Earlier this week, at the boys state high school tournament, the list of state tournament rebound leaders caught my eye. The list of names on the list brought back memories of some of these outstanding players. Here are some names from that list:
WARREN BAKER–Greenbrier East. The man they called "Wonderful Warren" from Greenbrier East was a rebounding machine in the state tournament. He grabbed 23 rebounds in a loss to Parkersburg as a sophomore in 1970. He grabbed 23 again against Wheeling in 1971.
LARRY CARR–Charles Town. Carr was a rebounding legend in Class AA before Charles Town moved up to AAA. He had 18 rebounds in the state title game against Ceredo-Kenova in 1968. His team defeated Mike D’Antoni and Mullens in a semi-final game. Carr also had 23 rebounds againd C-K in 1969 before going on to sign with WVU.
MARK CATLETT–Hedgesville. Do you remember when AAA Hedgesville was Class A. Mark Catlett does. The nephew of former Mountaineer head coach, Gale Catlett, had 28 rebounds in a Class A state tournament game against Bramwell in 1970.
EZRA CHAMBERS–Dunbar. The former Bulldog had a great senior year for coach Bill Maxwell in 1972. He had 21 rebounds in a win over Dino Martin and Bluefield in 1972.
JIM DAVIDSON–Logan. The former Wildcat led Logan to a state title over Ron "Fritz" Williams and Weirton in 1964. He grabbled 24 rebounds for a young coach named Willie Akers in a semi-final win over Morgantown. Davidson went to star at Marshall on the 1967 and 1968 NIT teams and is in the Herd’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
GUY DILLON–Kermit. Dillon led Kermit to coalfield basketball glory in 1975. He grabbed 21 rebounds as Kermit defeated Piedmont for the Class A state championship.
SCOTT FRYE—Harts. The former Harts big man holds the Class A record for most rebounds in a single game. He grabbed 29 rebounds in a win over Elk Garden in 1977.
DENNIS HARRIS–Charleston. Harris was one of the senior leaders of the 1973 Mtn. Lions dominant state title team. He had 27 rebounds in a win over Jefferson County. Harris went on to play at both W. Va. State and Morris Harvey.
LARRY HARRIS–Charleston. "Deacon" Harris helped Charleston High to a state title in 1968. He snared 33 rebounds in a semi-final game against Wheeling. He later played at WVU and was on his way to an outstanding career, when he was tragically killed in a car accident early in his junior season. His teammates still mourn his passing.
BILL LINDSAY–Charles Town. One of the great players out of the eastern Panhandle, Lindsay corralled 22 rebounds to lead Charles Town an upset win over top ranked Logan in the first round of the 1971 state tournament in Morgantown. That tournament was played in the, then, brand new WVU Coliseum. Lindsay went on to a great career at Fairmont State and is one of only two players to MVP of the WVIAC Tournament in back-to-back seasons.
BILL MAPHIS-Romney. Maphis had 25 rebounds in a Class AA state tournament game against Oceana. Maphis went on to star at WVU in the early 60’s with Rod Thorn.
CURTIS PRICE–Charleston. As a junior in 1967, Price grabbed 27 rebounds in a semi-final win over Wellsburg. He would also sign with WVU and was a Street & Smith’s All American in high school.
BRIAN THAXTON–South Charleston. Thaxton is one of the most underrated players in South Charleson’s long basketball history. He grabbed 21 rebounds in a game against Beckley in 1991. Thaxton went on to play at Youngstown State.
RUSSELL TODD–Northfork. Todd holds the AA record for most rebounds in a game. He grabbed 27 rebounds in a 1977 win over Frankfort before going on to an outstanding career at WVU.