Super Supporters

Lady Vikings' parents were an awesome group. We were very lucky young ladies.

Sandra's folks were at our games if at all possible. Her folks and my folks never seemed to mind having a carload of girls in the back seat heading to a ballgame. Her dad loved to yell at the referees; my dad quietly enjoyed every minute of the games. Her mom was a huge fan of basketball; I teased my mom that she never learned the rules of the game and usually was looking the wrong way. My parents are gone now, and Sandra's dad died this January. She told me that while she was visiting him in ICU they talked about our upcoming reunion. He was looking forward to seeing the players. Her mom, Mrs. Barbara will, hopefully, get to the reunion. And we'll remember Mr. Hubert Arnold as we visit together. He was a great Lady Vikings fan.

I remember I was in about 5th grade, and towering above all my classmates, when Mr. Helms and Coach Athon told Mama that I was destined to be a basketball player. She was horrified, because her dream was for me to be a piano player. However, she soon saw my love for basketball, and she and Daddy supported me every step of the way. They spent a lot of time in gyms watching basketball games.

Shirley's mom rolled down her car window and called to me as I was going in the post office last week. She and I had a good time talking and reminiscing a few minutes about those basketball years. Shirley is married to Coach Matt Troutman, who is continuing the Lady Viking tradition of winning lots of games and state championships. In fact, this year's Lady Vikings are playing in Savannah this week for the quarter finals of state.

Sissy and Judy's parents, Sarah and Frank Riley, were a big part of the whole Taylor County basketball experience. Our freshman year, Sandra and I were welcomed into the Lady Viking forwards group by the Rileys. Lots of games we went to the Riley's home for the afternoon, while the guards went to Coach Carter's home. Mrs. Sarah fed us our pre-game meal and then we went to the gym. It seemed she was always driving us one place or another to ballgames or practices. Mrs. Sarah spent lots of time sewing the Lady Vikings matching outfits that we wore to away games. She spent countless hours running the concession stand at games. Mr. Frank kept us on our toes with his sage advice. He and Mrs. Sarah are still on the go more than anybody I know. I think they were the very first to sign up for our reunion.

I also learned of the Georgia Bulldogs from the Rileys. They were huge fans, and went to lots of football and basketball games at UGA. The Riley and Brown family has a long Georgia legacy, and influenced me to love the Bulldogs too.

There were many more parents who were great fans and supporters. If we needed anything, they were ready to help.

An Early Game

This year's Taylor County Vikings and Lady Vikings play in the first round of the state play-offs tonight. The games will be in Butler. I remember our first round of state in 1972. We were to play Central Gwinnett at the Macon Coliseum. The time scheduled was 11 A.M. on Thursday morning, March 2. Now as you can imagine, it was hard to expect many fans to make that game. 11 in the morning! On a Thursday!

That's when it comes in handy to have your coach also be the superintendent of schools. Coach Carter announced that eleven busses of students could go to the game and all teachers and staff could go with them. It's about an hour's trip to Macon from Butler, so it was a nice field trip. The lunchroom would fix sack lunches and students could eat right there.

I'm sure we had the most fans at that game! We won 48 - 42. Central Gwinnett gave us a battle in the last quarter when they pressed us. Shirley and I were in foul trouble, and Coach said we got a little too careful and allowed them to get back in the game. We won and moved on to the semi-finals and finals, played at a more reasonable time.

Good luck to the Vikings and Lady Vikings tonight!

Lights Out!

In 1969 we played in the state tournament in Macon and we got to spend the night at the Alpine Lodge after we won the first night. Dianne Wall and I were in a room together and two more were in there too. I wish the other two girls that were in the room would let me know who they were. I can't remember them, but I do remember the trouble we got into with Coach Norman Carter.

One of the other girls had brought a Password Game and two flashlights, and we wanted to finish our game after the time Coach had said for lights out. Some of the managers (LaRoy Barrow, Gary Payne, and maybe one or two more) were standing outside so we asked them to whistle or cough if they saw Coach Carter coming so we could turn off the flashlights before he saw the light through the window.

We were just enjoying our Password Game when all of a sudden there was a sharp rap on the door, and Coach's voice said, "Linda!" We turned those flashlights out but it was too late.

