Version V 2.0 provides additional info at the end of the Post
WARNING---This Post contains some material that may be offensive to some readers!
This story of the greatest basketball game I ever saw IN PERSON started at the Westport Baptist Youth Camp in the summer of 1957. I was assigned to a cabin that had many campers from Madison. For whatever reason, I immediately made friends with one of the Madison campers. Before the week was out I really bonded with the guys from Madison. The big topic of discussion was about the upcoming basketball season and what a great team Madison was slated to put on the hardwood.
My initial, and best friend, and I wrote to each other when we got home and I think I even saw him once down at Madison. Somehow, before the start of the 1958 Sectional at Scottsburg, he invited me to sit with the Madison fans.
The first game of the Sectional pitted the highly ranked Scottsburg Warriors against the unheralded small Catholic school---Madison Shawe Hiltoppers. Every fan, player, and sportswriter just knew the finals would be Madison Cubs vs Scottsburg Warriors. Scottsburg, as the host team, had a large number of seats directly across the floor from the Madison fans. Both were seated in sections just as you entered the gym, but on opposite sides of the court.
Even before the Shawe vs Scottsburg game started the fans from Madison and the fans from Scottsburg were exchanging, "We got Spirit, Yes we do...."
(There was a rumor the Scottsburg Gym was built because the seniors would perhaps take the State Championship. I have recently communicated with a Scottsburg person who runs the Warriors' web site and she said the gym was built in 1956 in an attempt to steal the Sectional from Madison. They did and Madison built a new gym and won it back. The 1958 Warriors team was 16-2 going into the Sectionals.)
The Shawe vs Scottsburg game was close all the way. Through some very late second heroics, Shawe put the game into overtime. Somehow Shawe won the game 44-41. Of course the Madison Cubs fans were going crazy because their biggest obstacle had just been eliminated.
The Scottsburg cheerleaders, some of the players, and many of their fans were crying at a deep emotional level of disappointment and genuine heartache. Individual fans from Scottsburg and Madison started taunting each other. Most of the spectators just sat motionless. We had just witnessed a modern day David defeats Goliath basketball game.
Before the next game started some of the girls from Madison returned from the restroom and reported grown women from Scottsburg and Madison were fighting---hair pulling and all. The games that followed mattered little to either Madison or Scottsburg. The shouting across the court grew in intensity. It was what ABC would later say of their Wide World of Sports: "The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" A large number of Scottsburg police showed up and when the games were over I didn't see any fights, just lots of name calling. By the way Madison Shawe would defeat PCHS and go on to be beaten by Madison. Madison defeated Austin for the Sectional title.
HERE'S WHERE THE WARNING IS APPLICABLE:
The second night of the Sectional was tension filled from the start. The infamous Sheriff Jug Raiser and several of his Jefferson County deputies were present, along with a score of other law enforcement officials. To understand what follows it is necessary to report that Madison had many great players, Buster Briley best known, and one starting African American player--I think it was one of Humes brothers.
I was again seated in the Madison section and the taunting grew and grew. I don't know if what followed was planned or a spur of the moment action. The boys from Madison said in loud, coordinated voice, "Hey Scottsburg! Say Scottsburg! E*T us!!!!" I could not believe what I had just heard.
Very few seconds went by before the boys from Scottsburg shouted back, "Hey Madison! Say Madison! We don't E*T dark meat!" It was as if all voices in the gym went mute at the same time. What had just happened was racist, vulgar and mean spirited. This was after all Indiana, not New York or LA.
What happened next is where I went from shock and anger to being afraid. A pistol was fired from the extreme end of the Madison section. Instantly, Sheriff Raiser and two deputies charged into the Madison section. I cannot swear in a court of law that I actually saw the pistol. I did see something black being passed rapidly from fan to fan in the row just in front of me. Whether this was just a blank track starting pistol or a real firearm will probably never be known.
The taunting calmed a bit and attention went back to the games. The last night of the Sectional the National Guard was there, maybe just to direct traffic or maybe to prevent a riot. Many of the Scottsburg fans didn't show up for the final game. Those that did cheered wildly for Austin. I lost track of my Madison friends after the Sectional.
Now you can see why I call this Post THE GAME and THE SHAME.
ADDITIONAL INFO: My source in Scottsburg stated the 1956 Warriors team went 23-3 and lost to Oscar Robertson's team at the Semi-State.
