The Collins F. F. A. Chapter had an oyster and chili supper Friday night with fifty parents and members present. Jack Stone and Ralph (Rusty) Vasey were awarded honorary membership.
Boys Story County Tournament: First round - Collins defeated Nevada "B" 62-54. Collins started slowly with first quarter lead 18-15 and halftime 29-24. They gained control of the game in the second half for the 62-54 win. Lineup: Bill Ballard (56) (f) 5 pts.; Elliott Partridge (57) (f) 3 pts; John Vasey (56) (c) 22 pts.; Larry Laird (56) (g) 8 pts.; Jim Dodd (56) (g) 18 pts.; Rex Morrison (56) (g) 6 pts.; Jerry Nichol (56) (g) 0 pts.
Second round - The boys defeated Maxwell again 61-45. Although Collins didn't seem to click as good as usual, they were able to get enough hot streaks to beat a tough Maxwell team. Collins had first quarter lead of 14-12; halftime 28-21, third quarter 40-30, and final 61-45. Lineup: Bill Ballard (56) (f) 10 pts.; Elliott Partridge (57) (f) 17 pts; John Vasey (56) (c) 20 pts.; Larry Laird (56) (f) 6 pts.; Jim Dodd (56) (g) 1 pt.; Rex Morrison (56) (g) 4 pts.
Semi-final - The Collins Clippers lost to Roland, 60-49, only their third defeat of the season. Collins led by nine points at halftime, 33-24. Roland came out in the second half and immediately took the lead. During the last one and a half quarters Roland had the lead and as the fourth quarter was nearing the end, they stretched the lead to eleven points. Lineup: Bill Ballard (56) (f) 10 pts.; Elliott Partridge (57) (f) 8 pts; John Vasey (56) (c) 11 pts.; Larry Laird (56) (g) 8 pts.; Jim Dodd (56) (g) 12 pts.
Consolation - Collins boys won the consolation game trophy by defeating Shipley 41-40. This was one those games when it seemed nothing went right. Although Collins led by several points at different times, we just couldn't hang onto the lead. Collins led at the quarters 9-6, 21-13, 32-30, with final 41-40 win. We would like to thank our cheering section for the wonderful support they gave us during the entire tournament. We feel this helped us come through in this last game. Lineup: Bill Ballard (56) (f) 7 pts.; Elliott Partridge (57) (f) 12 pts; John Vasey (56) (c) 13 pts.; Larry Laird (56) (g) 3 pts.; Jim Dodd (56) (g) 4 pts.; Rex Morrison (56) (g) 2 pts.
Story County All-Star Basketball Teams - For the first time, this year, the Story County coaches and the Nevada Journal staff have picked an All-County Boys and Girls Basketball team. Selections were made for these teams for performance shown during the entire season and the county tournament. Both Collins teams were well represented. Collins girls - Betty Spooner (f) and Sandra Carley (g) were chosen on the first team. Georgiann Briles (f) was second team and Janice Heintz (g) received honorable mention. Collins boys - John Vasey (c) on the first team, Bill Ballard (f) on the second team, and Larry Laird (g), Jim Dodd (g) and Elliott Partridge (f) received honorable mention. (Insert 2005: This is a record number of Collins' players selected.)
February 9, 1956 Optic Staff: Editor - John Vasey; Assist. Editor - Janice Heintz; Feature Editors - George Keagle, Georgiann Briles; Girls' Sports - Mary Jo Shultz; Boys' Sports - Larry Laird; Grade Reporter - Jane Ballard; Junior High - Shirley Kern; High School Reporter - Mary Ann Kearns; Music Reporter: Daisy Mary Maxwell; F. F. A. Reporter - Pat Fitzgerald; Typists - Marjorie Hickle, Betty Spooner, Loretta Swaim, Rex Morrison.