We Left Our Fans Weak

The Taylor County News described the first game of the 1971 state tournament as one that "left our hometown fans weak." In my scrapbook, I noted that the Lady Vikings "played crummy." That first week of March 1971 the flu reared its ugly head in Taylor County. Patsy Ranow had to miss the game because she was at home sick with the flu and 102 fever.

Vidalia was our opponent. This team, with a record coming in of 12 wins and 14 losses, stayed right with us for 22 minutes. At half time it was tied 21 - 21. At the end of the third quarter Vidalia was ahead 32 to 31. With 6:20 left to play in the game, they were winning 34 - 33. Enough was enough - the forwards erupted for 23 points and we ended up winning 57 - 40.

Coach Carter was not pleased with our play, to say the least. When we returned to Butler, we went straight to the gym for a late practice. Practice started at 9:30 p.m. and finished at 10:30. It was a late night, but it must have done the trick. We won the next three games and our fourth straight state championship.

And Patsy - she came back with a vengeance from the flu. Her tenacious defense in the quarters, semis, and finals earned her the "Most Valuable Guard" selection in the State Class A Tournament.