Some may question my motivation in putting this Post on my Blog:
1. I had provided the major portion of this Post to the Sports Editor of the Madison Courier several months ago. Maybe he doubted my truthfulness; maybe he felt the story was too sensitive to print---it does not cast the fans of Madison in a favorable light; or maybe he felt it happened so long ago it would be of little interest to current readers. For whatever reason, he chose not to print it. I feel it must be told in the hopes it never happens again.
2. From a selfish point of view, I feel a need to go on record that I had no part in this regrettable incident. Even after 50 plus years, this incident remains as the low point in my high school experience. I am ashamed and embarrassed to been have sitting with the fans of one of the two schools involved.
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
THEY BEAT HIM LIKE A RENTED MULE !!!
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."--Galatians 6:7 (KJV)
My wife is from Columbus and during our summer visits I would walk to the wonderful softball/baseball complex at the city park.
On this one summer evening, I walked from field to field admiring the teenagers and young adults who played as I once thought I played! I saw the father of a PCHS graduate who was on the mound pitching. After shaking hands, I was introduced to the PCHS alum's new wife. His father sternly admonished me not to call out the graduate's name because he had been brought in as an illegal "ringer" and was playing under an assumed name. This big game was to qualify for the league playoffs.
Instead of leading his "new" team to victory, he gave up hit after hit and run after run. Even the 8,9, &10 hitters from the opposing team had a big league hitting night against the "ringer." I watched the slaughter until the game was stopped because of the "Mercy Run Rule."
Dejectedly, the PCHS graduate walked off the field and into the stands, shook hands, said a few words and he and his family quickly exited, lest his true identity be discovered.
I think the title of this Post and Bible verse summarizes the entire experience very nicely!
My wife is from Columbus and during our summer visits I would walk to the wonderful softball/baseball complex at the city park.
On this one summer evening, I walked from field to field admiring the teenagers and young adults who played as I once thought I played! I saw the father of a PCHS graduate who was on the mound pitching. After shaking hands, I was introduced to the PCHS alum's new wife. His father sternly admonished me not to call out the graduate's name because he had been brought in as an illegal "ringer" and was playing under an assumed name. This big game was to qualify for the league playoffs.
Instead of leading his "new" team to victory, he gave up hit after hit and run after run. Even the 8,9, &10 hitters from the opposing team had a big league hitting night against the "ringer." I watched the slaughter until the game was stopped because of the "Mercy Run Rule."
Dejectedly, the PCHS graduate walked off the field and into the stands, shook hands, said a few words and he and his family quickly exited, lest his true identity be discovered.
I think the title of this Post and Bible verse summarizes the entire experience very nicely!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
An Innocent Wave Equals Big Trouble
It was February 1959 and the PCHS basketball team journeyed to Scottsburg to prepare for our forthcoming Sectional game. The huge empty gym amplified the squeaks of our Chuck Taylor All-Star tennis shoes. Our practice session was uneventful, just like our early exit in the Sectional.
It is here my recollection of events is far from certain. But here is my version. On the way back to our cars we walked across the school yard to save some time. Without premeditation or purposeful forethought, we walked past a series of windows which revealed a classroom that was probably a girl's Home Economics class.
Who waved first will never be determined. But what followed was a series of waves both inside and outside the classroom. I recall several of the girls actually came to the window to checkout the Pirates basketball squad. At no time was there any intent to disrupt an on-going class. The waving may have been over in 30 seconds or so. We walked on and loaded the cars and returned to school.
When we arrived back at the Old Brick School House, Mr. Harris, the principal, met us and read us articles one-two- and three of the Riot Act. Our innocent waving had made its way up the chain of command to his office.The strong punishment was quickly announced by Mr. Harris: Suspension and PCHS withdrawing from the Sectional. Silence followed, until he said (my memory is tested here but I believe, he said something like, "IF a letter of apology is prepared expressing regret for your unseemly actions we'll start over." With one accord we were all ready to accept this "plea bargain."
I don't recall who exactly put pen to paper: but I was part of a team of three that composed its contents. The letter was given to Mr. Harris and I don't recall if he announced the verdict that afternoon or the next day. The apology was accepted and the game was on and the suspensions were called off!
It is here my recollection of events is far from certain. But here is my version. On the way back to our cars we walked across the school yard to save some time. Without premeditation or purposeful forethought, we walked past a series of windows which revealed a classroom that was probably a girl's Home Economics class.
