John Gales

[im4wsu]

I remember John Gales. Had a sweet 12-15 foot jumpshot in the lane. Without looking up stats, he was one of the FG% leaders every year (This was just before the big men started shooting 60%). Great to see this former Shocker get some recognition.

http://blogs.kansas.com/shockwaves/2009/09/27/gym-named-for-former-shocker/

[60Shock]

im4wsu, can you provide any more info on John Gales?

I did not miss a basketball game during the 1956-60 time period, but I'm drawing a complete blank on him.

Any info such as what position he played, how tall he was, and how many minutes/games he played would be appreciated.

[shockball]

60, I remember this players name but nothing else. Hall of Famer Al Tate would have been our man guarding Robertson.

[1979Shocker]

I did a Google search on "John Gales" Wichita and found this newspaper article: College Tourneys Take Shape.

   The firing was rather light last night, with a few exceptions such as Wichita's 83-64 victory over Washington State and Duke's 75-58 triumph over Clemson in an Atlantic Coast Conference contest.
   John Gales scored 20 points to lead Wichita, while Washington State's Dwight Damon was high man with 21.

[1979Shocker]

Here's something else I found from the Sports Illustrated Vault.

Missouri Valley - 12-12-60 - SI Vault

WICHITA has been 14-12 in four of the past five years but this season will do far better. Coach Ralph Miller's high-scoring guards, Ron Heller and Lanny Van Eman (13.7 and 13.5 points respectively last season), are two of eight lettermen returning. Heller will move up front this season to work with either 6-foot-7 Wayne Durham or 6-foot-5 John Gales. But the key man is Gene Wiley, who was out much of last season with leg injuries. He is 6 feet 10, could become an outstanding post man. Competing for the other guard spot are veterans Virgil Brady and John Cleveland and newcomers Jerry Kittiko and Ernie Moore.

[im4wsu]

John was a forward, I want to say 6'5" and very slim and lanky, but it has been a loooooong time ago. With a very smooth shot in the lane, he led the Shox in FG% as a soph and Jr in '58-59 and '59-60 with .497,.491. Ernie Moore led in '61 with .503 (incredible for a guard). At the time in '58, it was the all-time record high FG% beating Don Lock's .453 the previous year. Tate led in rebounding in '58 and Heller in '59

Can't tell you much more, but did verify he was 6'5" as a soph in '58-'59 and started along with Tat.e,Elbert Urban, Virgil brady and Lanny Van Eman (mid-year) with Heller and Ev Wessell as subs on the 14-12 team.

[Old Guy WU Fan]

You are correct about the stats during that period of time Gales played, but they are deceiving in that we were playing in the toughest conference in the America.
14-12 was great considering the competion. Although at the time it got old (not improving - four out of five years) and the fans wanted Coach Miller fired because of the lack improvement. You are also correct about Gales' size, in fact I'm fairly certain his nick-name was Slim. About Ernie's FG percentage, most of his baskets were on steals and layups. He is one of the Shocker Greats. As was Gene Wiley who played in the NBA many years. A great Shocker era

[60Shock]

You are correct about the stats during that period of time Gales played, but they are deceiving in that we were playing in the toughest conference in the America.
14-12 was great considering the competion. Although at the time it got old (not improving - four out of five years) and the fans wanted Coach Miller fired because of the lack improvement. You are also correct about Gales' size, in fact I'm fairly certain his nick-name was Slim. About Ernie's FG percentage, most of his baskets were on steals and layups. He is one of the Shocker Greats. As was Gene Wiley who played in the NBA many years. A great Shocker era

You got that right, Old Guy, even though about 50 years have passed, Ernie Moore would have to rank right up there amongst the greatest guards to have ever played for the Shockers.