ASHLAND, Ky. – Holy Family’s 1971 basketball team is one of the best in school history, one of 10 teams that reached the 16^th Region championship game and a surprise finalist in the 1970 Ashland Invitational Tournament.

The 71 Irish were matched against Ted Esders and the 1962 Holy Family team that won 27 games under coach Jack Gossett in the 16th Region simulation series Sunday night.

It was expected to be a shootout although 71 coach Bill Carroll’s goal, as always, was to control the tempo. They did that in methodical fashion in the first half, leading 32-23 as they sliced up the 62 Irish with backdoor cuts, double screens that led to easy layups.

But the biggest edge the 71 Irish had was 6-foot-5 Roy Stewart in the middle and he controlled the paint with 10 rebounds.

What the 71 Irish didn’t count on was the offensive firepower of the 62 Irish, who began hitting from everywhere in the second half. It was a sight to behold as Esders and Frank Burns started launching.

“We played a lot of good teams in 71, including Louisville Male in the AIT finals (an 84-44 loss), but these guys from 62 could play,” Carroll said. “I was never one for that kind of basketball but it was either play their style or lose in the second half after Esders and Burns caught fire for them.”

Early in the second half the 71 Irish’s lead ballooned to 46-29 after six consecutive points from Fred Stapleton, including a 3-pointer from NBA range. Coach Carroll was spinning around looking for a sub as soon as Stapleton was lining up to shoot.

“That’s not what we do,” he told Stapleton as he came to the bench. “That kind of shot is not the kind we’re looking to shoot. Sit there and think about it.”

“I might have got a little excited there,” Stapleton said later.

The 71 Irish were 3-for-13 on 3-pointers, a nice feature for them, but none were longer than the 23-footer from Stapleton. Gary Lynch made all three of the triples on four attempts.

“Coach Carroll never complained about Gary’s shots,” Stapleton said.

Once they built the 17-point lead, it looked like it was going to be an easy cruise to the finish line. However, the 62 Irish started warming up. Esders and Burns took turns hitting bombs but the 71 Irish kept pace and led 60-49 inside the first minute of the fourth quarter.

“They were having trouble stopping us but we were having trouble stopping them too,” Gossett said. “Stewart just dominated us in the paint and coach Carroll’s teams are all so fundamentally sound. This was no exception.”

Stewart was five inches taller than any of the 62 starters. Dave Brislin hurt them inside too with 17 points and eight rebounds. Stapleton led the Irish with 20 points while Stewart and Brown added 11 points apiece.

The 71 Irish were leading 63-54 with 5 ½ minutes remaining but an 11-0 run from the 62 Irish put them ahead for the first time since early in the first quarter at 65-63. Esders finished the run with an 18-footer with his toe on the line at the top of the key.

The 62 team fared better with 3-pointers, going 7-for-20. “I’m not sure we knew what we were doing with that shot, but I was glad we had them,” Gossett said.

Stewart broke the scoring drought with an inside move and Lynch followed with his third triple to make it 68-65 in favor of the 71 Irish. Two free throws from Bill Thompson pulled the 61 Irish within 68-67 but that was as close as they would get as Brislin scored six of the last eight points including four free throws to lock up the win by a score of the last six points in a 76-73 victory.

“Play good defense, work for the good shot, make free throws and take care of the ball,” Carroll said. “That will win a lot of games and it did again tonight.”

Stapleton scored 24 and Burns 22 while Francis Weinfurtner added 10 points.

“That’s a great Holy Family team,” Gossett said. “I’m proud we could hang with them as well as we did.”

Real life

 Holy Family’s 1962 team went 27-6, won the Eastern Kentucky Conference Tournament and the Catholic Invitational. They were eliminated in the district tournament by Ashland 81-64. During the AIT, the Irish fell only 70-69 to the Tomcats, who finished as state runners-up that season.

Holy Family’s 1971 team finished 25-12 and reached the championship game of the 16^th Region Tournament where the Irish fell to Ashland 68-58. They stunned the Tomcats in the AIT and reached the finals of that tournament before losing soundly to Louisville Male.

