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Posts Tagged ‘Jeff Rhubottom’

They had a green light to shoot

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , on May 6, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Bill Riley has the 12th and 14th best individual scoring seasons in CHS boys basketball history. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Three players, seven of the best seasons. L to r are Randy Keefe (#7, #8, #50), Bill Jarrell (#5, #21), and Jeff Rhubottom (#2, #33). (Renae Mulholland photo)

There is no question the ’70s were a golden period for Coupeville High School boys basketball.

It started with the 1969-1970 Wolves, who were the first Whidbey Island hoops team to win a district title, the first CHS squad to go to state, and still the highest-scoring group in program history, 50 years later.

But that was just the beginning.

Whether we look at team accomplishments or individual achievement, the Me Decade players stand head and shoulders above everyone else.

That’s reflected when we look back at the 50 best single-season scoring totals put up by any Wolf hoops player.

Despite playing with no three-point line, while wearing short-shorts, ’70s players account for 19 of those slots.

No other decade even reaches double-digits, with the ’90s and 2000’s accounting for eight apiece.

The ’50s give us five, the ’60s four, and tied for last it’s the ’80s and 2010’s, which land just three top-50 performances.

Randy Keefe, who is #3 in career scoring, is the only Wolf to have three top-50 seasons, landing at #7, #8, and #50.

The only thing keeping him from making it 4-for-4? Freshmen weren’t allowed to play varsity basketball in the early ’70s.

There are 12 other Wolves who managed to crack the top 50 twice in their career, including Jeff Stone and Jeff Rhubottom, who own the best two individual performances.

Others occupying two slots include Bill Jarrell, Mike Bagby, Bill Riley, Hunter Smith, Gavin Keohane, Denny Clark, Jack Elzinga, Rich Morris, Chris Good, and Mike Criscoula.

Overall, 36 players have combined to account for the top 50 individual seasons.

As always when we discuss the 103-year history of the CHS boys basketball program, however, there is one small caveat.

We’re still missing a full season of scoring stats for Elzinga and two for Tom Sahli, who has the 39th best campaign in our semi-complete overview.

With that being said, the 50 best single-season scoring totals:

 

Jeff Stone – (644) – (1969-1970)
Jeff Rhubottom – (459) – (1977-1978)
Pete Petrov (442) – (1995-1996)
Arik Garthwaite – (423) – (1997-1998)
Bill Jarrell – (415) – (1975-1976)
Mike Bagby – (414) – (2004-2005)
Randy Keefe – (398) – (1974-1975)
Randy Keefe – (397) – (1975-1976)
Brad Sherman – (396) – (2002-2003)
Wade Ellsworth – (392) – (1978-1979)
Del O’Shell – (391) – (1981-1982)
Bill Riley – (388) – (1972-1973)
Joe Whitney – (388) – (1979-1980)
Bill Riley – (386) – (1971-1972)
Pat Clark – (384) – (1956-1957)
Hunter Smith – (382) – (2017-2018)
Cody Peters – (380) – (2008-2009)
Gavin Keohane – (374) – (1997-1998)
Denny Clark – (365) – (1963-1964)
Mike Bagby – (364) – (2005-2006)
Bill Jarrell – (357) – (1974-1975)
Gabe McMurray – (355) – (1994-1995)
Foster Farris – (348) – (1976-1977)
Timm Orsborn – (345) – (1987-1988)
Roy Marti – (342) – (1978-1979)
Virgil Roehl – (341) – (1992-1993)
Pat Bennett – (340) – (1999-2000)
Jack Elzinga – (337) – (1954-1955)
Steve Whitney – (337) – (1978-1979)
Corey Cross – (333) – (1970-1971)
Hunter Smith – (332) – (2016-2017)
Rich Morris – (328) – (1995-1996)
Jeff Rhubottom – (325) – (1976-1977)
Denny Clark – (319) – (1962-1963)
Randy Duggan – (319) – (1971-1972)
Chris Good – (319) – (2001-2002)
Jeff Stone – (317) – (1968-1969)
Dan Nieder – (313) – (1987-1988)
Tom Sahli – (310) – (1952-1953)
Jack Elzinga – (309) – (1955-1956)
Rich Morris – (309) – (1996-1997)
Mike Criscuola – (306) – (1958-1959)
Allen Black – (305) – (2003-2004)
Mike Criscuola – (305) – (1959-1960)
Chris Good – (305) – (2000-2001)
Marc Bissett – (302) – (1975-1976)
Hunter Hammer – (302) – (2009-2010)
Gavin Keohane – (300) – (1998-1999)
Pat O’Grady – (296) – (1969-1970)
Randy Keefe – (293) – (1973-1974)

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Forever young, forever revered!!