I was too shocked to answer. My heart dropped to my toes. Again he said, louder this time, "Linda Joiner!"

The third time he called me, I finally found my voice to answer, "Sir?"

"Didn't I tell you what time to have lights out and go to sleep? Well, I meant it!"

"Yes, sir," I said, and we went to sleep. The next morning we four were all so scared. We just knew we'd be benched and wouldn't be playing that night at all. The other players avoided us at breakfast and all morning. They didn't want to get in trouble with us. Finally Coach came to our room and told us that we weren't going to be benched, that he just wanted us to get our rest before the big game. We all breathed a sign of relief.

I've always wondered where those managers who were our look-outs diasppeared to???

Convincing Coach Carter

In 1967 we won the consolation game of the region tournament over Pike County. This was the first win of the streak, but of course we didn't know that then! That night we had to spend the night at a motel because the icy roads were too dangerous to drive back to Butler.

That night at the motel a rumor got started that Coach Carter was going to be principal at Taylor County High School the next year and that he was going to give up coaching. The story went that if he did coach, he would coach the boys. We all got so upset at the thought that we started crying. We were all crying so hard that we called Coach Carter to come to our room. We begged him to coach the girls the next year. We told him if he just would coach the girls, we would win every game for him.

Did our crying spell convince him to coach the girls? I doubt it, but...

Coach Carter did decide to coach the girls, and we were all so glad. We won every game too.

Pre-Game Meals and More

Sissy and I remember always having the same meal at home before every game. It was a hamburger, instant mashed potatoes and English peas. Must have been something to it. Maybe we should market this menu as a sports enhancer and make a fortune!

Our uniforms were a fitted style back then. Has anyone noticed the difference in the girl's baskeball uniforms we wore and the big, baggy, knee length ones they wear today? I think ours looked much better and more feminine.

At TCHS, we practiced and played basketball during the season, at spring practice and maybe be a little in the summer on our own. Now, if a high school student signs up to play any sport, it becomes their life, and they have to commit to it year 'round and go to every camp around during the summer. They cannot do much of anything else. We were able to play basketball very successfully and do lots of other things along with it. Times have changed!

Fundamentals were our strength

I have watched the Lady Bulldogs and other college teams play for several years. Every game I say that if Norman Carter could teach them how to block out and rebound, make good passes, use the backboard to shoot, and not just stand in their tracks, these teams could win national titles. I think that any of our championship teams could have beaten many of these college teams because of our fundamentals.

It's obvious that they don't have the same respect ( or fear) for these college coaches. We knew that if we did exactly what Coach Carter told us to, then we would be successful. I have seen this as I have worked with kids in 4-H projects and my own, that they will do exactly what you expect them to. Coach Carter set the bar high for us.

When I think about the girls on these teams, I remember that people would be surprised when we came in that we were not huge, rough looking tomboys. We were just well coached and totally focused on the job at hand. It also helped us that the entire county actively supported our teams. We were lucky that there were not a lot of other distractions in town because everyone was concentrating on basketball. We didn't realize how great we had it, we just knew it was fun winning.

Thoughts from a Guard

Playing basketball for Norman Carter was an awesome experience. We all had the great desire to please him each time we hit the hardwoods. He had the ability to motivate us all to do our best.

He trained us well so that we would know what to do in each situation.

I remember practicing over and over with the clock set at 2 minutes left. We would be ahead by 2 points or behind by 2. We knew when to foul, when not to foul, and who to foul in every situation.

Speaking of practice, I think we should address it. Girls practice was always 4th period and right before lunch every day so that we could have that extra time if needed. Mrs. Moore's lunches were so good after a hard practice.


Basketball practice was the foundation for our winning seasons. It was tough!

I was just wondering if anyone remembered taking a shower after practice? I don't think the showers actually worked in that old locker room. Also I don't remember taking my gym clothes home very often to wash them. They were so stiff that they stood up in my locker after a week or so.

Now I realize why the rest of the students avoided the girls basketball players after lunch every day.

I also want to thank Jane Carter for her care and concern for the players. She was wonderful. She would allow the Guards to stay at her house before the tournament games to rest and focus before the games. The forwards would go to the Riley home. I think Coach Carter wanted us to all stay in town before the games.

