"They’ve won it all! They won it!"
Last year a new method of selecting the league basketball champions was voted by DVAL coaches. Winner of the 16-game "round robin" receives one point and a guaranteed co-championship. Winner of the play-offs between the top four teams receives one point and a co-championship.
Two points are necessary to represent the league in the Camelia T.O.C. in Sacramento. If the round robin winner does not win the play-offs, as was the case this year, a Monday night deciding game is played in a neutral gym.
Mt. Diablo won the league play-offs and went on to play Pittsburg for the deciding point. KWUN radio broadcast the game. If you were listening, this is what you heard that night:
Barry Maynard, at the free-throw line. Here is Barry Maynard, one and one, the most important shot of his career…
It’s no good, Leonard, he gets the rebound! He’s fouled! Leonard is fouled! With 14 seconds! Wayne Leonard to the free-throw line.
Problem here for Wayne Leonard, he is only 2 of 5, not the greatest free-throw shooter. Everything hangs in the balance!
Here’s the free-throw…IT"S IN! But not over! It’s in, but not over! Time out, Red Devils! The Red Devils want time! What more could you ask for in a basketball game?
I don’t know, my heart’s going about 90 miles-an-hour. This is the most tremendous game that we have ever done, and what a tremendous way to end the season! Tremendous!
Andy DeStefono, a little bit worried right now!
14 seconds remain, and Wayne Leonard goes to the free-throw line for one shot, and this could win it! A rebound, the Pirates could possible come down and score all over, DON’T GO AWAY! Here it is, the second free throw… IS IN! 14, 13, 12, clock ticks away! Johnson quickly down court! Back and loses it out of bounds!
Maynard had the rebound, and lost it out of bounds! Six-clock, there’s a jump shot, it’s no good. DeRosa’s got it! They’re gonna win it! THEY’VE WON IT ALL! THE RED DEVILS HAVE WON! THEY WON IT ALL! THEY WON IT! THE RED DEVILS HAVE WON IT! IT’S ALL OVER! THE RED DEVILS HAVE WON, I DON’T BELIEVE IT!
THEY’RE TEARING DOWN THE NET! IT’S ALL OVER! THEY’VE MADE THE COMEBACK OF THE YEAR! THE COMEBACK OF THE YEAR! MARK LOVICK, BARRY MAYNARD, THE TEAM HAS WON IT! I DON’T BELIEVE IT!
…..Unbelieveable! What a season!
The Red Devils, always a bridesmaid, and never a bride, have come through with a victory, to win it all tonight!
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Text from 1971 The Diablo student yearbook page 137.