B O X S C O R E A Publication of the High School Historical Society IHSBHS was founded in 1994 by A. J. Quigley Jr. (1943-1997) and Harley Sheets for the purpose of documenting and preserving the history of Indiana High School Basketball IHSBHS Officers Publication & Membership Notes President Roger Robison Frankfort 1954 Boxscore is published by the Indiana High School Basketball Vice Pres Cliff Johnson Western 1954 Historical Society (IHSBHS). This publication is not copyrighted and may be reproduced in part or in full for circulation anywhere Webmaster Kermit Paddack Sheridan 2002 Indiana high school basketball is enjoyed. Credit given for any Treasurer Rocky Kenworthy Cascade 1974 information taken from Boxscore would be appreciated. Editorial Staff IHSBHS is a non-profit organization. No salaries are paid to Editor Cliff Johnson Western 1954 anyone. All time spent on behalf of IHSBHS or in producing Boxscore is freely donated by individual members. Syntax Edits Tim Puet Valley, PA 1969 Dues are $10 per year. They run from Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 and Content Edits Harley Sheets Lebanon 1954 include four newsletters. Lifetime memberships are no longer Rocky Kenworthy Cascade 1974 offered, but those currently in effect continue to be honored. Tech Advisor Juanita Johnson Fillmore, CA 1966 Send dues, address changes, and membership inquiries to Board Members IHSBHS, c/o Rocky Kenworthy, 710 E. 800 S., Clayton, IN 46118. E-mail: [email protected] John Ockomon, Harley Sheets, Leigh Evans, Cliff Johnson, Tim All proposed articles & stories should be directed to Puet, Roger Robison, Jeff Luzadder, Rocky Kenworthy, Doug Cliff Johnson: [email protected] or 16828 Fairburn Bradley, Curtis Tomak, Kermit Paddack, Hugh Schaefer. St., Hesperia, CA 92345.

2019 FALL ISSUE

EDITORIAL POLICY Glenn Nunemaker, Wakarusa, IN various reasons after the '24-'25 The opinions expressed in Robert Stroup, The Villages, FL school year, the tourney was Boxscore by individual authors do Fred Dunn, Bloomington, IN dropped. It was revived again in not necessarily reflect the views of Dr. Phil Eskew, Bloomington, IN 1931, although Lebanon was no IHSBHS as an organization. Adam Altobella, Muncie, IN longer part of it. Advance won that Our IHSBHS website address is Sean Bell, Hebron, IN one too, defeating Thorntown in the Indianabasketballhistory.com. Larry Randel, Zionsville, IN final, 36-21. You can also enter IHSBHS or Martha Randel, Zionsville, IN Again, the tournament was “Boxscore” on any search engine. discontinued but it was revived in the CONTENTS ONE & ONE, WITH NO TIME '36-'37 school year and this time it IHSBHS Membership…………. 1 ON THE CLOCK lasted through the '63-'64 season. One & One, No Time Left…….. 1 by After that, because of consolidations, Fillmore's 1954 Team…………. 6 David L. White there were only three "county" Lon Showley's Hoops Career… 9 Introduction: A Brief History schools left--Zionsville, Thorntown, Boxscore Back Issues…………. 10 Not long after started and Granville Wells. At that point, IHSBHS Membership Form…. 11 bouncing around schools in Indiana the Boone County Basketball Hall of Fame Membership…… 12 in the early 1900s, a tournament for Tournament was permanently the county teams became popular. In discontinued. IHSBHS MEMBERSHIP many counties the tournament Starting with the '36-'37 school IHSBHS Secretary & Treasurer consisted of all the schools in the year, the tourney was held in January Kenworthy lists 14 new and county, but sometimes the county and all eight county teams took part. returning members to the ranks of seat school or the largest town in the Those teams were the Zionsville our subscribers. Welcome! Your county were not included. Eagles, Thorntown Keewasakees, interest in Indiana high school For Boone County, the tournament Perry Central Midgets, Whitestown basketball history helps to keep officially started during the 1919-20 Panthers, Dover Blue Devils, Pinnell IHSBHS growing each year. school year, with only four teams Purple Dragons, Jamestown Little participating--Advance, Jamestown, Giants, and the Advance Osceolians. Dave Sanders, Bradenton, FL Thorntown, and Perry Central. In 1948 the number of teams Joe Manis, New Castle, IN Advance defeated Thorntown 28-22 dropped to seven when Jamestown Cory Criswell, Middletown, IN in the final. Lebanon and most of and Advance combined into Jackson Chase Criswell, Muncie, IN the other schools joined the field the Township. They became the Dr. Gene Hedrick, Salem, IN following year, with Lebanon Granville Wells Rockets, after their Mark McNeal, Bloomington, IN winning the next four titles. For new school was built in the mid- IHSBHS 2019 FALL ISSUE Page 2

1950s. process taking possession of a county tourney with a record of 14-0. While every basketball traveling county trophy known as the The Lebanon Reporter picked tournament has featured exciting "Dope Bucket," away from Pinnell as the favorite. The Purple games, this story is about one Thorntown. Dragons had last won the tourney in specific game, Thorntown vs. Since the word "dope" had a 1942, defeating Thorntown in the Granville Wells. It took place on slightly different connotation in 1961 final, 26-24. Rugged Zionsville Friday the 13th of January 1961, at compared with the word as it's played a tough schedule with games the Thorntown gym, as one of the sometimes used today, an against Speedway, Carmel, Pike, quarter-final games of the Boone explanation is in order. In some of Ben Davis, and other strong teams County tournament. An historic the counties around the state, certain from the area. They game, it all came down to "One & county basketball games