Eagle's Nest Sponsored Most Successful Charity Drive Ever at Warde This Week in 1967

Let's take a look back and see what was happening at Andrew Warde High School 44 years ago today. The following article appeared in The Bridgeport Telegram, Tuesday, January 31, 1967:

Old Video, Crimson Criers, Photos, Stories, and Suggestions Wanted

If you have any old video, Crimson Crier newspapers, photos, or stories from your days at Andrew Warde High School, please consider sharing it with us. Thus far, Warde alumni have submitted many issues of the Crier and several videos which have been added to the Web site. I'd also like your suggestions and comments.

The Web site's Crimson Crier archive is growing. There are 24 issues of the school newspaper available for download, including four from 1967-68 and every issue from 1972 through 1976. I hope to have most, if not all, of the issues from the 1950s and 1970s by the end of this year.

Enjoy our video collection, which includes a classic eight-minute film showing much of our high school and the senior class from 1976, and a channel 8 television sportscast featuring the Warde state baseball championship game highlights from 1981.

Here's something different which I think you'll enjoy. Take a look at this video which highlights the Fairfield Warde High School 2009-2010 boys' basketball team. Yes, that's the same gymnasium from our days at Warde.



Paul

Demarest Set Rebouding Record & Scored Game Winner in Eagles Win Over Crusaders on This Dat in 1962

Lee Demarest pulled down a record-breaking 23 rebounds and scored 13 points to lead Andrew Warde High School's boys' basketball team to a narrow 60-59 victory over Stamford Catholic in a Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference game at the Warde gym 49 years ago today, Friday, January 19, 1962.

The six-foot-one-inch Demarest snapped the Crimson Eagles' rebounding record with his 23 boards, and he scored what proved to be the winning points on a jump shot with three minutes remaining in the contest. The jumper gave the winners a 56-55 lead which they never relinquished.


Sharp-shooting by Demarest and Wayne Gower helped Warde take a 14-8 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Stamford Catholic countered in the second stanza, behind the shooting of Jerry Esposito and Don Foust, to take a 31-30 halftime lead.

The lead changed hands several times in the third and fourth quarters until Demarest's basket put Warde ahead for keeps.

Esposito was the game's high scorer with 29 points, while Gower, Demarest, and Bab Ryan sparked Warde with 19, 13, and 13 points, respectively. Jim Siavrakes also played a standout game for the Eagles with some superb floormanship.

The triumph boosted Warde's FCIAC record to 4-5, while the Crusaders league mark fell to 1-8.

The Crimson Eagles' jayvees won the preliminary game over the Crusaders' reserves, 56-49. Marty Nelson was high-scorer for the winners with 12 points.

Paul

Jim Howard Sets Scoring & Rebounding Records as Crimson Eagles' Cagers Upset McMahon, 77-62, at Warde Gym on this Date in 1967

Jim Howard's terrific all-around performance powered the Andrew Warde High School boys' basketball team to a 77-62 FCIAC upset over Brien McMahon at the winners' gym on this date, Tuesday, January 17, 1967.

The senior star peppered the nets for 39 points and pulled down 28 rebounds in the finest individual showing of any player on the court.

The victory lifted head coach Wes Aldrich's Eagles to 6-3 in conference play after a slow start to the season. McMahon dropped to 7-2.

Warde shot a blistering 50 percent from the floor on 32-of-64 accuracy compared to 22-for-82 shooting and a dismal 27% effort for the visitors. Warde sank 13 of 27 shots (48%) from the charity stripe, while the Senators managed 18 points in 31 tries (58 percent). The Crimson Eagles controlled the boards by a 55-36 margin.

Howard and Rich Fekete combined for 20 points in the opening period as Warde stormed to a 22-16 lead. Ron Watson scored eight points for McMahon.

Howard, who set school records for most points and rebounds in one game, had his most productive period just before the half as he tallied 16 points to boost the Eagles' advantage to 48-35 at the intermission. Marv Spencer, the league's leading scorer, had 11 points in the first half for the Senators.

Dan Haines, the third leading scorer in the FCIAC, split 12 third period Warde points with Howard, while Spencer notched seven points as Warde swept to a 66-46 lead.

Spencer, who tied his average of 30 points per game, tallied 12 points in the fourth quarter as the Crimson Eagles used a slow-down offense. Howard led Warde with seven points in the frame, while the ball handling of Haines helped to dent the Seantors' press in the final minutes.

Howard, who averaged 175. ppg before the contest, shattered the previous Warde individual scoring record of 37 points, set by Rusty Helgren, and he also established an individual rebounding record.

