B O X S C O R E A Publication of the Indiana 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 Jeff Luzadder Dunkirk 1974 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 $8 per year. They run from Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 and Content Edits Harley Sheets Lebanon 1954 include four newsletters. Lifetime memberships are no longer Tech Advisor Juanita Johnson Fillmore, CA 1966 offered, but those currently in effect continue to be honored. Board Members Send dues, address changes, and membership inquiries to IHSBHS, c/o Rocky Kenworthy, 710 E. 800 S., Clayton, IN 46118. E-mail: [email protected] Bill Ervin, John Ockomon, Harley Sheets, Leigh Evans, Cliff All proposed articles & stories should be directed to Johnson, Tim Puet, Roger Robison, Jeff Luzadder, Rocky Cliff Johnson: [email protected] or 16828 Fairburn Kenworthy, Doug Bradley, Curtis Tomak. St., Hesperia, CA 92345.

2014 WINTER ISSUE

EDITORIAL POLICY quickly to save a couple of bucks. hearing about them. The opinions expressed in Boxscore Small donations are always appreciated New members (several out-of-state, by individual authors do not of course, to help keep our tiny treasury we’ve noticed) since our last edition of necessarily reflect the views of balance in the black. Boxscore was released, are as follows: IHSBHS as an organization. Some good news is that we’ve hit an Bill Butcher, Chandler; Jeff Curtis, all-time high for total membership! Last Plainfield; Patrick Dunigan, CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE December we had 123 in tow, and now Bloomington; Michael Dunigan, South Membership Notes ………………… 1 we have 144. More new members are Carolina; Dr. G.E. Dunigan, Mount 1950 Indiana All-Stars ……………. 1 anticipated to join us before the end of Vernon; Margaret Fleming, Texas; John Bill Butcher, 1975 All-Star………… 2 this year too, and some former members Knote, West Lafayette; Travis Maxey, Lebanon Basketball History……..... 3 who allowed their dues to lapse may Kentucky; Jim McKinney, Carmel; “Medora,” the movie………………. 4 also be thinking about re-joining us. Benjamin Tomak, Delaware; Garrett Ohio’s Basketball Program……….. 6 This membership growth might mean Tomak, Westfield; Jeffery Robertson, Segregation and the IHSAA………. 8 that you are all enjoying our newsletters New Palestine; Terry Schoenherr, IHSBHS Application Form……….. 13 as much as we enjoy delivering them to Goshen; and Eric Starks, Bloomington. IHSBHS Profile Form…………….. 14 you. We still welcome personal Welcome to IHSBHS! If we’ve missed Lebanon Tigers’ Order Form ...…. 15 anecdotes from any of you, so please anyone, please be sure to let us know. HOF Membership Form………….. 16 don’t hesitate to talk about yourself Editor and/or your experiences. We all relish THE 1950 INDIANA ALL-STARS MEMBERSHIP NOTES: On the last two pages of this issue is a list that presents all the current members of IHSBHS. Please find your name on it, and if your member expiration date, shown in parentheses, is (13) or (14) it means that as of Nov. 15, 2014 we are awaiting your $8 membership dues for 2015. Remittance should be mailed to our Treasurer, Rocky Kenworthy, 710 E. 800 S., Clayton, IN, 46118. Beginning in 2015, a $2 dues increase must be initiated, from the present $8 per year to $10. Sorry about that, but it is necessary, owing to recent postal rate changes. The $8 rate stays in effect until January though, so get your dues in IHSBHS 2014 WINTER ISSUE Page 2

(continued from page 1) duos in the long history of Indiana history, although the Lions were Our photo is of the graduated seniors basketball. Jack remains to this day consistent winners under the 45 years of who comprised the 1950 Indiana All- atop the list of coaches who have won Jack Butcher’s tutelage and his vaunted Stars, selected by the media the most high school basketball games three-out, two-under patterned offense. sportswriters as the best high school in Indiana (806), while 56-year-old son Loogootee’s record from 1972 players in the state during the 1949-50 Bill still holds many statistical records through 1975 was 84-16, praiseworthy basketball season. This team conquered and tops the all-time list of Loogootee by any standard, but especially so for the Kentucky All-Stars 70-57 in the players in games won during his high the tough competition that was always annual June classic. The Madison Cubs, school career (84). prevalent around the southeastern part of state champions that year under Coach In four seasons of varsity the state. Teams there included Ray Eddy, had two boys on this team, participation, the younger Butcher could Washington, Jasper, Bedford, Mitchell, Spence Schnaitter and Ted Server. Pat do it all: scoring, rebounding, ball- Bloomington, and the -led Klein of the runners-up Marion Giants, handling, providing assists, serving as Springs Valley teams, to mention only a also pictured here, was named “Mr. the team leader, and inspiring his team few. In 1974, Bill was actually pitted Basketball.” Conspicuously omitted at critical moments during tight against Larry in what turned out to be a from the sportswriters’ 10-player ballgames. He was also noted for wild shoot-out for the conference selection, however, as pointed out blocking opponents’ shot attempts and championship. Loogootee won, with recently by board member John playing stout defense. The list of local junior Bill tossing in 36 points and Ockomon, was College All-American and statewide scholastic & athletic senior Larry accounting for 28. Springs Bob Leonard of the national awards and honors bestowed upon him Valley was never able to best Loogootee championship . Bob during his four years of high school is during Bill Butcher’s four years on the was a stellar performer for the Terre too lengthy to detail within a short team. Haute Gerstmeyer Black Cats for three article like this one. Suffice it to say The 1974-75 season at Loogootee, years, 1948-50. He was named as one that he was generally recognized as one Bill’s final year on the team, was a of the two “alternates” for this All-Star of the best high school basketball memorable one. The Lions went team. players in Indiana during the time frame through their regularly-scheduled season of 1971-75. In fact, one widely- undefeated, then powered their way BILL BUTCHER circulated magazine rated him as one of through the next eight games of the state INDIANA ALL-STAR, 1975 the top TWO players in Indiana during tournament. his senior year. He was a prolific scorer, ringing up a Nov. 15 Barr-Reeve 73-55 total of 1,349 points from a guard Nov. 19 Dubois 49-38 position--without having the extra Nov. 27 Shoals 70-21 advantage of the three-point FG rule that Nov. 30 Southridge 69-50 was initiated a decade later. His total Dec. 3 Pike Central 76-61 point output might well have vaulted Dec. 13 North Knox 85-23 toward the 2,000 mark if that rule had Dec. 20 South Knox 84-48 been in effect at the time. Dec. 21 North Daviess 54-40 In stature, Bill sprouted from about 5 Jan. 3 South Knox 62-47 feet 9 his freshman year to 6 feet 1 by Jan. 7 Barr-Reeve 55-44 the time he graduated. His rebounding Jan. 10 North Daviess 51-45 ability at the guard position became Jan. 18 Bedford-No. Lawrence 55-45 extraordinary, enabling him to capture Jan. 24 Bloomfield 45-41 more than 300 rebounds in four seasons, Jan. 28 Springs Valley 82-50 most of those during his junior and Feb. 4 Mitchell 53-46 senior years. His acute passing skills Feb. 7 Switz City 77-53 were responsible for a record career Feb.11 Forest Park 46-44 assists total that matched his rebounds Feb.14 Orleans 68-51 total of more than 300. He was a Feb.21 Bloomington North 54-52 scrapper on the court, too, and set a Bill Butcher is recognized as one of Lions’ career record for ball steals that Sectional the best of the all-time greats who have exceeded 230. Feb.26 Barr-Reeve 62-44 played ball for Loogootee High School’s Loogootee, under Bill’s floor Feb.28 Pike Central 79-55 storied basketball program. He was leadership, won its sectional Mar. 1 Washington 55-39 coached by his father, Hall of Fame championship in each of his four varsity member Jack Butcher. This tandem was years. These were Loogootee’s most Regional one of the more successful father-son dominant seasons in its long basketball Mar. 8 Springs Valley 60-46 IHSBHS 2014 WINTER ISSUE Page 3

