After finishing the regular season with a 15-5 record and a second place finish in the Angelus League behind Mater Dei, Servite was considered a “Cinderella Team” in the playoffs. The Friars five-game playoff run almost ended in the first round, but a Charlie Day ’66 tip-in at the buzzer was the difference in a 60-59 win over Victor Valley. Servite won the next three playoff games by scores of 68-59 over Fontana, 85-56 over #1 ranked Pomona, and 70-59 over Colton. The championship game was closely contested throughout, but Servite prevailed over Torrance, 62-60. In addition to Day, the Friars were led by the rebounding of Ken Rathbone ’65, the “downtown” deadeye shooting of Bob Pinger ’65, the steady play of Dennis Ricketts ’65, the imposing presence in the middle of Greg Banks ’66, and the guy who could beat teams from anywhere, Bill Halligan ’65. A magnificent run by a magnificent team.