1971 HOLY FAMILY (76) – Stapleton 4-14 12-13 20, Brislin 6-14 5-5 17, Lynch 3-7 0-0 9, Stewart 5-8 1-2 11, Brown 1-6 0-0 2, Layne 5-7 1-1 11, Weis 1-3 1-2 3, Mantle 1-3 1-3 3. FG: 26-63. FT: 21-26. 3FG: 3-13 (Stapleton 0-3, Brislin 0-5, Stewart 1-2, Layne 1-1, Weis 1-2, Mantle 1-3). Rebounds: 45 (Stapleton 4, Brislin 8, Lynch 6, Stewart 10, Brown 3, Layne 5, Weis 5, Mantle 4). Assists: 14 (Stapleton 7, Brislin 1, Lynch 1, Srewart 3, Weis 1). PF: 24. Turnovers: 19.

1962 HOLY FAMILY (73) – Weinfurtner 2-8 4-5 10, Burns 10-17 0-3 22, Esders 6-15 10-12 24, Saller 3-7 1-2 7, Tamme 1-7 0-0 3, Friel 1-3 1-2 3, Thompson 1-4 2-2 4. FG: 24-62. FT: 18-26. 3FG: 7-20 (Weinfurtner 2-3, Burns 2-5, Esders 2-4, Saller 0-1, Tamme 1-7). Rebounds: 33 (Weinfurtner 5, Burns 3, Esders 9, Saller 5, Tamme 6, Friel 1, Thompson 4). Assists: 11 (Weinfurtner 1, Burns 1, Esders 5, Saller 2, Friel 2). PF: 20. Turnovers: 15.

 1971 HOLY FAMILY       15          17          26       18     –         76

1962 HOLY FAMILY       11          12          26       24       –      73

WESTWOOD, Ky. – It seemed fitting that Fairview’s 1974 and 1982 basketball teams would have another opportunity to play.

Both of their seasons ended valiantly but on a downbeat with hard-fought losses in the 16^th Region Tournament – the 74 team to East Carter in the semifinals and the 82 team to Rowan County in the first round. The hope for both teams was for much more.

So for old time’s sake, why not lace them up one more time?

Coach George Cooke was all about it, having retired after Jeff Hall’s sophomore season. Now Hall was a senior sharpshooter and an All-State player who was feared throughout the region.

“I’m not sure stopping him from scoring is in the defensive playbook,” Cooke said. “But we had some tough boys back in 1974 and none of them were tougher than Joe Barker.”

The biggest difference in this game was being able to utilize the 3-point shot and both teams were excited about it. But maybe they shouldn’t have been.

The 74 team made 7 of 28 – only 25 percent – and the 82 team hit only 4 of 17 for less than 25 percent. It was a bit surprising given the penchant for shooting that both teams possessed.

Don Rigsby, a high-scoring junior forward in 74, fell in love with shots behind the arc. Maybe because it was good at it, hitting 6 of 14 and scoring 29 points in a typical performance.

Hall more than matched him although it surprisingly didn’t come from 3-point range. He was a modest 3-of-5 from there but connected on all 10 free throws and was 10 of 16 from the floor to score 33 points, a game high.

“Not that surprising that Rigsby and Jeff would do what they do,” said 82 coach Jim Day. “I think we all kind of saw that coming. We were happy with Don shooting the 3s, at least until he started making every one of them.”

The game didn’t hinge on Rigsby and Hall though. It was the complementary players that made the difference.

Barker had 13 points and nine assists and Bobby Lambert and Jeff Mullins scored 11 and 10 respectively.

Rick Clark muscled for 13 points and 10 rebounds and Ben Spradlin scored 14 points with seven rebounds and six assists. Tom Craft collected eight points and five rebounds.

“This was a well-played basketball game although defense seemed to be a problem for both of us,” Cooke said. “And I think Baldy Stout could have done a better job on the boards. That’s where they hurt us the most.”

Fairview’s 82 team jumped ahead 11-2 with Hall scoring a quick six points. The 74 team was in catchup mode the rest of the game and they never caught them.

The 82 Eagles led 30-20 after the first quarter and never trailed in the game. Their biggest lead was 13 points after another flurry from Hall. The advantage grew from 20-13 to 26-13 on three consecutive baskets from Hall, who scored an incredible 27 in the first half.

