Dave Hemion

Dave Hemion (David Durand Hemion) died (apparently in Lakewood) at age 62 on Nov. 8, 2010. Born Sept. 21, 1948, he graduated from Lakes High School in Lakewood (Pierce County), Wash. in 1966 and Western Washington University (?in 1970?) in Bellingham. As did his brother, Whit, and sister, Kathy, Dave played basketball for the WWU Vikings. The three Hemions also played slowpitch softball for top Tacoma clubs over the years. Dave liked to fish! The Aug. 31, 1986, Seattle Times reported, "Dave Hemion of Tacoma caught a 31-pound, 10-ounce King salmon to emerge as the first-day leader in the 49th annual Port Angeles Salmon Derby, which concludes today."

Gary Larsen, Lakes High boys' basketball player

Gary Larsen's father, Wendell Oliver “Laddie” Larsen, 

was a UW Huskies and Spokane Valley High School 

basketball and track & field standout.

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Helping you remember Lakes boys’ 1964-1965 basketball season

LAKES LANCERS BOYS’ BASKETBALL TEAM 1964-1965 SEASON

In its 1964-1965 season, the Lakes High Lancers boys’ basketball team, coached by Holly Gee, had a 15-5 win-loss record.

Wins came in pairs over Puget Sound League (PSL) opponents Puyallup Vikings, Clover Park Warriors and Enumclaw Hornets. There were splits (one win, one loss) to Auburn Trojans and Franklin Pierce Cardinals. There were single game wins vs. PSL’s Mt. Rainier Rams, Evergreen Wolverines, Tyee Totems and Glacier Grizzlies. In games played in Puyallup, there was a win over Kent-Meridian Royals and a season-ending loss to Renton Indians. (13-3)

Lakes played four non-league games during the season, all against Tacoma City League teams. Both vs. Mount Tahoma Thunderbird were Lancer losses. In two versus (one of them Lakes’ Homecoming) Stadium Tigers, Lakes won both.(2-2)

Followed based on Seattle Times – Sat. Jan. 16, 1965

Puget Sound League

Lakes Tops Puyallup, Ties Pierce for Lead

Lakes High School’s Lancers forced to play close to the vest last night (Friday, Jan. 15, 1965, at Puyallup), pulled out a 47-45 Puget Sound League Southern Division victory over Puyallup despite Jim Vest’s 23 points.

Vest, named recently to Scholastic Magazine’s high school All-America football team, turned in the best basketball performance of his prep career, but it wasn’t enough. In addition to his 23 points, he pulled down 16 rebounds and held Whit Hemion, a Lancer averaging nearly 16 points a game, to 9.

The victory left Lakes in a tie for first place in the South with Franklin Pierce, a 43-19 victor over Clover Park. Both teams have 2-0 league records.

Lakes scoring: 47 Points. Forwards Karman (2), Hemion (9), center Austin (6), guards Bob Saxton (9), Bill Saxton (8). Subs: Larsen (13). Halftime: Lakes 29, Puyallup 24

…………..

IN LAKES GYM, FEBRUARY 1965, LAKES BOYS’ BASKETBALL TEAM BEAT PUYALLUP

Following based on Seattle Times – Sat., Feb. 13, 1965

In other (Puget Sound League) games last night, (in Lakewood on Fri., Feb. 12, 1965) Lakes whipped Puyallup, 62-47.

Lakes, stirred by an 18-9 first-quarter spread, coasted past Puyallup behind Gary Larsen’s 21 points. (For Puyallup) Jim Vest scored 17 points.

Lakes scoring: 62 points. Forwards Larsen (21), Hemion (14), center Austin (5), guards Bill Saxton (4) and Bob Saxton (7). Subs: Walker (7), Karman (3), Hall (1). Halftime: Lakes 29, Puyallup 19

……….

LAKES LANCERS 1964-1965 BOYS’ BASKETBALL BEAT KENT-MERIDIAN ROYALS IN PUYALLUP

Following based on Seattle Times – Sat., March 6, 1965

In the Puget Sound League championship game played Fri., March 5, 1965, in the Puyallup High gym, Franklin Pierce (PSL South Division champ) beat Renton (PSL North Division champ), 42-40.

Also in the same gym, Lakes beat Kent-Meridian, 59-49, in a game matching respective South and North Division PSL runner-ups.

“Lakes jumped from a 27-26 halftime lead over Kent. Whit Hemion’s 14 points led the Lancers …

Lakes scoring: 59 points: Forwards Hemion (14), Larsen (6), center Austin (8), guards Bob Saxton (13), Bill Saxton (10). Subs: Greg Saxton (2), Karman (3). Walker (3). Halftime: Lakes 27, K-M 26

…………

LAKES 1964-1965 BOYS’ BASKETBALL LANCERS LOSE TO RENTON INDIANS IN PUYALLUP

Following based on Seattle Times – Sun. March 7, 1965

Renton Captures AA Tourney Spot

PUYALLUP, March 6, 1965 (Special) – Renton High School’s Indians beat Lakes, 59-45, to clinch the Puget Sound League’s second berth in next week’s Class AA regional tournament in Tacoma.

