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Almonte High School's Senior Basketball Team1952
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Almonte High School's senior basketball team.1987
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The Almonte High School's first Girl'sBasketball Team.1915
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Girl’s basketball at the highschool was also very popular. A photograph from 1915 taken in Clayton, shows some of the team members and a few gentleman fans. Team members included Isabel Cochran, Jennie Boyle, Annie Shearn, Jean Blair, Beth Steele, Frannie Cole, Eunice Foley, Edna Coulter and Marguerite Manion.The 1923 "Headlight" claims "Baskeball is one of the most successful sports in the girls’ athletic life of our school". The girls also had Junior and Senior level teams. The girls played a sort of modified version of the game in which they were allowed only one dribble before passing or shooting. They played on the outdoor courts behind the high school. It is interesting to note there is no mention of a boys’ team before 1932 after the new gym was built.
In 1932 the girls began inter-scholastic play in a two day elimination tournament, which served as the County championship. Mrs. Maisie Cowan came to teach Physical Education at the High School in 1938, and put together some strong teams. The 1944-45 Junior team won the Lanark County title . Team members included Catherine Jamieson, Betty Houston, Vivian Naismith, Emily Comba, Margery Royce, Alice Jamieson, Doreen Sinett, Rita Young, Noreen Moncur and Joan Brydges.
Physical education equipment was pretty minimal in the 1940’s. During the warmer weather the girls could use a softball and two bats. In the gym there were three or four mats, most of which were so dirty the girls refused to use them. They also had one basketball, a hand me down from the boys team. They used this with much success in the winter months and their hard work paid off during the 1950-51 season. Both the Junior and Senior girls captured the county championship that year. In 1959 the girls were again victorious.
Almonte High School can boast of having quite a number of successful girls teams throughout the years. The Orange and Black ladies, fondly known now as the T-Birds, have in recent years been a county powerhouse. Dr. James Naismith, inventor of basketball and ADHS alumni, would certainly be proud.
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Almonte High School Girl's Basketball Team.1938
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Senior Girl's Basketball Team1947
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Lanark County Champions. Almonte High Schools' Senior Girl's Basketball team.1951
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Almonte High School Track and Field Stars.1955
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The annual Field Day held at the fair grounds was a popular fall event. Almonte High School has always a great track and field team, and despite its small size we have always faired well inter-scholastically. In 1921 and 1923 Almonte hosted the county meet. The 1923 "Headlight" noted the following: " The town was gay with school colours and the air was filled with school yells. The townspeople turned out in large numbers and were much interested in the events and the contestants." Smiths Falls went on to win that meet , however Lyod Sutherland of Almonte won the Senior Individual Championship. In 1952 Almonte won its first county title. Over the next 25 years Almonte won seventeen county championships. Don Maynard of Basketball and Football fame, also lent a hand as track coach. Victory and Maynard seemed to go hand in hand.Almonte has produced some outstanding individual track athletes throughout the years and does to this day.
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The Lanark County Track and Field Champions, Almonte High School.1952
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The high school commencement or graduation ceremonies, were not always strictly academic. From its earliest days the commencement program included dramatic presentations, choral numbers, and athletic drills. The most memorable of these athletic drills were pyramid building.25
The Commencement Programme from Almonte High School for 1929.1929
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Pyramid building demonstration. A long standing tradition at the Almonte High School Commencement.1949
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The students of Almonte High School have always been active. The activities described in this brief story are only the tip of the iceburg. Dr. R. Tait McKenzie and Dr. James Naismith both pioneers in the field of physical education and athletes in their own right, are just two of the school's athletically gifted alumi. Each year the Almonte High School presents the R. Tait McKenzie awards to an outstanding male and female senior athlete and scholor. All those who have proudly worn the Orange and Black, know the Joy of Effort. |
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