Check out the Charleston Gazette-Mail Sunday for a column by Frank Giardina on the event. Click on: http://wvgazette.com/Sports/200908080122 to read Frank's column. Or, here it is, posted below. My apologies to Steve Vorholt, who played on a couple of Monk teams, went on to star at George Washington, and is now a local physical therapist, and to Big Willie Jenkins, power forward on the '79 championship team who played the same role on South Charleston teams of 80-81, 81-82, both of whom were accidently excluded from this column. Also present was "youngster" D.J. Johnson, a player of Ron's from the modern era. I feel certain I mentioned them to Frank because I was looking at the group photo when we spoke, but in his defense, I'm sure he was doing a lot of scribbling as we spoke by phone. I'm going to add art from Saturday night, but I'm saving the group photo for the "photoshopped" version. Cutlines are in italics and not part of the column. AS.
The Sunday Gazette-Mail
August 8, 2009
AAU hoops reunion stirs memories of '70s success
IN THE 1970s, AAU basketball was big, but it was not the big business is it today. During that decade, the Kanawha Valley and the state of West Virginia made quite a showing on the national scene as a nucleus of 14- and 15-year-old players won national tournaments in 1977 and 1979 and was national runners-up in 1978. Coached by Rodger Monk, Ron Cobb and Jim Triplett, a team of West Virginia boys won the 12-and-under national title in 1977 and the 14-and-under championship in 1979.
The 1977 tournament was played in Cincinnati, and the 1979 event was played right here in Charleston at the old Civic Center and televised across the state on public television. Former Marshall assistant coach C. J. Woollum and I did the telecast.
Last weekend, many players from those teams gathered for a reunion at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Putnam County. Former St. Albans High School player Andy Spradling organized the event and offered these updates on some of the players that came back for the reunion:
Joey Bowles, Dunbar - Bowles was known for his hustling style as a young player. He gave up basketball to play football for the Bulldogs.
The Sunday Gazette-Mail
August 8, 2009
AAU hoops reunion stirs memories of '70s success
IN THE 1970s, AAU basketball was big, but it was not the big business is it today. During that decade, the Kanawha Valley and the state of West Virginia made quite a showing on the national scene as a nucleus of 14- and 15-year-old players won national tournaments in 1977 and 1979 and was national runners-up in 1978. Coached by Rodger Monk, Ron Cobb and Jim Triplett, a team of West Virginia boys won the 12-and-under national title in 1977 and the 14-and-under championship in 1979.
The 1977 tournament was played in Cincinnati, and the 1979 event was played right here in Charleston at the old Civic Center and televised across the state on public television. Former Marshall assistant coach C. J. Woollum and I did the telecast.
Last weekend, many players from those teams gathered for a reunion at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Putnam County. Former St. Albans High School player Andy Spradling organized the event and offered these updates on some of the players that came back for the reunion:
Joey Bowles, Dunbar - Bowles was known for his hustling style as a young player. He gave up basketball to play football for the Bulldogs.
Coach Ron Cobb, Andy Spradling, Alex Nagy, Mike Reed, Jeff Overstreet, Joey Bowles, and Brett Harrison listen as the '77 and '79 players tell stories and await their group photo at Sleepy Hollow Country Club on Saturday, August 1, 2009.
David Bradley, South Charleston - Bradley, who missed the reunion, was a three-sport star at SC and played in Class AAA state basketball title games in 1981 and 1982.
Herbie Brooks, Mullens - Brooks had an incredible career at Mullens High School, where he led the Rebels to three Class A titles and set the state tournament single-game scoring record. Brooks, who had a good career at WVU for Gale Catlett, now lives in Beckley and, according to Spradling, "looks as if he can still play."
Herbie with Coach Rodger Monk. Herbie played against the Russians for Rodger in Huntington in 1983, and spent a great deal of time at Rodger's home in preparation for the game. Rodger is also a huge WVU fan, so having Herbie there on Friday night was special.
Mark Cline, Williamson - Cline was the MVP of the 1979 national tournament and a McDonald's High School All-American at Williamson High in 1983. He later helped Wake Forest to the NCAA Elite Eight as a freshman and is now an assistant coach at Oklahoma.
David Bradley, South Charleston - Bradley, who missed the reunion, was a three-sport star at SC and played in Class AAA state basketball title games in 1981 and 1982.
Herbie Brooks, Mullens - Brooks had an incredible career at Mullens High School, where he led the Rebels to three Class A titles and set the state tournament single-game scoring record. Brooks, who had a good career at WVU for Gale Catlett, now lives in Beckley and, according to Spradling, "looks as if he can still play."
Herbie with Coach Rodger Monk. Herbie played against the Russians for Rodger in Huntington in 1983, and spent a great deal of time at Rodger's home in preparation for the game. Rodger is also a huge WVU fan, so having Herbie there on Friday night was special.
Mark Cline, Williamson - Cline was the MVP of the 1979 national tournament and a McDonald's High School All-American at Williamson High in 1983. He later helped Wake Forest to the NCAA Elite Eight as a freshman and is now an assistant coach at Oklahoma.
Ron Dawson, Hurricane - Spradling described Dawson as a gifted athlete who was good at everything he tried. He was good in tennis, basketball and an all-state golfer at Hurricane.
Three great people, great guards, and great friends: Alex Nagy, Bruz Hicks, and Ron Dawson.
Buster Duiguid - After playing at Charleston High with teammate Keith Tyler, Duiguid played in college at Alderson-Broaddus.
Buster Duiguid, catching up with Coach Monk upon arrival, was a sharp shooting, ultra quick guard who added scoring punch to the 79 title team. The Vorholts are in the background.