However, Fairview’s 82 team led only 43-37 at halftime.

“I didn’t feel good at the half, quite honestly,” Day said. “Jeff had scored 27 and we only led by six. But everybody else picked it up in the second half.”

Fairview’s 74 team came roaring back in the second half and tied the game at 55 inside the first minute of the fourth quarter.

The game remained tight until Clark broke it open with some solid inside play. After Hall scored his last points on a jumper for a 63-59 lead, Richards scored six points during an 11-5 surge that brought the advantage to double figures at 74-64 with six minutes to play.

“That was the death blow for us,” Cooke said.

Clark said he’d gained a little boost after stopping at a Pump N Go, which had a 2-for-1 deal on candy bars and energy drinks. “I was ready to go!” he said.

Barker, who was maybe the most competitive player on the team, was upset after the loss when he saw a 21-9 advantage on free throws made for the 82 Eagles.

“I’m sorry, I don’t like to complain, but they were calling fouls on us if we even breathed on Jeff,” he said. “I know the whole COVID thing is going around but come on. This is basketball. Let us play. We could have won the game.”

Hall made all 10 of his foul shots, including twice making all three after being fouled on 3-point attempts.

“I didn’t touch him either time,” Barker lamented. “COVID calls.”

Fairview’s 82 team also held a 44-34 rebounding advantage.

Real life

 Fairview’s 1974 team finished 20-9, won the NEKC tournament, the 63^rd District and defeated both Boyd County and Ashland. Henry Clay walloped them 117-64 in the AIT and East Carter eliminated the Eagles by 20 in the regional semifinals.

Fairview’s 1982 team was a solid bunch and senior-laden. Hall, Spradlin and Clark were the mainstays of a team that went 21-9 and was formidable against anybody. The Eagles lost to North Hardin in the AIT and one of the cheerleaders for North Hardin later became Jeff Hall’s wife.

1974 FAIRVIEW (74) – Rigsby 8-18 3-4 29, Barker 4-10 4-6 13, Nickles 5-9 1-2 11, Lambert 5-8 0-0 10, Thompson 0-6 0-0 0, Mullins 4-7 1-3 9, Renfroe 0-3 0-0 0, Harris 1-2 0-0 2. FG: 29-63. FT: 9-15. 3FG: 7-28 (Rigsby 6-14, Barker 1-3, Nickles 0-4, Thompson 0-6). Rebounds: 34 (Rigsby 9, Barker 4, Nickles 3, Lambert 8, Thompson 3, Mullins 1, Harris 4). Assists: 14 (Rigsby 2, Barker 9, Nickles 2, Mullins 1). PF: 22. Turnovers: 15.

1982 FAIRVIEW (81) – Craft 2-4 4-5 8, Spradlin 6-19 2-3 14, Hall 10-16 10-10 33, Whitlock 2-8 0-0 4, Rick Clark 6-9 1-2 13, Mills 1-2 4-5 7, Queen 1-5 0-0 2, Rodney Clark 0-0 0-0 0. FG: 28-63. FT: 21-25. 3FG: 4-17 (Craft 0-1, Spradlin 0-7, Hall 3-5, Whitlock 0-1, Mills 1-2, Queen 0-1). Rebounds: 44 (Craft 5, Spradlin 7, Hall 7, Whitlock 10, Clark 10, Mills 4, Queen 3). Assists: 15 (Craft 5, Spradlin 6, Hall 1, Whitlock 2, Queen 1). PF: 19. Turnovers: 17.

1974 FAIRVIEW               20        17        17          20        –      74

1982 FAIRVIEW               30        13        12          26        –      81

WESTWOOD, Ky. – They checked the defense at the door.

The high-octane battle between the 1977 and 1979 Fairview High School basketball teams was one Wild West(wood) shootout, fueled by the addition of adding the 3-point shot to the arsenals of these high-scoring teams.

Everybody expected a lot of points but what transpired in the Fairview gym will be talked about for years. It may be the wildest game in the simulation series of 16^th Region games.