known as always fared well in the tourney. One, With No Time on the Clock." "rivalry games" often had some kind While Perry Central, Whitestown, Its ending should make you sit of traveling trophy associated with and Dover were not as strong as the upright in your lounging chair. them. That trophy was awarded to other four teams, they all had good The Dope Bucket the winner of such a game. Not long shooters and that fact can always While most of the nation was after the Boone County tourney lead to an upset. getting ready to watch the resumed in the 1936-37 school year, There was only one game on inauguration of President John F. the traveling trophy for its schools Thursday night, Zionsville vs. Kennedy during the third week of became known as the Dope Bucket. Dover. Dover had won only once so January 1961, many fans of the At the end of the regular season the far that season, and Zionsville had Boone County basketball teams were team that had possession of it would three victories. This proved to be a also gearing up to watch the annual keep it until the next season, since it physical contest as 49 free throws county tourney during the second was not contested during sectional were shot, Zionsville prevailing 53- week of the month, on Thursday, play. Why was it called the Dope 44. Phil Scott and Bill Hodges were Friday, and Saturday, Jan. 12, 13, Bucket? Well, prior to the early in double figures for the Eagles, and 14. 1950s, when a timeout was called, while Sonny Coffman and Lavern The tourney rotated among the the playing rules prohibited players Shockley both scored in double three schools with the largest and their coach from consulting, so digits for Dover. gymnasiums, Zionsville, Granville the coach had to remain parked at the The next two games would be Wells, and Thorntown. This year it team's bench while the players played on Friday, the 13th, with the was Thorntown's turn to host, and its gathered around a free throw circle one everyone was waiting on, gym could hold about 2,500 fans. quenching their thirst from a water Thorntown vs. Wells at 7:00, There was not a huge crowd bucket (or bottles) and soaking up followed by unbeaten Pinnell vs. attending the one game on Thursday, perspiration with towels supplied by Whitestown at 8:30. While but the two games on Friday and the the team's student manager. Thorntown had very strong teams in three on Saturday were played before Surreptitiously though, the manager recent years, its record up to the a near-capacity sellout. could whisper instructions to the county tourney this year was only 6- Shooting for their fourth straight players from the coach or the coach 5. It had lost to Avon 43-44, Wells title and playing on their home floor might write for the players a short 47-49, Zionsville 52-61, Carmel 40- should give the Thorntown note concealed under the water 48, and Lafayette Central Catholic Keewasakees an advantage, many bucket. The instructions or 56-65. Its six wins were over people thought. Plus, the team had information on the note became Rossville 64-42, Waveland 61-43, several returning veterans from the known as "the dope." That, along Darlington 72-49, New Market 69- previous season who had helped win with its place of concealment under 36, Brownsburg 67-55, and in both the county tournament and the the water bucket led to the overtime, Covington 73-69. Wells sectional championship, finishing popularized term of "the Dope record stood at 6-4, having lost to with a 19-5 record. But earlier in the Bucket." North Salem 54-62, Pittsboro 70-71, season (November of 1960) Prelude to the Game Pinnell 53-58, and Westfield 39-60. Granville Wells, coached by Vince Just before Christmas, Coach Max Its team had beaten Thorntown 49- Myer, had beaten Ted Wesolek's Price's Pinnell Purple Dragons 47, Bainbridge 66-64, Roachdale 67- Thorntown team 49-47 on the knocked off Wells, thus claiming the 50, Whitestown 72-36, Colfax 63-36, Keewasakees' home floor, in the Dope Bucket, and were entering the and Fishers 63-53. IHSBHS 2019 FALL ISSUE Page 3

In most of its varsity games, Thorntown 17-7 in the second The pressure defense was working Thorntown used a seven-man quarter, with Huckstep pouring in well. The Rockets were missing rotation. Juniors Gerald Coffman nine points, two more than the entire shots they normally would make, and and Jim McBane usually started at Keewasakees team. Wells had led at they did have trouble getting the ball guard, senior Dave Williams and halftime 28-17. Thorntown had to Huckstep. But they never let junior Bob Russell at forward, and 6- come out much more aggressive in Thorntown get a huge lead. At the 1 senior Paul Youkey at center. the third quarter, outscoring Wells by end of the first half the Keewasakees Guard Dale Coffman and 6-2 Jim nine and trailing only by two at the led by only 32-27. When the third Russell, both seniors, were usually end of the third stanza. The fourth quarter began Thorntown regained the first subs called in to play. The quarter was also nip and tuck the its momentum and widened the Wells Rockets relied mostly on a six- whole time, but Wells prevailed 49- margin to nine points. It still led by man rotation. Seniors John Dorn, 47. Huckstep had led the way for seven at the end of the quarter, 45- Fred Huckstep, and Phil Scott Wells with 21 points. But Coach 38. usually carried the load, but they got Wesolek knew that Thorntown could The boys from Granville Wells excellent support from sophs Bill win this rematch if his perimeter were no quitters though, and, led by Burdine and Larry Whittinghill, defense could keep enough pressure Huckstep, they chipped away at the along with junior Sam