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Basketball At Its Best
On Thursday night NCAA basketball came to Plattsburgh. At least that's what it felt like at Barker Memorial Gymnasium at Plattsburgh High School when the Peru Central School boys basketball team took on PHS. It was a standing-room-only crowd at the spacious gym, and the noise created by the Indians and Hornets fans surely knocked books off the shelves of the school library down the hall.
Students from both schools came prepared to show their school spirit. Many Peru fans had painted faces and brought signs. One large sign in particular reminded everyone that in football the Indians had prevailed twice over the Hornets, albeit by close scores. And the sign continued to note that the Indians had won the earlier hoop matchup between these two schools in Peru.
In that game the Peru Indians came from behind in the closing minutes to steal the win at the buzzer when Austin Rickert lofted a game-winning shot. His shot sent Indians fans home happy that night, and forced the Hornets into waiting five weeks for the rematch.
On Thursday night the Hornet fans demonstrated school spirit that has not been seen in years at Barker. All season there has been a noisy group of students at most home games, sitting (or mostly standing!) under the basket at the cafeteria end of the gym. But on this night they were tripled in number! And they took the gym by storm when a group of 15 boys followed the team onto the floor with their chests painted orange and spelling out "Go Plattsburgh!" in black.
Principals and athletic directors from both schools were in attendance, but they were able to enjoy the game and were not put into the situation of being babysitters. The crowd was noisy, extremely noisy, and everyone had plenty of fun. Plattsburgh A.D. Joe Staves set the tone with his opening remarks about sportsmanship, followed by recognition of the Peru senior athletes and a note of best wishes to a Peru player who has been hospitalized. The Peru crowd appreciated the gesture, I'm sure.
It was the final home game for the senior athletes and the customary recognition was given to parents and seniors. The Peru crowd was polite during this segment and you can bet the Hornets faithful appreciated that.
While the youngsters had fun cheering and, better yet, playing, many of us old-timers in the crowd were thinking how proud former PHS coaches would be. Coaches like George Kimball, Ray Holmes, Mike Flynn and Kevin Daugherty, who was in attendance.
Both teams are coached by young enthusiastic coaches. Chris Hartmann, a Peru Central graduate, coaches PHS and Matt Berry, also a Peru Central grad, coaches his alma mater. However, as Joe Staves pointed out to the crowd, Matt's father, Pat Berry, was an outstanding athlete who graduated from PHS.
The game itself was all anyone could hope for -- five-on-five basketball, five outstanding athletes on each side, with an NCAA environment. Years from now the players will be telling their grandchildren about this night, perhaps embellishing their own performance a bit, as time seems to do to all of us.
The crowd saw ten ties in the first half and a halftime score of 27-27. Even halftime was noisy with everyone buzzing about the excitement of the first half.
A big third quarter for Plattsburgh took the Indians crowd out of the game somewhat in the second half, but a fourth quarter scoring spurt by Peru brought them back into the game.
The game was a battle for first place in Division I of the Champlain Valley Athletic Conference and the Hornets 66-50 win gave them the CVAC title. But the game meant even more than that. To the Hornets it meant winning one against the school that they had battled and lost to three times. I'm sure the players had a little extra strut as they walked down the PHS halls on Friday morning.
No need to mention particular players or high scorers or anyone else. It was a great battle of one team against another. And it was as close as many of us have ever seen to a big time college basketball game. Syracuse, North Carolina, Duke had nothing on the Barker Thursday night. The players and fans turned it into what Dick Vitale calls, "Showtime, baby!"
The players on both teams can be proud to have played in such an event. It's a game I'll be talking about for a long time.
Comments
I have to agree with Miney, playing behind the High School was not the same as playing at Bailey Ave. I'm glad the hornets beat the indians. When I was in High School (66-69) we had a family rivaly. My parents taught at Peru and I attended PHS.
It was 1984 or 1985 I was working in Washington, D.C. I was returing a vehicle to a parking garage and noticed a Peru Central vehicle parked there as well. The doors were unlocked, so I left a message for the driver that the PHS Hornets were the greatest! I later learned that someone from the Peru school administration was there for an educational conference.
Posted by: John Harnett | February 15, 2007 11:49 AM
Someone said the PHS Homecoming football game wasn't well attended, but I must state for the record that @ least 6 of the class of 1969 attended the game - Bill, Stan, Woody, John, Mark and me were there to root for the Hornets. We found the spirit to be lacking too. I chalk it up to the field. It just wasn't the same without the old Bailey Avenue grandstand. Heck, we used to only practice on that field - and before that it was farm land where my Dad and the Baker boys played.
