(This is a computer simulation matching  great Ashland Tomcat teams of the past against each other. All game results are computer-generated but the quotes and enhanced play-by-play are on me.)

ASHLAND, Ky. – A highly anticipated matchup between two of Ashland’s greatest teams lived up to expectations.

The 1961 Tomcats pulled ahead early in the second quarter and never surrendered the lead, despite big games from Earl “Brother” Adkins and Bob Emrick, to defeat the 1953 Tomcats, 72-66.

Emrick scored 26 and Adkins 23, but the 61 Tomcats clamped down on everybody else. Meanwhile, Harold Sergent pumped in 22 points to lead three in double figures.

One unusual part of the battle was Larry Conley playing against his father, 53 coach George Conley. Larry grew up idolizing the 53 Tomcats and Wednesday he helped defeat them with 17 points and four rebounds.

“That was completely strange,” he said. “Those guys were my heroes. I can remember playing in the gym and Dad running those guys like crazy.”

The younger Conley must have learned well. He put his 61 Cats ahead for good at 21-20 with a pair of free throws early in the second quarter. While they never regained the lead, the 53 Cats stayed within striking distance and erupted for 27 points in the fourth quarter to make it interesting.

“We waited too long to start playing,” a none-too-happy coach George Conley said. “You can’t do that against great teams. I told our guys this was one we should have won if we’d played the rest of the game like we did in the fourth quarter.”

The coach who would later be a referee wasn’t happy about the difference in fouls – the 53 Cats had 19 compared to eight for 61. “Now I’m not one to talk about the officiating, but that doesn’t seem quite right to me. My guys’ arms were blood red.”

As for facing off against his son, the Senator said it was an honor. “Larry turned into a fine ballplayer. I was proud of him out there. He learned a lot.”

Gene Smith had 10 points and Bob Hilton nine for the 61 Cats, who shot 53 percent from the field. Sergent had seven assists to go along with his team-high scoring total.

“Sarge is a handful,” George Conley said. “If he wasn’t beating us to the basket he was giving it to somebody else to beat us to the basket. I’d play him a lot different next time.”

Larry Conley put the 61 Cats ahead 60-47 with 5:38 remaining with a long 3-pointer and it looked like it was over. But a flurry of baskets from Emrick and Adkins sliced the lead to 68-63 with 27 seconds to play. With 14 seconds, Adkins drilled a 25-footer to make it 70-66 but Conley swished two free throws to ice the hard-fought win.

It was a measure of revenge for 61 coach Bob Wright, who was the coach at Vanceburg in 1953 when Ashland scored 112 in the 16^th Region championship game.

“I’m not going to say that wasn’t on my mind,” Wright said. “Holding them to 66 points shows how great this team defends (the 53 Tomcats averaged 75 per game). They executed our game plan to perfection. We knew when Adkins got comfortable with the 3-point shot it was going to be trouble. I’m just glad he didn’t take any more shots than he did.”

Twelve of Adkins’ 14 shots were from behind the arc. Point guard Bill “Squirt” Jennings was held to three points on 1-for-7 shooting but he did have seven assists.

“Sarge was all over him,” Wright said. “That’s what good defense will do.”

3-point introduction

The 61 and 53 players were asking before the game why there was an arc painted around the top of the key. When told about the 3-point shot, “Brother” Adkins’ and Harold Sergent’s eyes lit up like Christmas morning.

“That’s where I normally shoot anyway,” Adkins said, rubbing his hands together.

“Yeah,” chimed in Sergent, “this is like taking candy from a baby.”

The 53 Tomcats were 11 of 20 from downtown with Adkins nailing 7 of 12 triples. The 61 Tomcats were a respectable 8 of 19, but Sergent, who scored a team-high 22, was only 1 of 4 behind the arc.

Real life

1953 Ashland was the top-ranked team in the state when the Tomcats were stunned by Paducah 46-44 in the opening round. Led by stars Earl “Brother” Adkins and Bill Emrick, these Tomcats are still regarded as one of the most talented in Ashland history.

1961 Ashland is considered THE team in Tomcat history. They were state champions, fashioned a 36-1 record and all five starters received Division I scholarships. Historians consider them one of the greatest state champions in Kentucky history.

