100 years ago

Coach George Miller of the high school called out the basketball squad last night for the first practice. About twenty players responded to the call. Those present included three players and three substitutes of last year’s team and many others that looked good in practice last night. As the local school is no longer in the state athletic association, Spalding rules will be used for the first time. The state association does not recognize Spalding rules, although most schools of the country play under these rules.

75 years ago

California Gov. Culbert L. Olson telegraphed Pasadena authorities Saturday night, forwarding a request of the Army that the Pasadana Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl game between Duke University and Oregon State College on New Year’s Day be cancelled. Lieutenant General John L. DeWitt, commander of the Fourth army, believes the game should be called off “for reasons of national defense and civilian protection.” Bud Forrester, publicity man for Oregon State, said his school will do “everything in its power” to prevent cancellation. “I wonder if General DeWitt intends to lock up all the department stores where people might gather. We feel that the game will go a long way toward building civilian morale in a distressing time.”

50 years ago

Undefeated Harrison smashed a city and school scoring record Friday night by mauling Ft. Branch, 113-67, with an awesome display of power. The old record was 109 established by the Warriors against Winslow two years ago. Rex Mundi had previously owned the record in a 108-62 thrashing of Rockport in 1963. Greg Fenner led the charge with 22 points and 21 rebounds despite sitting out half of the first quarter with three personals. All five starters for the Warriors finished in double figures.

Powerful North bumped Reitz, 58-57, in a collision of unbeaten giants at the Huskies’ hut by coming from eight points down in the last 15 minutes. A standing room only crowd of 3,500 threatened to blow the roof off. It was an excellent defensive duel throughout between two clubs that brandished size, strength and speed. Curt John, who went into the game averaging 25.4, was high with 16. North’s Bobby Ford, who was hitting at a 23.5 clip, paced the Huskies with 14.

25 years ago

Parrish Casebier celebrated his return from suspended status with a career-high 35 points and 13 rebounds and did just about everything else to get the University of Evansville into a position to win Saturday night. Yet it remained for the long right arm of freshman Reed Jackson to preserve the Aces’ 99-98 overtime heart-stopper against Southern Illinois University before 10,373 fans at Roberts Stadium. Jackson’s steal from SIU’s slick guard and former Harrison High School standout Chris Lowery with four seconds to play clinched the win in a long-time rivalry that hasn’t lost any of its fervor.

Joyce Cummings wasn’t exactly brimming with confidence when she left for the U.S. Open State Finals. The Franklin Lanes employee recalled the last thing she said to owner Dave King before walking out the door and driving to Marion was “I hope I don’t embarrass myself.” Cummings had nothing to be embarrassed about. She won the championship and earned a berth in the U.S. Open national finals in February. Cummings finished 27 points ahead of the runnerup, Peggy Coen of Indianapolis, and won $100. Both Cummings and Coen qualified for the national finals Feb. 23-29 in Fountain Valley, Calif. Sammie Prevo of Evansville finished third.

“Remember When?” is compiled by Brian Scarbrough