Carter. The on the Wells ballhandlers to prevent lead during the final quarter. But it 6-5 Huckstep towered over them from getting the ball inside to seemed like every time Wells cut the everyone, but the Keewasakees' 6-1 Huckstep. lead down to 2 or 3 points, Paul Youkey had springs in his legs The Game Thorntown would get a couple of and hoped he could use that talent to With a packed house and lots of quick baskets and push the lead back keep the taller Huckstep off the noise, Indiana Hall of Fame referee up to 7 or 8 points again. Thorntown boards. Zeke Williams tossed up the ball at had a problem, however: Its second leading scorer, senior Dave Williams, was in foul trouble. He had to sit out most of the fourth quarter, although he did return to the court late in the game. With no three-point arc on the floor in those days, Thorntown's six-point lead ,58- 52, with 1:30 to go in the game, was looking very safe. But three FTs by Huckstep and a FG by Phil Scott with 25 seconds remaining, closed the gap to 58-57. After a Keewasakees turnover, Wells got a pass in to Huckstep at the low post who scored, giving the Rockets a 59- 58 lead with 10 seconds left in the game. And this is where things got really interesting. With no time-out called after Huckstep's goal, Thorntown's Gerald Coffman took the inbounds pass, In the first meeting between the 7:00 p.m. and the game was dribbled through and around the two teams earlier in the season, the underway. 6-1 Youkey's "springs" Wells pressure defense, and had to Rockets had squeaked out a 49-47 helped Thorntown right off the bat as launch a shot from the 10-second victory over the Keewasakees, due in he slightly out-jumped 6-5 Huckstep line in order to try and beat the large part to the dominance of at the tip-off, so the Keewasakees game-ending buzzer. As the Huckstep in the middle. With Wells had the first chance to score in the Lebanon Reporter recounted those holding an 11-10 lead after one game. Indeed, early in the game it last few seconds, "Coffman got the quarter, they had outscored pretty much went Thorntown's way. ball from out-of-bounds and took a IHSBHS 2019 FALL ISSUE Page 4 desperation shot from near the wins; if he hits the first but misses others in attendance, would be middle of the floor but missed, as the second, the game goes to yelling for Coffman to miss. County time ran out." About the time overtime; and if he hits both, tourney crowds were always loud Coffman's shot was bouncing off the Thorntown wins the game. and intense during the games. In this rim, the buzzer signaling the end of the game sounded. Coffman dropped to the floor face down and began pounding his fist because of his missed shot. As the Wells fans started to pour out onto the floor to celebrate, everyone could now hear what few people had heard when the shot first went up--both referees blowing their whistles. What Kewasakees forward Dave Williams heard was tremendous noise from the 2,500 in attendance. "When Gerald got the ball after Huckstep's basket," he recalled, "I ran down the left side of the floor and was open, but Gerald fired up the final shot. 'I never heard the whistles blow from the officials and I did not hear the {buzzer} at the end of the game because of the noise. 'When he missed the shot, I looked at After graduating from Wells, Phil instance, the Pinnell and Whitestown the clock and saw all zeros, so I kept Scott enrolled at Purdue where he fans probably joined the Wells fans running to the end of the gym, turned received an electrical engineering in yelling for Coffman to miss the left down the hall, and went to the degree. He is now retired and lives free throws. That was undoubtedly locker room. 'I sat on a bench and in Colorado. "I still think about that because Thorntown had won three started taking my uniform off game sometimes," he says." "I was tourneys in a row and most of them because I thought the game was shocked when I realized they had wanted some other team to win it. over. 'Dale Coffman came running called a foul on me. 'I was Put yourself in Gerald Coffman's in and told me to get back to the backpedaling a few feet in front of position. First, he thought he had floor because Gerald was shooting Coffman and teammate John Dorn lost the game because he missed the free throws." was on my right, ready to cover half-court shot. Now he needs to Even though there was no time left Thorntown's Dave Williams if suddenly pump up his confidence, on the clock (and the clocks in 1961 Coffman passed to him. 'I yelled to having one shot to either tie the did not show tenths of a second like John Dorn "Don't foul!" 'I did raise game (or lose it), and then a second they do today), the game was not my hand when Coffman shot, but I shot to win it. In this free throw over because official Zeke Williams did not try to block it. 