FACTS & FIGURES

 ROSTER:

Dean Morrison

Richard Robb

Dean Davis

Lynn Vaughn

Joe Simmons

Jimmy Thomas

Richard Emberlin

Kenneth Pickard

John Young

Jimmy Cobb

Marvin King

Larry Bates

Buddy Baker

Edwin Roberson

 

Season Record:  30-2

District 16A Record: 9-0

Head Coach:  Emil Hanicak

Asst. Coaches:  Moon Mullins & Cotton Miles

High School Enrollment:  167

TURN BACK THE CLOCK

 

White Oak opened its brand new gymnasium during the 1953 season which was located directly behind the football field….This gym is known as the Old Middle School Gym today.

 

District 16A was comprised of East Mountain, Quitman, Pine Tree, Hawkins,

Gilmer, Mineola, and White Oak.

 

Both of White Oak’s losses were to class AAA Gladewater in tournament play

 

The Roughnecks defeated 3 class AAA teams and 7 class AA teams on their

way to the 1953 state title….they defeated all of their district opponents by at least 10 points.

 

All of White Oak High School’s 167 students were either in band or athletics….104 in band and 63 in athletics.

THE ROAD TO A CHAMPIONSHIP

 

Regional Quarterfinals – Defeated heavily favored Van Vandals by a score of 37-36 on a free throw by Joe Simmons with 14 seconds remaining in the contest.

 

Regional Semifinals – Defeated Queen City 66-43

 

Regional Finals – Defeated Lancaster 65-49

 

State Semifinals – Defeated favored Deer Park 43-34

 

State Finals – Defeated heavily favored Denver City 69-53

 

STATE TOURNAMENT NOTES

 

Over 8,000 people attended the state championship game which was a record for attendance at that time.

 

White Oak’s 1953 state championship was not only the school’s first but also a first for Gregg county.

 

The 69 points scored by White Oak in the state championship was a record for Class A at that time.