Renton sewed up the victory by hitting 16 of 19 free throws in the fourth quarter.

Renton will play Mount Tahoma in next Friday’s regional first-round game at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse.

Lakes scoring: 45 points. Forwards Hemion (9), Larsen (4), center: Austin (15), guards: Bill Saxton (7), Bob Saxton (5). Subs: Karman (5). Halftime: Renton 23, Lakes 16

Postscripts from poster:

WHAT WAS THE FINAL SCORE?

--Lakes 1965 Legend yearbook says score was 58-45, Seattle Times and Associated Press says score was 59-45.

LAKES WON AND LOST TO TEAMS PLAYING IN PUYALLUP PURPLE JERSEYS

--During the 1964-1965 season, Lakes Lancers played and beat Puyallup Vikings twice. On March 15, 1965, in Puyallup Lakes won, 47-45. On Feb. 12, 1965, in Lakewood, Lakes won, 62-47. (Action photos from 1965 Lakes Legend yearbook is from Feb. 12, 1965, Puyallup at Lakes game.) As per typical, home teams wear light colored uniforms and visiting team wear dark colored uniforms. Thus, in the February 1965 game in the Lakes gym, Puyallup wore its purple road uniforms and Lakes wore its home whites. When Lakes played Renton in the Puyallup High gym on March 6, 1965 -- in what would be the Lakes 1964-1965 boys’ basketball team’s final game of the season -- both Lakes and Renton came to play in their road white jerseys and trunks. That was resolved with Renton wearing Puyallup home purple jerseys and its own white trunks. So, during the ’64-’65 season, Lakes won and lost to teams (Puyallup, Renton) wearing Puyallup purple jerseys playing in the Puyallup High School gym.

ALSO SEE
http://lakes-1966-50-year-reunion.blogspot.com/2017/12/is-there-page-missing-in-your-life.html

==Lakes vs. Mount Tahoma boys’ basketball series==

1963-1964 LAKES BOYS’ BASKETBALL SEASON

--Dec 28, 1963, Seattle Times says “Lakes stumbled (on Dec 27, 1963, at Mount Tahoma) against Mount Tahoma, 65-52. Last week (Dec 17, 1963, at Lakes), Lakes dealt Mount Tahoma its first defeat, 58-56.”

1964-1965 LAKES BOYS’ BASKETBALL SEASON

--Lakes Legend 1965 yearbook shows two Lakes boys basketball games vs. Mount Tahoma in the 1964-1965 season, both losses: First time they played, 53-52. Second time they played, 64-59.

--Seattle Times shows Mount Tahoma at Lakes played Dec 15, 1964 = Mount Tahoma won 53-52 in two overtimes.

--Seattle Times shows Lakes at Mount Tahoma played Dec 29, 1964 = Mount Tahoma won 64-59. 

1964: NO LAKES ALMA MATER FOR PUGET SOUND LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL GAME

1964: NO LAKES ALMA MATER FOR PUGET SOUND LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL GAME

Posted Dec. 18, 2017 

Late in the Puget Sound League (PSL) boys’ basketball championship game March 6, 1964, in the Highline High School gym (neutral court) in Burien -- Lakes won in an upset, 47-46 -- the game's public address announcer said fans of the winning team could sing its school alma mater at the game’s conclusion. Lakes won. There was momentary silence, no alma mater. That was followed by the Lancer team players, coaches and fans cheering. Lakes was in its second school year, it did not have an alma mater or fight song. (Later that school year student-written music and words for the alma mater and fight song were composed/written and adopted.)

Read more here:

http://lakes-1966-50-year-reunion.blogspot.com/2017/12/is-there-page-missing-in-your-life.html

Both Lakes and Clover Park Fight Songs say their schools are "Best in the West." Which is the best?

Both Lakes and Clover Park Fight Songs say their schools are "Best in the West." Which is the best?

Answer: Lakes

• Lakes: "All will know that Lakes is the Best in all the West..."
• CP: "Best in the West, you know we'll all do our best."

Musical postscript: Lakes High School songs

Musical postscript: Lakes High School songs

By Tim Marsh, Lakes High School Class of 1966

Suburban Times, June 6, 2010

Here’s a musical postscript to “Story behind Lakes burnt orange and royal blue colors” article in The Suburban Times of June 1, 2010. The article mentions a 1963-1964 Lakes boys’ basketball game. After the Lancers won the game, Lakes fans were supposed to sing the Lakes Alma Mater. But, there was no alma mater at that point. “Later that school year student-written music and words for the Alma Mater and Fight Song were composed/written and adopted,” the story says.