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , on January 22, 2018| Leave a Comment »

   The hoops legends of the ’70s reunited. Left to right, it’s Randy Keefe, Bill Jarrell and Jeff Rhubottom. (Renae Mulholland photos)

   Dale Sherman, a beast on the boards in the ’60s, and daughter Shannon, a star cheerleader in the late ’80s.

   Darrell Dyer, who operated the clock at CHS basketball games for decades, has a smile and firm handshake for all.

   Foster Faris (green jacket), a star on the hardwood in the ’70s, embraces his coach, Bob Barker.

   The current score table crew, l to r, announcer Moose Moran, Martin Mazdra and the greatest score-book operator to ever put pencil to paper – June Mazdra.

   Ryan O’Keefe (left), possibly up to shenanigans with fellow Wolf hoops alumni Rusty Bailey (center) and Keith Jameson.

L to r, returning legends Utz Conard, Denny Clark, Pat Clark and Keefe.

Dorothy Keefe (red jacket) keeps an eye on her “boys.”

There were more points in the CHS gym Friday than there are stars in heaven.

The 101-year anniversary of Wolf boys basketball brought out almost every living major scoring star of the past, outside gunners and inside bangers alike.

As hoops stars from the ’40s through 2018 mingled, Renae Mulholland, who grew up cheering for her brothers (the Keefe boys) and their friends, snapped these pics and was nice enough to share them with us.

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Brothers of the round-ball, unite!!

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged , , , , , , on January 12, 2018| Leave a Comment »

   The late, great Mike Criscuola, AKA “Strong Mike,” who scored 979 points between 1956-1960, fifth-most by a Wolf boys basketball player.

   A who’s-who of guys who could singe a net. Clockwise, from top left, Jeff Stone, Michael Bagby, Randy Keefe, Jeff Rhubottom, Bill Riley, Pete Petrov, Brad Sherman, Denny Clark, Arik Garthwaite, Bill Jarell.

Did I mention there will be cake?

One week from today — Friday, Jan. 19 — Coupeville High School celebrates the 101st anniversary of boys basketball, and everyone associated with the program is invited to return.

The Wolves host Chimacum in an Olympic League clash that night (JV 3:30, varsity 5:15), and the date is the same one on which the first hoops game in school history was played.

That happened way back on Jan. 19, 1917, when CHS pounded Langley 29-7 (forever giving the South End an inferiority complex).

This time around, every former and current Wolf boys basketball player, coach, manager, stats keeper, ticket taker, cheerleader and fan can (and should) join the festivities.

When you show up, there will be commemorative ID stickers for everyone to write their names on, reunion-style, so everyone can more easily pretend that yes, they really did recognize all their former teammates.

The game program is going far beyond the normal rosters, schedule and school fight song.

It will feature info on that first game in 1917, the immortal 1969-1970 squad which was the first Whidbey Island basketball team to win a district title (and still holds all the school scoring records), and a look at the top 15 career scorers.

While current Wolf senior Hunter Smith is at #17 (695 points) and climbing fast, the 15 in the program will be:

Jeff Stone (1137)
Mike Bagby (1104)
Randy Keefe (1088)
Jeff Rhubottom (1012)
Mike Criscuola (979)
Bill Riley (934)
Pete Petrov (917)
Brad Sherman (874)
Denny Clark (868)
Arik Garthwaite (867)
Bill Jarrell (855)
Corey Cross (811)
Barry Brown (769)
Hunter Hammer (759)
Steve Whitney (730)

Halftime will feature recognition of the ’69-’70 team and the Top 15, and things really get hoppin’ post-game.

Eagle-eyed photographer John Fisken will attempt to capture the ultimate “team” photo, with every former Wolf in attendance gathered down on the hardwood, then current basketball moms will host a reception in the health room.

That’s just a few steps outside the gym doors, on your right as you head to the exit inside the facility.

It’s easy to find, as it’s right across from the ticket table.

If nothing else, you can follow the smell of cake. I know I always do.

