?”

David,

It is currently raining so I thought I would take some time and give my response to your third question.

Jeff was six-feet-four, but had very long arms.

He had soft hands and a very fine touch on the ball.

He had great athletic ability and while he played with his back to the basket for me, he learned to play facing the basket while in college.

He was recruited by Seattle Pacific, which was playing a very high level game at that time.

By his junior and senior college years he played on exceedingly fine teams and was one of their better scorers.

Jeff’s skills fit very nicely in the sport of basketball, and if I was to pick an all-star basketball team from the 30 years that I observed the sport at Coupeville, Jeff would be my first pick.

Although Jeff didn’t play tennis, if he had had the interest, with his build and skills, I think that he would have made a tremendous tennis player, too.

Now having said that, it is my opinion that he was not the best all-around athlete competing in sports during that period of time.

I am going to list some special performers from some of my basketball teams. These were All-Conference Performers.

NAME                  TEAM              YEAR
Barry Brown     NWB 1st            1967
John O’Grady    NWB 2nd          1976
Barry Brown      NWB 1st           1968
John O’Grady    NWB 1st           1968
Jeff Stone          NWB 1st            1969
Jeff Stone          NWB 1st            1970
Pat O’Grady      NWB 2nd           1970
Corey Cross       NWN 1st            1971
Bill Riley             Cascade 1st       1972
Corey Cross         Cascade 2nd     1972

If I was to pick some of the most all-around athletes that I have observed during the 30 years at Coupeville they would be Barry Brown, Corey Cross, Bill Riley, Randy Keefe and Foster Faris.

Most of these individuals were outstanding in at least two and many three sports.

I believe that Randy Keefe lives in Coupeville but has changed his name to O’Keefe.

I am going to include a few individual season statistics which you may or may not find interesting.

Best point average per game:

1. Jeff Stone (27.0) 1969-70
2. Bill Riley (23.9) 1972-73
3. Bill Riley (18.7) 1971-72

Most Rebounds:

1. Bill Riley (310) 1971-72 (21 games)
2. Jeff Stone (295) 1969-70 (24 games)
3. Bill Riley (288) 1972-73 (20 game)
4. Randy Duggan (262) 1971-72 (21 games)
5. Barry Brown (206) 1967-68
6. Pat Brown (175) 1969-70
7. Jeff Stone (159) 1968-69
8. John O’Grady (141) 1967-68

Here is another tidbit. The best season free throw percentage was Alan Hancock at 75.4%.