McClain, WCH led SCOL in 1969-70
By
Bob Patton-
In order to stay in contention for the SCOL title, McClain would have to beat Circleville at Circleville Jan. 9. Circleville was only 1-4 in the league and 2-6 overall. But they had been in almost every game.
They had lost by an average of five points per game, so, they couldn’t be taken too lightly. Guard Randy Halley (16.5) and forwards Charlie Jackson (15.6) and Ty Ankrom (14.9) were the chief scorers for the red and black.
The fired-up Circleville Tigers jumped out to a 21-13 opening period margin over McClain, and things didn’t look too promising.
But McClain steadily mounted a comeback, and finally took the lead with about 3 minutes remaining in the half, although Circleville bounced back to take a 33-32 halftime lead.
After the intermission, Circleville widened the gap and held a 48-42 lead going into the final quarter. At that point, Snyder employed a devastating full court press, which took Circleville completely out of their game.
The McClain Tigers seemed re-energized as they hit 10 of the next 15 shots to get back into the game. They took the lead with 2:46 remaining and poured it on with seven more points for a 69-60 win. In other league action, Wilmington blew Hillsboro away 104-63, at Wilmington, and Miami Trace edged Washington 45-43, at MT.
McClain didn’t get to celebrate long, however, as they had to make the short trip up Route 41 the following Friday night and take on the Blue Lions of Washington C.H.
The Blue Lions jumped on the Tigers from the opening tip-off and held a 10-point lead after one quarter, 22-12. The Tigers fought valiantly, but were never able to catch the Lions, losing the important league game 77- 62.
Hillsboro played at Miami Trace the same night, and lost 83-67 while Wilmington downed Circleville 84-49.
As the end of the season drew nearer, Hillsboro met the McClain Tigers on the McClain floor Jan. 23. McClain’s Steve Wisecup and Ken Curry combined for 54 points and the Tigers waltzed to an easy 75-46 win. Other SCOL games saw Washington blitz Circleville 95-58 and Wilmington clip Miami Trace 78-69.
On Saturday night, the Tigers met another set of Tigers, this time at Waverly.
Waverly was one of the toughest teams McClain met that season, and they took the measure of visiting McClain, 83-54.
One of the biggest games of the season took place Jan. 30, when the Wilmington Hurricane met McClain, in Greenfield. After a torrid game in which neither side seemed to be able to open up a sizeable lead, Tiger Larry Trefz sunk Wilmington on two free throws with one second remaining in overtime. The final score was: McClain 63, Wilmington 61.
At Hillsboro, the same night, the Indians played one of their best games of the season, pushing Washington to the limit before dropping a 72-64 decision.
Jewett with 28 and Trout with 16 paced the Indians.
Steve Bowers burned up the nets while scoring 35 for Washington.
In other action, Miami Trace downed Circleville, 78-53.
McClain would meet Miami Trace on the MT court February 7, travel to Newark the next night, then close with Circleville at home February 13. Both of the league encounters would be critical.
A loss would probably eliminate the Tigers from the race for the big trophy.
A throng of McClain fans arrived at Miami Trace well before the doors opened. Miami Trace fans, who were not used to having to arrive early because their gymnasium was spacious, did not show up until later. When the doors opened, the fans dressed in purple and gold filled up the visitors’ side. Then, they started filling the home side. A few Miami Trace fans got inside the gym. (Not many.)
It was like a home game for the Tigers. It was a hard-fought battle, but the Tigers won, 65- 61.
On Saturday night, the Tigers were overwhelmed by the Newark Wildcats, the No. 3 team in The AA state ratings, but it didn’t matter. The only thing on their minds was the Circleville game coming up the next Friday night. Meanwhile, arch-rival Miami Trace would face league co-leader Washington, on the WCH court.
At Greenfield, the Tigers dominated Circleville in every category. Sophomore Mike Hull led McClain as he racked up 23 points. Steve Wisecup followed with 16 markers, Ken Curry with 14 and Dave Kensinger, playing his best game of the season, totaled 13 while snagging 10 rebounds.
Washington edged the Miami Trace Panthers, 70-63, to share the title with McClain. Steve Bowers scored 35 points for the second time in the season for WCH. Marty Jones led MT with 28.
In Hillsboro, the Indians led favored Wilmington throughout the first half, before the visitors came back in the final two periods to win the contest, 59-48, ending the Indians’ season without winning a game.
Final SCOL standings were:
McClain — 8-2, 8-10
WCH — 8-2, 14-4
WHS — 7-3, 9-8
MT — 5-5, 10-8
CHS — 2-8, 5-13
Hillsboro — 0-10, 0-18
McClain met the Lancaster Golden Gales in the Paint Valley sectional tourney Feb. 24. The Tigers were just no match for Lancaster. They put up a gallant battle, especially Steve Wisecup and Mike Hull, who scored 18 and 13 points, respectively. But the Gales cruised to an 81-60 win, ending McClain’s season. In the second game the same night, Hillsboro fell to Thornville Sheridan, 67-54, mercifully bringing an 0-19 season to an end. Later in the tournament, Lancaster took Miami Trace down and brought their season to a close.
The 1969-70 All-SCOL teams were announced the following week. They were: Steve Bowers, WCH; Charlie Jackson, Circ; Steve Phillips, WCH; Randy Halley, Circ; Mark Cowman, Wil; Mike Hull, McC; Ron Grove, Wil; Ken Curry, McC; Marty Jones, MT; Steve Bihl, MT; Steve Wisecup, McC; Glen McDonald, Wil.
