By Charlie Goslin
Sports Writer
The 1977-78 school year could be the year of champions for the Marine Military Academy of Harlingen.
The Leathernecks, who swpt the 1977 Texas Association of PRivate Schools state football championship, are setting their sights on the TAPS state basketball championship tournament.
MMA basketball coach Ken Green, who has led the team to an enviable 13-0 record, said Wednesday he felt certain they would be invited to the eight-team tournament.
"I called the TAPS people about the tournament today, and it's my personal opinion that we'll get invited," said Green.
The tournament, scheduled Feb. 16-18 at either Lubbock Christian Academy or Fort Worth Christian, will consist of eight teams selected from the 30 currently playing under the TAPS banner. Selection of the tournament field will be made the first week in February with the teams picked according to won-loss record and difficulty of schedule.
Hugh Seale, president of TAPS and the coordinator of the state tournament, said that any team the caliber of MMA would have to be a definite consideration for the tournament.
"We'll know within the next two weeks whether the (MMA) will go or not," said Seale. "MMA could just about play .500 ball from here on out and they'd still be invited."
When asked whether any other teams in the TAPS league had undefeated records, Seale said, "Not that I know of. But I think any team that goes undefeated like MMA, even playing tiddlywink schools, well, they've got to have some talent."
MMA has played a schedule of 10 District 32-2A tems, one independent and one Class-A school, plus a District 28-4A team.
According to Green the toughest competition the Leathernecks have faced this season was Sharyland, which is favored to win the District 32-2A basketball title with a 20-2, 7-0 record.
"If MMA continues plyaing the way they are," said Seale. "They can be rest assured that they'll be one of the teams going to the tournament."
Source: Valley Morning Star, Friday, January 13, 1978, Page 16
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