'I thought we situation, with no time left on the explained that after Gerald Coffman had won the game and was totally clock, the players are not allowed to released his shot, and before the surprised when the foul was called." line up along the lane. Why? {buzzer} sounded, Granville Wells' As junior Gerald Coffman stepped Because there is no reason to try for Phil Scott had made contact with to the line for the most important a rebound since the clock shows all Coffman. While Scott did try to free throws of his high school career, zeros. It can be a lonely feeling at block the shot, the official said the three-fourths of the 2,500 spectators the free throw line when no other contact happened after the shot left were making as much noise as they players are lined up and most of the Coffman's hand, so Coffman would could. While the Thorntown crowd fans are screaming and stomping on get to shoot a one-and-one FT would be as quiet as possible so that the wooden bleachers. How many opportunity. If he misses the first Coffman could concentrate, the spectators in the gym that night shot the game is over and Wells Wells fans, as well as most of the could hit two free throws under those IHSBHS 2019 FALL ISSUE Page 5 conditions? Probably not many. win each of its final three games Scott 5-11 6-7 4 Coffman was a good free throw within a 24-hour period--a tall order, Whittinghill 2-8 1-1 2 shooter but trying to hit one with that by any measure. The tournament Totals 22-68 15-24 9 kind of pressure was asking a lot. If results are revealed in this story's (32%) (63%) it had been a two-shot foul, at least Epilogue, at the end. he'd have two chances for a tie. But For Granville Wells, the loss to Thorntown 19 13 13 15 60 it was a one and one--and he'd need Thorntown was devastating. Its Granv. Wells 13 14 11 21 59 to be perfect for the win. players knew that the county In a recent interview, Coffman championship had been within their Reprinted from Lebanon Reporter, stated "I knew I had to hit the first grasp. Thinking back to that game January 14, 1961 shot, or my teammates would kill played nearly sixty years ago, Fred me." Righthanded Gerald used the Huckstep, who went on to play at Epilogue classic free throw stance: His feet Indiana State University, offered a After Gerald Coffman's heroics in about 12-15 inches apart with the comment. He said "While the Granville Wells game, Pinnell right foot closer to the line; the ball Thorntown always played good defeated Whitestown 43-17 that held just below and slightly to the defense, we missed lots of shots we night, ruining the Panthers' attempt right of his right eye; and wrist usually {could} hit. 'And we also at a slow-down game. Saturday cocked with the elbow perfectly missed several free throws." His afternoon, Zionsville dispatched aligned to the right leg. Now, with points are well taken. Wells' field Perry Central 75-28 in the first game. knees slightly bent into a crouched goal percentage that game was only Then Thorntown met undefeated position, all he had to do was launch 32%. Huckstep led the way with 17 Pinnell in the second game and the ball with the proper arc and points, but he hit only six of eighteen handed the Purple Dragons their first force, straight and true, while gently FG attempts. Thorntown shot 45%, loss of the season, 60-51, while rising from the crouch. The first shot and hit all ten of its free throws, winning back the Dope Bucket in the went up, and the ball nestled into the while Wells hit only 15 of 24 from process. Saturday night pitted net. Now the Thorntown fans began the line. As bitter as this loss was, Thorntown against Zionsville for the cheering loudly since, at worst, there the Wells players hoped that brighter championship. In a hard-fought would be an overtime. After days were ahead the rest of the contest, the Keewasakees prevailed bouncing the ball a couple of times, season. 74-64. That win gave Thorntown its Coffman's second shot dropped in, 11th County Tournament just as true as his first. At that point Box Score Account championship, the most of any the only part of the gymnasium that Boone County Tournament schools in Boone County. It was was screaming was the Thorntown Granville Wells vs. Thorntown also its fourth in a row, having section, as it was realized the team Friday, Jan. 13, 1961 previously won in '58, '59, and '60 as would be playing again on Saturday Quarter Final Game well. As a side note, in the afternoon. championship game Zionsville's The Keewasakees had little time Thorntown FG FT PF second-leading scorer, Bill Hodges, to celebrate on-court since it had to Williams 5-11 3-3 4 had a bad night. He scored only be immediately cleared in D. Coffman 0-0 0-0 0 three points and fouled out. Better preparation for the next game. In the B. Russell 4-7 0-0 3 days lay ahead of him, however, locker room Coach Wesolek took the J. Russell 2-4 0-0 3 when in 1979 he coached Indiana time to utter a few words of praise, Youkey 3-8 2-2 2 State University and Larry Bird to an but most of all he wanted the players McBane 0-6 2-2 2 undefeated regular season and then to get home to rest. If they were to G. Coffman 11-20 3-3 2 to a second-place finish to Michigan win the tourney now, they'd need to Totals 25-56 10-10 16 State in the NCAA tournament. play well in two more games on (45%) (100%) How good was Thorntown's 60-61 Saturday. Not counting Thorntown, team? They entered the county there were still two other strong Granv. Wells FG FT PF tourney with a 6-5 record, but never teams left in the tourney--undefeated Dorn 2-15 3-6 1 lost another game until the sectional Pinnell, and Zionsville. If the Carter 1-1 0-0 1 championship. After defeating Keewasakees were going to win the Burdine 6-15 0-1 0 Zionsville and Pinnell in the snow- championship, they would need to Huckstep 6-18 5-9 0 delayed sectional at Zionsville, the IHSBHS 2019 FALL ISSUE Page 6

