Last Wednesday at Men's League, shared a table & some frosties post round w/ Stan Hardin, back 2 back state champion coach w/ 73's beloved Fairdale squads @ coach on numerous Derby Classics (back when it was 2nd to McD's), KY/IN Allstar games, -- made me think of you Louisville bred folks.
That guy is a HOOT. Dirtiest mouth you'll ever come across, but those types of baskeball lifers are so great to talk to...they never run out of interesting stories. A few topics from our limited first meeting
-King Kelly Coleman -- I'd inquired if he saw him play (yes, a bunch), and if the things you read/hear about him on AND off court are true or more mountain myth. Absolutely true, he said, on both accounts. Talked of him showing up w/ a briefcase of bourbon at some All Star game, and trading a championship ring outside of an event for some booze...and being generally unstoppable, just a natural that "could have been".
-Getting ran off the squad himself after first semester as a player at WKU, under E.A. Diddle
-Jermaine Brown tearing everyone's goals/rims up, and having to warn coaches in advance.
-How it's sad that HS Basketball in Kentucky just doesn't garner interest anymore, from Louisville to out in the state -- gyms are empty for the most part. He puts much of the blame for Louisville issues on bussing, which I found interesting.
...among other things. Love a true basketball head.
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On a similar note, learned over the weekend that my Stepdad has a FULL DVD of the 1967 Sweet 16 game, which featured King Kelly Coleman & Wayland vs. Harry Todd & Earlington, the eventual state Champion. (where Killa & I went to K-8). Curious to take a look at that.