Press Releases

February 8, 2009
For Immediate Release

Secrets of Success Restoration Life Association
Compton Senior High School Boys Basketball Team Recognition Ceremony

Background
Almost 42 years ago, a great milestone was achieved by the 1967-1968 & 1968-1969 Compton Senior High School Boys Basketball Team. In these two years, the Compton Senior High School Boys Basketball team attained a perfect record of 62 – 0. This outstanding achievement, performed by this very talented group of Compton kids, represented the first time in the history of the California Interscholastic Federation that a high school basketball team has had two consecutive undefeated seasons. Although this was a great achievement, there greatest honor came when the National Sports News Service, Minneapolis, Minnesota, recognized the 1968-1969 Compton Senior High School boys basketball team as National Champions. Michael Hopwood, Dwight Taylor, Larry Morris, Tommy Campbell, Larry Hollifield, Reynaldo Brown, Greg Shelton, Johnny Stevenson are members of the Tarbabes 68-69 Team. Larry Hollifield, Donald Womack, Reynaldo brown, Keith lee, Louis Nelson, Franklin Pierce, Ron Richardson, Albert Nero, Ted Salter, Biff Burrell, Danny Womack, James Pierce, and Melvin McLaurin are members of the Tarbabes 68-69 Team.

Program Description
In keeping with the tradition that was established in our last event, History Comes to Life in Compton, e a great opportunity to finally acknowledge this very special group of men that have contributed in validating Compton’s great athletic history. On February 13, 2009 a recognition ceremony is being organized to honor the individuals responsible for this significant moment. The event will be conducted in two separate phases :

Phase I - The recognition ceremony and luncheon in the City of Compton. The program will honor the coaches and players of both years with an original CIF Championship trophy and for the 1968-1969 team, their National Championship awards.

Phase II – The unveiling of the CIF Championship and National Championship banners during halftime of the Compton Senior High School Boys Basketball Team last home game.

Resolution
Relating to commending the Compton High School basketball team By Senator Joseph M Kennick of the Thirty-third Senatorial District and Senator Ralph C. Dills of the Thirty-second Senatorial District

WHEREAS, The Compton High School Tarbabes basketball team, coached by Bill Armstrong, won its second consecutive CIF Championship before 7,150 cheering fans on Saturday night, March 15, 1969, in the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, with a 59-55 victory; and

WHEREAS, This victory is the 62nd consecutive game the Compton High School basketball team has played without a defeat; and

WHEREAS, This achievement constitutes the first time in the history of the California Interscholastic Federation that a high school basketball team has had two consecutive undefeated seasons; and

WHEREAS, The Tarbabes, coached by Bill Armstrong and Assistant Coaches Eddie C. Thomas and Wallace Franklin, and the athletic director, Gordon S. Orr, competed in 30 games during the 1968-69 season, won all the games, and thus became the first high school basketball team in history to win a perfect season, back-to-back with its perfect 32-game win for the 1967-68 season; and

WHEREAS, Larry Hollifield, Donald Womack, Reynaldo Brown, Keith Lee, Louis Nelson, Franklin Pierce, Ron Richardson, Albert Nero, Ted Salter, Biff Burrell, Danny Womack, James Pierce, and Melvin McLaurin are members of the Tarbabes; Donald Womack was high scorer with 18 points in the championship game; and Larry Hollifield led the team in points for the year with 565 for the 30 games; and

WHEREAS, Coach Armstrong has led the team in five CIF Championships during his past twelve (12) years as the Tarbabes coach; and

WHEREAS, Thirty-one teams competed for the championship; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Members hereby commend the Compton High School basketball team and Coach Armstrong on their most noteworthy achievements in the sport of basketball; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit suitably prepared copies of this resolution to Compton High School and to the coaches and members of the Tarbabes.

Senate Resolution No. 154 read and unanimously adopted March 28, 1969

National Champions
High School Basketball
Awarded to Compton Senior High School by the
National Sports News Service, Minneapolis, Minnesota

1967 - ’68                                                                                  1968 - ‘69

Compton’s                             Opp.                            Compton’s                             Opp.

Score               Opponent       Score                           Score               Opponent       Score

84                    California        58                                51                    Notre Dame    43

82                    Bolsa Grande  56                                66                    Monrovia         43       

108                  Tustin              56                                67                    Cabrillo           42

53                    Marina            45                                79                    Lakewood        56

59        Huntington Beach       53                                101                  Costa Mesa     42

94                    Oceanside       42                                48        Corona Del Mar         36

70                    Sunny Hills      48                                75                    Westminster     41

106                  Pius X              48                                57                    Marina            39

99        Fermin Lasuen            48                                63        Redondo Beach           50

93        North Torrance           52                                64                    Sunny Hills      50

91        North Torrance           71                                42                    St. Anthony      32

108                  Compton #2    34                                99                    Westminster     58

66                    Verbum Dei     49                                72                    Alemany          44

49                    Torrance         45                                76                    California        57

62        North Torrance           46                                64                    Warren            52

59                    LB Jordan       44                                86                    Downey           46

129                  Lynwood         41                                73                    Dominguez      55

69                    Dominguez      45                                46                    Centennial       42

66                    Centennial       43                                84                    Paramount      52

93                    Paramount      74                                74                    Warren            53

63                    Warren            42                                78                    Downey           44

78                    Lynwood         23                                64                    Dominguez      55

59                    Dominguez      43                                53                    Centennial       45

77                    Centennial       55                                62                    Paramount      53

108                  Paramount      37                                101                  LB Jordan       68

51                    Warren            35                                98                    Norwalk          68

106                  PT. Loma        43                                94                    Arroyo             68

72                    Monte Vista     43                                46                    Bellflower        33

68                    California        63                                56                    Ventura           51

71                    Aviation           60                                59                    Sunny Hills      55

78                    Marina            43

64        Huntington Beach       52

 

Compton High School 1967-1968                             Compton High School 1968-1969

79.2 points per game                                                                          69.9 points per game

Opponents 1967-1968                                                                       Opponents 1968-1969

48.0 points per game                                                                          49.0 points per game