No matter how much one tries not to enlarge upon it, the fact remains that the basketball titanics of Bremerton’s prep season consist of twice-yearly meeting of the West Wildcats and the East Knights.

Tomorrow night, at West, the two now long-standing rivals match shots in the first game of 1963’s series. Each goes in possessing and unblemished record along the double-A class race to a possible state tournament berth.

Wildcats are 6-0, Knights are 5-0.

NATURAL RIVALS between these two normally is strong enough, but this is the stage of the year when residents on either side of the Manette and Warren Avenue bridges become even more divided in opinion.  Sometimes one doesn’t dare mention the name of one when in the other’s bailiwick.

Most of this, of course, is centered around adult population and non-playing supporters. The players themselves have, and still do, treat it – as much as is humanly possible – as just another game.

Tomorrow night’s outcome won’t knock either one out of the state tournament running, but the victor will grasp an advantage in the race for the No. 1 position in post-season playoffs.

RECORD-WISE, they’re virtually knotted on the entire season, East at 6-4 and West at 6-3. Knights though, are humming merrily along with a five-game victory string after losing three of their first four. West had a four-outing skein, its best of the year, ended Tuesday night by Stadium of Tacoma, 67-58.

In size, West had an edge, assuming it opens with its usual group of Fred Kegel (6-1), Les Dicks (6-2), Dan Shedwin (6-3), Leon Leslie (6-0) and Steve Schumacher (6-2).

If Greg Morrison has won his starting job back at East, he, at 5-9, will team with John Tracy (5-11) at the guards along with Jim Tienhaara and Mike Holen, both 6-1, at forwards, and Darryl Fry, 6-1½, on the post.

Continuing statistically, West has exhibited the greater scoring punch, averaging 55.3 per game as compared to East’s 50.8. Defensively, though, it’s East’s turn to lead. The Knights, with their press the primary key to success, have allowed 44.7 each outing to West’s 48.8.

MOST READERS REALIZE that these statistics – even while they contrast the sides – are most time meaningless. Outcome of an East-West game, or any game for that matter, is determined by the principals on the floor.

Past history in the cross-city series has said so.

West, following the birth and infancy of East, managed to win both series games the first few years. But as it grew, East eventually began breaking even and last year went one better when it took two of three from West, the last one coming in post-season playoffs for a state spot.

So the situation stands pretty much the same today, eve of the first 1963 engagement. Both sides have factors going for them, and also some deficiencies.

AND THE ONLY ONES who can provide a settlement to the cross-town differences in thinking are the players.

They’ll do just that, commencing sometime around 8 o’clock tomorrow night. We’ll see you there – if you can get in.

*     *     *

Dave Alfred, Bremerton’s 205-pound contribution to Western Washington State college football, will serve his mates next season – his senior year – as captain of the Vikings.

His election to the honored position was revealed this week at the school’s annual football banquet, where Dave was additionally honored by receiving the Elks’ scholarship award for next year.

Dave, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Alfred, has had a distinguished two years in Viking livery, both offensively and defensively. His latter capabilities earned him a spot on the All-Evergreen conference team last fall.

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