The loss was a costly one for McMahon, which trailed unbeaten Rippowam by one game. The Seantors were scheduled to play the Warriors three nights later in Stamford.

Paul

Crimson Eagles Scored Stunning Upset Victory Over Norwalk on This Date in 1967

An inspired Andrew Warde High School boys' basketball team scored a stunning 63-55 upset victory over Norwalk in an FCIAC game at the winners' court on this date, Thursday, January 12, 1967.

The victory boosted Warde into a tie for second place in the Eastern Division of the FCIAC with idle New Canaan. Both teams have 5-3 records. Norwalk still leads the division with a 6-3 mark.

A late fourth-quarter rally, sparked by Dan Haines, carried the Crimson Eagles to victory. Haines, who was held to just seven points in the first three quarters, poured in nine markers in the final eight-minute session.

Norwalk held a 45-44 edge entering the fourth quarter. The Green Wave extended its lead to five points at 52-47 behind the shooting of Jim Burey. Then, Warde went to work as Mike Corbett stole a pass and converted the theft into a basket to open the Eagles' closing drive.

Minutes later, Jim Howard put coach Wes Aldrich's cagers ahead for keeps, 53-52, as he was credited with a basket on a goaltending call against Norwalk.

Once they gained the lead, the Crimson Eagles didn't let up. Haines, Howard, Corbett, Tom DeLuca, and Rich Fekete operated al amost perfect "freeze" offense as the Eagles worked the ball around until they had a good shot. The strategy worked so well that Warde engineered an impressive eight-point margin of victory.

The Eagles' pressing man-to-man defense kept the usually high-scoring Norwalk offense off balance throughout the game. The Green Wave averaged 70.2 points-per-game entering the contest.

Corbett and DeLuca were the top ball hawks as Warde made 16 steals, including six in the crucial fourth period. Fekete turned in a sensational defensive job on Willie Miller --- the visitors' top scorer with a 15.8 average --- holding him scoreless.

The first three quarters were closely contested. Warde led after the first frame, 16-14, and the score was tied at 31 apiece at the intermission. Norwalk assumed a one point lead, 45-44, after three quarters.

Howard took game scoring honors with 21 points, and he grabbed 14 rebounds. Haines followed with 16 points, while Fekete (12)and Corbett (10) also scored in double figures for the Crimson Eagles. Fekete added nine rebounds.

Burey was the most consistent Norwalk shooter, finishing with a team-high 15 points, followed by Gary O'Malley with 12 points.

Paul

Charity Tosses Help Warde Cagers Humble Staples, 71-50, at Wreckers' Gym on This Date in 1967

The Andrew Warde High School boys' basketball team converted 33 foul shots to hand Staples a 71-50 FCIAC setback at the Wreckers' court 44 years ago this evening, Tuesday, January 11, 1967.

The Crimson Eagles led at all the quarter breaks and took advantage by Staples to build a commanding lead. Warde improved to 4-3 in conference play while the Wreckers fell to 0-7.

Jim Howard, who connected on 18 foul shots, made six in the opening period as Warde assumed a 13-11 advantage. Jeff Hand scored six points for the hosts.

Hand and Bob Rummel were forced to the bench in the second quarter because of foul trouble. Howard and Rich Fekete combined for 17 points as the guests pulled out to a 34-20 halftime advantage.

With Hand and Rummel back on the court in the third quarter, Staples sliced its deficit to six points, but both Wrecker stars eventually fouled out before the end of the stanza. Warde increased its lead to 49-34 after three quarters.

Dan Haines, Tom DeLuca, Mike Howard, and Jim Howard combined for 18 points in the final chapter to keep the Crimson Eagles comfortably ahead. John Hand netted six points for Staples.

Warde converted 33 of 42 free throws for 79% accuracy compared to 14 of 20 and 70% accuracy for Staples.

The Eagles also triumphed in the junior varsity game, 54-41.

Paul

Crimson Eagles' Hoopsters Edged Danbury, 68-60, in Hat City Despite Cold Shooting & Big 'Baby Huey' on This Date in 1963

The Andrew Warde High School boys' varsity basketball team survived cold shooting and the 19-point effort of Charles Bogusis to hand Danbury a 68-60 loss in the Hat City on this date, Tuesday, January 8, 1963.

The win was the fifth in eight starts for the Crimson Eagles. Coach Don Feeley's cagers improved to 4-2 in conference play.

The teams were tied at 12-12 after the first quarter, but Bogusis, a six-foot-seven inch, 208-pounder, nicknamed 'Baby Huey,' tossed in 10 points in the second quarter to pace the Hatters to a 30-26 lead at the half. Bob Ryan and Marty Melson combined for 10 Warde points in the second period.