Besides the familiarity of being only two years apart, their records were astonishingly close – 77 was 26-4 and 79 was 26-5. George Cooke was the coach for both teams so that was going to be a little tricky in this showdown.

“It’s not a problem,” Cooke said. “These guys can coach themselves. I’ll sit on one bench for a half and the other bench the second half.

“Has anybody seen my plaid jacket?”

Bob Morrison was assigned to stay with the 77 team and Rex Cooksey to the 79 team to make the calls when necessary.

“Don’t worry,” Cooke said, “it won’t be necessary.”

The big crowd was filing in early for the game. It was such a large crowd that George Stout ran out of game programs, which never happened. The cheerleaders had sold 1,500 programs for him and there was still a line to get into the game.

“Hey Baldy,” Cooke yelled to Stout. “Where are you going to put all these people?”

Stout had $1 bills coming out of every pocket from the program sells.

“Don’t worry about it old man,” he yelled back. “You just coach the teams and leave the rest to me.”

It was going to be that kind of night. The scoreboard lights better work well if the pregame warmups meant anything. Nobody was missing and that included some long bombs.

“I like this 3-point shot,” said Jack Preston, a guard on the 79 team. “We’re used to taking them from here.”

It was a bombs away! kind of night for both teams.

In the first quarter, the teams went up and down the floor in rapid fashion with the 79 Eagles putting up 31 points. They tried out some 3-point shooting and it was much to their liking with Preston, Wesley Meeks and Tim Holbrook getting comfortable behind the arc.

Cooke, who started out on the bench for the 79 team, was barking at them for not playing defense.

“This is not a YMCA league game,” he said. “Play some (expletive) defense!”

He couldn’t argue with the offense though. Thirty-one points was a lot for an eight-minute quarter. And then they topped it in the second quarter, outscoring the 77 Eagles 32-30 to lead 63-52 at the half.

Nobody was going anywhere at the half, not even to get a soft drink and popcorn, for fear of losing their seat.

This wild shootout had everybody’s attention.

Coach Cooke could be heard peeling paint in both locker rooms under the home stands because of a lack of defense. He would sit on the bench for the 77 team in the second half. The game was so fast paced that nobody had much time to make adjustments. It was some of the most amazing shooting anybody had witnessed.

The 77 Eagles had some serious firepower in David Rowe, a senior who was dominating inside. He had 25 points at the half and even took a plastering from Bronnie McKenzie on an inside move.

Rowe picked himself up, with help from McKenzie, and played on.

“We couldn’t even slow him down,” said Rick Lambert, who tried to match up with Rowe. “He’s so good. I just knew if we were going to win, we’d have to outscore them. I think they felt the same way.”

True enough. In the third quarter the 77 Eagles held a small edge, 30-28, but trailed 91-82 and there was still eight minutes remaining.

“I felt confident at that point that we were going to get them,” Preston said. “I even saw George Stout putting on his coat to go home. That was a good sign for us.”

The 79 Eagles had led from the very start and by as much as 15 points at 53-38 when Meaux Mullins sank one of two free throws. That was late in the first half but the 77 Eagles were able to knock the lead under double figures.

“That was huge for us,” said Keith Menshouse. “We were on the verge of being in big trouble.”

Early in the fourth quarter, facing a 95-84 deficit, the 77 Eagles came to life. Over the next four minutes, the game changed. Rowe was big during that surge. Bobby Clark’s two free throws made it 101-98 with 4:19 remaining.

“I gotta tell you, I was getting tired,” said Tim Holbrook. “We had that big lead and blew it. Those last four minutes were some of the wildest I’ve ever played.”

The 79 Eagles maintained the lead, barely, at 108-105 when Rowe scored on a putback. After a turnover, the 77 Eagles went to him again. He caught the ball on the high post, faked one way and drove the other to score and put his team ahead 109-108. It was their first lead and came with 2:08 remaining. But plenty of time remained.

“I’ve never ever seen anything like this game,” Cooke said. “I didn’t do much coaching. I got caught up in the excitement.”

Chuck Queen buried a corner 3 and the 77 Eagles, who trailed the entire way, were leading 112-108. Lambert and Preston scored on consecutive possessions to tie it again at 112.

