B O X S C O R E A Publication of the High School Basketball 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.

2017 SUMMER ISSUE EDITORIAL POLICY champion in March of 1939, and it decided it could fill that role, and so The opinions expressed in was agreed among its high school set about making the detailed Boxscore by individual authors do administration, the news media, and arrangements in early spring. It was not necessarily reflect the views of state athletic officials that the presumed that this sort of contest IHSBHS as an organization. Hotdogs could be pitted in a special would appeal to fans, generate some summer event against the best gate revenue, and become an IHSBHS WEBSITE graduating players that the rest of the ongoing annual “classic” for years to Our IHSBHS website address is state had to offer, if a sponsor could come. As it turned out, that Indianabasketballhistory.com. be found. The Star presumption was proven correct, but You can also enter IHSBHS on your favorite search engine.

CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE 1939 Indiana All-Stars…………..1 Coaches’ All-Time Wins……….. 3 Evolution of Single Class BB….. 3 Green, Purple & Gold…………. 4 When Basketball Was King…… 9 Zionsville 1919………………… 10 Editor’s Remarks……………… 12 IHSBHS Membership Form….. 13 IHSBHS Profile Form……….... 14 Hall of Fame Membership……. 15 Zionsville Book Orders……….. 16

THE 1939 INDIANA ALL-STARS by Cliff Johnson, Editor The very first selection of the 1939 INDIANA ALL-STARS. Front row, left to right: Coach Tom Downey Indiana high school All-Stars was (Rossville), Don Frazier (Greencastle), (Franklin), George Fields made by Hoosier basketball fans (Mooresville), Bud Goodwin (Bloomington), Fred Krampe (Shortridge). Back row, Asst. coach Doyle Plunkitt (Southport), Johnny Williams (Southport), George Taylor who submitted their votes at the (Greencastle), Roger Bundy (Salem), Howard Mitchell (Ind. Crispus Attucks), Wayne conclusion of the 1938-39 season. Payton (Spencer). Opponents were the state champion Frankfort Hot Dogs. The Frankfort had been crowned state series with the Kentucky All-Stars began the following year, 1940. IHSBHS 2017 SUMMER ISSUE Page 2 only by using a completely different 1925 and 1929. The Hot Dogs and guards Don Frazier from Greencastle format. their coach formed a superb and Bud Goodwin from After the initial 1939 event, the combination over the years, by any Bloomington. Other All-Star organizers realized that something account. Now, the latest edition of members included Howard Mitchell seemed inappropriate about the these players was to face those from Indianapolis Crispus Attucks state’s championship team having no considered by the Indiana voters to and Wayne Payton from Spencer at player being recognized as an All- be the best individual basketball stars forwards; George Taylor from Star in his own right. Besides, the in Indiana. What a challenge! Greencastle at the center post; with arranged match-up in talent and The Frankfort team was seriously Johnny Williams from Southport and athleticism was obviously tilted handicapped, however, with the Roger Bundy from Salem covering toward the All-Stars since they were absence of high-scoring forward Jim the guard spots. The coach, also as considered the best performers in the Laughner and pesky guard Dan selected by the Star readers, was state, apart from what one small city Davis. Laughner had not yet Tom Downey of Rossville, assisted had in stock. There were other graduated and thus was ineligible to by Doyle (Buck) Plunkitt of issues that materialized as well. For participate in the game, according to Southport. instance, the IHSAA ruled that high IHSAA rules. Davis could not By game time Friday evening, the school coaches were ineligible to attend the game either, because of city of Indianapolis was being coach post-season games, and that post-graduation commitments. besieged by a downpour of rain that players still enrolled in school could Lewis Cook, another big scoring continued on through the night. As a not play even if they were an integral threat, was ineligible to play as well consequence, most seats remained part of the championship team. because of his underclass status, but empty at Butler Fieldhouse. The Furthermore, the late date (August he suited up for the game and played paid attendance was counted at 5,200 17) that had been set by The Star to anyway. The logical thinking was which left nearly 10,000 seats stage the contest was problematic. that since he would turn 20 and thus vacant--in spite of the measly $1 Some of the players had already be ineligible for high school play the selling price for the choicest seats in moved out of state by that time, to next season anyway, it would surely the arena. The cheaper ones cost take up living quarters on various be OK to play him in this game. only a quarter. The turnout was college campuses. The higher mid- That decision, however, raised a disappointing, but the show had to summer temperatures in July and furor among IHSAA officials who go on. August were also a factor that promptly put Frankfort on probation Frankfort, while surprisingly ultimately contributed toward for the next season because of the having an edge in overall height moving the event up to mid-June, a apparent violation of its rule against against the All-Stars, was clearly few years later. But the major post-season play by an athlete still outclassed in speed, agility, and shot- revision and now familiar format enrolled in school. making right from the opening tip- began the next year, 1940, when Nevertheless, Frankfort was able off. They were also feeling the officials in Kentucky offered to take to put ten boys into uniform through absence of Laughner and Davis, their own All-Star team to Indiana to the use of four players from its “B” without a doubt. The All-Stars play in the “classic.” team graduates. Center Charles rushed to a quick 10-1 lead during In the meantime, the 1939 affair Johnson, the Hot Dogs’ leading the first quarter before the Frankfort was still scheduled to take place at scorer, and graduated stalwarts squad had taken a collective deep the specified time, 8:30 p.m. on Ernest McGill, Harold Pyle, Billie breath. Additionally, it came as a Friday, August 18, at the Butler Joe Wetzel, and Loren Brower shock that Crowe, Fields, and Fieldhouse. Everett Case, then accompanied Cook and the four B Krampe were overpowering the considered to be the dean of all team members to form a complete Hotdogs on the backboards. That Indiana high school coaches, had team for coach Case. continued throughout the first half guided his Frankfort team to the state The All-Stars, by comparison, which mercifully ended for Frankfort championship five months earlier in were formidable. The power of the with the All-Stars in command of a a repeat of the town’s previous 1936 squad was concentrated in forwards 24-12 lead. The third quarter was championship. Case had also George Crowe (Mr. Basketball) from essentially static, with coach advanced to Final Four appearances Franklin and George Fields from Downey substituting freely among at Frankfort in 1925, 1928, 1929, and Mooresville; 6-8 center Fred Krampe all ten of his players. Once the All- 1930, winning all the marbles in both from Indianapolis Shortridge; and Stars’ lead had escalated to 29-12 IHSBHS 2017 SUMMER ISSUE Page 3 during a lengthy defense-minded lost from the records, unfortunately. except during conscription for World period, they began to relax a bit on IHSBHS welcomes any information War I. School consolidations defense. Taking advantage of that, that may correct or contradict the reduced the number of entries to Frankfort initiated a late scoring numbers on our list. Our research is below 700 in 1960, below 600 in surge while belatedly exercising its tireless, but it isn’t the last word. 1964, below 500 in ’68, and below own sound defensive skills. The 400 in 1986. margin was reduced by nine points EVOLUTION OF THE SINGLE After the first four tourneys, it with about a minute left to play, but CLASS TOURNAMENT: 1911-97 became necessary to institute the margin buildup earlier in the by sectional eliminations to reduce the game would not be overcome. The Roger Robison number of teams so that the tourney All-Stars prevailed, 31-21. Don In 1905, efforts began to abolish could continue to be played off in Frazier, the 5-2 guard from football after 18 deaths and 149 only two days--an IHSAA Greencastle, led in scoring with 9 serious injuries were reported. requirement. After another six years, points and received an award for the Efforts at reform included the nearly 400 were entered and regional game’s outstanding player. organization of an Intercollegiate elimination tourneys had to be added Athletic Association--which became to reduce the 32 sectional winners to COACHING RECORDS the N.C.A.A. in 1910. By 1909/10 16. Thus, in 1921 the Sweet 16 was the Indiana High School Athletic born and considered by many to have All-Time total wins (per IHSBHS Association (IHSAA) was likewise been the start of the golden age for records) calling for the elimination of the tourney. To accommodate more Jack Butcher 806 football. By 1912 only 20 Indiana paying customers the tourney was Bill Patrick (retired 2017) 764 high school football teams still moved to the Indianapolis Pat Rady 761 played. But interest in the new game Fairgrounds (see Table 2). Jack Keefer (still active) 760 of basketball slowly began and In 1921 and 1922, the 32 regional J.R. Holmes (still active) 760 helped to fill the void. An idea participants had to win only one Howard Sharpe 722 materialized that the adoption of a game to advance to the finals. For Bill Stearman 714 state-wide tournament might help 1923 and 1924, some regional teams Jim Jones 700 even more. had to win two games while others Basil Mawbey 699 Wisconsin had been the first, in only one. During 1925 and 1926 Gene Miller (still active) 672 1905, to initiate a state-wide high the regionals increased to eight in Jim East 653 school basketball tournament. number with eight teams at each site. Marion Crawley 644 Illinois, Utah, and Ohio followed The winners had to play two games Jim Miller 607 between 1906 and 1909. to advance to the finals. As the Joe Hinton 594 Meanwhile, students at Indiana entries continued to expand, by 1927 Cliff Wells 582 University were frustrated because the sectionals finally peaked at 64 Jimmie Howell (still active) 582 Purdue had beaten I.U. in 15 of their and the regionals at 16. This Al Rhodes (still active) 581 18 basketball games. The new remained the standard for the rest of Bryan Hughes (still active) 566 athletic director at I.U. was C.P. the entire single class era. Ward Smith 553 (recorded only) Hutchins, M.D., who had been The two-day Sweet 16 was By Hey 550 involved with the Wisconsin eliminated in 1935/36 amidst tourneys. He laid the groundwork concern for player stamina, Notes: Pat Rady retired as for the I.U. Boosters’ Club to host a especially now that the center jump Cloverdale’s coach in September, state-wide tournament in 1911 in an after free throws had been eliminated 2015. He is now third to all-time effort to recruit better players to I.U. that year. This rule change reduced wins leader Jack Butcher. Whitko’s The tourney was held in the amount of time available for Bill Patrick, at #2 now, just Bloomington for nine of its first ten players to take a break in the action. concluded his long career. Jack years (see Tables 1A, 1B, 1C). In 1937-38, the center jump after Keefer of Lawrence North and J.R. Originally it was an Invitational but field goals was also abolished, Holmes of Bloomington South are it quickly became open to all IHSAA reducing any rest time even further. tied for the number four spot, behind members who could afford the travel To help alleviate the resulting player Rady. Ward Smith may have won a costs. The number of entries fatigue, the semi-state (or semi-final few additional games that have been increased every year until 1938 tourney) was then instituted which IHSBHS 2017 SUMMER ISSUE Page 4

