The pictures are as represented in the Woodrow Wilson High School, Portsmouth, Virginia yearbook or annual of the year indicated on the page. The Memory pictures may not be complete and pictures and names may have been removed by request of the person involved. Also, it does not offically indicate the year of graduation and/or that the party in question graduated. This section of the website is dedicated to the memories of all alumni and are found in personal items that alumni have saved and were kind enough to allow it to be shared with others. Thank You. If you are not represented in your class, or have other pictures for the memories section you may submit a photo to be added. John “Eddie” Lee ’68.
Out of an almost unknown aggregation of boys, Coach Phess Woodson has this year fashioned a team that has performed admirably. The Wilson cagers started
off this season with a bang; breezing through three class “B” teams in succession. In the first game of the season, Coach Woodson’s cohorts came through with a 57-14 victory over Suffolk. They swamped Morrison 44-24. The Prexies out-classed the Holy Trinity quint 39-22. The Presidents, playing their first game against class “A” competition, fell before the fast moving Alexandria club to the tune of 47-28. The reserves were used a great deal in turning back the Fairfax aggregation 47-17. Thrilling all the way was the victory over the Hampton Crabbers, 27-26. Held to the lowest score of the season, Wilson lost to Petersburg, 17-14, in a purely defensive game. Failing to overtake a lead compiled by the Maury Commodores, the Presidents were shaded 33-30. Another game with a narrow margin was the Wilson victory over Newport News, 31-30. Coming from behind in their game with Benedictine, the Prexies defeated the lads from Richmond 26-16. The Norview Pilots proved no match for the mighty Presidents as they fell 48-22. Due to Granby’s superior height, the Orange and Blue quint bowed 32-24, after putting up a valiant fight. Saint Joseph’s Academy played their first game against the Prexies, but couldn’t get started against their stronger opponents, as Wilson won 37-16. The Presidents plowed through the W. M. Freshmen. Again Wilson downed Benedictine 25-24, this time at Richmond. When Norview made second appearance against the Presidents, they were sent home with a 52-25 belting. Alexandria invaded Portsmouth with an impressive 41-36 win. Getting back in the winning column, the Prexies downed Arlington without much trouble by the score of 40-27.
Outstanding during the season has been the playing of co-captains “Cotton”
Gallop and Eddie Tanner, the follow-up shooting of “Mater” White and Billy
O’Brien, and the floor work of A1 Kilpatrick, Lennie Luke, and “Potsy” Klise. Another big attraction at each game has been the performance of the Jayvees,
nicknamed the “Diminutive Demons.
BASEBALL
The Woodrow Wilson Presidents, handicapped by the lack of experience in the
infield, entered the 1947 scholastic race as the “dark horses.” Among returning lettermen were infielder “Potsy” Klise, and outfielders “Peetsie” Hubbard and “Mater” White. Returning the pitching department were Lennie Luke, Jack James, “Lefty” Robertson and Buddy Kincaid. Catchers were “Bullet” Alexander and Jimmy Traynham. Among teams played were Maury, Granby, Holy I'rinity, Norview, Petersburg, and service teams in this community.
Track Team
Wilson High’s track hopes seemed brighter this year than they had since the sport was revived three years ago. With a new coach, Howard Mast, and five returning lettermen the Prexies fielded a very strong team. As before, all meets were held away from home. Returning lettermen were Burrell Johnson, Dash Man; Billy O’Brien, Half Miler; Hines Creecy, Miler; Harry Stein, Relay-team; Howard Borum, an all round track man. Besides these five the Presidents had many newcomers led by Leon Enrico and James Haythe in the dashes, John Acton, Melvin Rcjbertson, George Pendergralt, Jesse Ricks in the long distance runs. The hurdles were in good hands with Eldred Lawrence, Jack Benzie and Howard Borum showing the way. Coach Mast had a large assortment of boys working in the weight department with Wallace McCarty showing up well in the shot and discus throw. He received a lot of assistance from Leo Antonucci, Billy O’Brien, and Burrell Johnson. In the pole vault Coach Mast had Erank Madigan, Clyde I'anner, and Jack McLean. The running broad jump was taken care of by Kenneth Babb, Jack Benzie, and Billy O’Brien.
Team team participated in the scholastic tourney held in Chapel Hill, N. C. Although they made no great record, they were still quite impressive. The Cinder-men were to play all of Tidewater’s “big” teams; Maury, Granby, Newport News, Hampton, as well as Norview, Petersburg, Cradock. Track seems to be here to stay, judging by the number of boys who are interested in.
