Tales from the old-timer

Basketball Recollections

Back in 1891, about 110 years ago, the YMCA Director in Springfield, Mass., James Naismith, invented the game of basketball, to give the young men an indoor sport in the wintertime. It has been a rousing success in this country and indeed, in worldwide countries.

With a few modifications, it is booming today, and is a major winter sport for high schools, colleges and in the international Olympics.

When I was a student at Peshtigo High School, I caught the hoops virus early, and paid 50 cents for one of the old obsolete basketballs complete with laces and an internal bladder, and happily took it home, balancing it on the handlebars of my skinny- tired bike.

My dad went to my Uncle Ed, a part-time commercial fisherman, and got some fish net, improvised a hoop and backboard, hoisted the homemade apparatus up on our big willow tree in our front yard on Cranberry Avenue in Peshtigo, and there was my crude out door “gym.” The branches hung down pretty low on the right side, so my left hook had a limited range.

All summer long the thump of the basketball could be heard in our house, as I and my friends practiced shots.

Mr. Schacht taught fast break basketball, in which the forwards stayed out past the free throw circle and the guards grabbed the opponents’ rebounds and fired long passes to the forwards streaking down the floor toward our basket.

I remember when the hook shot appeared, and a kid named Neal Coon from Lourdes, now St. Thomas Aquinas Academy, would glide across the circle and mesh his beautiful arching hook shots, maybe scoring 10 or 12 points with them.

Lena had a big guy named Kinziger, who was a star on that team, dominating the rebounds at both ends. He owned a tavern in later years, with the best collection of splendid buck deer I have seen anywhere.

I played on the PHS B Team in 9th and 10th grades, and got around pretty fast and worked on my left hook.

The old-timers like my dad had only what I called a “dump shot,” a set shot sort of underslung with both hands, as the game was really primitive in its techniques in his day.

I was on the team my junior year. My friend Jack Dashner had a bucket on the front of their garage, and and overhang of the eaves made us all shoot with low trajectories, and Jack particularly, avoided arching his shots, firing line drives from out. He did well under the bucket, though, and was a giant for those days at about 6 feet 2 inches tall.

Back then the girls were left out, and had no interscholastic games, and could only play against each other in a kind of distorted set of rules that forbid the guards from crossing the center line, for fear they might get hurt in collisions.

The girls have regular rules now, and play an interscholastic schedule just like the boys.

I had spent most of the time on the bench the last 2 years at PHS. My best night was when I made 4 field goals in a 59-16 victory over Suring in the 1942 season. Suring is no pushover today, though.

I was home from the Army in time to watch that great 1946 team, with Jim Carter, Frannie Steffen, Bo Story, Jim Behnke and Marshall Peterson, having a brilliant season. Back then there were no 5 divisions based on enrollment, so small schools had to fight against schools with enrollments of over 1,000, and we failed to gain the state championship. Carter had great hook shots with both his left and right hands.