Keewasakees season ended in Lebanon Public Library job was being in charge of the key to another thrilling game, this time Indiana BB HOF, Chris May, Director the visiting team's locker room for Gordon Wait against Lebanon 58-62. Their final Earl Kinslow all the home games, giving him a season record was 18-6. The Tom Wethington unique "on the floor" look at the Lebanon Tigers had an excellent Thorntown Elementary School, Pam Taylor, games. Coach White lives near season too, finishing at 22-5. Principal Crawfordsville and can be contacted Coached by Keith Kincaid and led The Lebanon Reporter newspaper at [email protected] or Sandra & John Britt by Ted Bennington, O.A. Kincaid, 1961 BB Players Gerald Coffman, Dave phone (765) 376-8801. Dave Milam, and Butch Clemons, Williams, Paul Youkey, Dale Coffman, Fred the Tigers won the Lafayette Huckstep, Phil Scott Fillmore's 1954 Team, regional the following week, The Greatest Story Never Told defeating Ambia and Frankfort to About the Author by secure the title. Moving on to the David L. (DL) White is a 1963 Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star semi-state, they slipped by Gary graduate of Thorntown High School Columnist Roosevelt 62-61 before losing to and a 1968 graduate of Purdue The school is tiny, and the year is Logansport in the evening final 65- University, with BA and MA degrees 1954. The basketball players at this 84, and just missing a trip to the in US History, Government, and school have no idea the history they finals. Geography. He was a teacher and are creeping toward. They have no 1961 would be the final year the coach for the North Montgomery idea that a movie will be made about Keewasakees would win the county School Corporation, for 40 years, the 1954 Indiana high school state tournament championship. While its retiring in 2009. He coached over tournament. Nobody knows. star would fade a little over the next 1,200 grade school and junior high But they are winning games, and three years, Granville Wells' star basketball games, as well as track they keep winning, this small school would shine brightly. Its 59-60 loss and football. In 2011 he co- in this gigantic 751-school single- to Thorntown would prove to be the authored with Coach Tom Speaker class tournament. Farm boys, most last county tournament game Wells "The Last County Championship", of them. Honed their games on yard would ever lose. The Rockets won the story of Linden High School dirt, shooting on home-made the 1962 tourney final game over winning the final Montgomery backboards nailed to trees. One Whitestown 58-48, defeated Pinnell County basketball tournament in grew up shooting on a cardboard box 94-54 in the 1963 final, and bested 1971. Coach White was Tom attached to his roof, the ball Thorntown 72-43 in the 1964 final. Speaker's assistant coach for the thundering against the clapboard Wells also won the 1963 sectional, high school varsity and was also walls, jarring his parents and seven defeating an up-and-coming coach of the 7th & 8th grade brothers and sisters inside the two- Lebanon team which had a skinny basketball teams at Linden, which bedroom house without electricity or sharpshooting freshman on its roster also won the final Junior High running water. named . The Montgomery County championship. This is their story, and no, you've consolidations after the 1963-64 In 2015, Coach White wrote not read about it in any other school year left only three county "Thorntown 1915 State Basketball account. You've seen the movie, but schools, thus bringing the Champions" a 15-page review of it wasn't their movie. They have no tournament to an end. It seemed the that championship season. He is movie, no books. No fame. They end of an era for local Boone County currently is working on a weren't Milan. The 1954 Fillmore basketball, too. comprehensive history of the Boone team at Fillmore High was County Basketball Tournament. something else. The greatest story Acknowledgements "One & One, with No Time on the never told. "Fair or not, this story Without the help of the following Clock" was written in 2017 and tells has haunted me for 67 years," information sources, the preceding the story of a very competitive high reminisced 1954 Fillmore forward article could not have been written. school basketball game, with an Don Tharp in a narrative written in My thanks is extended to: unusual and exciting finish. DL was 2017. "We didn't even know Bobby Kermit Paddack, Zionsville Library a member of the Thorntown JV team Plump existed at the time," Dee Larry & Martha Randel, Zionsville for the 1960-61 season. Since the Greenlee, a guard on that Fillmore S. Chandler Lighty, Indiana State Library Christine Sterle and staff, Thorntown Public tourney was at Thorntown, all the JV team is telling me, and he means no Library players helped with the games. DL's disrespect at all; he's just saying how IHSBHS 2019 FALL ISSUE Page 7 it was. "Nobody was talking about have a gym. Not one worthy of a holes himself. Put it all together. Milan." varsity game, anyway. When the Had himself a real goal there on the Not yet. Not before Plump's last- town built the high school in 1917, it dirt. Same with Sibbitt. He nailed few-seconds shot beat mighty put the gymnasium under the some boards to a walnut tree out Muncie Central for the 1954 Indiana building. It was a tiny gym, 70 feet back and attached an old rim his state championship, and, 32 years long at most, the baseline crammed uncle had salvaged from a guy's later, launched the movie "Hoosiers." within 5 inches of the wall. Coaches trash down the street. "A junky Late in that 1954 tournament, a loss hung old wrestling mats on the walls thing," Sibbitt says of his goal. by Fillmore was a bigger deal than a to cushion the blow--"Any kind of "Every time you made it, it would win by Milan. Hey, now it's my turn drive, you'd bounce off the wall," come down and catch a (tree) root, to tell you: That's the way it was. says Herschel Ross, the Fillmore and we'd have to chase it down." With an enrollment of 93, Fillmore center in 1954-- but the kids loved it. Says Ross: "I don't think we did a lot was smaller than Milan (161). Its Before practice they'd take turns of dribbling. 