Table 1. SINGLE CLASS TOURNEY FORMAT 1911-97 A. 1911-20 I.U. BOOSTER CLUB HOSTS AT I.U. EXCEPT FOR 1919 AT PURDUE #in Entries Entry TourneyGym Year IHSAA # of % Format Finals Location 1911 222 12 5% Invitational 12 I.U. Assembly Hall 1912 244 13 5% Invitational 13 I.U. Assembly Hall 1913 258 38 15% Open. 38 I.U. 3 gyms 1914 314 77 25% Open. 77 I.U. 4 gyms 1915 387 155 40% 14 Sectionals 14 I.U. Assembly Hall 1916 448 204 46% 16 “ 16 I.U. Assembly Hall 1917 502 255 51% 20 “ 20 I.U. Men’s Gym 1918 453 301 66% 20 “ 20 I.U. Men’s Gym 1919* 560 275 49% 22 “ 22 Purdue Memorial Gym 1920 621 372 60% 26 “ 26 I.U. Men’s Gym

B. 1921-35 I.H.S.A.A. SWEET SIXTEEN AT INDIANAPOLIS; sixteen finalists IHSAA # of Entry Year # entries % Sectionals Regionals (# teams in that Regional) Finals Teams 1921 673 394 59% #32 #2: @ Purdue (16), Indiana (16) 8+8 1922 694 488 70% #32 #2: @ Purdue (16), Indiana (16) 8+8 1923 738 596 81% #48 #3: @ Purdue (18), Ft. Wayne SS (18), I.U. (12) 5+5+6 1924 762 665 87% #52 #4: @ Purdue, Indiana, Ft. Wayne, Earlham; (13 each) 4+4+4+4 Two teams from each 8 team Regional advance. 1925 784 674 86% #64 #8: @ Anderson, Bloomington, Evansville, Ft. Wayne Frankfort, Gary, Kokomo, Richmond: 8x2= 16 1926 777 719 93% #64 #8: @ Bedford, Ft. Wayne, Greencastle, Kokomo Martinsville, Muncie, Rushville, S. Bend: 8x2= 16 1927 798 731 92% #64 #16: One team from each Regional advances: 16x1= 16 1935 801 781 98% #64 #16: LastSweet16

C. 1936-97 FINAL FOUR ENTRIES AT INDPLS FOR SAMPLE YEARS. 1936 805 784 97% #64 #16 Regionalwinnersreducedat4Semi-states. 4 1938 805 787 98% #64 #16 Peak#ofentries(beforeconsolidation). 4 1960 696 694 99% #64 #16 Peakpaidattendancetotourney:1.5million 4 1990 390 386 99% #64 #16 Recordof41,000fansatFinals 4 1997 385 382 99% #64 #16 LastyearSingleClass:Paidattendance:0.9mil. 4 limited that portion of the tourney to more and more to just the largest miracle had materialized in the same a single day. The 4-team final round schools in the state. The dearth of year (1954) I graduated from high was likewise reduced to a single day small school championships became school, and the intensity of Hoosier only. That format lasted for 62 years a factor by 1997 in the IHSAA’s basketball had persisted for most of decision to introduce multi-class the next four decades. I stayed Table 2. FINALS SITES (& when built): SEATS 1911-16 I.U. Old Assembly Hall (1896) 1500 basketball to the state. around for one more decade, finally 1917,’18,’20 I.U. Men’s Gym (1917). 2500 leaving the state behind in 1966. I 1919 Purdue Memorial Gym (1909) 2500 1921-27 Indianapolis Fairgrounds: GREEN, PURPLE & GOLD: remember the North Central Old 1907 Coliseum: 1921-24: 7200 The 1985-87 Marion Giants Conference as having arguably the Cow Barn: 1925-27. 1928-42 Butler Fieldhouse 15,000 by best and most glamorous basketball 1943-45 Fairgrounds. WPA Coliseum (1939). Cliff Johnson teams in the state. Aside from my 1946-71 Butler/ 15,000 1972-74 I.U. NEW Assembly Hall II (1971) 17,000 By the mid-1980s, I had long own school Western in Howard 1975-89 Market Square Arena pro basketball gym. since departed from the frigid County, Kokomo had always been 1990-99 Hoosier/RCA Dome pro football stadium. winters of Indiana in favor of the the team I supported most during the more temperate mercury readings regular season, particularly if the and resulted in a single found in southern California. It was Wildkats got past us in the championship trophy per year, not a well-considered move, but I sectional—which they normally did. four as is the case today. But that acknowledge having missed Hoosier I followed the Kats’ seasons single trophy was being awarded basketball afterward. The Milan remotely for awhile after my big IHSBHS 2017 SUMMER ISSUE Page 5 geographic relocation, mostly years (1975-84) of having never won record of 27-37. Nevertheless, the through communications with past fewer than 20 games per season. Indianapolis Washington Hoosier friends. A couple of The Giants were at the peak of their administration decided that Green decades later, one of them casually performance those ten years and might be the ideal person to assist its mentioned to me that Marion High, fully living up to their nickname. head coach, Jerry Oliver. That spot one of the Kats major protagonists in By 1982, the late Bill Green had opened up in the fall of 1967. the NCC and a neighboring school in (1934-2011) was starting his second The decision was a good one. The the adjoining county, was making stint as coach at Marion. His earlier Oliver/Green combination guided lots of noise on the basketball courts. years there had been from 1971 Washington to two very good The Giants had won two straight through 1976, during which time he seasons at 16-7 and 24-3. The next state titles and had so much veteran garnered exactly 100 wins against 48 year, when Oliver left for Indiana manpower returning in 1987 that the losses. But the last two of those University, Green was named head chances of a triple looked good. I seasons had been remarkable. The coach of the Continentals for 1968- knew that the Franklin Wonder Five Giants became state champions both 69. He proceeded to lead the school had turned that trick about 65 years years, while tallying 54 wins against to its first and only state earlier, but no team had done so only four losses. That double championship. since. So, I started paying attention. consecutive championship had been As a side note, all four 1969 state Not easy though, living 2,800 miles attained six times before in Indiana finalists had nearly perfect records away from the action. And that was history—by Wingate in 1913-14; coming into the final games. even before Vice President Gore had Lebanon in 1917-18; Washington in Vincennes, Washington, and Marion invented the internet (sorry, just a 1941-42; Evansville Bosse in 1944- were all undefeated, and Gary stale joke). Newspaper