1965 CHS hoop team, cheerleaders to be honored.

Byline: Graham Entwistle

CLINTON - The 1964-1965 Clinton High boys basketball team and cheerleaders will be honored at the school on Friday, Dec. 28.

The ceremony will take place between the junior varsity and varsity boys basketball games with Lunenburg, which will take place at 5:30 and 7 p.m., respectively. Spectators for the ceremony should be in the gym by 6:15 p.m., according to Gael coach Tony Gannon.

"All but two players are coming, and around nine or 10 cheerleaders are coming," Gannon said. "The coach, Steve Kokernak, is also coming. He hasn't seen these guys in 35 years.

"It's going to be a tremendous, tremendous night," he said.

The 1965 Gaels won seven of their first eight games, and went on to finish with a 12-8 record. They placed fourth in the Fitchburg State Teachers College postseason tournament.

"They didn't win a league title, or anything like that," Gannon said. "But, between 1957 - one of the teams we honored - and 1965, Clinton hadn't had a winning record. This team got the program back on track. They sort of righted the ship."

Quoting the 1965 yearbook: "They were led by the fine playmaking of Joe Yencsko, the outside shooting of Dick Casasanto and Clark Henebry, and the inside boardwork of captain Phil DeCisero and Jim Nolan, all of whom are departing seniors. They were also given fine support by John Burgwinkle, Dave Fadgen, John Morin, Mark O'Malley, Bob Krantz, and Rich McIntyre."

"They're just a great group...