After basketball season my Senior year Jane Carter took Karon, Denease McAbee and me to the Medical Center of Central GA School of Nursing to look at the school. She knew we were all considering attending Nursing School. She contacted Martha Clark who was a student there to show us around. Karon and I decided to attend the school. Thank you, Jane.

A Record-Setting Week in 1971

The week of February 15th - 20th of 1971 was a busy week for the basketball teams from Region 4A. Records were set right and left!

4-A South Sub-region of 1971 was held in Fayetteville. The Lady Vikings had a bye until the finals by being ranked first in sub-region. The Vikings had a bye until the finals also. We traveled up to Fayetteville to scout the semi-final games on Feb. 17th. Manchester vs Fayette Co. was the most unusual boys' game I've ever seen. They had to play 10 overtimes! It went on and on; it lasted two and a half hours! The article I saved says some spectators began to leave at the 7th overtime with three seconds left and the score 91-88 Manchester, but Fayette came back with three points in three seconds and the game continued. Manchester finally pulled it out 105 to Fayette's 103. I don't know if it was a record of overtimes played, but it was something to see! Our boys beat Manchester the very next night to win the sub-region championship

On February 18th, 1971 the Lady Vikings got the winning streak tested by Haralson County in the finals of sub-region. They gave us a good game and we ended up victorious by 2 points. We tied the state record of consecutive wins with that victory over Haralson County - 118 games in a row.

We loaded our caravan after that game, and moved on. We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Rome, which was close to Rockmart, the location of our region tournament on Friday and Saturday. On the way to Rome, our group of cars had two fender benders. No one was hurt, fortunately, but it was the first wreck I remember in all those years of traveling to games.

The state record was held by Baxley, a city where our teammate Edie Smith Baxley lives now. Baxley's record of 118 wins occurred between 1947 and 1949 over a three year period. It's interesting to note that when their streak was happening teams could play 35 games a year and could win 118 games in just three years. It took the Lady Vikings four years to reach that many games, and we'd had a complete turnover in players.

At the region tournament the very next night in Rockmart, on Friday, February 19th, 1971, the Lady Vikings had a chance to break that state record. Most important was winning the game so that the Lady Vikings could continue on to the state tournament. We beat Model that night by a score of 53 - 29, so we had the state record at 119-0 and we had assured our trip to the state tourney.

In the region 4-A finals, we played Cartersville, a good team that featured two six-foot girls. We won by four points - 57-53.

The Vikings won region also that year, beating Model and Manchester.

1971 was the first time in Taylor County High School history that the boys' and girls' teams both brought home the region trophy.

Part of the Tradition

Basketball in Butler and Taylor County has such a long tradition. I remember attending basketball games with my family as a little girl. I loved to watch my cousins play. I could not wait to be a part of the team.

As a freshman, I tried out for the team. I wanted to carry on the "Peed" tradition of playing basketball for Coach Carter. I was not a great athlete, but I tried hard. The day that the team was announced, I did not make it. I remember going home that night and being devastated. Not only was I upset that I did not make the team, but I felt that I had let the entire family down. And to make matters worse, two of my best friends, Harriet Jones and Susan Whidden had made the team.

Well, as we all do, I lived through it. At the end of my freshman year, I decided to try out for the cheering squad. I am sure that I was not that great of a cheerleader, but I did have a "big mouth"; and somehow, I made the team.

Spending a week at Mercer University Cheerleading Camp was the most exhausting week that I have ever spent, but it was also fun.

Looking back now, we did not realize that we were part of something historical. I remember the game we lost and how upset we all were. I remember spending the weekend in Bremen and getting to stay in hotel rooms. Shag haircuts were just getting popular and some of the girls decided to cut their hair in the hotel room. I knew if I let someone cut my hair, my mother would have killed me.

I guess the best memory is getting to cheer in the Macon Coliseum during the State Finals. It was so big compared to our gym, but it was so much fun.

I am thankful for the opportunity to have been involved in just a small way.

Put Me In, Coach!