clippings and 45; Muncie Central in 1951-52; and Tolleston had lost just one single Alexander Graham Bell’s actual Indianapolis Crispus Attucks in game all season. Washington’s invention were about all I could rely 1955-56. afternoon contest with Marion was on. Anyway, as most of you know, Even before his 1971 arrival at touted as the clash of the year, pitting Marion did accomplish that triple Marion, Green had accomplished the state’s top two titans against one championship on March 28, 1987. statewide recognition as a winning another. Green’s Continentals Aside from the hundreds of stories coach. In 1969, for example, his gained a close win in the final 20 and articles that appeared in the Indianapolis Washington seconds, 61-60. That evening, spring of 1987, very few since have Continentals had swept through an Washington found itself matched come to my attention that recount undefeated season (31-0), against Tolleston, which had halted that truly historic accomplishment culminating with the title of state Vincennes’ march to a perfect season thirty years ago. I don’t know if I champions. Green’s career as an in the afternoon’s second game by haven’t looked hard enough or if Indiana high school coach had begun the surprisingly wide margin of 77- they truly don’t exist. It prompted in the late 1950s with Park School of 66. The once-defeated Blue Raiders me to do a little research of my own, Indianapolis, after he received his now posed a serious threat to any just the same. I decided to begin bachelor’s degree from Indiana team standing in their way for the with 1985 and go forward through Central College—now known as the crown. In the final, a pitched battle 1987, recalling those three seasons University of Indianapolis—and a raged for nearly the game’s duration, for you--as well as for myself. master’s degree from Indiana State but Tolleston relented in the final The Giants had always been College (now University). In three minute of play, 79-76. serious contenders in the pursuit of seasons, Park School won 58 games Marion’s administration, state championships. From 1912 with Green serving as an assistant apparently impressed by Green’s (Marion’s first state tournament coach. By the fall of 1961, he was tactics and irrepressible desire to season) to 1984, they had advanced recruited to take the reins at Sacred win, opted to offer the coach’s post to the “sweet sixteen” of the state Heart High in the capitol city. His to him two years later, after the tournament 27 times and had two-year stay there resulted in 31 Giants’ renowned mentor Jack participated nine times in Final Four wins out of 44 games played. Colescott had been appointed athletic competition. Three of those nine Cathedral, another Catholic school in director. Green’s first four seasons times they captured all the marbles Indianapolis, then hired him in the at Marion were all on the winning (1926, 1975, and 1976). They had fall of 1963 where he stayed for four side, but by 1974-75 his team really also recently experienced ten straight seasons, yielding a less auspicious got rolling, becoming state champion IHSBHS 2017 SUMMER ISSUE Page 6 two years in a row with 28-1 and 23- and two backups at 6-4. All carried Lyndon Jones, 6-2 G 5 records. A sabbatical leave for the between 190 to 220 pounds of Nikkie Mallory, 5-5 G next five years allowed Green to rebounding power. The starting Mark Krabbe, 6-0 G write and publish a book about his backcourt duo featured a 5-5 set-up Geoff Eltzroth, 5-10 G strategy favoring the match-up zone artist and a good medium range defense. He returned to coach shooter at 6-2. Field goal accuracy 1984-85 Season Record Marion again at the beginning of the would be a major factor in the Anderson Highland 68-48 1981-82 season, and to extend a success of this team, as statistics at Norwell 58-51 string of seven 20-plus wins per the end of the season would Lawrence North 61-55 season that he initiated in 1975. The ultimately show. Its shooting Anderson 70-62 string had been sustained by average was over 50 percent, high by Kokomo 77-65 replacement coach Larry Liddle any comparison at the high school Huntington North 69-58 throughout Green’s five-year level. Jay Teagle, the starting center, Blackford 75-58 absence. Green then stretched that sank 58 percent of his attempts. The FW South Side 76-62 string to ten by the end of 1983-84. Purple & Gold were ranked #1 in the Muncie North 69-57 The 1984-85 Team state from the beginning of the Richmond 62-54 As the 1984-85 season season to the end, and finished with Jay County 68-36 approached, there was plenty of an unblemished record of 29-0 as New Castle 79-63 optimism in the Giants’ camp and state champions. Lafayette Jeff 57-53 FW Northrop 64-63 North Central 78-60 Logansport 60-42 Madison Heights 71-52 Ind. Chatard 81-65 Muncie Central 63-58 FW Snider 59-57 -Sectional- Elwood 81-53 Mississinewa 68-52 Madison Grant 83-55 -Regional- Huntington North 69-62 Bellmont 87-78 -SemiState- Warsaw 70-65 Mich. City Rogers 83-72 -Finals- Southridge 76-52 Richmond 74-67

1984-85 State Champions. Photo provided by the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. The 1985-86 Team Sorry, player i.d.’s not provided. Three starters from the 1984-85 the city of Marion. The 1983-84 team were lost to graduation squad had gone 17-5 during the 1984-85 Roster: (Bowens, Teagle, Mallory), but the regular season in stiff NCC Jay Edwards, 6-4 F outlook was promising again for competition and had added five more Lefon Bowens, 6-5 F 1985-86, with nearly all the rest of wins in state tournament play before Greg Roper, 6-2 F the team returning. This included being retired in the regional. There Eric Ewer, 6-4 F several of the “backup” players who were several veteran players Kyle Persinger, 6-2 F were polished performers, good returning. And, there was no Mike Craft, 6-3 F enough to star on nearly any other shortage of height or heft, with a Jay Teagle, 6-10 C high school team. The sportswriters’ front line measuring 