Mar. 8 Jasper 56-48 Just before his graduation, Bill was and selection committees cannot alter selected for the Indiana All-Star team the fact that he remains one of Indiana’s Semistate that was to play Kentucky’s All-Star greatest court performers of all time, a Mar.15 Terre Haute North 58-53 team in two games during June. Indiana consistent winner during his time Mar.15 Seymour 62-47 won both games, with Bill participating period, and a small school hero of well in both. prominent proportions. FINIS Finals (afternoon) After graduation, he enrolled in the Mar.22 Columbus North 50-27 fall of 1975 at his dad’s alma mater, TIGER BASKETBALL, Memphis State University (now known A LEBANON PASSION After 27 consecutive wins, the Lions as the University of Memphis). He by Kermit Paddack wound up competing for the state title in quickly became the floor leader for its As the saying goes, “in 49 states it is the tournament’s final game. It was basketball team (the Tigers) and helped just basketball, but this is Indiana.” In a against that always lethal North Central lead it to a selection slot in the 1976 state where basketball history is held in Conference championship dynamo, the NCAA tournament. Transferring to high regard, Lebanon can easily be Marion Giants, who had lost only one Hanover College, back in Indiana, Bill called one of the most historically game during the regular season (to F.W. helped propel the Panthers to three significant basketball towns in the state. Snider, 75-66). The smaller Lions put straight conference championships in Three of the first eight state champions, up a stubborn battle, using a slowed- 1977, 1978, and 1979, culminating in an six Hall of Fame players, and a Mr. down protective version of the motion NAIA District 21 championship in 1979 Basketball winner are just tokens of the offense--engineered by coach Butcher with a 24-6 record. He then received his record. Keeping that history alive is the and floor-managed by player Butcher. B.A. degree in business from Hanover, primary purpose of the book Tiger However, the Lions ultimately later that spring. By 1984, he had also Basketball, A Lebanon Passion (see succumbed to the aptly-named Giants, pursued and attained an M.B.A. degree Order Blank on page 15). 58-46. Adrenaline flowing, Bill Butcher from Butler University. But before I proceed on the topic of had done his best to keep the Lions’ In his first professional career, Bill Tiger Basketball, let me first explain chances alive during the game, with his Butcher quickly rose through the ranks how I got here. First, I am not from quick drives, artistic passing, and to become vice president and senior Lebanon and I did not even play accurate shooting. He led the team’s regional credit officer for the third basketball. I’m actually a football guy efforts, and its scoring in that game as largest bank in Indiana. In 2006 he who graduated from Sheridan High well, with 14 points, despite the fact that established his own financial services School and have four generations of the Giants tried to bottle him up by business, specializing in small business roots in that tradition. Despite attending double-teaming and at times even triple- income tax preparation and providing a Hamilton County school I was a teaming him, according to coach retirement planning services. lifelong resident of Boone County until Butcher. The front line players for At the time this article is being age 27. I always knew of Lebanon and Loogootee all fouled out too, in a failed prepared for Boxscore, Loogootee’s Bill spent a little time there but that was it. attempt to prevent the taller and heftier Butcher has become a nominee for It was not until my days as a Purdue Giants from dominating the boards. In induction into the Indiana High School student that I learned about Rick Mount the final analysis though, the season had Basketball Hall of Fame. Whether or and some of the “old days” of Lebanon been a glowing success for the small- not he becomes inducted via the voting basketball (please keep in mind that “old town Lions. procedure used by the HOF’s screening days” is a relative term as I graduated high school in 2002). It was also at Marion (58) Loogootee (46) Purdue that I began to involve myself in researching local sports history, more Player FG FT PF Player FG FT PF specifically the long and storied Lester 2 2 4 Mattingly 4 1 5 Acord 6 0 3 Riggins 1 1 5 tradition of football in my hometown of Pearson 6 6 4 Walls 2 1 5 Sheridan which, incidentally, has Colescott 4 2 0 Nigg 3 2 0 captured nine state championships. Harris 2 6 4 Butcher 7 0 2 Eventually graduation came, and my Alumbaugh 0 0 0 Strange 0 3 0 wife-to-be and I found that Lebanon Baumbaugh 0 0 0 Bell 0 0 0 offered a good location for us to start Oatess 0 0 0 Taylor 0 0 0 our life together. When I decided to Peak 0 0 0 Wagoner 0 0 1 pursue a master’s degree in library Jackson 0 0 0 Hilderbrand 0 4 1 science, I managed to find a part-time Flynn 0 0 0 Burch 0 0 1 job in the Heritage at the Neal 1 0 0 Bledsoe 0 0 0 Totals 21 16 15 Totals 17 12 20 Lebanon’s Carnegie Library. During downtime on the job, I needed Game Officials: Gene Marks, Joe Smelcer something to work on and what could be

IHSBHS 2014 WINTER ISSUE Page 4 better than basketball? It was Indiana, boys had not even been born when the team. Unlike the well-known 1986 film and this was a community that boasted first book was written). Once again, I “Hoosiers,” it is not a story of success the first high school athlete to be on the found myself contacting Harley to see on the hardwood. Economic and social cover of Sports Illustrated. I discovered what he thought and he was onboard travails had visited the town and its that this was just the tip of the iceberg. with the idea of a new edition. So, one school by the year 2011, and the team Lebanon also had its three state year later I found myself putting the had great difficulty winning a single champions, Hall of Fame coaches and final touches on the updated book and game. But the boys kept trying. Part players, legendary seasons, and what moving back to Lebanon once again. One was written by Mike Leonard seemed to be an interesting number of Tiger Basketball, A Lebanon Passion during the film’s final development, connections back to my alma mater, documents the entire history of the about one year before its release. Part Purdue. Simply put, it was a treasure Lebanon High School basketball Two is my attempt to make a trove of history. I also discovered a program from its humble beginnings as commentary, after recently viewing the book entitled Tiger Basketball, A one of the pioneers in the state to the film and driving through Medora a few Lebanon Passion that was authored in present day. Every player is included years ago. Cliff Johnson 1991 by Harley Sheets. Every season from the Indiana All-Stars and the All- was documented with schedules, scores, Americans all the way to those at the Part One rosters, and individual point totals for 80 end of the bench. The index of players There are so many charming and years. The information seemed too lists everyone who played, along with memorable components to the movie good for it to sit tucked away on a shelf, each one’s point total and games played. “Hoosiers” that it could merit a so I managed to track down Harley with Every season is summarized with symposium, but one of the most intentions of getting some of it on the schedules, results, and roster, as well as important things is that it was based on a Heritage Center’s website. To my a synopsis of the season and local real-life story that had a real-life surprise, a few days later Harley brought connections. Other features throughout Hollywood ending. The underdogs me 100 years worth of game-by-game the book list notable individual and team prevailed against long odds. individual point totals that he had performances such as record-setting A documentary film now in post- gathered from LHS coaches and a lot of games, and players who moved on to production is drawing comparisons to painstaking research. After a few become coaches. More information “Hoosiers” and “Hoop Dreams,” but months of data-entry and verification, a about