Looking Back

The Corbin Redhound basketball season has opened with two resounding wins, one over Middlesboro and a second over district rival, Whitley County. Each of those wins was probably expected, but the style of play exhibited by a very young Redhound squad was very refreshing. In my memory, I cannot recall a team wearing Redhound jerseys with such a total commitment to defense and overall aggressive play. Coach Tony Pietrowski
Has this team playing as hard as any team he has put on the floor in his tenure.
We must keep in mind, however, that this is a young team and will stumble on occasion along the road. As Coach Pietrowski says on occasion “this is a marathon, not a sprint to the end of the season.” Coach P, though has to be very happy with the effort of his team to this point.
When the inevitable adversity strikes, such as the shots not dropping, the calls not going our way, injuries, whatever, the old reliable defense and aggressive play will help the ‘Hounds find their way through.
I guess it is because I know most of these kids that I have become so caught up in this year’s team. They are not only good players but also outstanding students and great kids. The road is going to get tougher, but these kids have each other and an excellent coaching staff to pull them through.
I know the game last Friday evening must have been a bitter pill to swallow for coach Mike Deaton, but there were some good things to take away form that experience for Coach Deaton’s team. I thought his team was very scrappy and played hard throughout the game. Given time I am sure Coach Deaton will develop a winning program at Whitley County.
As television analyst Jay Bilas says, “it is not all about x’s and o’s, it is about the right Jimmy’s and Joe’s.”
In the late 40s and early fifties, basketball was thriving in Corbin and on the up swing in Manchester as well. In Manchester, it was the Manchester Tigers that were led by Ray Mills and a young man with a black lock of hair and a beautiful shooting touch named John Fletcher, who was known to his teammates and fans all across the region as “Crow” Fletcher. “Crow” and Ray Mills took their Tigers who were later part of the Clay County consolidation to their first 13th region crown under Coach “Spider” Thurmond. A few years past and “Crow” ended up in Corbin as first an assistant and later head coach of the Redhounds.
Coach Fletcher is dealing with a very difficult illness now and I ask for your prayers in support of a very fine man who has meant so much to so many people over the years.
I ask you also to remember coach Fletcher, friend and old basketball rival, Curt Selvy, who has been in a long fight with illness as well.
I had several people call and identify my mystery team from last week as the Rockhold Hornets of 1957-58, but the first was my old buddy, Mike Perkins.
This week’s mystery team was coached by Earl Centers and assistant coach Clyde Hill. They were the Panthers and their cheerleaders were Nina Deaton, Carolyn Jones, Betty Bachelor, Diana Goins, and a very pretty Carrie Rains. Their colors were blue and white.
According to club president Ron Timperio the Tri-County Country Club will be offering lessons on golf etiquette. Mr. Timperio said the course would be taught by grumpy Paul Gambrell.

The mystery team includes Ulas Cox, Bill Estes, Wesley Bowlin, Jim Davenport, Roger Faulkner, Ward Petrey, Melvin Coy, Doug Moses, Clarence Meadors, Richard Shelley, Johnny Stanfield and Johnny Sears.