Warde began to roll in the third period, though. Pete Jankovsky found his scoring touch for 10 points, and the visitors assumed a 44-40 cushion heading into the final period.

The scoring tempo increased for both sides in the fourth quarter, but the Eagles had the better of it as Wayne Gower, Jankovsky, and Ryan accounted for 22 points. Bill Coffey, Elmer Harrison, and 'Baby Huey' combined for 18 Danbury points.

The Crimson Eagles ultimately won the game at the foul line by sinking 12-of-21 free throws, compared to four-of-12 for the Hatters. Bogusis had 10 of the Danbury charity tosses, but he converted only three as he was continually fouled by the smaller Eagles.

Warde won the junior varsity game as Rusty Helgren scored 19 points and George Amarant added 10 for the Crimson Eagles.

Paul

Andrew Warde High School Product Built Lady Mustangs Hoop Program into Powerhouse

The following was written by Pat Pickens, sports editor of the Fairfield Citizen. Fairfield Warde High School girls' basketball coach Dave Danko, an Andrew Warde High School product, is approaching his 300th coaching victory at the Melville Avenue school.

If you've ever spoken with Dave Danko, you know that he takes high school girls basketball very seriously.

The Fairfield Warde High School head coach sits on the verge of joining an exclusive club of FCIAC coaches who have won 300 games. Danko, pictured below, currently has 299 and will go for the milestone win tonight against Staples.

If the milestone victory comes tonight against the Wreckers, it will be fitting. Danko's long-time friend and mentor, Ed Huydic, is a member of the 300- and 400-win club, currently sitting on 415 wins. Danko got his 200th victory against Huydic five years ago and he realizes the significance that Huydic has had on his career.

"I modeled my program after his early on," Danko said. "I consider Ed a top coach in the league."

The more remarkable accomplishment for Danko is the ability he has had to be successful year after year. He's never missed the state playoffs in 16 years as the Mustangs' head coach, and has only missed the FCIAC playoffs once, last year.

I mean, it's not like he is at a private school where he can recruit or find people from other towns. He's basically going with the hand he is dealt, and he's turned most of those hands into winners, including three FCIAC championships.

More importantly, to Danko, has been the success coming at Fairfield Warde High School. He is a graduate of the school, played basketball there and has spent his entire head coaching tenure on Melville Avenue.

I find it hard to believe that there will be too many coaches who devote themselves to their sport the way Danko does around again. He coaches Connecticut Breeze AAU and Warde. These are year-round entities that take constant maintenance.

"I do it for the love of the game," he said.

But that's why Danko loves it. He lives and breathes basketball. If you spend any time with him, you know it. He's a hardcore supporter of Warde athletics, as well. If you're at a game at Fairfield Warde High School, chances are you'll see him there.

But more importantly is the impact he's had on the kids. To an outsider he may look demanding and psychotic at times. But everything he does is for his players. The parents of the program trust that he's going to do what is best for the kids, and he has done so.

"I've been fortunate to have such high quality student athletes come through Fairfield High and Fairfield Warde," he said.

So is there a more fitting person for a 300th win? I can't think of any.

Warde Nipped Arch-Rival Ludlowe in Memorable Court Clash on This Date in 1968

Pete Sweeney and Mike Howard canned clutch foul shots in the final 12 seconds of the game to give Andrew Warde High School's varsity boys' basketball team an exciting 57-55 victory over cross-town rival Roger Ludlowe in an FCIAC contest at the winners' gym on this date, Friday evening, January 5, 1968.

Warde trailed by just one point with 12 seconds remaining before Sweeney dropped in the equalizer from the charity stripe. The Tigers brought the ball upcourt but lost possession before they were able to get off a shot. Howard took possession of the ball and was fouled with four seconds left. He connected on both ends of the one-and-one to give the hosts their two-point margin of victory.

The game was a see-saw affair throughout with neither team able to gain firm control. Warde held a slim one-point advantage, 13-12, after the first quarter, before Ludlowe managed to take a 31-29 cushion into the halftime break. The guests held a precarious 45-44 edge after three quarters.

Rich Sadowski topped the winners with 18 points, including 12 in the first half, while Sweeney had 15 markers for the Crimson Eagles.

Pat Tatom canned 21 points to pace the Flying Tigers, including 11 in the second quarter. Tom Jackson also finished in double figures with 11 points for Ludlowe.

The Tigers captured the jayvee tilt, 75-43. Pete Jackson led the winners with 16 points, while Chico Rodrigues tallied 14 for Warde.

Paul