1953 ASHLAND (66) – Jennings 1-7 0-0 3, Henderson 1-2 0-0 3, Adkins 8-14 0-0 23, Emrick 11-17 2-2 26, Marshall 2-5 0-0 4, Gray 1-3 1-2 3, Woods 1-2 0-0 2, Jones 1-1 0-0 2, Bailey 0-1 0-0 0. FGs: 26-52. FT: 3-4. 3-point FG: 11-20 (Jennings 1-3, Henderson 1-1, Adkins 7-12, Emrick 2-3, Woods 0-1). Rebounds: 22 (Jennings 3, Henderson 6, Adkins 1, Emrick 5, Marshall 3, Gray 2, Woods 3). Assists: 13 (Jennings 7, Henderson 4, Adkins 1, Woods 1). PF: 19. Turnovers: 10.

1961 ASHLAND (72) – Sergent 8-12 5-6 22, Cram 2-4 0-1 5, Conley 5-10 4-4 17, Hilton 4-7 0-0 9, Smith 5-9 0-0 10, Fairchild 1-2 0-0 2, Johnson 0-2 0-0 0, Daniels 0-2 0-0 0, Sexton 2-2 1-2 7. FG: 27-51. FT: 10-13. 3-point FGs: 8-19 (Sergent 1-4, Sexton 1-2, Conley 3-6, Hilton 1-2, Cram 1-2, Johnson 0-2). Rebounds: 21 (Sergent 2, Sexton 2, Conley 4, Hilton 4, Smith 4, Cram 1, Daniels 2, Fairchild 2). Assists: 13 (Sergent 7, Sexton 2, Conley 2, Cram 2). PF: 8. Turnovers: 6.

1953 ASHLAND     15         14         10         27           –            66

1961 ASHLAND     14         20         18         20           –            72

(This is a computer simulation matching  great Ashland Tomcat teams of the past against each other. All game results are computer-generated but the quotes and enhanced play-by-play are on me.)

ASHLAND, Ky. – The 2020 Ashland Tomcats are known more for finesse than physicalness.

But a rugged 58-55 victory over the 1977 Tomcats showed they could play that style too.

Ethan Hudson scored 18 points, including the last six from the foul line in the last 90 seconds, for the hard-fought win against a team that prides itself on defense and showed why from buzzer to buzzer.

Baskets were hard to come by for both teams and the 3-point shot – new to the 1977 team – was nobody’s friend.

The 20 Tomcats were 7 of 23 and the 77 Tomcats 4 of 18 from behind the arc.

Coach Paul Patterson said the 2020 Tomcats gave his team fits despite being undersized. “A well-coached team that passes the ball as well as any we saw,” he said. “They’re a tough bunch too. I like that about them.”

The 20 Tomcats were knocked to the floor while battling for rebounds on several occasions. Point guard Colin Porter for the 20 Tomcats and Greg Swift for the 77 Tomcats was the best battle of the night.

Porter had 12 points and five assists and Swift collected eight points and eight assists. His older brother Mark Swift scored 11 with six rebounds.

Cole Villers went up against the 6-7 Jeff Kovach and scored a dozen. Kovach led the 77 Tomcats with 15 points and seven rebounds.

“I couldn’t do much with him, he is so strong,” Villers said.

The 77 Tomcats jumped ahead 15-8 before the 20 Tomcats rallied and eventually took the lead for good at 25-23 when Hudson scored inside for his 12^th point of the first half.

“Huddy came through for us in a big way,” said Ashland coach Jason Mays. “I’ve coached in a lot of basketball games in college and high school and that game was as physical as any of them. No wonder those guys made it to the semifinals. What a tremendous team.”

Darryl Smith scored on a putback to bring the 77 Tomcats within 56-55 at the 18-second mark, but Hudson made a pair of free throws with 5.3 seconds to play to set the final margin. A halfcourt shot from Mark Swift that would have tied the game glanced off the front of the rim.

Real life

1977 Ashland went 30-2 and reached the state semifinals before losing to Louisville Valley. Patterson never lost to a 16^th Region opponent in his four years as head coach.