the book and Lebanon basketball with one important distinction: there is record of all seasons and the game-by- can be found at no Hollywood ending, and in some game point totals for every individual www.tigerbasketballbook.com and on ways, it’s “Hoosiers” turned on its head. from 1911 to 2010 were made available Facebook by searching “Tiger And yet…”I found it an incredibly on the Lebanon Carnegie Library’s Basketball, A Lebanon Passion.” inspiring experience,” says Ellyn website, specifically in the Heritage Copies can be ordered online but they Church, a recent I.U. graduate who Center’s space. It can be viewed there. are also available at a discount to worked on the film as a production Time moved on, and I kept in touch IHSBHS members by using the order assistant while still in school. “I know with Harley, but had little connection form located in this issue of Boxscore. I’m still young, but it was one of the with LHS basketball. My wife and I Now that the updated edition of Tiger most profound and eye-opening moved north and found ourselves living Basketball is “in the books” I am also experiences of my life.” in Charlotte, Michigan. In the Spring of working with IHSBHS to create and The film is called “Medora” and it 2012 I decided it was time to publish the maintain one of its two existing begins with filmmakers homing in on research I had done for five years on the websites. The webpage I’ve created is the tiny southern Indiana town of the subject of Sheridan football, and so up and running at same name, whose high school Sheridan High School Football, History www.indianabasketballhistory.com. basketball team is on a miserable two- and Tradition came to be. With that You can also check out the organization year, 44-game losing streak. As the project “complete” I found myself in on Facebook by searching “Indiana cameras follow the team, the school and need of a new task to fill my free-time. High School Basketball Historical the town, it becomes a greater tale of When considering possibilities, Tiger Society.” small-town struggles and perseverance Basketball seemed to keep coming back in the wake of rural decay and the loss to me—it was a story that had not been “MEDORA” of jobs and dignity. told in more than twenty years, which by “It follows the boys’ basketball team meant a whole generation had probably Mike Leonard, columnist, pretty closely, but their story acts as a never heard of “Pug” Dale, “Cat” Adam, Bloomington Herald-Times metaphor of the larger story of dying or “Butch” Neuman. Also, there had and small-town America,” Church declared been 500 games played in that period Cliff Johnson, Boxscore editor recently. “This is a generation of kids and four members of LHS’s top 10 all- Editor’s note: “Medora” is a that doesn’t even remember when there time scorers had climbed to their present Hollywood documentary film about a was work in Medora. They’re sort of rankings within that timeframe (these tiny Indiana town and its basketball stuck in limbo, not knowing where they IHSBHS 2014 WINTER ISSUE Page 5 belong. They have no interest in leaving projects at I.U., the Elkhart native producer. “I majored in religious Medora, but they also know there’s jumped at the chance, even though studies, but really. I’ve been passionate nothing for them there.” production assistants often are little about film all my life,” Church said. The inspirational part is seeing how more than go-fers on film sets. “It’s fairly amazing that taking an the players and the town refuse to give “I did do some grocery shopping for unpaid PA job has opened the door for up or give in. “Despite the fact they the crew,” Church said with a chuckle. me to do what I’ve always wanted to do. lose all the time, the town comes out to “But they really welcomed me and But first things first---we have to find support them no matter what. They recognized what I could contribute, so I the money to get “Medora” out there. It have parades for the team if they even was shooting film, doing interviews and deserves to be seen.” do mildly well,” Church said. doing things beyond what a normal PA The idea for the film came from a does. It was such a small crew, the Part Two New York Times story from November opportunities were there.” Ordering a film to view via an 2009 that also merged the basketball The good news is that what Rothbart, Internet website should be child’s play. team’s struggles, in a state where Cohn and head producer Rachel Dengiz In fact, almost any child ten or eleven basketball binds communities together, were able to put together was so years old these days can easily handle it, and the loss of manufacturing and jobs impressive that actors Steve Buscemi since they are all exposed to computers in rural America. Director Davy and Stanley Tucci saw enough footage soon after birth. For me, though, it’s a Rothbart (creator of FOUND magazine, to sign on as executive producers. The far different story. I tried to order “Medora” on-line myself, there being no ten or eleven-year old children handy to call upon. After struggling for nearly four hours, e-mailing and chatting with an Amazon associate for another half hour, and then calling upon a second associate by telephone, I was finally able to accomplish the mission and view the film. But my advice to you older readers out there with no kids nearby is “Don’t try this at home.” Included in our Fall, 2013 issue of Boxscore was an article I entitled “A Tribute to Indiana’s Past Small-School Basketball Teams.” Its theme was not about small school hardwood successes, but more about their willingness to compete and persevere in the face of long odds against finishing with anything close to a winning season. One of the examples I cited was a small contributor to “This American Life”) bad news is that they’re currently tied up town in White County named Round read the story, grabbed directing partner in other projects and Rothbart and Grove, with a 1943 wartime high school Andrew Cohn and traveled to the company have had to resort to trolling enrollment of only 24, half of them Jackson County town, thinking the story for finances through Kickstarter (a females. But the school nevertheless put might play well in film. “I remember “crowd funding” website) to finish post- uniforms on eight boys and played a full standing there on the town’s main drag production work and get the movie schedule that season, using the coach that first day and telling Andrew, “We entered in film festivals. and student manager as added players were born to make this movie,” the The Sundance Film Festival has during practice sessions. You have to film’s promotional material says. chosen “Medora” as one of its featured admire a little school like that for its Rothbart, Cohn and their small Kickstarter projects, and---should it be spunk, temerity, and spirit. production team were a couple of completed in time---it stands a good Medora, a Jackson County months into filming the documentary chance of getting into the prestigious community of about 700 residents today when Church heard from an I.U. film festival. “Stanley’s on the board at and 75 enrolled high school students, is professor that they were looking for a Sundance, so we’re hoping that might a modern-day Round Grove. It can’t production assistant. With experience in help,” Church said. compete very evenly with most modern filmmaking and the arts from Meanwhile, the December I.U. school systems that are consolidations Michigan’s famous Arts Academy High graduate is preparing to move to Los having much larger enrollments—yes, School, Interlochen, and independent Angeles to join Olive Productions as a even in Class 1-A. The Hornets lose IHSBHS 2014 WINTER ISSUE Page 6 often, yet continue to play ball season and hopes for better days. The film swimming, etc. In simple terms, it after season. The town doesn’t seem to “Medora” portrays the stark reality of sounds like if you’re a student from give a second thought about its school life today in many of our small outside what’s accepted as a school’s ever joining an existing consolidation. communities. It’s unquestionably attendance area, you count double. The town prefers to identify with its depressing, but educational and well Again quoting Hunter, “Every athlete in