The most significant change in shooting was when the jumpshot, using the favored hand and the other hand to steady the shot, migrated from the eastern US, making shorter guys able to offset the tall guys’ advantage. One year a Wisconsin man only 5 feet 10 led the Big Ten in scoring, using the new jump shot.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
05-22-2013	Front Page	Marinette Marine Dedicates New Construction Module
05-22-2013	Front Page	Bank Robbery Investigation Still Going On
05-22-2013	Front Page	Co. Law Enforcement Discusses 5-Year Plan
05-22-2013	Front Page	21 Years In Prison In Fatal Car Crash
05-22-2013	Front Page	Criminal Justice Discusses Prevention/Treatment Issues
05-22-2013	Sports	Cougars (15-1) Head Into Playoffs On Winning Note
05-22-2013	Sports	Lena’s Huberty Heads To Nationals;Qualifies For 2
05-22-2013	Sports	Marinette Boys Claim 5 Golds, Peshtigo Girls Register A Pair
05-22-2013	Sports	Suring Sweeps Regional Honors
05-22-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
05-22-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
05-22-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
05-22-2013	News	Goodman Legion Memorial Plans
05-22-2013	News	Benefit Ride June 8 for Late Trish Waschbisch
05-22-2013	News	Area Students Earn UW-Milwaukee Degrees
05-22-2013	News	Area Students on Dean’s List
05-22-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Athelstane Fund Raiser is July 13
05-22-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Church Weekend Rummage, Bake Sale
05-22-2013	Community - Wausaukee	SC Fire, Rescue Picnic is Aug. 10
05-22-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Legion Post 66 List Memorial Weekend Plans
05-22-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Wolverine 5K Run, Walk June 1
05-22-2013	Community - Crivitz	Loomis Historical Meeting June 6
05-22-2013	Community - Crivitz	Wear Poppy To Remember Those Who Sacrificed All
05-22-2013	Community - Crivitz	Witt Ford Announces Dealership Expansion Project
05-22-2013	Community - Coleman	Woman’s Club Plant Sale for Scholarships
05-22-2013	Community - Coleman	Abigail Panske; Abigail Gross
05-22-2013	Community - Coleman	Stellmachers Have Girl
05-22-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman School Presented Global Excellence Awards
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Frances L. Wood
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Harold J. Willette, Sr.
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Marilyn M. Werner
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Terese Lynn Trepanier
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Sally B. Swanson
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Florence A. Roggenbuck
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Donald A. Raymus
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Peter Orlando
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Glenn Maloney
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Doris J. Laitinen
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Robert E. Koutnik, Sr.
05-22-2013	Obituaries	John S. Kennedy
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Raymond D. Hoyum
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Mary Jane Hearley
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Jeffery D. Guay
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Robert W. Gaulke
05-22-2013	Obituaries	James Allen Erickson
05-22-2013	Obituaries	William W. England
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Helene R. Crawford
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Carol Clark
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Joyce Christensen
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Clara Boivin
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Dolores F. Berger
05-16-2013	Front Page	Mike, Anita Folgert Are Recipients Of Touhey Award
05-16-2013	Front Page	Predicts New Learning Center Will Be “A Shining Light” For Marinette Schools
05-16-2013	Front Page	Tourism Draws Millions For State, 4 County Area
05-16-2013	Front Page	Water & Sewer Committee Moves Ahead With Loan
05-16-2013	Front Page	Commend City Officer’s Work On Murder Case
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Lorna M. Techmeier
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James R. Schaut
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Nora E. Salewsky
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Ralph R. Runge
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James P. Reindl
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Uta Rasmussen
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Virginia Ellsworth Plier
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Ursula J. Peters
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Walter J. Moucha, Sr.
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Kasimir Melnyk
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Bernadette E. Meek
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Shirley Jean Johnson
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Julie N. Jeske
05-16-2013	Obituaries	George L. Hayden
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Patricia L. Gomber
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James A. Erickson,
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Frank M. Dudek
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Judith A. Carrillo
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Shirley Ann Bishop
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Donald M. Allard
05-16-2013	Sports	Marinette Golfers Win Menominee Meet; Bieberitz Is Medalist
05-16-2013	Sports	Track Regionals To Begin May 20
05-16-2013	Sports	Peshtigo Captures M-O Conference Crowns
05-16-2013	Sports	Coleman Finishes Perfect�Again!
05-16-2013	News	Set Babysitting Class for May 25
05-16-2013	News	Town Peshtigo Sets Cleanup Day
05-16-2013	News	Marinette Legion Brat Fry Dates
05-16-2013	News	Church Dinner, Auction May 19
05-16-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
05-16-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
05-16-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Grand Germany Tour Sept. 15-24
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Blood Drive is June 10
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Memorial Services Slated May 27
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Students Help Plant Nursery Stock Trees
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Jeff Diges Memorial Bike Run June 29, Hold Pool Tourney
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	TB Rescue Bake, Rummage Sale
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Co. Elderly Golf Scramble July 12
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Sister Cities Future On Line At May 22 Meeting
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman High School Graduation is June 1
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	2 Top Coleman Seniors
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Fine Art Nite at Coleman School
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman Services for Memorial Day
05-08-2013	Front Page	Marinette Police Memorial To Officers Lost In Duty
05-08-2013	Front Page	City Adopts New Sewer Rates, Fire Dept. Fees
05-08-2013	Front Page	Co. Move Toward Medical Examiner Model Rejected
05-08-2013	Front Page	Centenarian Marks Birthday May 5th
05-08-2013	Front Page	Folgerts Chosen For Touhey Award Recipients
05-08-2013	Front Page	Million Dollar Bail Set In Homicide Case
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Irene Zoellner
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Lila V. Tippett
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Clarence E. Treptow
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Dennis L. Tachick
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Roger K. Schiefelbein
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Sharon A. Ronan
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Robert Ranallo, Sr.
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Jerry Rakowski
05-08-2013	Obituaries	James Prefontaine
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Spencer B. Patz
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Lila E. Miller
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Patricia Mathey
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Helen J. Lemery
05-08-2013	Obituaries	William H. Keller
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Alice Johnson
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Ronald Cedric Henning
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Algin T. Hendricksen
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Paul G. Grunwald
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Cheryl Lynn Gallo
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Gyneth Gadtzke
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Crystal Ann Gabriel
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Curtis P. Frank, Sr.
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Della A. DeStarkey
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Daniel P. Barney
05-08-2013	News	Girl Scout Carnival at Peshtigo June 2
05-08-2013	News	5th Annual EMS 5K Walk/Run
05-08-2013	News	Brazeau Annual Fundraiser July 27
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wagner Board Meets May 14
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	SC Fire, Rescue Auxiliary May 13
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Lions To Clean Hwy. 180 May 11
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Legion Post 66 Meeting May 11
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	CHS 5K Run/ Walk is June 1
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Legion Trap 22
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Middle Inlet Plans for Memorial Day
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Middle Inlet Plans 33rd Annual Reunion
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Area Cadets at State Challenge Academy
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Parkway Ladies Start
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Comins Graduates Basic
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Graduates Basic
05-08-2013	Sports	Wausaukee Golfers Win 9-Hole M-O Tournament
05-08-2013	Sports	Bulldogs Grab M-O Lead
05-08-2013	Sports	Marines Shine At Home Invite
05-08-2013	Sports	Coleman Clinches M-O Title Share
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Patricia J. Waschbisch
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Bessie Riley