2020 Ashland finished 33-0 but didn’t get to play in the Sweet 16 because of the coronavirus. The Tomcats had three seniors in the history-making season.

1977 ASHLAND (55) – G.Swift 3-10 0-0 8, M.Swift 4-7 2-4 11, Dummit 0-5 0-0 0, Kovach 7-8 0-0 14, Harkins 2-5 6-8 10, Smith 2-5 0-0 4, Allen 2-5 0-0 4, Henderson 1-4 1-2 3, Welch 0-0 1-2 1. FG: 21-49. FT: 9-14. 3-point FGs: 4-18 (M.Swift 2-5, G.Swift 1-2, Dummit 0-5, Harkins 0-1, Smith 0-1, Henderson 1-4). Rebounds: 29 (G.Swift 1, M.Swift 6, Kovach 7, Dummit 3, Harkins 4, Smith 1, Allen 3, Welch 4). Assists: 16 (G.Swift 8, M.Swift 4, Smith 1, Henderson 3). PF: 23. Turnovers: 13.

2020 ASHLAND (58) – Porter 3-12 3-7 12, Bradley 2-6 2-2 6, Villers 4-7 2-3 12, Hudson 5-11 7-9 18, Sellars 3-6 3-4 9, Gillum 0-4 0-0 0, Phillips 1-2 0-0 1, Adkins 0-1 0-0 0. FGs: 17-47. FT: 17-26. 3-point FGs: 7-23 (Porter 3-8, Gillum 0-3, Villers 3-6, Hudson 1-4, Sellars 0-2). Rebounds: 28 (Porter 1, Gillum 2, Villers 4, Hudson 7, Bradley 3, Sellars 6, Phillips 4, Adkins 1). Assists: 9 (Porter 5, Villers 1, Hudson 2, Phillips 1). PF: 14. Turnovers: 9.

1977 ASHLAND       17       8          18       12            –           55

2020 ASHLAND       11       9          23       15            –           58

(This is a computer simulation matching  great Ashland Tomcat teams of the past against each other. All game results are computer-generated but the quotes and enhanced play-by-play are on me.)

ASHLAND, Ky. – It took a champion to take down a champion.

In a battle of two of the most beloved teams in Ashland basketball history, the 1961 state champion Tomcats outlasted the undefeated 2020 Tomcats, 77-74, Tuesday night.

The game is one in a series of matchups between great Tomcat teams of the past that will be played out in the coming days. It was the easy choice as the game most wanted to see, and it didn’t disappoint.

The 61-Tomcats used their length to keep the 20-Tomcats uncomfortable from behind the perimeter. The 20-Cats were only 6 of 25 on 3-pointers. Several rimmed out but 61-Ashland’s long-armed defenders played a role in disrupting the bombing 20- Tomcats, too.

Larry Conley collected 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists while Harold Sergent added 13 points and eight assists in command performances for 61. Gene Smith, the 6-foot-6 center, was another tough matchup inside, muscling his way to 12 points and five rebounds. Bob Hilton had nine points and five rebounds.

Cole Villers had a near perfect shooting performance with 25 points. He was 10 of 12 from the field and made all five free throws. But the 3-point shooting that the 20 Tomcats dominated opponents with all season was off the mark.

“That’s a great defensive team,” said 20-Ashland coach Jason Mays. “They were long and they were physical, too. It’s a tough matchup for us, or anybody else for that matter. We had our chances at the end though, but couldn’t get the 3-ball to fall for us. Ethan (Sellars) had a great look from the corner with under five seconds to go. That shot was down, man, and then it spun out. I’ll take getting that shot every time.”

Back-to-back triples from Ethan Hudson and Sellars gave the 20- Tomcats their last lead at 68-67 with 4:34 remaining. Villers hit from outside with 2:01 to play to tie the game at 74 but 20 Ashland failed to score the rest of the way.

Steve Cram drove inside for the go-ahead basket and his only field goal, spinning his way between Villers and Nolan Phillips to make it 76-74. The 20-Tomcats misfired from 3-point range on its last three attempts of the game, with the last attempt – a corner three from Sellars – circling the rim three times before kicking out with Conley rebounding. He was immediately fouled and sank one of two free throws to set the final margin.