team, even though the team is a chronic worth watching—if you can figure out the third category will significantly add loser of basketball games these days. how to order it. to enrollment figures, so a school with a Back in the ‘40s and ‘50s and even lot of those could be made to move up a earlier, Medora was a larger and more OHIO’S VERSION OF THE division.” thriving industrial community. It also SUCCESS FACTOR; STATE It’s a lot more complicated than the had very competitive basketball teams. TOURNAMENT REVIEW IHSAA “success factor,” or as I prefer Most of its opponents in those days were by to think of it, “the Bowman rule,” but it small schools like itself, before the mass Tim Puet serves the same purpose of making it consolidations of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Like their counterparts in Indiana, more likely that schools whose Winning seasons were fairly common Ohio high school athletic officials for enrollment is not limited by community and continued on to the end of the 20th years have seen Catholic schools, boundaries will take part in state century, even though most of the private schools, and public schools with tournaments at what are perceived to be schools it scheduled were larger by that open enrollment winning a statistically their proper competitive levels. It time. inordinate number of state and regional doesn’t solve all problems dealing with But then, things collapsed. Two of (Ohio’s equivalent of a semistate) competitive balance, any more than the the major industrial employers left town championships. “Bowman rule” does. In the highest soon after the 21st century kicked in. Referendums among Ohio High classification in both Indiana and Ohio, Then a severe recession hit the whole School Athletic Association members to there’s still a big gap in numbers country beginning in 2008. have separate state tournaments for between the biggest and smallest Unemployment reared its ugly head at public and private schools were defeated schools in the big-school division. Ohio Medora. The town’s population in 1978 and 1993 by significant found an answer to that in football by plummeted as family bread-winners margins. But there were fears that a going from six classes to seven last year, were forced to exit the area and seek similar vote might be taken for a third with the seventh class consisting of the employment with industries in larger time and that the results would be top 10 percent of schools in enrollment. cities. A snowballing effect of bad different. The OHSAA didn’t want this I know Indiana has done something fortune quickly followed as families to happen, so for the last five years, it’s similar with its big schools. disintegrated, often leaving one parent been trying to come up with a Though it has flaws, the Ohio to provide for the needs of the remaining “competitive balance” proposal that competitive balance plan seems to be family. Funding for town repairs and would be seen as helping level the satisfying all sides. Catholic schools maintenance became scarce while playing field. Two such proposals were aren’t thrilled with it, but they voted for homes, buildings, and streets fell into a defeated by narrow margins, but the it. It was the same way with some of the state of widespread disrepair. School third was approved in mid-May by a public schools that were persistent in budgets began drowning in a sea of red 411-323 vote. Eighty-three schools – trying for split tournaments. Catholic ink. The good days were over. substantially fewer than in the earlier schools were the most obvious Medora seems typical of the condition vote – didn’t return a ballot. I’m not beneficiaries of the old rules that experienced by many small going to reprint the full proposal here. governed school classification strictly communities across the U.S. these days. It’s way too complicated. Here’s how by numbers. But we in Columbus have a Local stores and shops can’t compete Bob Hunter of The Columbus Dispatch public school very similar to Bowman in financially with corporations and market describes it in a nutshell: “It classifies that it’s a small school which quickly chains that are able to export their every athlete as a 0, 1, or 2, depending has become a basketball powerhouse, to profits to other parts of the country on whether they live in the school’s the consternation of its public school instead of spending or reinvesting them regular attendance zone (0), have been brethren. locally. Small-acreage farmers no part of the larger district or diocese since Our “Bowman” is Columbus Afri- longer have the means of effectively the seventh grade (1), or are neither (2).” centric Early College. From its name, bringing their products at reasonable A pilot program using this concept it’s obviously a minority school, and, prices to the large-scale supermarkets will start in the 2015-16 school year, like Bowman, it’s dedicated to that contract with big farming interests. and it will be in full operation the producing kids who will go on to Blight is also the inevitable consequence following year. Initially, the plan will college and have strong values, besides of an adverse economy. Medora, apply to football, basketball, baseball, being a great athletic school. Afri- according to the film, is a perfect softball, soccer, and volleyball. It won’t centric’s motto, “Success Is the Only illustration of all these things. Yet, just address “individual” sports such as Option,” says it all. Afri-centric has like its basketball team, it perseveres track, cross country, tennis, golf, been particularly successful in girls IHSBHS 2014 WINTER ISSUE Page 7 basketball, with six Final Four under the class system, while Tech is have been at the Fieldhouse all four appearances, including three state titles now 1-4. Anderson and Muncie Central times under the one-class system were it and two runner-up finishes, in the past (each with seven), Lafayette Jefferson still in effect during the Zeller years. eight years. The boys team hasn’t (six), Kokomo (five), and Fort Wayne Park Tudor, Greensburg, and reached quite that level of success, but Harding (four) all have lost four or more Bowman all continued strong runs. Park has made two Final Fours in that span. times in championship games, but all Tudor’s title was its third in four years, Like Bowman, Africentric probably will have won titles. If Tech would have Greensburg’s was its second straight and compete at higher levels because of the rejoined the North Central Conference ended an outstanding three-year stretch state high school association’s new this season rather than next, its for most of its starters, and Bowman lost rules, as will several small Catholic championship victory would have meant a bid to become to win schools which have been basketball an end to a basketball title drought for titles in three different classifications. I powers in their divisions. NCC members that has persisted since expect the success factor one day will The best-known Catholic basketball 2006, when New Castle (no longer a make the Eagles the first to be school in Ohio, Akron St. Vincent-St. member) took the 3A crown. champions in all four classes. Mary, where LeBron James played, has One of the more remarkable things Greensburg impressed me during the been a Division II (Ohio equivalent of about the class system for me has been last two years as a remarkably well- Indiana’s 3A) school and may have to what’s happened to this once-dominant balanced team, one of the few where all move up to Division I, but I’m not sure. conference since the switch occurred in five starters truly had an important role, Since 2000, SVSM has won five state 1998. In that span, the only NCC teams and where the best player, Bryant titles, finished second twice, and been in to win state titles have been Marion in McIntosh, wasn’t the leading scorer. He the Final Four a total of nine times. 4A in 2000 and the New Castle team had 11 assists against Bowman, tying Say what you will about either the mentioned above. The only other title the class championship game record. Ohio or Indiana approach, they’re both game appearances by NCC teams have Teammates Sean Sellers, Collin Rigney, ways the respective high school been by Marion in 4A in 1998, Muncie and Ryan Welage scored 27 (with 16 associations are trying to create what at Central in 4A in 2005 and 2006, Marion rebounds), 23, and 21 respectively. The least appears to be a more even playing in 4A in 2008, and Kokomo in 4A in rise of the Pirates has come at a time field – something that’s a laudable goal, 2011. It was inevitable that class when the town has been transformed by even if impossible to attain. (Personal basketball would have a big negative the Honda plant, and it made me think disclosure: I’m a lifelong Catholic, impact on the NCC, given that most of of all the stories I’ve heard about jobs employed by the Catholic Diocese of the top dozen teams in terms of becoming remarkably available at auto Columbus, so I’m naturally sympathetic sectionals won are NCC members, and plants in the NCC cities “back in the toward Catholic schools. Having said now most of those face each other in day” whenever a family from an that, I think this is a worthwhile plan. two 4A sectionals and Muncie Central outlying area or from out of town had a Now we’ll see how it works.) has dropped to 3A. But still, it’s son who was an outstanding player. I Harley Sheets wanted me to write a remarkable that a conference which don’t know how much the Honda plant few words on the state tournament, as I once was virtually guaranteed to provide had to do with Greensburg’s recent used to do with former editor Tom at least one, and many times two, State achievements, but I know those White while he was still alive. I’ll never Finals participants isn’t nearly what it achievements will require the Pirates to be as astute an observer as Tom was, but was. Perhaps the conference’s “new move to 4A next year, which probably here are some perspectives on the 2014 look” and added members will change will cause their record to plummet, tournament from a non-Hoosier: things. given that they’re losing all their starters First, the results themselves. Barr-Reeve’s appearance continued a but Welage. That’s one thing I see as a Michigan City Marquette Catholic remarkable run by teams in the adjacent negative about the success factor: It edged Barr-Reeve 70-66 in overtime in counties of Daviess and Martin. Since seems it will penalize the players who 1A: Park Tudor rolled to the 2A title, 2002, the Vikings, Washington, and follow in the footsteps of a good team 84-57 over Westview; Greensburg won Loogootee have combined for five state which had most of its members its second straight 3A title by downing championships and 10 State Finals graduate. Bowman 89-76; and Indianapolis Tech appearances. Loogootee and Speaking of graduation losses, I finally won a state title by defeating Washington in 2005, and Barr-Reeve won’t be surprised to see Marquette and Lake Central 63-59 in 4A. Tech’s and Washington in 2010 both made it to Barr-Reeve in a rematch next year, as victory and Barr-Reeve’s defeat give the Indy in the same year, which of course Barr-Reeve loses only one starter and Vikings a dubious distinction previously wouldn’t have been possible in the one- Marquette two, with its best player, held by the Titans – most state class system. Class basketball definitely Ryan Fazekas, returning. Fazekas set a championship game appearances benefited Loogootee and Barr-Reeve 1A record with seven 3-pointers in his without winning a title. Barr-Reeve is during this span, but it probably championship game and scored 34, with now the only team to be 0-4 in wouldn’t have made a difference for 10 rebounds, and his steal late in championship games, all since 2002 Washington, which most likely would overtime led to the game-clinching IHSBHS 2014 WINTER ISSUE Page 8 basket. In 2A, Park-Tudor’s Trevon Attucks and a member of its state finals schools in the state were not totally Blueitt set a class record with 38 – basketball team. His article contains an segregated, the same held true for sports slightly better than his season average of historical account of the painful struggle teams during even the harshest periods 35.6 – and had 12 rebounds. Those between the black, special purpose, and of segregation and discrimination. were the outstanding individual Catholic schools and the IHSAA, to gain Sometimes team spirit overruled performances in the state finals. The 1A equal recognition for athletics prejudice, intimidation, and external game was the best, with the next two competition. Endnotes and references regulations. being pretty one-sided, the 3A game from the original printing have been In Indianapolis, the team sports void surprisingly so. omitted. for black boys and young black men was The Tech-Lake Central game looked filled in several ways. Local church, like it also was going to be no contest, At the dawn of the 20th century, most Sunday school, and industrial basketball with Tech leading by 16 with less than school officials realized that interest in leagues made the basketball court at the five minutes left. But in a repeat of the team sports had grown to a point that Senate Avenue Young Men’s Christian late stages of their semistate victory the they were a fixture in the lives of Association (YMCA) a very busy place. previous week against Bloomington school-age boys and girls. The In 1927, the Mid-West States Basketball North, the Titans looked like they were beginning of the Indiana High School Conference was formed. There were celebrating before the final buzzer and Athletic Association (IHSAA) in 1903 teams from Detroit, Columbus, almost managed to “snatch defeat from was a natural evolution as schools Cincinnati, Dayton, Fort Wayne, the jaws of victory,” but hung on for the attempted to create teams, schedule Muncie, and Indianapolis. Leagues at first championship by an Indianapolis games, and plan tournaments. the Senate Avenue YMCA catered to public school since Broad Ripple in When the association was formed, the boys and young men in a program that 1980. racial climate in Indiana was similar to produced vigorous competition among Altogether, 26 class-era records were the climate in many other states, both the players and rabid support from fans. broken or tied in the four games. Most North and South. Segregation was League play culminated with a city were team records, the most notable prevalent, regardless of the geographical tournament played before YMCA being Marquette’s 11 threes in 1A, Park context. Around the country, there had members and other interested fans. It Tudor’s 14 from outside the arc in 2A been thousands of lynchings in the years had all the flavor of a high school (the two teams combined for an all-class prior to 1903 with more than 100 in tournament except that many of the record 20), and Greensburg’s 89 points 1900. During 1900 and 1901, blacks in players were older than traditional in 3A (Bowman’s 32 field goals tied the Indiana were lynched in Rockport, students. The winner and runner-up existing mark). Boonville, and Terre Haute. represented Indianapolis in an Tech’s Trey Lyles was only 3-for-11 There had been no intent to have an invitational tournament that drew teams from the floor, was in foul trouble, and integrated association since white from around the state. Similarities to had far from his best game. Jeremie schools in the state generally did not the tourney structure of the IHSAA were Tyler (8-for-10 from the floor, 19 engage in athletic contests or other undoubtedly intentional. points) was the Titans’ best player activities with black or Catholic schools. During the 1927-28 season, the against Lake Central. Based on what I South Bend Catholic and Indianapolis Senate Avenue YMCA team, saw on one day, I would have voted for Cathedral, with limited options, participating in the Mid-West States Blueitt over Lyles as Mr. Basketball. regularly scheduled athletic contests Conference, played a schedule that But Lyles did win that honor and the with black high schools throughout the included 24 games with trips to Trester award, giving him the triple state. In large urban settings, such as Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, crown of state champion, Trester Indianapolis and Gary, where black and Fort Wayne, Louisville, Muncie, St. honoree and Mr. Basketball held by white students attended the same high Louis, and Toledo. The leagues were so Bobby Plump, Dave