6-4, 6-5, 6-10, Daric Keys, 6-4 C #1 ranking for the Giants continued IHSBHS 2017 SUMMER ISSUE Page 7 for the entire first half of the season once again in the Final Four, after an Robbie Morrell 5-8 G as the school racked up victory after 83-82 squeaker over Michigan City victory, most by wide margins. in the final game of the Fort Wayne 1985-86 Season Record After a relatively close five-point semi-finals. Kyle Persinger netted Anderson Highland 90-45 Norwell 85-56 Anderson 58-45 Lawrence North 78-61 Kokomo 88-45 Huntington North 69-60 Blackford 68-47 FW South Side 68-50 Muncie North 79-61 Richmond 68-64 New Castle 66-61 Warsaw 52-55 Lafayette 69-64 Madison Heights 60-56 FW Northrop 75-77 North Central 70-72 Logansport 74-64 Muncie Central 74-69 Ind. Chatard 84-51 FW Snider 73-58 -Sectional- 1985-86 State Champions. Photo provided by the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Madison Grant 96-73 Sorry, player i.d.’s not provided. Oak Hill 66-48 Mississinewa 71-59 win over New Castle in mid-season, one of two free throws in the final -Regional- Marion came face-to-face with an three seconds to pull the game out Logansport 85-64 ever-strong Warsaw team that had for the Giants. Their two wins in the Huntington North 57-54 finished the previous season with a final matches became slightly anti- -SemiState- 23-3 mark, losing to the Giants 70- climactic, as they stormed by FW Northrop 79-72 65 in the final game of the Fort Southridge 63-54 and Anderson 75- Mich. City Rogers 83-82 Wayne semi-finals. The year before 56. The full season ended at 27 wins -Finals- that, 1983-84, Warsaw had captured against 3 losses. A double state Southridge 63-54 the state championship. Jeff Grose, championship mimicked the same Anderson 75-56 the Tigers’ Mr. Basketball, graduated feat the Giants had achieved ten in the spring of 1985, so Marion’s years earlier. Was a third The 1986-87 Team prospects of continuing a 40-game consecutive crown attainable? By now, the public was applying win streak looked viable. However, the moniker “Purple Reign” to the it was not to be. The Tigers were 1985-86 Roster Giants purple & gold- bedecked still plenty tough and prevailed 55- Jay Edwards 6-4 F team that appeared to be dominating 52. The Giants dropped two of their Eric Ewer 6-6 F the state’s basketball atmosphere. next four games, each by two points- Mike Craft 6-4 F “Purple Reign” seems to have been a -Fort Wayne Northrup 75-77, and Daric Keys 6-6 C homespun homonym associated with North Central 70-72. The team Jim Huddleston 6-4 C the movie “Purple Rain” which had relinquished its #1 state ranking Scott Hunt 6-6 C been released by Warner Brothers before picking up steam again and Lyndon Jones 6-3 G three years earlier. It was produced winning the last four games of the Kyle Persinger 6-4 G to showcase the talents of Prince, a regular season. Those winning ways Steve Walker 5-10 G popular rock star attempting to be a continued through the state Robert Stanley 5-11 G movie actor. Prince’s musical tournament, and the team found itself Kevin Spurgon 5-9 G artistry was never in question, but IHSBHS 2017 SUMMER ISSUE Page 8 the lead role in that film was the only Lafayette pulled off the upset, 78-74, perfect season for the Giants part in which Prince was ever cast on on its home court. It was the only culminated in a record of 29 wins screen. loss experienced by the Giants for against a single loss. Once again, the Giants were the the entire season and came against a choice of sportswriters to beat a path recognized out-of-state powerhouse. 1986-87 Roster to the state finals and, most probably, Lexington Lafayette, one of Jay Edwards 6-5 F to the championship. The odds Kentucky’s largest high schools, had Daric Keys 6-6 F Robert Stanley 6-0 F Anthony Butler 6-2 F Eric Ewer 6-6 C Scott Hunt 6-7 C Eric Krabbe 6-4 C Kyle Persinger 6-5 G Eric Persinger 6-3 G Steve Walker 5-11 G Derek Barnett 6-1 G

1986-87 Season Record Anderson Highland 68-62 Norwell 78-57 Anderson 77-59 Lawrence North 99-51 Kokomo 69-60 Huntington North 79-49 Lexington Laf. 74-78 1986-87 State Champions. Photo provided by the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Muncie North 73-45 Sorry, player i.d.’s not provided. Richmond 51-49 seemed to favor them, mostly been state champion five times New Castle 93-57 because of all the seasoned returnees previously, and was cruising toward Warsaw 84-50 on hand and the high level of court another good season in 1987. Lafayette Jeff 88-56 skills each had exhibited in the past. The remaining games on Marion’s FW Northrop 77-46 K. Persinger (6-5), Keys (6-6), Ewer regular season schedule presented Madison Heights 81-66 (6-6), Jones (6-3), and Edwards (6-5) few problems, except for a slowed North Central 85-68 were the driving force, while several up two-point cliff-hanging win over Blackford 49-32 promising underclassmen had the Red Devils of Richmond. Those Logansport 108-72 materialized to back them up. This two teams would ultimately meet Muncie Central 79-56 contingent had no problem again in the final game of the state Ind. Chatard 90-66 preserving its reputation as one of tournament. The Giants this season FW Snider 76-61 the best (and tallest) teams in the were an offensively oriented team, -Sectional- state and so was almost unanimously consistently racking up huge scores Elwood 81-57 selected as the number one ranked against their opponents. Ninety Mississinewa 66-48 high school team in Indiana, at points were exceeded eight times in Oak Hill 96-60 season’s start. It roared through its its first 24 games, and at least 100 -Regional- first six games without a hitch, points were scored twice. Marion’s Peru 106-69 chalking up victories with relative two contests at the finals at Market Bellmont 81-70 ease against some good competition. Square Arena in Indianapolis were -SemiState- The margin of victory averaged 30.5 nearly blow-outs, with Bedford Mich. City Rogers 95-63 points per contest. It took an North Lawrence (which featured