Here's an SI Vault look at Indiana's obsession with HS hoops in the mid-'50s. I'm guessing it mirrors the Kentucky experience in those days.

 

The Hoosier Madness

(By the way, that Crispus Attucks team featured Oscar Robertson.)

 

That article surely brought back memories. I lived half-a-block from our school...and when the team had an away game, I would stay awake until they came home. Victories were usually noted by horn-honking of the players as they peeled out of the gravel parking lot heading home.

 

In 1952, our town...of 800 people...built a gym that would hold 2,800. It was filled each New Years Day for a few years when it would host a 4-way tourney with three neighboring schools coming to play. There were two games at mid-day; consolation and championship games that evening.

 

I was so disappointed (in 1965) at the size of the crowd for the last home game before consolidation--perhaps 1,500 were in the stands. I thought it should have been full.

 

"Cheer blocks" of female students perfectly rowed and identically dressed; parents and students alike roaring or moaning...depending on the action or officials call; and, when lucky, radio play-by-play of away games are still indelibly etched in my mind.

 

My parents chose to not let me play...while difficult at the time, turned out to be a blessing. There was never a time in my 25-year/1,200 game play-by-play career when I didn't want to go to the gym.

 

Thanks for posting, Jim!

Edited May 11, 201412 yr by broadcaster

Good post, broadcaster! I'd love for some others to share their memories on those times.

Ahhh, the good ol days!!