One day in the 30's the Baker boys & my Dad played a trick on another friend, Alfie Diebolt (who for a couple of decades held the AAU record for the 440 - he ran for Colgate and his son played on the 68 UCLA football team). They said Alfie we need to use the honey wagon and we need someone to push from the rear while we help pull from the front, the tractor can't handle it all by itself. Well Alfie got behind and pushed as they engaged the manure spreader and poor Alfie was full of $$it.
Posted by: Miney Rowlson | February 13, 2007 7:28 AM
There is nothing like a great rivalry. Or a great high school basketball game for that matter! When I was a senior one of our few wins came against our arch rivals just 5 miles down the road. We were down by two in the final seconds, and we hit a half court shot at the buzzer to win. The student section stormed the court, making us feel like we had just won the state! I'll never forget it, just like I'm sure the PHS guys will never for get that game either.
I also got to witness another great rivalry game this Wednesday. Out of the blue, Heather and I decided to make the four and a half hour journey to the University of Oklahoma to see the Sooners take on Oklahoma State. While OU dominates the "bedlam series" in football, it's split in basketball. OSU was a big favorite this year because OU is in rebuilding mode, having lost 4 starters from last years squad. But, the Sooners stormed to the early lead and never let it go, winning 67-60! We didn't get home until three in the morning, and had to work at nine the next day, but boy was it worth it!!! You can't beat great basketball!!
(Foxy's note: Wish I could have gone to that game with you and Heather! What a "Fox on the Run" show we could have made!)
Posted by: Aaron | February 12, 2007 1:45 PM
It's a footnote whenever Peru beats PHS but it is an event of the ages when the Hornets steal one from the mighty Indians. Still somewhat surprising the Peru has been able to maintain their controversial Indian mascot. Continued good luck to Coach Hartmann as they sting their opponents.
Posted by: rubble | February 11, 2007 7:01 PM
Although I wasn't there to see it, it seems that it was a helluva game. More importantly though, I'm glad that HS kids tore themselves away from their video games and computers to enjoy not only the game but join the camraderie and good sportsmanship like days of yore (as Carver mentioned).
I hope that this wasn't an isolated event, but one that would continue throughout all seasons and venues.
I was quite disappointed this year at the PHS Homecoming football game where only a paltry few attended. The cheering was sparse, the band played only the National Anthem and left and no halftime show as in the past.
I guess it is the sign of the times when other activities including video games and computers compete with healthy social activities.
Posted by: skip zatonski | February 11, 2007 1:00 PM
Foxy - I had the task of running the time clock for this EVENT. That's what it felt like an event. I agree both teams, both fans, conducted themselves in a positive way. Joe Staves did an outstanding job along with his dedicated staff. Many times in this day and age kids are criticized for their actions. Not this time!!! It tells me that youth are becoming more and more accountable for their actions.
This game was so intense from the introductions to the final buzzer. That's when i really saw the respect both teams had for each other. These kids hugging one another after the game, something we didn't do in our day and age. Coach Berry looking into each Hornets players eyes and shaking their hand and congratulating them. Thanks to both teams for an outstanding event. Shall we see a rubber game? Soon we shall find out. Sectional basketball is around the corner. The overalls could set up another classic for all to enjoy again!!!!! Good luck to all the sectional participants, both Boys and Girls-----Goose
Posted by: Goose | February 11, 2007 11:32 AM
Fox, I agree with you completely. That was one of the most electric crowds I've seen in years! You're right, Team spirit for both teams was at an all time high, while both the Peru fans and Plattsburgh fans showed alot of respect for one another. Not to mention a hell of a game!
It flashed me back to the some of the great match ups from the 70's and 60's.... I t reminded me of the 1970's Plattsburgh-Saranac great classics, some at the fieldhouse and some wild ones in the Saranac gym, when if you didn't get there at 4 for an 8 o'clock game you weren't getting in! It also brought back memories of the 60's when we had all the great City Catholic School rivalries between MAI, OLVA, ST JOHNS those were some wild games and wild crowds..
Yes it was great to see the kids having a ball, on the court and in the stands. It was also nice to see so many of the folks there who played various roles in some of those games of the 60's and 70's.. people like Gary Butler. Bob Garrow, The Brunos, The Farrell brothers, Bobby McCorry, John Flynn, Kevin Daugherty, Robin Bouyea... chrips I even think I saw "sweet Lou Flynn" in attendance! as well as many other familar faces.. sorry some of you missed it, it was a honor and privilege just to part of it!
Posted by: the carver | February 10, 2007 11:07 PM