Penn 97-62 outstanding Kentucky five at a freshman scoring sensation Damon -Finals- holiday event called the Bailey) going down 70-61, and Bedford N. Lawr. 70-61 Thoroughbred Classic to throttle the perennial foe Richmond (24-4) Richmond 69-56 rampaging Giants. Lexington falling this time by 69-56. A near- IHSBHS 2017 SUMMER ISSUE Page 9 Green’s Legacy by the school that absorbed their Lucas said. “And the game was a lot After the 1986-87 season ended, alma maters starting with the 1967- different than it is now. ‘It was a Bill Green left the high school ranks 68 school year. Now it’s all about slower-paced style of ball, and the for five years to assume the reins at the red, white, and blue of Indian sportsmanship was just different. If the University of Indianapolis. He Creek High School. you knocked someone down, you had less success at the college level Hoagland, the baby of the bunch would pick them up rather than just with the Greyhounds, compiling a at age 68, was part of Morgantown’s walk off.” record of 58-82. He then returned to final graduating class. The other To celebrate Indian Creek’s 50th- coach four more seasons at Marion four men squared off against each year anniversary, the boys’ (1993-96), each one concluded with other as part of the rivalries between basketball team will wear throw- a winning record. Coach Green was Morgantown, Nineveh, and Trafalgar back uniforms with NHJ (Nineveh- indisputably one of the most in the 1950s. Each is a walking, Hensley-Jackson) on the front of successful coaches in Indiana high talking reminder that boys’ each jersey for a home game. On school history. His is a name that’s basketball took place in these parts Jan. 27 (2017), Indian Creek players right up there with the greatest ever, prior to the opening of Indiana Creek are wearing purple Morgantown T- which would of course include such fifty years ago. It was special. shirts with the Trojans’ logo during icons as Everett Case, Marion “Hoosiers-esque,” if you will. pre-game and half time warm-ups. Crawley, Cliff Wells, Glenn Curtis, Ray Crowe, and Jack Butcher, to name a few. After retirement, Green’s overall record as an Indiana high school coach appears to be 411 wins against 171 losses. That’s an excellent winning percentage of 70.6.

WHEN BASKETBALL WAS KING by Mike Beas Editor’s Note: This article appeared recently in the Daily Journal, a newspaper circulated from Franklin, IN. Mike Beas, sportswriter, is the Left to right: Sam Hoagland (Morgantown, 1967), Joe DeHart (Trafalgar, 1954), Tim author. It was submitted to Boxscore Baird (Morgantown, 1954), Don Dugan (Nineveh, 1957), and Bruce Lucas, (Nineveh, 1954). Photo taken at Indian Creek High School gymnasium by Scotty Roberson/Daily by Roger Robison, IHSBHS Journal. president. The high school that Sam All five men, now ranging in age Shirts dedicated to the Trafalgar Hoagland proudly represented on up to 81, treasure memories of Redbirds (Feb. 10) and Nineveh basketball courts in and around capacity crowds shoehorned into Eagles (Feb. 17) will follow. Johnson County has ceased to exist quaint gyms. They remember the Hoagland, the president of for the past 50 years. Hoagland, who elevated sense of participation Morgantown’s senior class and wore the purple of the Morgantown through the week as Friday night’s student council during the 66-67 Trojans isn’t alone, however. game approached, and an all- school year, also played basketball Former Nineveh players Bruce Lucas encompassing school spirit that, for DeHart, the Trojans’ head coach and Don Dugan can make the same sadly, began fading away for four seasons in the early 1960s. claim—as can Joe DeHart, a 1954 generations ago as society changed “I would run through the wall for Trafalgar graduate, and Tim Baird, and entertainment options increased. that man if he asked me to,” who, like Hoagland, represented “Those were really good rivalries. Hoagland said. “He was my coach Morgantown. Rivals at the time, ‘A lot of good friendships. ‘All the my freshman and sophomore years these men are on friendlier terms, players knew the other players, and in basketball and cross country. ‘I united by their love of the game and everybody just got along good,” was awfully disappointed when he IHSBHS 2017 SUMMER ISSUE Page 10 decided to give up coaching, but I Dugan, whose children graduated necessary to pay tribute to him on could understand it even back then. from Indian Creek, can still rattle off the front page of the first edition of ‘He was from Trafalgar, and there players, coaches, and an opponent’s the Walnut Chips—the first school was a little bit of animosity. ‘We state ranking from his nights as a newspaper at Zionsville. upset them my sophomore year up Nineveh basketball player. So long Events on the national level also there on their home court. ‘They had ago, yet so yesterday! “It was highly hit close to home as the flu epidemic an excellent team in ’65 too. ‘They competitive.” ‘The gyms were were really tough.” crowded every time you played and, that was wreaking havoc worldwide Based on tournament to me, it was more exciting that made itself known in Zionsville. In accomplishments, Trafalgar was the way,” Dugan says. “The atmosphere early October, many cases were most successful of the three was pretty wild. ‘The crowd was reported, and health officials closed programs. The Redbirds won their right on top of you.” Laughing, he the schools in an effort to prevent the lone sectional in 1917, but picked up added, “I could hear my dad spread of the disease. A detailed three Johnson County tournament hollering at me every once in a outline of suggestions from health championships in 1922, 1957, and while. ‘He was too close to me, but I authorities was published in the 1958. Morgantown won a sectional wouldn’t tell him that. ‘I couldn’t Zionsville Times on October 10: in 1956, but never could bring back talk back to him.” the nets from the county tourney. Of the three, it might have been the 1919 1. All colds, however