5 Most Memorable CCHS Basketball Plays: 1953-70

Posted by Ed Davis

 

Lynn Davis sent an email to some of us in which he said: “Name the top five most memorable basketball plays in Wildcat basketball history from 1953-70.  I will say at this time:

1) The James Collins shot in the semifinals at state to send us to the title game.

2) The Buddy Carlisle steal and free throws to beat Ball High in our gym.

What are your thoughts?”

So, let's let Lynn know what we think are the most memorable plays during that span of time.  Do you agree with his two choices?  Can you add more or even come up with some different plays altogether?  This is your chance to let the world know.

Comments

[Dan Jensen]

I will list five memorable moments, in chronological order, and others may add or list these in order of preference:

1954--Jimmie Goodman stole the ball and hit a layup at buzzer to defeat Lamar Consolidated in its own tournament finals. The team won 28 straight to start that year and this shot was the first big one in the development of our great basketball dynasty.

1960--With 12 seconds left to play in a tie game against Belton in the state tournament, Bennie Lenox brings the ball down the length of the court, drives the baseline and sinks the game winner at the buzzer as he ended with 36 points. Too bad it was for third place.

1961—Paul Timmins hits from outside in the waning moments of the regional finals at Bryan to defeat Killeen. Paul was one of our all-time greats.

1963—Score tied in first game of state tournament, score tied with South San Antonio. We call timeout with the ball and everyone that knows anything knows that all-state Curley Lenox will get the shot. But he was too well covered and the ball was thrown to James Collins in the corner. His magnificent shot propels us to the finals and our only state championship.

1970—Galveston Ball makes a great fourth quarter comeback and takes a one point lead with about a minute left. We miss a shot, Galveston Ball gets the rebound and it is all over. But wait! Buddy Carlisle steals the ball and after being intentionally fouled to prevent a layup, he hits two free throws and we win by one.

As Lynn said earlier, what are your thoughts?

[Dan Jensen]

The following sent to me by Terry Mathis, who played on two state tournament teams:

I would say the "corner shot" from James Collins with 3 seconds to go to beat South San., 42-40, and by the way his only 2 points of the game was the most important shot in the entire history of Clear Creek basketball. Without that basket it would have gone to overtime, and who knows what would have happened, the 1963 team may have been playing for 3rd place, and I know how that feels. And I was at Gregory Gym to witness that shot. How many others were?

[Dan Jensen]

From Joe McKinney:

Terry: I’m proud to say I was there—sitting on the end of the bench. Valentino and I (2 sophomores) were moved up for the play-offs—what a great honor.

[Dan Jensen]

From Lynn Davis, the one who got this great thread started:

I was in the end zone, second row. If I had a cane pole, I could have touched Collins as he shot. Will NEVER forget it as long as I live, Nothing but Net!

[Buddy Carlisle]

1995 - Clear Creek at Clear Lake in a big district game in front of a packed house. We lead 19-0 before they ever score but they gain the momentum and start a comeback. With 30 seconds left they have a 2 pt lead and we miss and have to foul their best free throw shooter. He misses the front end of one and one and we rebound. We work for a last shot and Von Shelton hits a deep 3 right in front of our bench for a one point lead. They inbound quickly and heave from mid court that is no good and set off a celebration on their home court by Wildcat fans that was amazing. We go on to win district as a result of that win!

Buddy Carlisle

[Dwayne L. (Curley) Lenox]

1. The shot by James Collins against South San Antonio in the 1953 state tournament is number one.

2. The game winning shot by Paul Timmins against Killeen in the regional finals is number two.

3) Bennie's game winner against Belton in the 1960 state tournament to win third place is number three.

4) In the 1963 season, we played Spring Branch on a home and home basis. They had a very good team and actually came in 2nd in state behind San Angelo in the 4A state championship game. In the game at Spring Branch, James Collins made the game winning basket from virtually the same spot that he would do in the state championship game.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to watch many Clear Creek games because I was either playing in college or coaching in high school. I regret not getting to watch Scooter play as much as I would have liked. DLL

DLL

[Dail Bauerschlag Sams]

I wish I could say that I remember that incredible shot by James Collins at the 1963 state meet. I was there, a 10-year-old girl, who only wanted Creek to win the game for her daddy, coach Henry Bauerschlag.

[Dwayne (Curley) Lenox]

It's certainly a pleasure to hear from Dail and read how much she wanted Clear Creek to win, especially for her dad. Some of the players would often discuss how much pressure Coach Henry was under by following Coach Carlisle and the legacy he left. However, he never indicated to his team that their was any pressure. Neither did Coach Talley. They were just those kind of men.

One of the saddest days in my life was when Coach Carlisle phone me at home in Liberty Hill with the news that Coach Henry had just passed away and the funeral would a couple of days later in League City. The burial would follow in San Marcos.

The last time I got to talk with Coach was in Austin at the UIL State Tournament. My son's team from Liberty Hill was playing and Coach had driven up to watch them play.

I'll never forget that all too brief of a time we spent together that week-end. He shared things with me about his philosophy of coaching and how to handle the pressure other people try to put on you. On of the things he shared with me was what he heard from the fans almost daily. They all expected to end up in Austin at the end of every season. They wouldn't accept anything less.

Coach said the people had it all wrong. Winning district was the goal. Anything after that was "icing on the cake." Thank goodness that in 1963 he go to taste a lot of icing. He certainly deserved it.

Dail, Your dad was one of a kind. I'll will always treasure the time I spent with him and the influence he had on my life

[Dan Jensen]

Coach Henry once commented to me about the fans' expectations of playing in the state tournament every year. "They must think it is an invitational" he said.

And it's very good to see Dail's post. It's very sad that Henry, his wife and son died way too soon.

[Dan Jensen]

We have all overlooked a really great last shot. I am not sure where it ranks in Wildcat lore but it is plumb high.

It was 1972 and we needed a win at Texas City for our 19th straight district championship.

Texas City led by a point and had the ball in the last minute of play. Some clown fired from the corner, missed, we rebounded and Steve Whitworth dribbles furiously down court. At the foul line he jumps AND HITS!!! About three seconds left and all the losers can do is throw the ball up in the rafters. I walked out of the gym thinking, "The King ain't dead yet!" But the string ended the next year as the new Clear Lake school took two of our best players.

[Andy Peters]

After the glory days and the split. Clear Lake became the team to beat. In 1984 we held the lead for most of the game but Lake came back and tied it up with seconds to go. As the buzzer sounded Charlie Johnson tipped in the winning basket. The bleachers emptied on to the court. It was not a playoff win or a state championship but to beat Lake at that time and have the district lead was huge. They played it on a TV during lunch for 2 days.

[Daniel Iven]

2004-2005 CCISD TOURNY we were playing Desktop for the championship in Carlise fieldhouse....we came back from I believe it was a 20 point deficit in the final 2 minutes of the game to win....I know its not a shot but I think it was coach last year to coach and really wanted to win our tourney

[Dan Jensen]

I've seen Iven's post before but as I am reading it again,that 20 point rally in just two minutes is just too hard to believe. This site has become too inactive to get any explanation now but Buddy Carlisle will have to verify this for me to believe it.