No problem. Had to look it up myself as I knew he wasn't Ky born but couldn't remember the details.Forgive my ignorance, another passed down story from my father.
No problem. Had to look it up myself as I knew he wasn't Ky born but couldn't remember the details.Forgive my ignorance, another passed down story from my father.
I was at the 66 tournament.Dave was fast and could really move around bigger slower players,also had good shooting range,good passer and good basketball IQ.I had not even heard of him before the tourny.Anyone out there old enough to remember anything about Dave Cowens in high school? I'm referencing the KHSAA Basketball Encyclopedia by Jeff Bridgeman. He went to Newport Catholic in 1966 and they went 29-3 but lost in first round of the Sweet Sixteen. Cowens was only all-state honorable mention. But Hugh Durham (Louisville native, coached Florida State at that time, went on to UGA later) gave him a scholarship. He is arguably the greatest Florida State player to this day, still all-time leading rounder, top 10 in scoring. Seems like UK would have been all over him in the mid 60s, would have been a Soph at UK in Issel's Senior Year.
Yes ... I'm old enough to remember Cowens from high school. I graduated from high school in 1965 ... and I don't remember ever hearing anything about Cowens until his last year at FSU. Heard a lot about him, of course, when he was with the Celtics.Anyone out there old enough to remember anything about Dave Cowens in high school? I'm referencing the KHSAA Basketball Encyclopedia by Jeff Bridgeman. He went to Newport Catholic in 1966 and they went 29-3 but lost in first round of the Sweet Sixteen. Cowens was only all-state honorable mention. But Hugh Durham (Louisville native, coached Florida State at that time, went on to UGA later) gave him a scholarship. He is arguably the greatest Florida State player to this day, still all-time leading rounder, top 10 in scoring. Seems like UK would have been all over him in the mid 60s, would have been a Soph at UK in Issel's Senior Year.
Almost 17 pts/game. Three games over 30 pts, including 39 vs LSU, in his only year in college.Based on what?
Yeah .A very controversial name would be Tom Payne if you overlooked his off the field issues!
he didnt play in the 16th region. Not possableYeah .
I remember seeing him at the 16th regional tournament in Morehead in 1969.
I believe he was a hsaa.
Yep! Harry Todd, 6' 9" center who played in the mid 50's in the western part of the state ( Etherington HS ?). He started for Western Ky for 3 years and played in the NBA with the Hawks. He held several national HS records for several years. He wanted to go to UK but Rupp unintentionally pissed off his Dad when he came to Harry's home to recruit him. Harry had a showcase in his home in which several of his trophies and awards were displayed. Upon seeing them Rupp told Harry's dad you can just put those away since they are HS awards and have little significance once he enters college. Harry's Dad, being a proud father, was insulted by this remark and urged Harry to go play for Ed Diddle at Western Ky which he did. I know this story is true because Sgt Major Harry Todd told this story to me in person at Ft Mcpherson, Ga in 1974 while both of us were on active duty. Harry had a distinguished 30 year Army career retiring as a Sgt Major, the highest enlisted grade.Forgot about Turpin. I think you're right. I would put Malachi over Estill at this point, but debateable.
As far as the other great big men from the KHSAA, Wes Unseld went to UofL, Dave Cowens went to Florida State and Jim McDaniels took Western Kentucky to the Final Four. Any other Kentucky high school big men I'm missing?
Interesting, Harry Todd was Mr. Basketball at Earlington (now part of Hopkins County Central) in 1958, and was a repeat first team all-State first team player from 1957 and 1956. Not many three time first team all-state players in KHSAA history. Earlington made the Sweet 16 his sophomore year in 1956, but didn't get out of the district either of his last two years. (Source: Kentucky High School Basketball Encyclopedia by Jeff Bridgeman)Yep! Harry Todd, 6' 9" center who played in the mid 50's in the western part of the state ( Etherington HS ?). He started for Western Ky for 3 years and played in the NBA with the Hawks. He held several national HS records for several years. He wanted to go to UK but Rupp unintentionally pissed off his Dad when he came to Harry's home to recruit him. Harry had a showcase in his home in which several of his trophies and awards were displayed. Upon seeing them Rupp told Harry's dad you can just put those away since they are HS awards and have little significance once he enters college. Harry's Dad, being a proud father, was insulted by this remark and urged Harry to go play for Ed Diddle at Western Ky which he did. I know this story is true because Sgt Major Harry Todd told this story to me in person at Ft Mcpherson, Ga in 1974 while both of us were on active duty. Harry had a distinguished 30 year Army career retiring as a Sgt Major, the highest enlisted grade.
Payne was a national-level stud coming out of high school, and he put up good numbers in his only season of varsity play for UK. Lot of stupid decisions off and on the court. My memory is he briefly played for the Catbirds while he was out in the mid-80’s?Almost 17 pts/game. Three games over 30 pts, including 39 vs LSU, in his only year in college.
The thread is about best high school signee from KY, not best moral fiber.
That’s a vast understatement. Payne’s issues went well beyond "stupid" and into downright evil.Payne was a national-level stud coming out of high school, and he put up good numbers in his only season of varsity play for UK. Lot of stupid decisions off and on the court. My memory is he briefly played for the Catbirds while he was out in the mid-80’s?