LOOKING BACK

 Corbin High School has certainly had more than its fair share of outstanding athletes.

The accomplishments of such a small school’s athletes are truly remarkable. This week however, I would like to focus on some of those faces in the crowd, people who lived and died with the Redhounds.

Of course one of those faces belonged to Judge Paul Braden, who passed away last week. Paul and his good friend, George Crabtree, could always be seen sitting high in Gilliam Gym seats pulling for the basketball Redhounds.

Jack Coffey and his buddy, Dallas Hart, were fixtures at Redhound football games. Sammy Sturgill is certainly one of the most adamant Redhound fans.

I will always remember what the great Redhound football coach Archie Powers said about Sammy. “He may have been giving us (the coaching staff) down the road, but in the end, he was always there pulling for us.”

There has been no one in Redhound history that has cared more for Redhound sports than Henry “Buddy” Martin.

Somewhere in the mid 1950’s, Mrs. Retha Copas, and Mrs. Bonnie Bird bought football season tickets to Redhound football games. D.L. Lynch, the son of Mrs. Copas, still has kept those same seats over 50 years later.

Two other lovely ladies, Ruth Meadors and Theresa Hammons, had their seats for over a half a century as well. Mrs. Hammons passed away a couple of years ago. Mrs. Meadors husband, Lou, kept the clock and scoreboard for many years before his passing. Lou’s son, Ronnie Meadors, has taken over Lou’s duties for the past several years.

The late Dr. Keith Smith was the most deeply rooted of Redhound fans and was kind enough to share many stories of the early years with me. Dr. Keith loved the Bird brothers.

Eddie Poynter, Luke Willis and Baltimore Ramsey are now missing from what I used to refer to as the amen corner of the visitors section of Campbell Field, but I still feel their presence at each game. I miss seeing the late Reverend C.H. Dudley and Juanita at games. Henry Rogers is yet another member of that amen corner. Where have you been Henry?

It was great to see Harold Gant last year at the 13^th Region Tournament.

I used to count on seeing the Cummins brothers, Alvin, Rueben and Warren, at football games.

Joe Moore is a name older Redhound fans can identify with. Joe was faithful.

Hall Watson Furniture Store stood on the corner of Center and Depot Streets for many years, but even further back than the birth of Hall Watson, the owner of the store, Paul Jones was a Redhound fan.

The Mayor of Corbin, Willard McBurney, is a big Redhound fan, and a friend of mine. Why, I could probably vote for him if he was a Democrat.

These are but a few of the stories of the vast number of Redhound fans. I will try to relate more in future columns.

After watching a week of summer basketball I feel as if I finally understand how last seasons Redhounds had such a successful season.

It was all about heart, defense and coaching.

The season of 2011-12 will certainly depend on the same criteria. There were a few players whom I felt stood out in this first week. Travis Smith certainly looks to be the leader on this coming year’s squad. Robbie Igo is looking stronger, quicker and more mobile. Hunter Grubb is very active, athletic and physically strong. Zach Farley is a good jump shooter and defender.

Donnie Wilson and Trevor Hill need to add strength, but handle the ball well and shoot well.

I look forward to watching this week’s sessions.

After mentioning a few Redhound faithfuls this week, I feel it is appropriate to name as Redhound from the past, one of those faces in the crowd. Henry “Buddy” Martin, always a Redhound.