Colescott, Damon schools until provision was made to competitive that a few of the players, Bailey, two (I think) of the Zellers, and segregate them, black students were such as Howard University’s “Doggie” I’m not sure who else, if anybody. usually only allowed to participate in Clark, went on to play for black college non-contact sports such as track and teams after “graduating” from the THE OTHER SIDE OF HOOSIER field. They were rarely included in club YMCA gymnasium. League play was HYSTERIA: SEGREGATION, activities. so popular that a Christmas tournament SPORTS, AND THE IHSAA In small communities with almost was held in Indianapolis at Tomlinson by totally white populations, an occasional Hall. An All-Star squad and three other Dr. Stanley Warren black player did not seem to warrant a teams from around the state were invited Editor’s note: Our feature story is a re- challenge. The northern part of the state to participate. printed article taken from the November appeared to be more tolerant than Tournament play in minor sports was 1993 edition of “Black History News & Indianapolis in its interpretation of who also very popular with the YMCA Notes,” with permission provided by Dr. could play on its high school teams. crowd. Competing in checkers, ping Warren, a 1951 graduate of Crispus However, just as many elementary pong, volley ball, and billiards, players IHSBHS 2014 WINTER ISSUE Page 9 from the YMCA held spirited individual The change in student assignments Dame, one of the preeminent Catholic and team competitions and sent teams to insured that, in 1928, Crispus Atttucks universities in the country, and Butler compete against opponents in cities was the only public high school in University to come to the aid of Attucks. throughout the Midwest. Young men Indianapolis to have black students in its Both Butler and Notre Dame helped the from all corners of the city came to the graduating class. school tremendously by passing on used YMCA to use the available facilities and Prior to the change, participation in equipment to the athletic department. to challenge for the top spot in any one athletic activities continued to be The football team, which was known to of these activities. The number one skewed toward track and field. There travel as far as Oklahoma for a game, player commanded much respect and were two blacks on the track team at claimed the National Negro was constantly challenged for his Tech. At Shortridge, there were six Championship in 1930 by defeating position. blacks on the track team, six in the Central High School of Louisville. IHSAA records show that in 1932, student senate, and Chester Offutt was a During the season, it was undefeated, black participation outside of member of the debate team. Two of the winning eight games while allowing Indianapolis in sanctioned major sports six black student senators were females. only one opponent to score. events, other than basketball, was The difference in participation rates at In 1940, Attucks and Gary Roosevelt significant. In 1932, the track team the schools may have resulted from the played for the state colored school from Gary Froebel High School, which much larger number of black students basketball championship. Later in the enrolled a large number of black enrolled at Shortridge. Although blacks season, a much larger prize was at stake. students, had 29 athletes, of whom 15 were late participants in Indianapolis After winning a tournament in were black. The half-mile relay team, high school basketball, as early as 1902, Tuskegee, Alabama, Evansville Lincoln which was all black, set a blistering pace there were two black players on the High School laid claim to the National as it cruised to a new state record time football team at Manual High School Negro Championship. Lincoln defeated of 1:31.9. Robert Scott, a member of and one on the baseball team. teams from Florida, Alabama, the half-mile relay team, also set a new In spite of the difficulties involved in Kentucky, and Oklahoma. James Keel state standard of 23 feet, ¾ inch in the starting a new school that was molded of Lincoln was named most valuable long jump competition. From another from an unhealthy philosophical player in the tournament. Within weeks, part of the state, Allen Dillingham of climate, by 1930 Crispus Attucks was a a dispute arose when Gary Roosevelt Connersville High School, tied for first stable part of the black community. The High School, seeking its sixth national place in the high jump at 6 feet, 7/8 athletic teams, not allowed to compete crown, also staked a claim to the title, as inch. in IHSAA tournaments, developed a the result of its schedule and a recent While track and field seemed to be cadre of competitors by broadening their national tournament victory. The the sport in which blacks were most schedules to include “colored” teams Indianapolis Recorder joined the likely to participate, a few schools had from some distance away (several of dispute by giving the history of the black athletes on their football teams as them out-of-state. The 28-game schedule National Interscholastic Tournament and well. In 1932, there was one black of Attucks in 1930 is omitted here in what the newspaper saw as the player on the Elkhart team and four on consideration of space availability— reasonableness of Roosevelt’s claim. the East Chicago Washington team. editor’s note). When one realizes that Unfortunately, there were no In 1927, black students at Arsenal there were 18 road games in a 28-game commissions nor certifying agents Technical (Tech), Howe, Manual, and schedule with as many as four involved, which led to claims for the Shortridge high schools were mandated consecutive games away from home, the national title from black high schools in to attend the newly opened Crispus sacrifice made by the players becomes several cities throughout the country. Attucks High School to complete their obvious. The limited facilities at The growing popularity of basketball studies. Therefore, in most Indianapolis Attucks, with only the auditorium stage was the catalyst that shaped the IHSAA. secondary schools, from 1927 until the available for basketball, forced the team Once eligible schools were enrolled as early 1950s, the use of black players in to play its home games at Pennsy Park. members, the few black players that team sports was a moot issue. The Until the 1950s, financial difficulties dotted their lineups seemed to present contrast between black student were a constant in the lives of those only minor problems. But black participation at Shortridge and Tech connected with the Attucks athletic schools, even though most were located high schools before and after 1928 is program. The fund-raising abilities of in small communities, continued to be staggering. The opening of Crispus both the football and basketball teams discouraged from competing against Attucks High School literally changed were nullified by the lack of facilities IHSAA teams, and they were constantly the complexion of those schools where they could build a home-crowd reminded that they were not allowed to overnight. At Tech, in the spring of base. The reputation of football coach, participate in IHSAA-sanctioned 1927, there were 12 black graduating Lon Watford, from his days as a running tournaments. With the creation of seniors; at Shortridge, there were 24. back at Butler University, and the fact Crispus Attucks, Gary Roosevelt, and One of the students at Shortridge, Virgie that black and Catholic schools were Evansville Lincoln high schools in the Dunville, was on the “A” honor roll. viewed in a negative light, led Notre late 1920s and early 1930s, segregation IHSBHS 2014 WINTER ISSUE Page 10 of pupils beyond the elementary grades Mitchell became a stellar three-sport championship team. At the Catholic in the major cities of the state occurred. college athlete, leading his teams in high schools, which held their own state However, these changes had little effect baseball, basketball, and football at tourney, there was an occasional black on small towns and medium-size cities Boston University. The anomaly of player in the lineup. In 1938 John Cox when black populations were too sparse individual black stars pacing their pre- was a member of the