1959 Basketball Team

When talk turns to what was Astoria High School's best basketball team, (at barber shops up and down Marine Drive and Commercial Street), John Warren's back-to-back state champions of 1934 and 1935 and Wally Palmberg's state titles of 1941 and 1942 always find their way to the forefront of those conversations.But, when it comes to which team would go down as the all-time crowd favorite, all those having their ears lowered, agree: Jerry Mosby's 1958-59 unit steps to the front of the list.

Large crowds filled the year old gym on West Marine Drive as the Astorians stormed to a 12-0 home court campaign. Astoria stumbled only once in a 22 games regular season, a 46-40 loss at Metro League foe, Milwaukie. Including the Fishermen's 21-1 record was a Metro League championship and a 13-1 league mark.

Astoria won its last 11 games and rolled into the state tournament rated number one in the Beaver State and a favorite to take home the crown. But, as fate would have it, two point losses to Klamath Falls (41-39) and Jefferson (61-59) would end one of the greatest runs ever by an AHS basketball team, establishing their place in local hoop lore.

• Gordon Scott and Mike Tarabochia were named to the 1st team All-Metro squad. James Johnson annexed 2nd team honors.
• Scott, one of the most decorated athletes in AHS history, was a 1st team choice on the Oregonian and Journal All-State teams.
• Scott (390 points in 23 games) and Tarabochia (329 points in 24 games) led the Fishermen in scoring.Johnson, the teams top contributing junior, transfered to Kearney High School in San Diego for his senior season.
• 6-foot-4", James Johnson was named the Western League's MVP and picked 1st team All-CIF for the San Diego section. He returned to the Northwest after graduation, lettering in basketball for three seasons at the University of Oregon.

Heisman Trophy winner, Terry Baker of Jefferson, and future NBA great, Mel Counts of Marshfield, were just a few of the big names that the Fishermen would run into during that eventful year.