By Bob Robinson

(Editor’s note: Robinson, now 87, wrote sports for Oregon newspapers for 42 years, the last 37 at The Oregonian. “Robbie” was the paper’s beat writer for the Trail Blazers when they won the NBA championship in 1977. The Central High and U of O grad was a renowned golf writer at The Oregonian and is the author of four books.)

When Barney Holland died on July 21 at 89, it brought a flood of memories to sports followers in Oregon — including me.

During a long high school basketball coaching career at Lebanon, North Eugene and Aloha, the

former University of Oregon athlete compiled a record of 406-224 (.644) and won three state championships and seven league titles.

Holland earned several individual awards, too, including McDonald’s National Coach of the Year selection in 1977 after his North Eugene team won the second of back-to-back state AAA titles and lost only one of 54 games over two seasons, with All-American Danny Ainge leading the way.