Lambert was able to work around Rowe, using his left hand to score, and Preston drilled a mid-range jumper from about 15 feet.

The crowd was in a frenzy, louder than anybody could ever remember. It was so loud that it set off alarms and the police and fire department had to come. The game was delayed for a few minutes but it was a welcome break.

They had played 30 minutes of basketball and scored 224 points between them.

“The greatest game I’ve ever seen,” Cooke said.

Wesley Meeks scored on a driving layup to put 79 ahead again at 114-112 but Menshouse lined up a 3-pointer from deep in the corner. He let it go and it swished as the net spun up over the rim. Now the 77 Eagles were leading 115-114 with only 32 seconds to play.

Preston was controlling the ball and he zipped a behind-the-back pass to Lambert, who pump faked Rowe and then drove around him for a layup and a 116-115 lead. The crowd rose to its feet on the 79 side of the gym.

Only 10 seconds remained and Menshouse quickly inbounded to Clark. He drove past a pair of defenders and lobbed it inside to Rowe, who corralled the ball and then shot a hook over Lambert’s outstretched hand. The buzzer sounded with the basketball at its highest point and then came straight down and through the basket. The 77 Eagles had won 117-116 in dramatic last-second fashion.

Whew!

Players from both teams were sprawled out all over the floor but the fans rushed out anyway. It was like a scene out of “Hoosiers” as players congratulated each other. Even George Cooke was seen smiling and George Stout hadn’t left after all.

“This is the greatest simulation game in history,” shouted Stout.

Some of the final numbers included 40 points and 10 rebounds from Rowe, who was named the MVP. He made 14 of 20 floor attempts and 12 of 13 free throws. Five others were in double figures: 18 from Bobby Clark, 17 from Chuck Queen and 13 for Keith Menshouse. Doug Stevens and Jeff Rigsby scored 10 apiece.

Six players scored double figures for the 79 Eagles led by Holbrook with 23 points and Preston with 20, 12 assists and five steals. Meeks and Lambert had 19 apiece and Meaux Mullins collected 17 points and six assists.

Jeff Hall, only a freshman, scored 14 off the bench. Lambert also had 12 rebounds.

Real life

Fairview 1977 team finished 26-4 and were 16^th Region runners-up to Ashland.

Fairview 1979 team finished 26-5 and fell in the 16^th Region semifinals to Holy Family.

1977 FAIRVIEW (117) – Clark 6-10 5-8 18, Stevens 3-6 2-2 10, Menshouse 5-10 0-0 13, Rowe 14-20 12-13 40, Queen 7-13 2-2 17, Rigsby 2-8 0-0 6, Burchett 3-8 1-2 10, R.Menshouse 2-3 2-4 6. FG: 41-76. FT: 23-28. 3FG: 12-29 (Stevens 2-4, K.Menshouse 3-5, Clark 1-4, Queen 1-1, Rigsby 2-7, Burchett 3-8). Rebounds: 46 (Clark 5, Stevens 4, Menshouse 5, Rowe 10, Burchett 5, Queen 8, Rigsby 3, R.Menshouse 4). Assists: Clark 8, Stevens 1, Menshouse 1, Rowe 1, Queen 2, Rigsby 3, Burchett 2). PF: 26. Turnovers: 26.

1979 FAIRVIEW (116) – Preston 7-12 2-4 20, Meeks 6-11 3-3 19, Holbrook 8-22 4-6 23, Lambert 8-15 3-4 19, Hall 7-12 0-0 14, Mullins 6-11 5-9 17, McKenzie 1-3 2-4 4. FG: 43-86. FT: 19-30. 3FG: 11-21 (Preston 4-5, Meeks 4-6, Holbrook 3-10). Rebounds: 34 (Preston 2, Meeks 3, Holbrook 2, Lambert 12, Hall 3, Mullins 6, McKenzie 6). Assists: 26 (Preston 12, Meeks 5, Holbrook 2, Lambert 3, Hall 2, Mullins 2). PF: 23. Turnovers: 16.

1977 FAIRVIEW             22       30       30         35       –         117

1979 FAIRVIEW             31       32       28         25       –         116