Free-Throw ‘Switcheroo’ Caught Oilers’ Opponents Off Guard

It was Huntington Beach High School’s answer to the “Great Switcheroo.”

One of the ploys of Huntington Beach’s boys’ basketball team often used in its drive to the Southern Section Division 4-A championship game in 1968 was the “switcheroo” that the Oilers repeatedly pulled at the free-throw line.

On numerous occasions, guard Greg Snyder would position himself at the free-throw line after a teammate was fouled in the act of shooting. The switch worked until former Corona del Mar Coach Bill Bloom blew the whistle on the Oilers later that season.

“Everybody thought (Coach) Elmer (Combs) was behind the switch at the free-throw line, but in all honesty, it was my idea,” Snyder said. “I started doing it when I was a freshman playing on the JV team. I pulled it off so many times.

“I couldn’t believe other coaches and the referees never caught on. I was an 80% free-throw shooter and it was one of my little tricks.”

Current Huntington Beach Coach Roy Miller was a member of the 1967-68 team. He was a mediocre free-throw shooter as a sophomore that year and was often part of the switch.

Asked if he ever thought about the ethics of the move, Miller said, “It’s not something we talk a lot about around here. But I’m sure Greg’s antics at the line are well remembered by those who followed us that season.”