Thursday, January 21st, 2010
Taking a look back 50, 25 and 10 years ago
One More Curtain Call Flashback
By Robb Hemmelgarn
The local hoops scene at the start of the new decade was sizzling as always in 1960 as 50 years ago this week, the St. Henry Redskins bettered the Celina Immaculate Conception Spartans to claim a share of the top spot in the Mercer County League standings.
Prior to tipoff, the two squads were knotted in first place with the Rockford Tigers, all sporting 5-1 records. The Redskins opened the contest by grabbing the 15-10 advantage and they never trailed as they secured a 63-50 win.
In the victory, Linus Hartings totaled 17 points, while teammate Bill Gels chipped in 13. Dave Knapke led three Spartans who were in double figures with a game-high 19 points, while Lenny Link added 11 and John Sacher punched in 10.
• This week in 1985, wintry weather trumped most regularly scheduled boys games, including the intriguing fight for first place in the Midwest Athletic Conference between Marion Local and Delphos St. John's.
One battle which Mother Nature couldn't better though, was the matchup in Mendon between the Mendon-Union Pirates and Fort Recovery Indians.
Powered by the inside presence of sophomore big man Chris Bihn, the Indians jumped in front 18-9 after one period, only to have Mendon respond and pull to within two points at the half, 27-25.
The Pirates erased their deficit and tied the tilt at 41 points heading into the final period, but the visitors held the edge in the closing minutes and left northern Mercer County with a 61-57 victory.
Bihn led all scorers with 25 points, while Mark Adams dropped in 13 in the win. For Mike Schumm's Pirates, Rick Ziegenbusch led four teammates in double digits with 15 points in the defeat.
• Ten years ago this week in 2000, the New Bremen Cardinal girls fought off a valiant rally by the Minster Wildcats before holding on for a 53-50 victory over their neighbors in an MAC battle on the hardcourt.
Despite trailing by two points at the end of the first period, the Cardinals stormed back to take a 36-26 halftime lead. The Wildcats chipped their deficit to three points over the course of the final two quarters, but that is as close as they came although their stingy defense forced 29 turnovers in 32 minutes of action.