Catholic state to warrant creation of segregated dominantly white teams to state champion, St. Mary’s of Anderson. schools. tournament victories while black Prior to 1927, black high schools in In 1930, Dave Dejernett starred for schools were barred from tournament the state were relatively small, and, in the state champion Washington Hatchets play seemed to slip by unnoticed by the some instances, combined with as did Jack Mann for the Muncie media and IHSAA officials. elementary schools. Crispus Attucks, Bearcats in 1930 and 1931. Both were The talent pool for black players which opened in 1927 with a student selected as all-state players; DeJernett in seemed particularly ripe during the body of approximately 1300 students 1930 and Mann in 1931. Black players decade of the 1930s. On a given Friday and a faculty of 36 (with 15 additional on IHSAA championship teams became night, one could travel to any part of the teachers in the spring semester because relatively commonplace. In 1937, state to watch the performance of an of the unexpected size of the Anderson High School’s Frank Clemons integrated team attempting to climb to enrollment), presented the IHSAA with was a forward on the team that defeated the IHSAA championship throne. Black a set of issues that did not exist in 1903. Huntingburg in the state championship players were integral parts of those Immediately after the first semester game. In 1939, Franklin’s George teams. To the west of Indianapolis were began, forces from within the black Crowe, following in the footsteps of his Leroy Johnson and Ewan Cartwright of community began to agitate for brother, Ray, who had played at Greencastle, Buttons Bradshaw of admission of the school into the IHSAA. Whiteland High School, staged a Brazil, and Captain Kirk of Key figures in the push for integration brilliant performance as he scored more Crawfordsville. To the east were into the statewide organization were: than half of his team’s points in a losing Francis Daniels and Tom Lundy of Faburn DeFrantz, executive secretary of effort to Frankfort. He was chosen as Richmond, Allen Dillingham and the Senate Avenue YMCA; Freeman B. the number one player for participation Wayne Sleet of Connersville, and Ransom, attorney and manager of the in the first Indiana vs. Kentucky All-Star William Cruse of Rushville. In the Walker Company; Reverend H.L. game. Also on the team was Howard north were Virgil Riddle, Dick Warfield, Herod, pastor of Second Christian Mitchell of Attucks, in spite of the fact and Horace Talley of Fort Wayne Church; Robert L. Brokenburr, attorney that Attucks played a segregated Central, Bill Hampton of Culver, and and later state senator, Cary D. Jacobs of schedule that included many out-of-state Jerry Mason and Art Hurd of South Jacobs Brothers Funeral Home; and W. Bend Central. Chester Hibbitt, managing editor of the In 1940, John Thomas helped lead Indianapolis Recorder. Hammond Tech to an IHSAA Immediately after the dedication championship. The following year, the ceremonies at Attucks, DeFrantz, Washington Hatchets were back in the Ransom, and Herod began lobbying finals with three black players in the Arthur L. Trester, Commissioner of the lineup: Charles Harmon, John DeJernett, IHSAA, in a futile attempt to convince and William Harmon. They defeated a him that Crispus Attucks should be a much heralded Madison team for their member of the IHSAA. Working from second state championship. In April the pulpit and in the political arena over 1941, the Rotary Club of Rising Sun the next several years, the three men, presented the Most Valuable Player joined by Brokenburr, Jacobs, and award to Herschel Thomas of the Rising Hibbitt, were relentless in their pursuit Sun team, just as another star was of full-fledged membership. Lee A. developing in the northern part of the Johnson, sports editor of the Recorder, state. Davage Minor played at Gary also contributed to the growing pattern Froebel before going on to stardom at of pressure against IHSAA segregation Toledo University and then finishing his policies. college years on the west coast with The work of these men did not go UCLA. Thomas’s brother, Robert, also unnoticed as others took up the cause.

LEGENDARY COACH RAY played on the Rising Sun team. In 1941, a bill creating a board of CROWE French Lick, made famous in the athletic control was introduced in the 1970s by the stardom of Larry Bird who Indiana legislature by Senator opponents. Crowe went on to a played for Springs Valley High School, Brokenburr and was supported by a successful career in professional featured a black player named Francis letter to the legislature from the Monday basketball and baseball. Howie “Red” Juniper on its 1943 sectional Luncheon Club, composed of an IHSBHS 2014 WINTER ISSUE Page 11 impressive group of local black period of more than 35 years. The Washington Hatchets only months politicians and businessmen. There was Indiana Catholic High School Athletic earlier, joined the U.S. Navy in 1943. also an open letter printed in the Association (ICHSAA), which ran its Many college and professional teams Indianapolis Star by its sports editor, W. own state tournament and participated in were decimated by the call to arms Blaine Patton. The luncheon club letter the national Catholic tournament, was during World War II, as both famous and the Patton letter (which follows) very heavily involved in the push to and ordinary athletes stepped forward as were in marked contrast to the official broaden IHSAA membership policies. volunteers to defend the honor of the position from within the IHSAA. In 1933, when it was determined that United States. “Under the leadership of Arthur L. Gibault High School of Vincennes was In 1943, black high schools at Trester and his ‘controlled board of operated by the Vincennes school board Madison, New Albany, and control,’ this national movement of rather than the church, its application for Jeffersonville did not enter the state unity has meant nothing, so far as the membership in the IHSAA was tournament, and only Lincoln of IHSAA is concerned. (A) narrow approved. Immediately, the ICHSAA Evansville survived the first round of viewpoint is taken by that body, barring turned up the pressure by applying for the sectionals. Crispus Attucks, Catholic and Negro high schools from blanket membership for the group, Princeton Lincoln, Gary Roosevelt, and all tournaments. Individual members which was denied. In 1941, Evansville Booker T. Washington in Mount Vernon may play such teams, but not in Memorial applied for admission. were first-round losers. According to tournaments. And still this is the great Within weeks, without commenting on Lowell M. Trice, columnist for the state of Indiana, pledged to support the the application, the pressure on the Indianapolis Recorder, the mostly white high ideals of America! To you IHSAA from both blacks and Catholics crowd at Arsenal Tech’s high school members of the state legislature, it is not finally produced the desired result. The was well aware of the significance of the a difficult thing to correct this glaring IHSAA Board of Control voted to Attucks vs. Shortridge contest. “The unfairness to many of the boys of our suspend the race and religious most impressive part of the entire state. Simply pass a measure which prohibitions. Effective August 15, evening was displayed when the more would make it unlawful for the 1942, without much fanfare, than 6,000 basketball enthusiasts stood continuance or formation of any membership in the IHSAA was (finally) up as one and for ten or fifteen minutes combination of public schools which opened to public, private, parochial, lustily cheered the Tigers in their (bar) other schools of similar grade on institutional, and colored schools in the history-making debut in the sectional the grounds of race of creed,” Patton state that offered three or four years of tournament,” Trice wrote. wrote. high school work. Newly eligible The rivalries that developed between The passage in the Senate of S.B. 181 schools (in or near Indianapolis) Tech, Shortridge, and Crispus Attucks to banish segregation in IHSAA included Crispus Attucks, Cathedral, were carved in stone after two important tournaments seemed to have a Sacred