The finishing touches are being put on the film and it will be shown at Premiere Cinema in Bassett Center in February. It’s being done by nationally renowned documentary specialist Charlie Minn, who also did the documentary on the Socorro High School team that won a state title in baseball.
Dr. Jim Bowden, who was a key player on the 1976 Eastwood team and is now a prominent dentist, has been helping with the current Eastwood project.
The Eastwood Troopers hold a unique place in El Paso history. El Paso High School won four state basketball titles but Eastwood is the only high school from El Paso to win one in what I call the modern era. That is, after 1950, when there were many more high schools and the competition was more fierce.
THE TROOPERS were unique in another way. The Eastwood Troopers didn’t have to overcome racism or poverty like some other El Paso teams. These were just a bunch of players from good, solid neighborhoods who loved the game and played it with gusto and uncanny ability under coach Bobby Lesley, who had honed his skills playing for legendary UTEP coach Don Haskins.
And oh, how the Troopers could shoot.
Jim Bowden, son of late former UTEP star quarterback/athletic director Jim Bowden, led the team in scoring during the season with a 14-point average. The Troopers’ toughest game in the playoffs came against Victoria High in the semi-finals. Gilbert Shepherd hit a 25-foot jumper with nine seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime then Bowden hit a 20-foot jumper in the closing seconds of overtime to win it, 69-67.
BOWDEN, Shepherd and Tim Crenshaw wound up on the All-State team. Coach Lesley used only five players in the finals against Tyler High School. The other two besides Bowden, Shepherd and Crenshaw were Darold Molix and Steve Wohlgemuth. All five scored in double figures. Shepherd had 19, Crenshaw 18, Bowden 14, Molix 12 and Wohlgemuth 11.
They beat Tyler 74-62.
Other players on the team, which finished 35-3 for the season, were John Abbott, Mike Chapman, Ernie Colorado, Bob Guthrie, Jerry Krampen, Dee La Fever, Doug Rutter, Eric Smith, Jerry Thompson and Mickey Torres.
Needless to say, the Eastwood Troopers won the hearts and cheers of El Pasoans. It’ll be wonderful re-living that unforgettable season on film.
TRIVA QUESTION: Only two UTEP coaches have won a conference championship in football. Can you name them? Answer at end.
I’VE BEEN calling El Paso Times sports writer Bret Bloomquist “Scoop” since he beat UTEP on announcing the hiring of football coach Sean Kuger. But here’s a tidbit via email from Karla Huelga, KVIA-TV meteorologist:
“… You gave credit to Bret Bloomquist for breaking the Sean Kugler hire last month. Normally, I wouldn’t take the time to write in, but Asher Wildman (KVIA-TV weekend sports anchor) is a good friend and took a great deal of pride in not just scooping UTEP but also the national media which credited him. He actually broke the story two days before Bret reported it…
”Again, I normally wouldn’t know quite so much, but Asher is a friend and I learned quite a bit about all this as it was happening. Thanks for your time and keep up the good work. See you at the games!”
It’s good to keep the record straight. Sorry, Asher. You’re the man!
ANSWER to trivia question: Two. Mike Brumbelow coached the Miners to the Border Conference championship in 1956 and Gary Nord coached the Miners to a Western Athletic Conference co-title in 2000.