'We did a lot of team had a better record (24-0) than running up the wall, digging a foot shooting and Dee was a real good Milan (24-2). And so it was, on into the pad for purchase and outside shooter." That's Dee March 7, 1954, that the boys from springing toward the rim for a dunk. Greenlee, whose son Doug, became Fillmore made the top of the sports The gym was tiny in other ways, too. athletic director at arch-rival page--headline: "First loss is handed "You couldn't get any arc on the Greencastle. In the 1950s Dee beat Fillmore"--when their unlikely run ball," says Bob Sibbitt, a Fillmore Waveland at the buzzer. Beat through the state tournament ended guard, "on account of you'd hit the Clayton, too. at the Greencastle Regional. We'll ceiling." Fillmore was beating everybody in get to that loss in a minute. those days, running its regular- But first, let's revisit another item season winning streak to 37 games-- from that same IndyStar sports longest in the state--over the 1954 section, way down the page. There, and '55 seasons. After victories just above a story about the annual they'd go to Olyn Wright's Café and Knights of Columbus indoor track put milkshakes and sandwiches on and field meet, a sub-header notes: the school's tab. The school allowed "Milan, Aurora romp over regional it, so long as the players didn't spend foes." The story is small, just five more than fifty cents each. February paragraphs for two games. In the turned to March, and to the state fourth paragraph, the only one 1954 Fillmore boys basketball team was tournament, and the victories devoted exclusively to Milan, the undefeated going into the state tournament, mounted. Fillmore beat Roachdale story notes: "Bobbie Plump led and was two games short of meeting Milan and then Stilesville. Bainbridge and at semi-state before they lost to Montezuma. Milan with 16." See? Nobody knew Fillmore Cardinal players Bob Sibbitt (22), then Waveland. The (undefeated) that 'Bobbie,' er, Bobby Plump left, Dee Greenlee (00), Don Tharp (44) and Cardinals went into Greencastle's existed. Not yet. Also on that page Herschel Ross (50). (Photo: Courtesy of gym and won the sectional, beating in the IndyStar sports section was a Fillmore High School) Greencastle and Cloverdale. photo of Crispus Attucks center They were 24-0 entering the Sheddrick Mitchell, who scored 15 The Cardinals played their home Greencastle Regional, even if the points in a regional victory against games down the road at Greencastle, players were as small as the town Alexandria. Oscar Robertson, so the and worked on their skills in the (population 400) they represented. caption goes, "also is in the picture." yard, on the dirt, under the trees, Herschel Ross was the leading scorer With the win, Attucks was two around the roots. Herschel Ross is and the biggest guy on the team, games from facing Milan at the the one who hammered the listed at 5-11 1/2, but he wasn't Butler Fieldhouse. Probably you cardboard to his roof, shooting until (actually) that tall. That know that. You've seen the movie. it shredded, then putting up another exaggeration was the idea of the So have the kids from Fillmore. one. When he got older, he used team's first-year coach Shirrel "I have come to realize that I will wood from shop class to make a "Zeke" Alexander. "Everyone had a never be able to totally cope with the backboard. His dad scraped up the half-inch added to their height," unfairness and pain," recollected money for an actual rim, and Greenlee says. "I was listed at 5-8 Don Tharp in 2017. Fillmore didn't Herschel found two poles. Dug the 1/2." 'I don't know why Coach did IHSBHS 2019 FALL ISSUE Page 8 that. 'I guess to make us feel a little Montezuma scored nine of the final Don Tharp writes (in 2017) "But bit taller." Meanwhile, on the other 10 points to win 55-52. The key consider that 62 years later we still side of the semi-state bracket a storm play happened in the final seconds, see new articles, books, etc. about was brewing. Never mind that half- Fillmore trailing 54-52. Sibbitt the 'Milan Miracle,' not to mention inch added to their height, the passes to Tharp who drives the lane the most popular sports movie of all Fillmore Cardinals were two games and collides with Montezuma center time, 'Hoosiers.'" That regional loss away from playing Milan. They Vic Edwards. A whistle blows. And (to Montezuma) hurt badly enough. could have been giants. "I am sure the call is……"Offensive foul--and It was Fillmore's first and only defeat that some who are reading this or in those days it was two free of the season, after reaching the final hearing it are wondering why a throws!" Greenlee is saying, and 64 in a single-class tournament that basketball game played in 1954 he's shouting, all these years later. began with a field of 751 and could be so important and such a "(Edwards) missed the first one, but denying the Cardinals a shot at source of long-term heartbreak for a he shot the second one and daggone, playing in the big city cathedral of 79-year-old retired dentist."--1954 he made it. 'So, we're down three Butler (later Hinkle) Fieldhouse. Fillmore forward Don Tharp, written with four or five seconds left--come Milan would have been waiting at in 2017. down and take a fast shot--and that's the semi-state, but the Cardinals wanted the facility more than the foe. "The chance to play on the Butler Fieldhouse court," Ross says, wistful even now, "we didn't know anything about Milan. 'But I get to thinking about playing in the Fieldhouse, and that's sad. 'It's depressing. 'What could have happened after that? 'Who knows?" Echoes Greenlee: "Two games from Milan. 