Who waved first will never be determined. But what followed was a series of waves both inside and outside the classroom. I recall several of the girls actually came to the window to checkout the Pirates basketball squad. At no time was there any intent to disrupt an on-going class. The waving may have been over in 30 seconds or so. We walked on and loaded the cars and returned to school.
When we arrived back at the Old Brick School House, Mr. Harris, the principal, met us and read us articles one-two- and three of the Riot Act. Our innocent waving had made its way up the chain of command to his office.The strong punishment was quickly announced by Mr. Harris: Suspension and PCHS withdrawing from the Sectional. Silence followed, until he said (my memory is tested here but I believe, he said something like, "IF a letter of apology is prepared expressing regret for your unseemly actions we'll start over." With one accord we were all ready to accept this "plea bargain."
I don't recall who exactly put pen to paper: but I was part of a team of three that composed its contents. The letter was given to Mr. Harris and I don't recall if he announced the verdict that afternoon or the next day. The apology was accepted and the game was on and the suspensions were called off!
Monday, June 27, 2011
My Post -1959 Favorite Sports Movies
1. Overall Favorite Sports Movie:
Chariots of Fire (1981) winner of four Oscars--Best Picture, Best Musical Score, Best Costume Design and Best Original Screen Play. Great story , mostly true, of Eric Liddel who ran for God's Glory and Harold Abraham who ran to overcome prejudice. Both were members of the 1924 British Olympic Track and Field team.
Title based on biblical reference: 2 Kings 2:11 & 6:17
Best Lines:
Eric Liddell: "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure."
Harold Abrahams:" Aubery, I've known the fear of losing, but now I am almost frightened to win."
2. Favorite Baseball Movie:
The Natural (1984) A couple of off-the field mistakes keeps this hard throwing left hander from his dream of the Big Leagues. After 16 years this "Rookie" gets his shot as a right fielder. He is a hitting phenom. Brings a last place team to the brink of winning the National League. land an old injury try to keep him out of the big game. In true Hollywood fashion, the NY Knights win with Roy Hobbes' big last inning homer.
(Personal Note: I had my dreams of playing in the Major Leagues cut short by a freak accident----- NO TALENT!)
Many Great Lines:
Iris Gaines: You know, I believe we have two lives.
Roy Hobbs: How... what do you mean?
Iris Gaines: The life we learn with and the life we live with after that.
Pop Fisher: I shoulda been a farmer.
.Roy Hobbs: Pick me out a winner Bobby
3.Favorite Basketball Movie:
Hoosiers (1986) As mentioned in my very first Post, this movie was the fictional account of a real event. It was not the Hickory Huskers who pulled off the miracle, rather it was the Milan Indiana in 1954 who won it all on Bobby Plump's last second shot. This movie is THE movie to describe Indiana during my high school experience.
The great quotes tell the story:
Preacher Purl: And David put his hand in the bag and took out a stone and slung it. And it struck the Philistine on the head and he fell to the ground. Amen.
Coach Norman Dale: Welcome to Indiana basketball.
Coach Norman Dale: You know, in the ten years that I coached, I never met anybody who wanted to win as badly as I did. I'd do anything I had to do to increase my advantage. Anybody who tried to block the pursuit of that advantage, I'd just push 'em out of the way. Didn't matter who they were, or what they were doing. But that was then. You have special talent, a gift. Not the school's, not the townspeople, not the team's, not Myra Fleener's, not mine. It's yours, to do with what you choose. Because that's what I believe, I can tell you this: I don't care if you play on the team or not.
Merle Webb: Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here.
Coach Norman Dale: I love you guys.
Chariots of Fire (1981) winner of four Oscars--Best Picture, Best Musical Score, Best Costume Design and Best Original Screen Play. Great story , mostly true, of Eric Liddel who ran for God's Glory and Harold Abraham who ran to overcome prejudice. Both were members of the 1924 British Olympic Track and Field team.
Title based on biblical reference: 2 Kings 2:11 & 6:17
Best Lines:
Eric Liddell: "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure."
Harold Abrahams:" Aubery, I've known the fear of losing, but now I am almost frightened to win."
2. Favorite Baseball Movie:
The Natural (1984) A couple of off-the field mistakes keeps this hard throwing left hander from his dream of the Big Leagues. After 16 years this "Rookie" gets his shot as a right fielder. He is a hitting phenom. Brings a last place team to the brink of winning the National League. land an old injury try to keep him out of the big game. In true Hollywood fashion, the NY Knights win with Roy Hobbes' big last inning homer.