Heart, Indiana Deaf School, Park victories. In its third sectional considerable amount of support from the School, and the Indiana Boys’ School. tournament, the Tigers, behind the community. However, in March 1941, In addition to the eight black high stellar play of James Buchanan and the bill died in the House of schools in the state, there were Edgar Sams, defeated Shortridge in the Representatives before it reached the approximately 14 Catholic schools. In second round of the 1945 sectionals, floor. A letter to the editor of the 1943, following the removal of the ban, before losing to Broad Ripple, the team Recorder from Cary Jacobs severely Crispus Attucks and Shortridge high from Indianapolis destined to go all the criticized Representative H.H. Evans of schools, two sports rivals throughout the way to the final round of the state New Castle for aiding in the defeat of 1950s and 1960s, competed at the tournament. In another significant the bill. He also accused the House and Arsenal Tech gymnasium in Attucks’ turning point, six years after admission the Senate of collusion on Negro bills. first sectional tournament. After playing of Attucks to the tournament, Thomas As the year passed and the nation’s the sectional at Butler University for “Blue” Overton of the Tigers sank a attention was drawn to war, the energy many years, the switch to Tech’s fielder with one second to go to put the of those who seemed most adamant gymnasium was made necessary highly favored Tech team onto the about the exclusion (practices) began to because of the role that the Butler sidelines. In these early years Attucks dissipate. In many ways, Indiana Fieldhouse played in the war effort. The had been victorious in games with other mimicked the nation as the external military used the facility for a training less regarded teams, but the victories threat to the country forced Hoosiers to site from 1943 to 1945. Approximately over Shortridge and Tech helped the view internal matters through a new 800 naval cadets were housed and team garner the respect of basketball prism. trained at Butler. During this time, the fans in every corner of the state. It also The story of how the decision to open state finals were played at the provided Attucks the opportunity to the state tournament to black and Indianapolis Coliseum, located at the schedule games with teams that now Catholic schools was made is Indiana State Fairgrounds. John saw it as a worthy opponent. In 1946 complicated. It was a difficult battle, Dejernett and William Harmon, who and 1947, black players participated in fought on at least two fronts over a had been members of the state champion the final round of the tournament as IHSBHS 2014 WINTER ISSUE Page 12 never before. In 1946, Anderson won black players appeared on the Indiana stars of an earlier era alongside the the tournament with John Cochran, basketball horizon with increasing modern day, jump shooting phenoms of Isaac Weatherly, and “Jumping” Johnny regularity. However, experiences in later years. Black players from the Wilson. Wilson, who set a Final Four Indianapolis were vastly different from period before 1950 selected to the Hall scoring record, went on to become the those in the many single high school of Fame are: George Crowe, Charles #1 selection on the All-Star team. His cities and towns around the state. Harmon, Dave DeJernett, Jack Mann, scoring record was quickly eclipsed in Refusal by the city administration and Bob Milton, Johnny Wilson, and Bill 1947 by Bill Garrett of Shelbyville High school officials to proceed with the 1949 Garrett. All of these players were also School. Garrett, aided by Emerson legislative mandate to integrate the city named to one of the Silver Anniversary Johnson and Marshall Murray, broke schools allowed a black, segregated teams. Two others who have not been Wilson’s scoring mark as Shelbyville school to become the dominant force in named to the Hall of Fame, but are on a swept to the state title in 1947. Bobby high school basketball by winning three Silver Anniversary team are Davage Milton of state runner-up Fort Wayne state championships during the 1950s. Minor from Gary Froebel and Russell Central was another notable black player The most coveted individual prize by Freeland from Lawrenceburg. in 1946 and was selected along with Indiana high school basketball players is As the decade of the 1950s came into Wilson to the All-Star team. Later, the Gimbel Prize/IHSAA Medal/Trester view, the stage had been set for the rise Milton spent many years with Wilson as Award. Regardless of the name to prominence of several schools with a player and a coach for the Harlem changes, it is bestowed upon the player relatively few black students in their Globetrotters. Garrett and Johnson were in the Final Four who best exemplifies a student bodies, but with basketball selected as Indiana All-Stars in 1947. life of good scholarship, high moral teams dominated by black players. In Bill Garrett’s skills and his demeanor character, and athletic excellence. In 1940, John Thomas was the lone black both on and off the court, caught the 1951, after only eight years of player on the Hammond Tech team that attention of basketball fans around the competing under the banner of the captured the state title. As one of the state. A group of black businessmen IHSAA, the Tigers produced a player, team stars, he was cheered mightily from Indianapolis, led by Faburn E. Robert Lee Jewell, who became the first when the team returned to Hammond to DeFrantz, visited the Indiana University black athlete to capture the award. In be greeted by 50,000 rabid fans, as campus and solicited a promise from 1955, the Tigers also became the first nearly 75 percent of the city’s Branch McCracken, I.U.’s basketball Indianapolis team to win the state population. Today, when the home coach, that Garrett would become a basketball crown. crowds rise to cheer their teams, the member of the I.U. team if he was admitted to the university and if he could make the team. This was not an easy resolution since only one black player (Iowa, 1937) had ever donned a uniform for a Western Conference (now Big Ten) basketball team. Not only did Garrett make the I.U. team, he became a star. By 1951, he was the team’s leading rebounder and scorer. He was also voted most valuable player and named to the consensus All- America team. The combination of Garrett’s selection to the All-America team and the ascent of Crispus Attucks to the final round of the state tournament in March 1951 were turning points in Indiana high school basketball history. The unspoken, unwritten decision, by coaches in Indianapolis that the use of Former Crispus Attucks players Bailey Robertson, Willie Gardner, Hallie Bryant, and black players on their teams would take . Photo circa 1970. their programs to a new level and prevent the growth of an unheralded The development of an Indiana waves of positive feelings that fill the dynasty at Crispus Attucks was the Basketball Hall of Fame and a series of gymnasiums have little to do with race beginning of a new era and may have Silver Anniversary teams in 1962 or ethnicity and a great deal to do with been a political wedge that helped to presented the state a wonderful economics, integration as a social fact, break the school integration logjam. opportunity to showcase the basketball school pride, and the spirit of After Johnny Wilson and Bill Garrett, IHSBHS 2014 WINTER ISSUE Page 13 cooperation. FINIS

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 $8 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), Bill Ervin (Terre Haute Wiley ’57), Leigh Evans (Castle ’86), John Ockomon (Pendleton ’66), Doug Bradley (Columbus East ‘77), Jeff Luzadder (Dunkirk ‘74), Curtis Tomak (Linton '59).

IHSBHS 2014 WINTER ISSUE Page 14

IHSBHS MEMBER PROFILE FORM (Tell us about yourself) Complete this form and mail to: Rocky Kenworthy, IHSBHS, 710 E, 800 S, Clayton, IN 46118. Profiles may appear in Boxscore from time to time. Today’s Date ______Member’s Name ______Phone No.______Email ______Address ______Occupation/Profession ______Retired? ______Major Interests/Hobbies ______Past Sports Activities ______Where Born? ______Year Born ______

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