Bob Patton is a Highland County sports historian and a contributing writer to The Highland County Press.[[In-content Ad]]
They had lost by an average of five points per game, so, they couldn’t be taken too lightly. Guard Randy Halley (16.5) and forwards Charlie Jackson (15.6) and Ty Ankrom (14.9) were the chief scorers for the red and black.
The fired-up Circleville Tigers jumped out to a 21-13 opening period margin over McClain, and things didn’t look too promising.
But McClain steadily mounted a comeback, and finally took the lead with about 3 minutes remaining in the half, although Circleville bounced back to take a 33-32 halftime lead.
After the intermission, Circleville widened the gap and held a 48-42 lead going into the final quarter. At that point, Snyder employed a devastating full court press, which took Circleville completely out of their game.
The McClain Tigers seemed re-energized as they hit 10 of the next 15 shots to get back into the game. They took the lead with 2:46 remaining and poured it on with seven more points for a 69-60 win. In other league action, Wilmington blew Hillsboro away 104-63, at Wilmington, and Miami Trace edged Washington 45-43, at MT.
McClain didn’t get to celebrate long, however, as they had to make the short trip up Route 41 the following Friday night and take on the Blue Lions of Washington C.H.
The Blue Lions jumped on the Tigers from the opening tip-off and held a 10-point lead after one quarter, 22-12. The Tigers fought valiantly, but were never able to catch the Lions, losing the important league game 77- 62.
Hillsboro played at Miami Trace the same night, and lost 83-67 while Wilmington downed Circleville 84-49.
As the end of the season drew nearer, Hillsboro met the McClain Tigers on the McClain floor Jan. 23. McClain’s Steve Wisecup and Ken Curry combined for 54 points and the Tigers waltzed to an easy 75-46 win. Other SCOL games saw Washington blitz Circleville 95-58 and Wilmington clip Miami Trace 78-69.
On Saturday night, the Tigers met another set of Tigers, this time at Waverly.
Waverly was one of the toughest teams McClain met that season, and they took the measure of visiting McClain, 83-54.
One of the biggest games of the season took place Jan. 30, when the Wilmington Hurricane met McClain, in Greenfield. After a torrid game in which neither side seemed to be able to open up a sizeable lead, Tiger Larry Trefz sunk Wilmington on two free throws with one second remaining in overtime. The final score was: McClain 63, Wilmington 61.
At Hillsboro, the same night, the Indians played one of their best games of the season, pushing Washington to the limit before dropping a 72-64 decision.
Jewett with 28 and Trout with 16 paced the Indians.
Steve Bowers burned up the nets while scoring 35 for Washington.
In other action, Miami Trace downed Circleville, 78-53.
McClain would meet Miami Trace on the MT court February 7, travel to Newark the next night, then close with Circleville at home February 13. Both of the league encounters would be critical.
A loss would probably eliminate the Tigers from the race for the big trophy.
A throng of McClain fans arrived at Miami Trace well before the doors opened. Miami Trace fans, who were not used to having to arrive early because their gymnasium was spacious, did not show up until later. When the doors opened, the fans dressed in purple and gold filled up the visitors’ side. Then, they started filling the home side. A few Miami Trace fans got inside the gym. (Not many.)
It was like a home game for the Tigers. It was a hard-fought battle, but the Tigers won, 65- 61.
On Saturday night, the Tigers were overwhelmed by the Newark Wildcats, the No. 3 team in The AA state ratings, but it didn’t matter. The only thing on their minds was the Circleville game coming up the next Friday night. Meanwhile, arch-rival Miami Trace would face league co-leader Washington, on the WCH court.
At Greenfield, the Tigers dominated Circleville in every category. Sophomore Mike Hull led McClain as he racked up 23 points. Steve Wisecup followed with 16 markers, Ken Curry with 14 and Dave Kensinger, playing his best game of the season, totaled 13 while snagging 10 rebounds.
Washington edged the Miami Trace Panthers, 70-63, to share the title with McClain. Steve Bowers scored 35 points for the second time in the season for WCH. Marty Jones led MT with 28.
In Hillsboro, the Indians led favored Wilmington throughout the first half, before the visitors came back in the final two periods to win the contest, 59-48, ending the Indians’ season without winning a game.
Final SCOL standings were:
McClain — 8-2, 8-10
WCH — 8-2, 14-4
WHS — 7-3, 9-8
MT — 5-5, 10-8
CHS — 2-8, 5-13
Hillsboro — 0-10, 0-18
McClain met the Lancaster Golden Gales in the Paint Valley sectional tourney Feb. 24. The Tigers were just no match for Lancaster. They put up a gallant battle, especially Steve Wisecup and Mike Hull, who scored 18 and 13 points, respectively. But the Gales cruised to an 81-60 win, ending McClain’s season. In the second game the same night, Hillsboro fell to Thornville Sheridan, 67-54, mercifully bringing an 0-19 season to an end. Later in the tournament, Lancaster took Miami Trace down and brought their season to a close.
The 1969-70 All-SCOL teams were announced the following week. They were: Steve Bowers, WCH; Charlie Jackson, Circ; Steve Phillips, WCH; Randy Halley, Circ; Mark Cowman, Wil; Mike Hull, McC; Ron Grove, Wil; Ken Curry, McC; Marty Jones, MT; Steve Bihl, MT; Steve Wisecup, McC; Glen McDonald, Wil.
Bob Patton is a Highland County sports historian and a contributing writer to The Highland County Press.[[In-content Ad]]