And the most important thing to remember is this — it doesn’t matter if you were All-League or a bench warmer, if you filled up the stat sheet or can count the number of minutes you played on one hand.

If you were involved with Wolf boys basketball in any way, you are part of the history of the program, and we want to see you at the CHS gym next Friday.

It’s a night to honor those who came before, to show them they are not forgotten and their accomplishments still mean something. And it’s a night to honor the present and future.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow, you are all brothers of the round-ball. Never forget that.

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It’s about dang time!!

Posted in Basketball, Hall o' Fame, tagged , , , , , on August 20, 2017| Leave a Comment »

   Jeff Rhubottom (top, left) is joined by (clockwise from top right) Bill Jarrell, Randy Keefe and Terry (Perkins) Powell (wearing blue necklace).

Better late than never.

As I’ve constructed the one-man, semi-real shrine to excellence known as the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, I’ve zigged and I’ve zagged, plucking excellence from all decades.

And yet, I would be the first to admit, my decision-making process has always been at least slightly suspect.

Some people got in really early, and sometimes, for a thousand different reasons, some of the most qualified have been left to bide their time outside the doors of our digital hall.

Almost always it wasn’t intentional. I promise.

Today, we’re making up for that, at least a little, with the induction of four of the most talented Wolves to ever put a basketball into the bucket.

They all played multiple sports, and were standouts regardless of the season, but, with my recent deep dive into the CHS basketball records — which exist in a million little pieces — this fab four looms even larger.

So, way, way, WAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY overdue, let’s welcome Randy Keefe, Terry (Perkins) Powell, Bill Jarrell and Jeff Rhubottom to the Hall o’ Fame.

After this, you’ll find them up at the top of the blog, under the Legends tab, which is something they’ve always been, even if this writer has taken forever to get them enshrined.

Our first inductee, Powell, stands as one of the first true girls basketball stars in Central Whidbey history.

She led the Wolves in scoring for three consecutive seasons, tossing in 194 points in 1984-1985, 165 in the ’85-’86 campaign, then topping things off with a 314-point barrage in ’86-’87.

Working in tandem with fellow Hall o’ Famer Marlene Grasser (who netted 307 points that year), Powell was the leader of the first CHS girls hoops team to advance to the playoffs.

At the time of her graduation, Powell held the school single-season and career scoring marks for girls.

The increased pace of the game and addition of the three-point shot allowed a handful of other Wolves to eventually catch and pass her, but she remains #7 in career scoring with 673 points.

Her fellow inductees dominated in the ’70s, and the fact all three remain in the top 10 with both career and single-season scoring marks, is made more remarkable by two facts.

One, they all played before everyone and their brother got three points for hitting a shot behind the arc, and two, they suited up at a time when ninth graders either didn’t play high school basketball or were firmly affixed to the very end of the bench by their coaches.

That didn’t stop any of the three, though.

Keefe and Jarrell’s high school hoops careers ran from the ’73-’74 season (their sophomore campaign) through a journey to the state tourney in ’75-’76 as seniors.

One was maybe the most consistent scorer in school history, while the other caught his buddy at the end with a season for the ages.

CHS boys basketball has played 100 seasons (1917-2017), and Keefe owns two of the 10 best single season performances.

He rattled home 293 points as a sophomore, 398 as a junior (#7 all-time) and 397 as a senior (#8 all-time), leaving him with 1,088 points, third-best in program history.

Only two guys beat him, Jeff Stone (1137) and Mike Bagby (1104), and Stone had to throw down an Island-record 644 points as a senior to assure that, while Bagby, playing in the modern era, got a full four years as a varsity starter.

Jarrell didn’t come out of the gate quite as quickly as his running mate, settling for 83 points as a sophomore, fifth-best on that year’s team.

Then, something clicked and he went off for 357 points as a junior and 415 as a senior.

Snapping Keefe’s two-year run as team scoring champ, Jarrell’s senior heroics stand as the fifth-best single-season performance, and his 855 points lands him at #10 on the career list.

That ’75-’76 squad was one of the best the school ever had, and, along with the hot-shooting senior duo of Keefe and Jarrell, the Wolves got a huge contribution from a rampaging 6-foot-4 sophomore named Rhubottom.

He pounded away for 228 points as a sophomore, then took on even more of the scoring load over the next two seasons.