slight, Nineveh gymnasium that was the FEAR, ELATION, AND should be treated as possible most imposing venue for visiting ZIONSVILLE’S GREATEST attacks of influenza. Patients teams. “I guess Nineveh was the UPSET EVER affected by colds should stay toughest,” DeHart says. “It was a by at home and sterilize small court and a small gym, and we Kermit Paddack, IHSBHS Board discharge from the nose and liked a lot of room to run and work member throat. our fast break.” Asked if the THE FOLLOWING IS AN 2. Avoid feeling or spreading Nineveh court wasn’t the standard 84 EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK fear of the disease. feet in length, DeHart turns to Lucas. Zionsville Basketball, A Century of 3. Avoid crowds. Lucas assures that it was. Eagles: IT CAN BE ORDERED “Everything just came in on you at 4. Regulate bodily functions ONLINE AT and keep them so. the end of the court, I guess. ‘We ZIONSVILLEBASKETBALLHIST 5. Avoid the breath or always thought it was smaller, says ORY.COM OR BY MAIL USING DeHart. THE ORDER FORM AT THE expelled secretions from Morgantown’s proximity made it BACK OF THIS ISSUE OF THE people suffering from colds. so that Trafalgar and Martinsville BOXSCORE. 6. Wash out the nose and were the Trojans’ most anticipated The 1918-19 school year was a throat two or three times games, according to Baird. “We time that encompassed several daily by a nasal spray or only played Nineveh one time during changes and events that were douche and by a gargle with a my time at Morgantown, but we 'normal salt solution' (1/2 keyed for Trafalgar every year,” says paramount in the history of Baird, who played for Trojans’ coach Zionsville schools, as well as in the teaspoonful salt to one glass-- Keith Rhodes, a former player at United States as a whole. In early 8 ounces—of clean water). Butler University under the September the Zionsville Schools 7. All those in attendance on legendary Tony Hinkle. “We ran a said goodbye to Superintendent T.H. patients with influenza very sophisticated Butler system,” Stonecipher, who had held the job should wear masks such as continued Baird. “The year that for 11 years. During Stonecipher’s are provided by the Red Milan won the state, I could have tenure, 146 students graduated from Cross Nursing Bureau. gotten to (Crispus Attucks) coach ZHS, 97 of which entered colleges or 8. Clothing should be warm Ray Crowe or any of the coaches professional schools. So beloved and dry. Food simple and who played them and told them to easily digested. Drink water put a man on (Bobby Plump) and was Stonecipher that more than four play a four man zone.” years after he left, students felt it freely. IHSBHS 2017 SUMMER ISSUE Page 11 Deaths on account of the sickness team being infected with the mumps, said to be the team’s “main cog” in were frequent and often reported on and a game with Westfield was the game with 14 points to his credit. the front page of the Zionsville played in Noblesville to avoid a flu The win on Friday evening created Times. However, the threat faded scare in the former town. Regardless a matchup for Zionsville that was and apprehension subsided as the of confusion, certain results were certainly exciting but also terrifying. schools reopened on November 4. recorded and reported for 20 regular A 2 p.m. tipoff was scheduled for The demise of one fear was season games with the record Saturday against Lebanon, a team followed shortly thereafter by consisting of 14 wins and six losses. that won the state championship the extreme jubilation when on The team even posted an impressive two previous years (1917 and 1918). November 11 it was announced an seven game-win streak at one point, More recently, they dismantled armistice had officially ended the and they did not lose a game in the Kirklin on Friday (54-3) and Great War (World War I). Reports month of December. Frankfort (31-6) on Saturday to said the biggest noise the world had Newspaper coverage was sparse reach the semifinal round. ever heard was made as celebration, when it came to sports in these early According to LHS coach, Rex Dale, and the people of Zionsville did their years; however, a full roster of the his players were somewhat tired, and part to contribute. The townspeople team was printed in the November their star, Fred “Cat” Adam, was used anything they had at hand to 28 edition of the Zionsville Times slightly hurt during the morning make noise, and an enormous bonfire that included first and last names. game. This provided little comfort was put together near town hall to The team members were as follows: to the Zionsville team that had never champion the occasion. The whole Clyde White (captain), Dillard beaten a first-string team from the town and part of the surrounding Collins (floor captain), Earl Marsh, county seat. country folk were on hand, and all Loring Lowe, Tilton Shelburne, The excitement was palpable as a those assembled hoped such a Merritt Gault, Elmer Baldock, and capacity crowd of 1,200, including celebration would not be needed Elmer Harvey. It was also noted the 300 Lebanon-specific, fans turned again. “basket ball team should be the idol out for the start of the game. It The basketball season that of the school, physically, mentally began slow and took five minutes followed may not have influenced and morally.” It can be assumed the before the 0-0 tie was broken by a the nation, but the results were still team held this standard as it was Lebanon basket. Despite a exciting for the small town at home. never reported otherwise. frequently acknowledged height Once again, a schedule for the Once again, the sectional advantage, Zionsville had trouble season was announced in early tournament required the team to getting shots and keeping the ball November, and an announcement travel north, only this time they even during the early stages of the game. was made that no season tickets had to leave Boone County and head As the contest wore on, Lebanon would be sold due to the uncertainty to