“Let me tell you, those 20-Tomcats simply won’t give up,” said 61- coach Bob Wright. “I love the spirit of that team. When we went up 11 on them early in the second quarter, I thought that was it. But give them credit for fighting back. We had the better athletes but, boy, they sure had heart.”

The 20-Tomcats trailed 24-13 after a putback from Conley two minutes into the second quarter. But the 20-Tomcats came roaring back and the teams were tied 37-37 at halftime.

“We couldn’t keep Conley off the boards,” Mays said. “It’s something we knew was going to be a problem but how do you contain a guy like that? He’s the best all-around player I’ve ever coached against. We tried everybody on him.”

Sergent was a magician with the basketball, zipping passes to teammates from a variety of angles. He made several dazzling passes at the end of fastbreaks after the 61-Tomcats back-tipped rebounds to him.

“Man, can he ever pass the ball,” said 20-Tomcat point guard Colin Porter of Sergent. “It was an honor to play against him. I can see how this team won 36 games. They were great … but I’d love to play them again.”

Porter held his own with nine points and three assists. Hudson scored 12 while Phillips and Justin Bradley had nine apiece.

“That Porter kid is only a freshman?” Sergent asked. “Holy geez, look out for him in the next few years.”

REAL LIFE

Ashland’s 1961 team finished 36-1 and is regarded as one of the greatest teams in Sweet 16 history. All five starters received Division I scholarships: Steve Cram (LSU), Gene Smith (Cincinnati), Harold Sergent (Morehead), Bob Hilton (West Point) and Larry Conley (Kentucky). Coach: Bob Wright. Finish: State champions.

Ashland’s 2020 team went 33-0 and didn’t get to play in the Sweet 16 because of the coronavirus. The five starters were tremendous passers and deadly 3-point shooters who refused to lose. They were embraced by the community while journeying through the first unbeaten season since 1928. They had only three seniors on the roster. Coach: Jason Mays. Finish: Sweet 16 cancelled.

1961 ASHLAND (77) – Cram 1-3 4-4 6, Hilton 4-6 0-0 9, Sergent 5-11 3-4 13, Conley 8-18 6-12 22, Smith 4-7 4-5 12, Sexton 1-3 2-3 4, Daniels 3-4 1-1 7, Fairchild 0-2 0-0 0, Gray 1-2 0-0 2, Johnson 1-2 0-0 2. FG: 28-58. FT: 20-29. 3-point FG: 1-3 (Hilton 1-2, Sexton 0-1). Rebounds: 37 (Cram 3, Hilton 5, Conley 11, Smith 5, Sexton 6, Daniel 3, Sergent 2, Fairchild 1).  Assists: 16 (Cram 1, Hilton 1, Sergent 8, Conley 4, Smith 1, Gray 1, Johnson 1). PF: 19. Turnovers: 11.

2020 ASHLAND (74) – Porter 3-4 2-4 9, Hudson 2-11 4-4 10, Villers 10-12 5-5 25, Bradley 3-6 3-4 9, Sellars 2-10 0-0 6, Atkins 1-3 0-0 2, Gillum 1-5 0-1 2, Adkins 1-4 0-0 2, Phillips 3-5 2-3 9, Conway 0-3 0-0 0, Davis 0-0 0-0 0. FG: 26-63. FT: 16-21. 3-point FG: 6-25 (Porter 1-1, Hudson 2-8, Gillum 0-2, Sellars 2-10, Phillips 1-1, Conway 0-2). Rebounds: 30 (Porter 2, Hudson 5, Villers 6, Adkins 1, Gillum 1, Sellars 2, Phillips 8, Bradley 4, Conway 1). Assists: 16 (Porter 3, Hudson 3, Villers 2, Adkins 2, Gillum 2, Sellers 1, Phillips 1, Bradley 1, Davis 1). PF: 25. Turnovers: 9.

1961 ASHLAND   24         13         17         23             –            77

2020 ASHLAND   15         22         21         16             –            74