'Who knows?" Sibbitt knows. "I think we could have beaten Milan," he says. They were at the Fieldhouse for the 1954 final, for Plump's shot, because Zeke Alexander had decided to take his team into the city to watch what could have been. What happened 30 years later? Nobody 1954 Fillmore boys basketball team was undefeated going into the state tournament, and was two saw that coming. Not the movie, not games short of meeting Milan at semi-state before they lost to Montezuma. Fillmore Cardinals players the museum in Milan, not the fame. celebrate in their locker room. (Photo: Submitted Photo) "They had a great team, and I'm very A few weeks after the season, how the game ended." proud of what they did," Greenlee once Milan had knocked off Muncie Montezuma was a story in itself. says of Milan. "We talked about Central for the state title, Milan The Aztecs were the smallest school Milan after the fact. 'Just a coach Marvin Wood spoke at still standing, with a senior class of wonderful story. 'But we don't know Fillmore's basketball banquet. 14 and a gym back home that was 60 what we could have done if we'd had There, he let the Cardinals in on a feet long. They came into the 1954 the chance. 'It's something to dream little secret: Milan had focused its state tournament with five losses but about, what we did and what we scouting at the Greencastle Regional knocked off undefeated Fillmore and might have been able to do." They on Fillmore, convinced that the then beat New Ross in the regional's saw the movie "Hoosiers." All of Cardinals would be waiting at the final before being bum-rushed out of them. "I love that show," Sibbitt semi-state. Indeed, Fillmore had the tournament by Milan in the semi- says. "It kind of reminds me of our Montezuma beat at that Greencastle state. "Without a doubt," Ross says, team." Regional. Well, almost. 'we should have won that regional-- From the grave, Don Tharp The Cardinals led 51-46 with less we really missed out." Well, yes, but communicates words that none of the than three minutes left, but on how much? On…everything? last three living members of the 1954 IHSBHS 2019 FALL ISSUE Page 9

Fillmore starting five will say. .500 in 1961, Showley’s North had other offers from LSU, Shortly before he died in 2017, Caston squad went undefeated his Davidson, New Mexico and Tharp wrote a recap of his life. It senior season at 21-0 in 1962. While Vanderbilt. He added he didn’t was a life well lived, and the bulk of Logansport was the powerhouse, understand how a farm boy from his tome focuses on the highlights: winning four straight sectional titles Grass Creek could be recruited to all husband and father, athlete and from 1959-62 and reaching the Final these schools but that he figured out dentist, professor emeritus of the I.U. Four in 1959 and 1961, one wonders that a lot of college coaches came School of Dentistry. He served in what could have happened had from the Indiana high school ranks Vietnam, and for the Danville (IN) Caston consolidated earlier. and they went back home to recruit Town Council. But what happened Showley went on to play at Butler, Indiana players. He added that in 1954…"It pains me deeply that we Williamson played at Evansville and Butler became a favorite of his after missed a chance to make Indiana Williamson’s cousins, the Rudicel watching the Milan-Muncie Central basketball history," Tharp declared. cousins, made Twelve Mile one of game at the Butler Fieldhouse on TV the toughest teams in the area as in 1954. When he expressed to LON SHOWLEY'S HOOPS well. In fact, Logansport’s semistate former Logansport coach Jim Jones CAREER team in 1960 beat Twelve Mile by that Butler was his favorite, he said by just two points in sectional play that Jones expressed doubt that Showley Beau Wicker, Sports Editor year. “We would have had two 6-5 could play there. But two weeks Logansport Pharos-Tribune guys up front and the older Rudicel later Showley was offered a full-ride When Lon Showley read the was a big guy and a good forward scholarship to Butler. He said he Pharos-Tribune article regarding and Rex Rudicel was an incredible didn’t play much his sophomore John Williamson, it rekindled many guard. We would have been a very season at Butler as he was behind fond memories for him. Showley good team,” Showley said. Jeff Blue, an Indiana Basketball Hall well remembers his Grass Creek Five years following Showley’s of Famer from Bainbridge. His Panthers going up against graduation, in 1967, North Caston junior year he did start and said the Williamson’s Metea Hornets in and South Caston consolidated into Bulldogs had an OK year. He said 1961. While Showley won the battle Caston High School into its current his senior year they went 16-10 and — he outscored Williamson 35-27 building 50 years ago. Showley said finished one game out of the NIT. — Williamson won the war as Metea North Caston’s success in the 1961- “The NIT back in those days was a won 65-58. “John Williamson was 62 season made the consolidation a bigger tournament than the NCAA,” the state leading scorer,” Showley little more popular than it was before Showley said. “The NCAA was just recalled. “None of us knew that until basketball season started. “That starting to grow in popularity and several weeks later when it was alleviated the consolidation issues,” status. The NIT in Madison Square published in the newspaper.” he said. “Consolidation was very Garden was the huge thing.” Both Showley and Williamson frowned upon because when you lost Butler’s highlight in 1966 was stood at 6-foot-5 inches tall and your high school you lost your beating No. 3 Michigan and All- attended high schools separated by basketball team and that was your American Cazzie Russell 79-64 at about 10 miles in