1978-79 Season

St. Francis Mariners The Mariners went through as up and down year under Coach Benka, finishing 6-10 in conference and 9-12 overall.

The Mariners had several highlights during the year. In early January, undefeated and defending WISAA Class B champions Notre Dame played a visit to the "pit." The Mariners had a tying shot at the buzzer role off the rim, thus coming within inches of ending Notre Dame's 20+ game winning streak.

The Mariners gave their fans a little taste of March madness, filling them with visions of another trip to Madison. The Mariners knocked off Slinger in the WIAA Class B sub-regional, thanks to a 20 foot buzzer beater by junior guard Terry Brown. The Mariners then nipped Pewaukee in the 2nd round of the tournament. A repeat of the 1976 state championship was not to be, however, as the Mariners bowed out in overtime to eventual WIAA Class B state champion Elkhorn in the regional final.

The Mariners posted 2 members on the All-Parkland conference team. Junior forward Joe Tomski, who led the conference with a 17.2 scoring average, was named 1st team All-Conference. Senior guard Tom McKeon garnered honorable mention All-Conference. Seniors Gary Blonski, John Chavez, Jerry Norante, Tom Burazin, and Steve Nussbaum, and well as juniors Terry Brown, Dan Goglio, Dan Noonan, and Brian Lemke were all contributors to the Mariners' season. For the 2nd year in a row, Jeff Slusar and Chuck "Chico" Liska executed their managerial duties in an exemplary fashion.
MarinersOpponent
5447 - Muskego
4441 - Franklin
3553 - Greendale
4750 - Whitnall
3846 - Oak Creek
4151 - Greenfield
3950 - New Berlin West
6455 - Eisenhower
5559 - Notre Dame
3954 - East Troy
6254 - Greendale
5154 - Whitnall
5759 - Muskego
4847 - Oak Creek
5345 - Greenfield
4457 - New Berlin West
5150 - Eisenhower
6163 (OT) - Franklin
5553 - Slinger (Subregional)
4846 - Pewaukee (Regional Semifinal)
5457 (OT) - Elkhorn (Regional Final)


BACK TO 70'S INDEX

SFHS HOOPS HOME PAGE