Alumni Haven Ct., Tampa, FL 33607 • Email [email protected] • Issue 38 Cinnati Hughes
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Jerry Lucas pressman in a paper mill and his mother worked Footnote: In my senior year at Portsmouth High School on an assembly line in a box factory) who only More than 150 colleges showed interest in (1954-1955) the Trojans had an outstanding lost one game in the three years that he played him. But Lucas didn't want to be bothered, and he varsity basketball for Middletown. entrusted his recruiting to his dad, coach Walker basketball team. During the regular season we (& Mid-50s Classes) won 15 games and lost only 3. Our tournament Lucas became the most dominating high school and Nardiello, sports editor at The Journal. Lu- The 1955 trojan student PRINTS record ended at 5 and 1 when we lost to Cin- basketball player that the State of Ohio had seen cas made it known that if anyone approached December 2006 • Send news articles and/or photos to Frank Hunter, 3379 HiddenAlumni Haven Ct., Tampa, FL 33607 • Email [email protected] • Issue 38 cinnati Hughes. Overall, Coach George Heller’s to that point in time. him directly about playing college basketball, he Fifty years ago (1956) Lucas, a sophomore, led wouldn't go to that college. miraculous “Six Shooters” posted a fine record New U.S. Grant Bridge Opens the gym. The school, which owns the property of 20 wins and 4 losses. Middletown to the big school (Class A) champi- At least one famed coach, however, attempt- New PHS Sports Complex? More than five years after the State of Ohio By JEFF TAEPKE the old school was built on, will use some of the One of the things that made that 54-55 season onship by scoring 97 points in the Middies’ two ed to bypass Lucas' support group. During his closed down the historic U. S. Grant Bridge PDT Sports Writer funds to purchase extra lots around the school to great was that the Trojans made a clean sweep of state-tournament games in Cleveland. senior season, Lucas was in English class when over the Ohio River, Portsmouth city officials Monday, October 23, 2006 11:32 PM EDT expand the complex. Ohio’s perennial cage powers. We defeated Mid- In the semi-final game undefeated Middletown he heard a knock on the door. University of Ken- expressed relief that its upgraded replacement Portsmouth High School is getting a new ath- Most of the property the school needs is dletown, Hamilton, and Springfield each twice- faced undefeated Cleveland East Tech. Middle- tucky coach Adolph Rupp was waiting in the hall- opened Monday, October 16, 2006. letics complex. Past that, it's all up in the air. owned by realtor Neal Hatcher, though there are both in Grant Gym and on their home floors. town won easily, 99 to 78, and Lucas scored way. "Adolph Rupp was a god in those times," Lu- The Ohio Department of transportation shut The Portsmouth City School Board passed other property owners in the area.Hatcher said In the seventh game of the season the Tro- 53 points, a state tournament record. In the fi- cas said. But Lucas didn't care, and he let Rupp down the old U. S. Grant Bridge in July 2001 to a resolution on Thursday that would allow the both he and the Portsmouth City School Board jans beat Middletown 81 to 60 at Middletown. nal game undefeated Middletown played Canton know that Kentucky was off the list. "I don't know begin a three-year project to dismantle and re- school to “explore and ascertain the feasibility have been on hold because Hatcher was waiting Billy Clifford was the Trojan’s high scorer with McKinley for the state crown. Again, Middletown how you got in the school, and I refuse to talk to place it with a wider bridge that could handle and desirability of developing the site of the for- for the go-ahead by a developer to build a shop- 28 points with Curt Gentry close behind with easily topped Canton McKinley, 91 to 69, with Lu- anyone," Lucas remembers telling Rupp. "I don't heavier loads. But the department said the proj- mer Portsmouth High School and its surrounding ping center in that area. When he didn't receive a 24 points. In the twelfth game of the season, at cas scoring 44 points while holding his counter- want to be rude, but I have to go to English class. ect was delayed because of design problems, the area into an athletic complex” as well as a loca- call, Hatcher turned to the school board. U.S. Grant gymnasium, PHS beat the Middies 56 point to a single point. But you don't have to worry - I will never go to weather and high water. tion for other education-related functions such “I've