Jeff and Brian Eddy, Parkersburg - The Eddys came down from Parkersburg to play with the team. Jeff later played tight end at West Virginia and Brian is now a school administrator in Sissonville. (see previous post for art of these two cousins).
Gay Elmore, South Charleston - Elmore was the MVP of the 12-and-under tournament in Cincinnati and went on to an all-state career at SC. In college, he was one of the best players in VMI school history.
Three great people, great guards, and great friends: Alex Nagy, Bruz Hicks, and Ron Dawson.
Buster Duiguid - After playing at Charleston High with teammate Keith Tyler, Duiguid played in college at Alderson-Broaddus.
Buster Duiguid, catching up with Coach Monk upon arrival, was a sharp shooting, ultra quick guard who added scoring punch to the 79 title team. The Vorholts are in the background.
Jeff and Brian Eddy, Parkersburg - The Eddys came down from Parkersburg to play with the team. Jeff later played tight end at West Virginia and Brian is now a school administrator in Sissonville. (see previous post for art of these two cousins).
Gay Elmore, South Charleston - Elmore was the MVP of the 12-and-under tournament in Cincinnati and went on to an all-state career at SC. In college, he was one of the best players in VMI school history.
Brett Harrison, George Washington - He was one of the team's taller players and went on to play for the Patriots.
Feeling small: Andy Spradling, flanked by two tall and powerful players - Brett Harrison and Gay Elmore, on Saturday night at Sleepy Hollow Country Club.
Bruz Hicks, Nitro - Hicks starred at Nitro before going on to play at the University of Charleston. He now lives in Louisville, Ky.
John Maywer, South Charleston - Maywer played on SC teams that made it to the state tournament in 1980 and 1981.
J.T. Morris, St. Albans - An unheralded, aggressive and physical player, Morris played at St. Albans with Mike Reed and Spradling.
Alex Nagy, Logan - Nagy was the point guard for the AAU team and went on to play at Logan. He later had an outstanding baseball career at West Virginia State and is now a local businessman in the Kanawha Valley.
The food was great, the company even greater: Jeff Overstreet, Andy Spradling, Mark Cline, Mike Reed and J.T. Morris enjoy the festivities at Sleepy Hollow on Saturday.
Jeff Overstreet, Huntington - Overstreet played high school basketball at a private Christian school in Huntington, so many fans in the state did not get to see him play. He is a chiropractor in Huntington and recently returned from working as a missionary in Bolivia.
Jamie Phillips, Williamson - After transferring from George Washington, Phillips teamed with Cline to lead the Wolfpack to the 1983 Class AA state title and earned a scholarship to East Tennessee State. Phillips still lives in the Valley and works in the chemical industry.
Jamie Phillips and J.T. Morris, 1983 graduates of Williamson and St. Albans, respectively, catch up about the good ol' days.
Mike Reed, St. Albans - A blue-collar, steady leader, Reed is now the football coach at Hayes Junior High.
Dave Walker, South Charleston - A hard-nosed, team-oriented, physical defender and player, Walker was a multi-sports athlete at South Charleston.
The golfers consisted of Alex Nagy, John Mawyer, Ron Dawson, David Walker, Mike Reed, Andy Spradling, Mark Cline, Bruz Hicks, and J.T. Morris. Thanks again to Ron and Sleepy Hollow for allowing us on to their beautiful course.
Feeling small: Andy Spradling, flanked by two tall and powerful players - Brett Harrison and Gay Elmore, on Saturday night at Sleepy Hollow Country Club.
Bruz Hicks, Nitro - Hicks starred at Nitro before going on to play at the University of Charleston. He now lives in Louisville, Ky.
John Maywer, South Charleston - Maywer played on SC teams that made it to the state tournament in 1980 and 1981.
J.T. Morris, St. Albans - An unheralded, aggressive and physical player, Morris played at St. Albans with Mike Reed and Spradling.
Alex Nagy, Logan - Nagy was the point guard for the AAU team and went on to play at Logan. He later had an outstanding baseball career at West Virginia State and is now a local businessman in the Kanawha Valley.
The food was great, the company even greater: Jeff Overstreet, Andy Spradling, Mark Cline, Mike Reed and J.T. Morris enjoy the festivities at Sleepy Hollow on Saturday.
Jeff Overstreet, Huntington - Overstreet played high school basketball at a private Christian school in Huntington, so many fans in the state did not get to see him play. He is a chiropractor in Huntington and recently returned from working as a missionary in Bolivia.
Jamie Phillips, Williamson - After transferring from George Washington, Phillips teamed with Cline to lead the Wolfpack to the 1983 Class AA state title and earned a scholarship to East Tennessee State. Phillips still lives in the Valley and works in the chemical industry.
Jamie Phillips and J.T. Morris, 1983 graduates of Williamson and St. Albans, respectively, catch up about the good ol' days.
Mike Reed, St. Albans - A blue-collar, steady leader, Reed is now the football coach at Hayes Junior High.
Dave Walker, South Charleston - A hard-nosed, team-oriented, physical defender and player, Walker was a multi-sports athlete at South Charleston.
The golfers consisted of Alex Nagy, John Mawyer, Ron Dawson, David Walker, Mike Reed, Andy Spradling, Mark Cline, Bruz Hicks, and J.T. Morris. Thanks again to Ron and Sleepy Hollow for allowing us on to their beautiful course.
Mike Reed, Sr., talks with Herbie Brooks and Willie Jenkins about Brooks' 50-point state tournament performance on Friday evening at The Clubhouse at Appalachian Power Park. Mike was always active in Charleston area athletics including being the first manager of Laidley Field and helping to start the Charleston Distance Run . He was the director of the AAU Tournament held in Charleston.
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