Frankfort, Clinton County. The acquired eight more points despite of playing games. Instead, competition included Flora, poor shooting from under their own admission of 20 cents was charged to Lebanon, Kirklin, Rossville, Delphi, basket. At the half LHS held a 10-0 everyone. The slate included 17 Thorntown, Burlington, Advance, lead, and things looked dim for the games and had a few open dates they Colfax, Bringhurst, Cutler, ZHS squad, to say the least. hoped to fill. The exact number of Scircleville, and Frankfort. ZHS During the intermission, Lebanon games played is still a bit mysterious drew Scircleville for the second decided to change uniforms due to due to the erratic newspaper consecutive year, and the result, also similarity to the Zionsville teams’. coverage of the day combined with a for the second consecutive year, was Something in the uniform change significant amount of changes made a win. The game seemed to never be must have inspired the ZHS squad as to accommodate large amounts of in question as they led 15-1 at the things quickly began to turn around. sickness on other squads. half and closed it out at 30-8. In a Dillard Collins scored a long field Mooresville, for example, was bit of foreshadowing, the young goal, and Elmer Harvey added two rescheduled twice because of their Elmer Harvey, a sophomore, was more baskets. This moved the score IHSBHS 2017 SUMMER ISSUE Page 12 to 12-6, and the sudden revival many thought Zionsville would make years to come. It was the first time began to turn the crowd in favor of a fight out of it. However, they were Zionsville managed to post a victory Zionsville. Merritt Gault managed sadly mistaken. It seemed more over the big boys that played in the another long field goal that got the likely the afternoon game took all the shadow of the courthouse and crowd in a frenzy and had the team fight they had for the day. showed they were able to compete. within five points. Harvey added Thorntown quickly came out It took a while before ZHS made it two more baskets for ZHS to bring swinging, gained an early lead, and back to this sort of excitement and them within one. What seemed never looked back as they took home success, but the win in 1919 did impossible at the half now felt like the championship with a 22-9 provide the first taste of success for some sort of destiny for the Green victory. THS made it to the the town and the program. and Brown from Zionsville. With semifinals of the state championship momentum in their favor, Zionsville the following week at Purdue before To read the rest of Zionsville’s got the ball back, and things became they fell to Bloomington. basketball history as written in tense under the basket. Once more, Fresh off his unexpected heroics, Zionsville Basketball, a Century of Harvey managed to get a shot up, Elmer “Steve” Harvey told his Eagles, you can order a copy at and it fell through the net as the teammates they would win zionsvillebasketballhistory.com, or crowd erupted in cheers and “something” in the state tournament place an order by using the form at Zionsville took a 14-13 lead. With next year. While this might have the end of this Boxscore issue. only a minute to play, Lebanon been an erroneous prediction, it did managed a couple of shots show confidence in the team after EDITOR’S REMARKS unsuccessfully. As the last seconds such a lofty success. For Harvey, he ticked off the clock, the crowd would be a leader on the team for the IHSBHS is hungry for materials spilled onto the floor, bursting with next two years before graduating that any of its members might like to furnish us for personal excitement for the tremendous upset from ZHS in 1921. After high storylines. We’ve been receiving they just witnessed. school he went to Indiana University some pretty good stuff from time For the Zionsville supporters on where he played one year of to time over the years, but we hand, the game was an emotional basketball and earned a chemistry certainly don’t want the pantry to roller coaster that started with degree in 1925. He spent his next 39 hold empty shelves any time soon. disappointment and ended with years working for the Dupont Our ranks are filled with former euphoria. Later accounts of the Chemical company. Although he ballplayers having had past scene cited laughing, crying, singing, lived in New Jersey, his connection experiences worth sharing with and whistling as well as hugs, kisses, readers. We’d like to know about fainting, and people throwing hats to Zionsville stayed strong as he always maintained a subscription to them, even if you might consider and coats. Superintendent J.L. them trivial. You’d be surprised the Zionsville Times and kept up with Pleasant was so excited he called how entertained subscribers can back home to the Corner Drugstore the happenings of the town. He was be when they read personal twice to let everybody know the boys always proud of the 1919 team, and accounts of former seasons, had beaten the champions. On the when it was announced the school ballgames, or perhaps obscure other side of things, the Lebanon was giving away the pictures that events. You don’t need to be a faithful were simply stunned, frozen, hung in the halls, he made sure to professional writer to do this, and unable to process the secure the team photo. It stayed in either. General opinions or disappointment that had befallen his home for the rest of his life and comments are good, even if you’ve them. had limited or no experience of That evening, the championship now hangs in the office of his son James in North Carolina. Elmer your own on the courts. Please let game in Clinton County was played us hear from you. between two teams from Boone “Steve” Harvey passed away in County. Thorntown provided the October of 1979. opposition, and after the surprise win The win over Lebanon was one over the defending state champions, that would be recounted locally for IHSBHS 2017 SUMMER ISSUE Page 13

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