2. HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE; INDIANA BASKETBALL

Did you ever play basketball at Roberts Stadium in Evansville (possibly against Jerry Sloan) in the days when the Aces were a powerhouse in Division II basketball? -- Brian Schmidt, Mt. Vernon, IN

No, I never played in Roberts Stadium.

Who was your role model growing up? -- Bryant Mosbey, Evansville, IN; similar question from three other sources

We didn’t really think in terms of role models in those days. We enjoyed watching the Globetrotters, particularly Marquis Haynes and Goose Tatum, so if I had a role model, I guess the Globetrotters would be it.

What is your favorite memory from playing high school basketball in Indiana besides winning the state championship? -- John Campbell, Mt. Vernon, IN

That IS my favorite memory. Nothing else comes close.

What was your most memorable chamionship? -- Ian Brand, Evansville IN

The first Indiana state high school championship in 1955.

What was the greatest moment in your career including college and high school? -- Mike Stratton, Holton, IN

This may surprise you, but they were, first, going undefeated for 45 games at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis and winning two Indiana state championships, and, second, winning the Gold Medal in the 1960 Olympics the summer after I graduated from the University of Cincinnati. The Olympics were significant because first you had to make the team, and then you had the honor of representing your country against the best athletes from all over the world.

How would you evaluate the two high school state championship teams on which you played? How did they compare to other great high school teams such as the Ohio team that included Jerry Lucas and Larry Siegfried (I think)? -– Ronald Harshman, Superior, WI

I don’t believe Larry Siegfried played on the Middletown team with Jerry Lucas. I did not see Middletown play, but I don’t think any team in the country could have beaten the team we had at Crispus Attucks.

I think the 1956 Indiana state tournament could have been replayed many times, with the same state champ. What do you think? -- David Murray Latz, Zionsville, IN

Who can say? If we had played seven games, would we have won seven? Do I think anyone else could have beaten us? Of course not.

Growing up in Indiana I was impressed by Ray Crowe and his brother George Crowe. Both seemed to be outstanding leaders at a time when sports were only beginning to be integrated. I recently heard that George Crowe has become something of a recluse. Can you comment on Ray Crowe and what he meant to you as a high school coach? Do you know anything about the status of his brother George? -- Ronald Harshman, Superior, WI

Ray Crowe came along at the right time and handled the situation perfectly. It was the greatest time for our school because I think we helped people see they could get beyond racial issues and share a common topic of discussion, which was high school basketball.

Not many people know that George Crowe, who later went on to play in the National League as a first baseman, was Indiana’s first “Mr. Basketball.” All I know is that today he lives in upstate New York.

It seems to me that Ray Crowe never gets enough credit for being a great teacher/coach. How important was it for you and your teammates to have such a fine coach? By the way, I agree with you that too many coaches are on an ego trip by trying to control their players. They seem to have forgotten that it's players who make the game, not the coaches. -- Gary Alsip, Brazil, IN

It’s important for anyone to have a fine coach, especially at that age. A good coach not only emphasizes the fundamentals, he or she also emphasizes the mental aspect of the game and how to play together as a team. You can look at players and tell who had good coaching and who did not.

I played against you at Butler Fieldhouse in the sectionals--you and Merriweather--what a team! What happened to Willie Merriweather--he was a great player but didn't go pro? Or even college? -- Chuck Sullivan, Tecumseh, MI

Willie Merriweather played college ball at Purdue. I don’t think he played pro ball. I believe he was in ROTC so he had a military service commitment after graduation.

How do you feel about Indiana High School tournament going to a multi-class system? -– Bob Linne, Tell City, IN

I think it dilutes the product and creates a situation where there are a whole lot of teams no one wants to watch. I think single class basketball was one of the things that made Indiana the No. 1 high school basketball state in the country, and the state tournament was something everyone eagerly anticipated because of the possibility that a school of any size could go all the way.

Do you think single class basketball will ever be reinstated? -- Jim Saul, Fort Wayne, IN

No - the people who wanted to change the system got on the IHSAA board and were in a position to make that decision. I think the damage has been done and now we have to live with it.

What was the most memorable game of your collegiate career at University of Cincinnati? -- Sam Stratton, Lafayette, IN

The first one. And I can't even remember who we played. It was memorable to me because it was a new beginning. I had had success in high school and received national attention; now I was taking my game to a new level of competition and I had to deliver. So I was primed.

Are you a Purdue fan? -– Dennis Weisman, Otwell, IN

I like Gene Keady as a coach. I think he has done an outstanding job.

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