Los Gatos Weekly-Times Los Gatos Weekly-Times file photograph In 1904, basketball was the only sport available to girls at Los Gatos High School. As for boys--there was only baseball. LGHS team sports have come a long way over the century John S. Baggerly Today Los Gatos High School girls enjoy sports once afforded only to boys, and many have advanced to college on athletic scholarships in field, gym and water sports. By state rules, girls may try out for both boys' wrestling and football, but to the knowledge of veteran LGHS coach Butch Cattalico, no girls have ever tried out for the former. According to the 1904 Wildcat, a year-end roundup of school events, girls' basketball was organized in September with Hazel Groom as captain and Nellie Ford as manager. At the beginning of the year the team consisted of nine players, but in January was changed to six. "A great deal of enjoyment has been gained at the daily practice both at recess and after school. At these, the vim of the players brought many student spectators to our grounds," writes the Wildcat. In the five games that the team played that season, the girls had both wins and losses, the latter perhaps due to their lack of a coach. But in both, the team members felt they gained a great deal by their association with other teams. According to the Wildcat, they also earned a higher score in each successive game they played. An additional excerpt from the book offers insight into the brave new world of girls' sports: "At times we have had slight disappointments over these games, but all have been pleasantly ended. Especially pleasant have been our relations with Mountain View. Here we were most hospitably entertained at the home of their captain, where we christened our new suits of red and white. Wearing these, we were inspired to make greater effort to uphold the reputation of the school. With Campbell, we played but one game, since their high school refused to accept our challenge for a return game. What we want is the united effort of the team and more enthusiasm, that we may have one of the best teams on the coast." The Wildcat also included a report on boys' baseball. When the 1904 season ended, the team had not done as well as its members expected, but they were determined to do better next year, even though their greatest hitter, Raymond Edwards, moved away. Edwards was also a valued pitcher, shortstop and captain. Frank Cilker went into the box as a green pitcher with good speed and control. A George Hart did a fair job as catcher but took over in left field when Carl Gertridge returned to school as catcher. Will Cilker played first base, making few, if any, errors. "The High School loses one of her best men when he graduates," says the Wildcat. Meanwhile, Peter Lint played an admirable game at second base as well as in the field. Earl Bagley was shortstop, with Eugene Ford as a captain known for always keeping the interests of his team at heart. E. Parr Griffith, who lacked the benefit of much practice, did well in his centerfield position, as did Horace Gruell in right field. The Wildcat continues: "The teamwork was not good, but individual playing showed much talent. Batting was often weak, but the team will improve with more practice. We lost our only league game with San Jose by a score of 7-2, and won from P.C.B.C. by a score of 15-6." Those initials remain unknown to this writer. [ Back to Contents Page | Los Gatos Weekly-Times Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, January 20, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.