Lakes students – now Lakes grads — who get credit for the songs:

“Lakes Alma Mater”

• Music by Ron Relaford, Class of 1964
• Lyrics by Evelyne Hendricks, Class of 1965, and Tim Marsh, Class of 1966.

“Lakes Fight Song”

• Music by Richard "Dick" Rossiter, Class of 1964
• Lyrics by Caryl Schumacher, Class of 1965
• Anna LaLande, Class of 1965, played the piano for Dick and Caryl to practice and work out the final "Lakes Fight Song," also known as "Victory."

......................

CP’s Lakes High Will Hold First Commencement

 

TNT/Tacoma News Tribune (Thursday, May 28, 1964)

Lakes High School in the Clover Park district is preparing for graduation of the first senior class in its two-year history. A senior awards assembly will be held at 8:30 a.m. Monday. The commencement will take place at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The school’s first alma mater has been written by Ron Relaford, music theory student. It was chosen from among several entries. Lyrics were written by Evelyne Hendricks of the choir and Tim Marsh of the concert band.

Story behind Lakes burnt orange and royal blue colors

Story behind Lakes burnt orange and royal blue colors

June 1, 2010 The Suburban Times Updated 1/12/2024

By Tim Marsh, Lakes High School Class of 1966

There are “givens” concerning Lakes High School. Colors for the school are burnt orange and royal blue. Lakes teams are called the Lancers. In fact, even before Lakes opened in September 1962, the school colors were selected. But, when classes began in the 1962-1963 school year, there was not a nickname for Lakes teams. Nor was there a fight song or alma mater. For that matter, there was not a senior class either.

Lakes Colors

Lakes 1965 grad Rick Austin, 63, Kansas City, Mo., has first-hand knowledge of selection of the school colors and in the selection of the Lancers nickname, too. His father, the late Gerry Austin, was Lakes’ first athletic director and head football coach after serving as the successful head football coach at Clover Park High. Rick was starting quarterback for his father’s first three Lakes teams – the 1962, 1963 and 1964 seasons – and also played basketball and was a baseball pitcher for the Lancers.

“Dad was instrumental in the choice of colors at Lakes, with administration approval of course. The main need was to order the football uniforms for the first season,” said Rick.

Why burnt orange? Gerry Austin thought Darrell Royal was a great football coach. Royal gained his fame as coach (1957–1976) of the University of Texas Longhorns. According to the University of Texas at Austin website, Royal chose the burnt orange color for the Longhorns’ football jerseys. (By the way, before Royal joined Texas in 1957 as its coach, he coached one season, 1956, for the University of Washington, Gerry’s alma mater.)

Another reason for burnt orange and royal blue color scheme, said Rick, was because it was not used by other schools in the Puget Sound League or used by many high school teams in the state.

Rick remembers before the football season began when his father brought all the Lakes football jerseys – they were burnt orange with white numerals – to the Austin home not far from the northern shore of American Lake. “We had the jerseys spread out all over the family room floor and I got to pick my own number by ‘coach’s son privilege,’ Rick said. “The jersey manufacturer only put lower numbers on smaller jerseys. I needed a larger jersey, so that’s why I picked number 42,” he said.

Lancers nickname

Lancers was one of the several nicknames names suggested by Lakes students during the 1962-1963 school year. Rick Austin was one of the students casting a vote in favor of the winning “Lancers.” Other nicknames in the vote were “Lakers” and “Blue Devils.” During that first school year, Lakes teams played varsity teams from smaller schools and junior varsity teams from larger schools. Thus, until that vote, those Lakes teams in early games of the first year wore burnt orange and royal blue, but they did not have a nickname. In the 1963-1964 school year, Lakes began playing full varsity schedules as a member of the Puget Sound League: NORTH DIVISION of PSL: Evergreen Wolverines, Glacier Grizzlies, Highline Pirates, Kent-Meridian Royals, Mt. Rainier Rams and Renton Indians. SOUTH DIVISION of PSL: Auburn Trojans, Clover Park Warriors, Enumclaw Hornets, Franklin Pierce Cardinals, Lakes Lancers and Puyallup Vikings.

An interesting sideline to Lakes not having a senior class in 1962-1963 concerns the classes housed in the then new Lakes High School. Sophomores used the school’s sophomore wing. Juniors used the junior wing. However, seventh graders were housed in the senior wing. Many of those students would return to Lakes in the 1965-1966 school year as sophomores. Consequently, as seniors during the 1967-1968 school year they were in the senior wing for a second time.

Postscript

What was the first time Lakes High’s school colors were mentioned in print? Perhaps in the Clover Park High Clover Leaves student newspaper. Bob Newland’s “Sports Corner” column in the paper’s issue of May 19, 1962, said, “By the way, the school colors at Lakes are orange and blue.”