(Personal Note: I had my dreams of playing in the Major Leagues cut short by a freak accident----- NO TALENT!)
Many Great Lines:
Iris Gaines: You know, I believe we have two lives.
Roy Hobbs: How... what do you mean?
Iris Gaines: The life we learn with and the life we live with after that.
Pop Fisher: I shoulda been a farmer.
.Roy Hobbs: Pick me out a winner Bobby
3.Favorite Basketball Movie:
Hoosiers (1986) As mentioned in my very first Post, this movie was the fictional account of a real event. It was not the Hickory Huskers who pulled off the miracle, rather it was the Milan Indiana in 1954 who won it all on Bobby Plump's last second shot. This movie is THE movie to describe Indiana during my high school experience.
The great quotes tell the story:
Preacher Purl: And David put his hand in the bag and took out a stone and slung it. And it struck the Philistine on the head and he fell to the ground. Amen.
Coach Norman Dale: Welcome to Indiana basketball.
Coach Norman Dale: You know, in the ten years that I coached, I never met anybody who wanted to win as badly as I did. I'd do anything I had to do to increase my advantage. Anybody who tried to block the pursuit of that advantage, I'd just push 'em out of the way. Didn't matter who they were, or what they were doing. But that was then. You have special talent, a gift. Not the school's, not the townspeople, not the team's, not Myra Fleener's, not mine. It's yours, to do with what you choose. Because that's what I believe, I can tell you this: I don't care if you play on the team or not.
Merle Webb: Let's win this game for all the small schools that never had a chance to get here.
Coach Norman Dale: I love you guys.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Coaches
Cross country at PCHS, my senior year, was primarily conditioning for the coming basketball season. We all wore our basketball shoes, Chuck Taylor All-Stars when we ran. (Chuck Taylor was from Columbus, In and I think a new pair cost $6.95 in 1959.)
We had a big meet at Vernon and Coach Arlin Hooker had a master plan to win the meet. Vernon had a very, very good runner in Roger Vawter. Coach Hooker told us his plan called for Gary Vaught to be a "rabbit" and run as fast as he could as long as he could. This plan would sucker Vawter out and when he wore out, Ralph Davis, who was our best runner, would catch him and we would win the meet.
The gun sounded and Gary shot out as planned. Vawter ran with him as planned. Gary quickly tired and slowed down. Vawter didn't slow down and went on to set a new school and meet record!!!!
Coach Hooker used negative motivation on me. At the half way split he would give us our times and try to motivate us. At one meet he said, "Peck, get that piano off your back. If you drop it you are liable to hurt somebody!" I ran that much harder. He knew my hot button.
At another meet, he said to me at the split, "I am going to the car and if you ever get done, come to the car." I put it in high gear and ran even faster!
As I recall, my best two mile time was a little over 11 minutes on a flat course at Austin High School with near perfect conditions.
How I wish I could get back in better shape. During my last year , 1983, in the USAF, I ran 3-5 miles M-F. We had a couple of marathon runners at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH. They ran in all of the big marathons, Boston, NYC, Chicago, etc.
We had a big meet at Vernon and Coach Arlin Hooker had a master plan to win the meet. Vernon had a very, very good runner in Roger Vawter. Coach Hooker told us his plan called for Gary Vaught to be a "rabbit" and run as fast as he could as long as he could. This plan would sucker Vawter out and when he wore out, Ralph Davis, who was our best runner, would catch him and we would win the meet.
The gun sounded and Gary shot out as planned. Vawter ran with him as planned. Gary quickly tired and slowed down. Vawter didn't slow down and went on to set a new school and meet record!!!!
Coach Hooker used negative motivation on me. At the half way split he would give us our times and try to motivate us. At one meet he said, "Peck, get that piano off your back. If you drop it you are liable to hurt somebody!" I ran that much harder. He knew my hot button.
At another meet, he said to me at the split, "I am going to the car and if you ever get done, come to the car." I put it in high gear and ran even faster!
As I recall, my best two mile time was a little over 11 minutes on a flat course at Austin High School with near perfect conditions.
How I wish I could get back in better shape. During my last year , 1983, in the USAF, I ran 3-5 miles M-F. We had a couple of marathon runners at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH. They ran in all of the big marathons, Boston, NYC, Chicago, etc.
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