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Show The West View Page 5 The Lady’s Miracle by Dale J. Neilson Call it ‘The Lady’s Miracle, “We Doubled’.° In early 1973 and again in 1974, West High players at Our of Guadalupe Church helped their — short-handed Catholic Youth Organization basketball teams to overtime wins against rival St. Olaf’s at Judge Memorial High. In each contest the West Side squads the game. Nobody could match him.” | These two_ history-makers don’t remember either game’s date or final score, but they do recall game strategy. According to Gallegos, he offensively manned the top of the key, while Velasquez played box-zone in finished with only two players (three others fouled out), even though they faced full teams of five each. Thirty-one years later, the significance of playing in back_to-back miracles is still vivid to former Guadalupe player and Fairpark resident Art Gallegos. The first game “had a: lifetime. affect on me,” said Gallegos. “It’s a story that needs to be told.” the middle. “They couldn’t stop Dave’s jumper, so I stayed back and let him go l-on-5” to deter St. Olaf’s transition game, said Gallegos. The ploy was. outrageously successful, as Valesquez scored 46 points in a huge effort. Frankie Price, mother of Guadalupe players Kevin and Victor Price, says the game was “wonderful.” Other members of the sixplayer team were Richard - the other having to receive the in-bounds pass from a referee. When it happened again in 1974, with a combination of Guadalupe and Catholic players Gallegos didn’t St. Patrick’s on his team, realize he was repeating history. Only this time, the win was captured by Gallegos and Marty Lucero after double-overtime. Other Art Gallegos and Dave Velasquez still pass on their basketball skills to west side kids. Photos by Jim Fisher Guadalupe and players, who had lier in the game, Valles, Max Kelly Ricardo Romero. The father of St. Patrick’s fouled out earincluded Alex and Albert and an unidentified St. Olaf’s player knew immediately he’d witnessed something extraordinary. “He shook my hand and said, ‘I want to congratulate you, young man. You’re the one who beat us last with in during career. says Gallegos. Fresa Colada _ Santiago Flores Tel: (801) 533-0211 his basketball skills to future generations as a Junior Jazz coach at Northwest Multipurpose Center. “I hold up these examples to players I’m coaching,” he said. | * Meat Bakery Fresh truit & vegetables Money transfer @ © 8 Tenemos oe Pan y Pasteles @ | Con Sabor Autentico Mexicano || —_ | [ 2 ; | i... General products 302 Sx 900 Me mat Lake City, Li tes BOTS TY USS be. : Seen My ON Oy os, Salt 1980- | * Groceries in general — Extenso surtidoen Pan Mexicano six Gallegosis now passing on 20-year | in 84, the dynamic duo earned an amazing five championships, recreational his playing Lake adult leagues from Mexican, Center, South PITETICEL Envinado * Pina Coiada_ Salt Lake City, Ut 84104 Gallegos, leagues Pasteles para toda ocacion Pastel de Tres Leches 904 West 900 South While year,” says Gallegos. Gallegos, who grew up playing basketball, says Velasquez was a master shooter, passer and defender. Velasquez was West’s l-on-1 champion in 1973 and scored 76 points in 1984 during his best game ever. He’s contributed to over 100 wins, many #8 Velasquez says that he and Gallegos finished with four fouls each, and now laughs at the thought of one fouling out, with & Velardie and Rudy Lopez. & Lady were so tight and our- adrenaline was going,’ he said of himself and teammate Dave Velasquez, a current Rose Park resident. [Velasquez] was the hero of 5 oo 84704 1-5 19-63) My og Be gh ene ~, en |