Talking to a Legend: Ervin Stepp

I put this in Boy's Basketball because that is how Stepp is best remembered:

The name Ervin Stepp is a legendary name in the annals of basketball history in Eastern Kentucky. As players that were the greatest of their generation, you’ll find Stepp sandwiched between the great “King” Kelly Coleman of Wayland and Clay County’s sharp-shooting Richie Farmer on a timeline.

Stepp, who played for the Phelps Hornets, took scoring to levels that will likely never be witnessed again. If you’re unaware of Ervin Stepp, take a glance at the KHSAA record books and prepare to be dazzled. Kelly Coleman’s 46.8 scoring average for the 1955-56 season ranks third in the KHSAA record books list for Most Points Scored-Per Game-Season. In the top two spots, you’ll find Ervin Stepp in 1978-79 with a 47.2 average and Stepp again in 1979-80 with an absurd 53.7 points per game average. Did you catch that? That is a 53.7 scoring average for an entire high school season – in an era before the three-point line was ever imagined. Those averages led to 2,724 points in only two seasons.

Stepp recalls several memories from his high school days that were rare in the Phelps area. He remembers sitting in a high school classroom and having the class interrupted by a reporting crew from CBS. He remembers winning the prestigious Hertz #1 award. Then, there is the Kentucky Mr. Basketball award in he earned in 1980. He is also quick to point out the intense, “knock-down, drag-out” battles in the Stepp-family backyard.

Ervin grew up with several family members that are basketball legends in their own right. His older brother Joe led the state in scoring in 1971 and 1972. Another brother, Jim, led the state in scoring in 1978. Then, Ervin came along and led the entire nation in scoring in 1979 and 1980. He describes his late father as “being way ahead of his time” in teaching basketball and his uncle Orville as “a great player during his time.” The Stepp name is synonymous with great basketball and is well known throughout Eastern Kentucky.

I sat down with Ervin Stepp last night and what I discovered is a man that is as passionate about the sport of basketball as any person I have ever met. Here is my discussion with the legendary Ervin Stepp.

Check out the Interview

Nice interview. Good job. I stumbled on an article about Phil Cox (Mr. Basketball '81) from Cawood High School a few years ago and it's always great to see where these guys end up in life.

Nice interview. Good job. I stumbled on an article about Phil Cox (Mr. Basketball '81) from Cawood High School a few years ago and it's always great to see where these guys end up in life.

I have never talked to anyone, hands down, that loves basketball more than Ervin Stepp.

Awesome interview, I actually loved the non basketball part of his life.

He certainly likes talking about himself and his stats!

He certainly likes talking about himself and his stats!

I certainly would to if I averaged 53.7 PPG for an entire season :thumb:

I think it's also important to note that certainly likes talking about God, as well.

I am sure he was a great player, but he was not the best one in the state in 1980 and should not have won Mr. Basketball. Dicky Beal of Cov. Holmes deserved the award and got shafted.

I am sure he was a great player, but he was not the best one in the state in 1980 and should not have won Mr. Basketball. Dicky Beal of Cov. Holmes deserved the award and got shafted.

I'm sure Dicky Beal was a great player, but it's hard to argue against 53.7 PPG - with no 3-point line.

Ervin Stepp was agreat high school player. I remember The LHL running a special box on him so that their readers could keep up with his scoring exploits. He was a step slow for the next level. I saw his last collegiate game and even playing at the NAIA level he was not quick enough. He had great skills but square wheels.

I'm sure Dicky Beal was a great player, but it's hard to argue against 53.7 PPG - with no 3-point line.

I'm pretty sure Dicky as well as many others in the state could have averaged that playing that schedule and taking the amount of shots that Stepp averaged. I wonder why he didn't mention his scoring exploits at EKU when he played against decent competition. What were his averages there?

Anyone that thinks Ervin was a better baller than Dicky simply doesn't understand b-ball. Dicky was Mr Basketball to everyone besides the voters.

Anyone that thinks Ervin was a better baller than Dicky simply doesn't understand b-ball. Dicky was Mr Basketball to everyone besides the voters.

:scared::scared::scared:

We had this discussion before. Stepp was a great player, but he wasn't the best of that era, even in eastern Kentucky. Phil Cox was Mr. Basketball in 1981 and was the all-time leading scorer at Vanderbilt.

I'm sure Dicky Beal was a great player, but it's hard to argue against 53.7 PPG - with no 3-point line.

How many did he average from the free throw line though? I didn't see him play in high school but people who did have told me that if you got in breathing range of him a foul was called.

How many did he average from the free throw line though? I didn't see him play in high school but people who did have told me that if you got in breathing range of him a foul was called.

He said in the interview that he averaged 14-15 points a game from the line. :ylsuper: