1975 WHS Basketball team

Front Row: Patti Pickett, Nanci Hollingsead, Karla Farmer, Pam Shugart, Debby Strong, Mrs. Rice. Back Row: Cathy Reiss, Karen Robey, Peg Huber, Pat Brooks, Kathy Dennemann.

From the 1975 Shamrocket Yearbook

The girls sports at Westfield this year continued to grow even bigger and better than before. All three sports-volleyball, basketball, and track-had a combined win loss record of 28-6 and two conference trophies were won, plus an Invitational Tourney.

This year, girls in athletics were able to receive letter sweaters and jackets for the first time.

The volleyball team had their best season yet, ending with an 11-4 record, and a conference championship. They also got runner-up in the sectional. Those named to the all conference team were: Peggy Huber, Karla Farmer, Debby Strong, and Nanci Hollingsead.

In basketball the girls chalked up a fine 9-2 slate and had a nine game winning streak. The season was highlighted by winning the Sheridan Invitational Tourney. Debby Strong, Peggy Huber, and Patti Pickett were selected for all-conference honors.

The track team was undefeated for the third consecutive year with an 8-0 record. The Shamrocks captured the conference meet for the second time.

The Noblesville Ledger from January 21 1975 Page 6 describes a thrilling games between the Carmel and Westfield basketball teams where Carmel had the upper hand.

Text, article picture below:

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Carmel Defeats Westfield

By Karla Farmer

It was all any fan could hope for when Westfield’s girls basketball squad took on Carmel’s Greyhounds for the first time ever, as the Carmel five took a 42-38 decision. The game was close, exciting, and one of the best girl’s games by far in recent seasons.

The crowd saw the lead change hands several times before the hosting ‘Hounds erased a five-point Shamrock lead early in the fourth quarter. It was also at this time that the home team lost the services of Nancy Polley, a tough junior who left via a twisted ankle, but not before she chipped in six big points. The Shamrocks however failed to take advantage of Polley’s exit as the other ‘Hounds exploded to an eight-point lead midway through the final quarter and the visitors,

though playing excellent team ball, couldn't get enough shots through the hoop.

Leading scorers for Westfield were juniors Patti Pickett with 12, Debby Strong with 11, and Karla Farmer with nine. Strong fouled out late in the game, as did senior Peg Huber, and the fouls proved costly since Carmel converted more charity shots to keep the final point spread.

The game marked the first meeting between the schools in girls' basketball and pitted two excellent zone defenses against each other. Most of the buckets made were fifteen or twenty-footers, as either team's defense made it hard to penetrate for the short shots. Both defenses also caused several opponent's turnovers, and particularly outstanding in this department was Strong of Westfield with many steals to her credit.

Although losing the opening game is tough, Shamrock coach Bonnie Rice was happy with her squad. "If we play this well the rest of the season, we'll win. Had we been playing some team other than Carmel, we probably would have won this one," she said. Time will tell, and the Shamrocks won't have long to wait as they take on Clinton Prairie and Zionsville this week. Chances are they might become big winners and are definitely in the Rangeline Conference race, with their first conference match coming up January 27 against Hamilton Southeastern