what is now the identity. When you watch the movie home. Showley played all 40 Caston school district. Showley led ‘Hoosiers,’ everyone followed their minutes and scored 16 points in the Fulton County that year averaging 23 school team’s home games and away win. Showley averaged 8 ppg and 7 ppg and 17 rpg, while Williamson games. When schools consolidated, rpg his senior season and blistered led Cass County that year averaging they lost their identity. But when the nets at 50 percent shooting from 32.5 ppg. Grass Creek and Fulton consolidated the field. Showley recalled his junior class that made your basketball team Forward was Showley’s regular at Grass Creek consisted of 16 better than before which made the spot and he played pivot when Ed students, which was considered a big consolidation go over better.” Schilling needed rest or got in foul class. The next year, Showley’s Showley remembers playing with trouble. Hinkle said Showley was a senior year, Grass Creek and against Logansport star Danny coachable and versatile player and consolidated with Fulton into North Farrell at Riverside Park, including was the Bulldogs’ most improved Caston and Metea consolidated with at the big summer tournaments. player that year. Showley went on to Twelve Mile into South Caston. Showley went on to play at Butler receive his law degree from Indiana While Grass Creek finished around for coach . He said he University. He said his brother IHSBHS 2019 FALL ISSUE Page 10

still resides in Walton. He said they mall walk every year at the Logansport Mall. He added Jones was likely going to take a job at a bigger school until the Grass Creek principal had him take a look at the 6-foot-5 Showley running track the spring of his sophomore year, which made him change his mind. Showley, now 73, enjoyed a long career as an estate planning attorney in San Diego and was the estate planning chairman on the county bar. After 42 years he retired and sold his business five and a half years ago. He now golfs five times a week and is an eight-handicap golfer. He nearly shot his age by shooting a 75 earlier this year. His father, Harold, was a captain on the 1932 county champion Fulton team. One of his father's teammates was future Governor Doc Bowen, who invited his Fulton team to the state house in the ’70s. “I love being in Indiana. The lessons I learned of working hard early on in life have carried on,” Showley said. “Growing up watching Phil Wills play with my brother on the Grass Creek teams gave me a good start in setting the goals high, and I tried to continue on from there. “Those lessons carried on into getting a college education and having a successful law career. received a Navy ROTC scholarship player and played varsity basketball It’s the same qualities.” and was stationed in San Diego. as a freshman and was a 20 ppg And at the age of 27, Showley joined scorer in San Diego, Matt ended up BOXSCORE BACK ISSUES his brother in San Diego and has being better at volleyball and played The full range of Boxscore back been there since. He said he was set at men’s volleyball powerhouse issues, all the way back to our very up on a date in San Diego with his Pepperdine. first one in 1996, will soon become future wife, Carolyn (Wilkinson), Showley said he still visits home available on the IHSBHS website, who happens to be from Peru. His every year as he comes back to visit indianabasketballhistory.com. Just son from a previous marriage, Matt, his sister Lori Zeronik in click on the "Boxscore" sub-header is 6-4 and was a good basketball Indianapolis. He said it was his sister which appears on the initial page of player and was an AAU teammate of who notified him of the Williamson the site. You may read them on-site Luke Walton’s. Matt got the advice story as she often does for local or print them out, whichever you from Bill Walton that he should give basketball stories of interest. He said prefer. The only issues not available the sport of volleyball a try to work he also visits his high school coach, will be the four most recent ones on quickening his reaction time and Shannon Jones, who was the Grass released. While at the website, be to work on his jumping ability. Creek coach right out of college and sure also to read the Feature Story, Though he was a good basketball went on to coach at Lewis Cass and which is changed periodically. IHSBHS 2019 FALL ISSUE Page 11

BECOME AN IHSBHS MEMBER (Indiana High School Basketball Historical Society)

Join a statewide group of sports-minded individuals who have a common interest in the history of high school basketball, Indiana’s favorite sport. Membership dues are currently just $10 per year. Established in 1994, and loosely associated with the Hall of Fame in New Castle, IHSBHS (pronounced “ish-bish”) publishes four seasonal newsletters for its members, each issue usually 12 to 16 pages in content, known as Boxscore. This newsletter contains diverse items, including short stories that recount tales of former Hoosier ballplayers and their schools’ teams. Members are invited, but not required, to submit their own personal stories for inclusion in Boxscore.

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Mail to: IHSBHS Treasurer Rocky Kenworthy, 710 E. 800 S., Clayton, IN 46118

Board of Directors: Roger Robison (Frankfort ’54), Harley Sheets (Lebanon ’54), Cliff Johnson (Western ’54), Rocky Kenworthy (Cascade ’74), Tim Puet (Valley, PA ’69), Leigh Evans (Castle ’86), John Ockomon (Pendleton ’60), Doug Bradley (Columbus East ‘77 ), Jeff Luzadder (Dunkirk ‘74 ), Curtis Tomak (Linton '59), Kermit Paddack (Sheridan ’02), Hugh Schaefer (Freelandville ’61).

IHSBHS 2019 FALL ISSUE Page 12