Rhubottom knocked down 325 as a junior (backing up Foster Faris, who went off for 348), then unleashed a beat-down as a senior.

By the time he was finished with the ’77-’78 season, Rhubottom had 459 points, which remains the second-best single season in school history, boys or girls, trailing just Stone’s once-in-a-century performance.

His 1012 career points will have him sitting #4 on that list when CHS raises a basketball record board.

Now, of course, we haven’t talked about the hundreds upon hundreds of rebounds hauled down, the assists doled out, the steals made off, or all the small plays this four-pack made.

But, even just talking about their scoring ability, it’s easy to see why Powell, Keefe, Jarrell and Rhubottom remain among the biggest stars to ever grace the CHS hardwood.

Hall o’ Famers, one and all, even if they had to wait way too long for it to be “official.”

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Big man, big legend!!

Posted in Boys Basketball, Football, Track, Where are they now?, tagged , , , , , on August 12, 2017| Leave a Comment »

Jeff and Cindy Rhubottom. (Contributed photos)

   A flashback to the days when Rhubottom terrorized Wolf rivals on the hardwood.

   The socks were extraordinary, and so was their ability to put the ball in the hoop.

“Respect yourself. Respect your school.”

Jeff Rhubottom was one of the best athletes to ever walk the hallways of Coupeville High School, and he lived by that credo.

A 6-foot-4 tower of power, the 1978 Wolf grad was a 12-time letter winner (four times each in football, basketball and track and field), a two-time All-Conference hoops player and the school record holder in the high jump for more than a decade.

While fellow football player Rich Wilson (6-4) nipped Rhubottom’s mark (6-2) in 2000 — and retains the school record 17 years later — Rhubottom’s legacy still looms large.

He torched the basketball nets for 459 points his senior season in 1977-1978, the second-best single-season mark ever put up a Wolf, boy or girl.

Over the course of four seasons, while sharing the ball with some of the biggest scorers and sweetest shooters in CHS hoops history, he finished with 1,012 points.

In 100 seasons of Wolf boys basketball, only Jeff Stone (1137), Mike Bagby (1104) and Rhubottom contemporary Randy Keefe (1088) have topped that.

While he enjoyed his other sports (he was a tight end/outside linebacker in football and a sprinter, relay runner and state meet-qualifying high jumper on the track oval), basketball was always Rhubottom’s favorite.

“Making the starting five on the varsity squad in basketball my sophomore year” was a particular highlight, which allowed him to “play with great athletes like Bill Jarrell, Randy Keefe, Marc Bisset and Foster Faris.”

That unit played for legendary CHS coach Bob Barker, a man who had a huge positive impact on Rhubottom.

“Coach Barker (was a favorite) for his professionalism,” Rhubottom said. “I remember him quoting as he was handing out our red blazers, ‘You’re representing yourself as an athlete and you’re representing Coupeville High School’.”

CHS football coach Pat Lippincott and track guru Craig Pedlar (“great teacher, great coach”) also helped shaped the young Rhubottom into the man he became.

“Coach Pedlar brought Michael Ellsworth, Jeff Fielding, and myself to the State A Finals in Yakima in 1978,” Rhubottom said. “It was great to be involved with great athletes of the school.

“It’s what you did on Friday nights.”

Whether it was standing tall at the state tourney or ripping through the line to block a punt against Concrete, before scooping up the loose ball and taking it to the house for a touchdown, Rhubottom played with passion, for himself and his teammates.

“I loved and respected the athletic program, playing with great athletes in a small town.”

The lessons he learned as a Wolf benefited Rhubottom as he went on to build his own family (he has a son, Jeff, Jr.) and a career in the painting business.

“Working hard and being responsible and trying to stay in the best physical shape as the years go by. Keeping active,” have been his guiding principals.

Rhubottom considers himself “totally blessed,” having been married to Cindy, “the most beautiful, loving wife, mother, and grandmother” until she lost her battle with cancer in September, 2016.

Being “surrounded by loving new and old family” has helped him greatly.

As he looks back at his own career, Rhubottom calls on today’s Wolves to seize the day.

“Respect yourself. Respect your school. Give 110%. Enjoy the experience,” he said. “Have fun, because it goes by quick.

“Keep active. Always love the sport,” Rhubottom added. “It was fun to take a trip down memory road of my athletic career at Coupeville High School. These are memories I will cherish forever.”

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