Pride of the Comstock: An Oral History of Virginia City Basketball
From 1959 to 1986 Virginia City High School captured 16 Nevada State Boys Basketball State Championships. Listen to the players and coaches as they reminisce about the good, the bad, and the ugly during this historic run of success. Created and produced by the students and staff at Virginia City High School, this podcast chronicles and preserves a landmark achievement in the history of Nevada high school athletics.
Episodes
47 episodes
A Conversation With Joyce Hess
Joyce Hess has watched Virginia City Basketball for over 60 years, having seen three generations of family play Mucker hoops; her husband, her three children, and her seven grandchildren. We visited with Joyce at her home in Virginia City...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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13:26
A Conversation With Shari Andreasen
Shari Andreasen is the youngest daughter of Virginia City basketball legend Tom Andreasen. Shari sat down with us at the home of Fred Andreasen, Tom's brother, and shared memories of her father. Here is our conversation with Shari Andreas...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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15:23
A Conversation With Fred Gladding
Fred Gladding is arguably the most significant figure in the history of Virginia City Basketball, having played on three state championship teams as well as coaching five title teams. Fred is also a member of the NIAA Hall of Fame. ...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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56:11
A Conversation With Todd Hess
Todd Hess captured four state championships at Virginia City High School and would leave with a perfect career record of 84-0. After graduating from the University of Nevada-Reno he would return home for a 30 year career in educatio...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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1:43:27
A Conversation With Chris O'Brien
Chris O'Brien arrived at Virginia City High School at the start of 10th grade, with limited basketball experience. He would blossom into an all-league player and be part of state championship teams in 1985 and 1986. Here is our conv...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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55:22
A Conversation With Ted Martinez
Ted Martinez was a member of two state championship teams at Virginia City High School, 1985 and 1986. He would return to the Comstock to teach and coach in Storey County before retiring in 2023. Here is our conversation with Ted Ma...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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45:41
A Conversation With Bum Hess
Bum Hess, class of 1984, was both an elite scorer and point guard during his four years at Virginia City High School. He would help lead the Muckers to consecutive state championships in 1982, 1983, and 1984. Bum is also a member of the N...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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1:28:08
A Conversation With Hector Bucchaneri
Hector Bucchaneri was a senior on the the 1984 state championship basketball team at Virginia City High School. He would return a generation later to serve as head coach of the Muckers. We met with Hector at the Old Globe in Carson ...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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1:06:13
A Conversation With Kevin Holloway
Kevin Holloway arrived at Virginia City High School from Dayton at the start of his junior year. He would be a key contributor on two state championship teams, 1982 and 1983. Here is our conversation with Kevin Holloway.
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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29:57
A Conversation With Tony Lane
Tony Lane, class of 1982, grew up in Virginia City idolizing the Mucker players he cheered on and dreaming of winning a state championship of his own. He accomplished that goal in 1982 and fondly remembers his time on the Comstock. ...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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45:06
A Conversation With Mike Longero
Mike Longero played three seasons for Virginia City legend Tom Andreasen at Carson High School, Mike was the 3A MVP in 1975, guiding the Senators to the state championship. He would later return to Carson High School as a teacher an...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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1:00:08
A Conversation With Frank Bleuss
Frankie Bleuss, class of 1978, arrived on the Comstock at the start of his sophomore year. He would help guide the Muckers to back to back titles in 1977 and 1978. Here is our conversation with Frank Bleuss.
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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48:46
A Conversation With Ron Millim
Ron Millim, class of 1978, was a member of two state championship teams at Virginia City High School. He also made two of the most important free throws in Mucker hoops history. We spoke with Ron at his home in Carson City. Here in ...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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51:00
A Conversation With Eddie Booth
Eddie Booth coached two seasons at Virginia City High School, 1977 and 1978, and helped return the Muckers to glory, capturing the state championship both years. He would leave the Comstock for Winnemucca, where he would have a very succe...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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56:29
A Conversation With Gary Adams
Gary Adams, Virginia City class of 1978, was a member of two state championship teams, 1977 and 1978. He also had the distinction of playing on the worst team in Mucker history. Here is our conversation with Gary Adams.
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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1:08:23
A Conversation With John Seymour
John Seymour, class of 1973, was a member of the 1972 state championship team at Virginia City High School. He finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in Mucker hoops history. Here is our conversation with John Seymour.&n...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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53:32
A Conversation With Dan Nevin
Dan Nevin, class of 1971, was a member of the 1969 state championship team at Virginia City High School. Here is our conversation with Dan Nevin.
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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1:13:53
A Conversation With Bob Rudnick
Bob Rudnick, class of 1972, would be part of two state championship teams at Virginia City High School, 1969 and 1972. Bob would have a distinguished 30-year career in law enforcement, retiring as Douglas County Undersheriff in 2005...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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1:17:21
A Conversation With Bobby Gallagher
Bobby Gallagher, class of 1972, is the younger son of Hugh Gallagher Sr. Bobby won two state championships at Virginia City High School, 1969 and 1972. He would go on to a distinguished career in education in Elko County, serving as...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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51:35
A Conversation With Jim Miller
Jim Miller arrived on the Comstock from Southern California in 1965, as he began his freshman year at Virginia City High School. He would be part of three state championship teams and later become Storey County Sheriff. Here is our ...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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32:03
The Streak (Season Two Finale)
The Virginia City Muckers had captured three consecutive state championships and entered the 1985 season on a 51-game win streak. Many new faces were now on the roster as Coach Fred Gladding worked to continue the run of success.
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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46:32
Run & Gun
The Muckers captured the 1982 B-League State Championship and entered 1983 with a roster ten deep. The team’s style of play led to a season of domination and a whole lot of wins.
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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37:55
Coach
The conclusion of the 1981 season brought another coaching change to Virginia City High School. Former Mucker star Fred Gladding, a winner of three state titles as a player, was named the new head coach. His hiring would trigger a run of ...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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37:22