been accumulating this property for to 41. This time Curt Gentry led the Trojans with Middletown repeated as state champions the Kentucky." Portsmouth city officials said that the delay as a central office and renovation of the former eight or nine years for a shopping center,” 18 points and Milt Parker was close on his heels next year (57) and extended its winning streak In fact, Lucas visited just one college cam- hurt business in downtown Portsmouth. They gymnasium. Although the school is in the pro- Hatcher said. “We've been working with devel- with 14 points. to 76 games before losing to Columbus North in pus - Ohio State. And that's where he ultimately also said that it might take time for business to cess of finding an architect for the complex, the opers for years, but nothing has developed with I’m sure that you recall all the names of those the state semi-finals in 58. The Middies’ streak attended."I liked the atmosphere of Ohio State," rebound because travelers are so accustomed to boundaries will stretch north from Gallia Street to any of them. If the school board is interested in “Six Shooters”: senior Curt Gentry, senior Milton remains the longest in Ohio boys basketball his- Lucas said. " I have always been pleased with that using the nearby Carl Perkins Bridge, where traf- Ninth Street and west from Waller to Findlay. this project, I'm all for it, and will cooperate in Parker, senior Billy Clifford, junior Jerry Higgins, tory. Lucas twice earned Ohio Player of the Year decision." OSU offered Lucas an academic schol- fic was rerouted. “It's going to be a brand new, first-class fa- any way possible to see it happen.” junior Don “Duck” Frazier, and junior Bruce and Parade magazine’s All-American honor. He arship, which he wanted, instead of an athletic A Portsmouth city councilman said that just cility,” said Portsmouth Athletic Director Tom Broughton said some of the businesses Johnson. Coach Heller was assisted that season scored a state record of 2,466 points in his var- one. having the bridge open again will encourage Grashel. “We're looking at a new football sta- around the area, and the Second Presbyterian by Charles Lorentz and Richard Hopkins, Jr. Also, sity career. Lucas' commitment alone may have spawned more people to travel across the river. "It's the dium, a new baseball stadium and other things Church, will be exempt from consideration when I wouldn’t want to fail to mention our two fine Middletown, a booming town in the 1950s OSU's basketball dynasty in the early 1960s. After gateway to southern Ohio,"he said "I think it's like a softball field and tennis courts. It's an open obtaining the necessary land for the project. senior basketball managers: Kenny Amick and (much like Portsmouth) always embraced its his senior season in high school, Jerry Nardiello, going to be a great asset to our community." slate.” But with the project in its infant stages, there Charlie McKelvey. Middies. It is said that managers would have to the local newspaper sports director was driving There has been speculation about how much is still much to get accomplished before any ac- However, the next year a young sophomore shut down factories on basketball Friday nights Lucas back to Middletown from an all-star game Best City to Live & Work In money the school will receive for the facility, as tion can be taken, she said. from Middletown by the name of Jerry Lucas because the workers would not show up for in Fort Wayne, Ind., when Lucas disclosed his de- Think you could name some of the best well as where the funds will come from. Ports- However, when it is completed, the complex burst upon the Ohio basketball scene and every- work, electing either to go to the games or stay cision to those in the car. Riding with Nardiello cities in which to live and work in the U.S.? Is mouth Superintendent Jan Broughton said all of should be a boon to business in the downtown thingchanged. The Trojan 1955-1956 basketball home and listen to them on the radio. was Ohio prep basketball star and future NBA Portsmouth, Ohio on your list? How about Rock the money will come from grants and denotations area as well as giving the Trojan athletes a new season was still a good one. The Trojans went 16 Lucas would go on to win a national NCAA title great John Havlicek along with future OSU stand- Island, Illinois? Well they should be. They may be from the private sector, meaning there will be no place to call home. and 7. But, they lost to Middletown three times at The Ohio State University, an Olympic gold outs Gary Gearhart and Mel Nowell.