I was part of Coach Carter’s Lady Vikings the last two seasons of his coaching career. As a freshman, then a sophomore, I spent games mostly on the bench eagerly waiting for a few minutes in the game. I actually did get some playing time…my husband says he fell in love with me (No. 24) while I was shooting a free throw during the state play-offs at the Macon Coliseum!

I remember those practices, nothing like a healthy dose of fear and intimidation to cause you to give it your all. And just when you thought it was finally over, we’d have to run about 25 laps around the court! It was grueling and exhilarating at the same time. Coach Carter brought out the best in us and in the process we received confidence in ourselves and respect for others that we carried beyond the court.

I get to see Coach Carter from time to time when he brings his Golden Rule girls to our church. From the choir as I see him in the crowd I stand a little taller and I sing a little louder. I guess I’m still trying to impress him to “put me in, Coach, I’m ready to play!”

My Teammates

Coach Carter introduced us to some of the greatest coaches in Georgia, either in getting to play against their teams in the state tournament, in traveling with Coach when he was asked to speak at various events around the state, or working at his basketball camp which he started in 1971. One special coach that I had the pleasure of working with at basketball camp was Coach George Eanes, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday. He told me once, "You'll have a lot of friends and acquaintances all through your life, but you'll remember and have a special bond with your teammates forever." He was right. My basketball teammates have a special place in my heart today, especially the forwards on the Taylor County Lady Vikings.

One such teammate is Sandra Arnold. She and I played basketball together for so long that we each knew what the other was thinking and what we would do next. A pivot player is only as good as the guard who can get her the ball at the right time, and Sandra had a knack for getting me the ball at the right time. She made me look good. She'd make some good passes to me, I'd score, her guard would drop back to make it harder on me, and she'd score from the top of the key. I tease her today about how every shot she made would be a three-pointer today (It wasn't in the rule books back then). She'd have broken all kinds of scoring records! Our friend and elementary school classmate, Bruce Goddard, wrote a blog about us from our elementary school days. http://viewfromahearse.blogspot.com/2006/09/those-girls-could-play.html We were winning consecutive games even then - 14-0 our eighth grade year. We came to Butler together for spring practice during May of 1968, entered high school at Taylor County High in 1969, and the rest, as they say, is history. Sandra and I alternated starting our freshmen year, and after that we had earned our positions for the remaining three years. It was a great run.

Another such teammate is Shirley Durham Troutman. We played together two years, and I can only say that Shirley was an awesome ballplayer. She could dribble the ball and handle it full speed like nobody I've ever seen. She could shoot a jump shot from way out. She could rebound with the best of them. She had a good eye for the whole court and could get me the ball in the pivot when I thought there was no way. I enjoyed played basketball with Shirley. We then played against each other for four years of college, she at Fort Valley and me at Middle Georgia and UGA. Sandra, Shirley, and I also played a little adult basketball in a recreation league, traveling to Warner Robins to play.

The third teammate is Judy Riley Bland. Judy's signature in high school was her long pigtails. Her hair was long,straight, and blonde, and the envy of all of us in the late 60's. She was long and tall. We teased her that she sharpened her elbows, because she came down with so many rebounds during the games. Nobody was a better team player than Judy. When Sandra and I were freshmen, she helped us learn the ropes of being a Lady Viking. Our second year of playing together, after Sissy had graduated, we were probably the most balanced team in Georgia. Any of us could score and did score as we won most games easily that year. It was just a lot of fun to play basketball with Judy.

The last forward is Elizabeth (Sissy) Riley Martin. I can't even say how great it was to be a freshman on the team when Sissy was a senior. She was a classy player, who made everything look easy. From scoring baskets to being active in the clubs in school to having the highest average in her class to being popular and fun, Sissy was just a leader in every way. She was also the first girl I met who wore the same size shoe I did! Coach Carter loved to tease us about those big feet. Sissy was who the other team wanted to stop from scoring. They'd doubleteam her, they'd push and shove her, but through it all she just went on popping baskets with her two-handed jumpshot. I learned a lot from playing basketball with Sissy Riley, and I'm glad I got to do so for that one year.

I had some awesome teammates!

Coach Carter's Coaching Record

I've had a request to blog about Coach Carter's coaching records. Here's what I've found:

Coach Norman Carter, Butler High School and then Taylor County High School Girls' Basketball Coach, 12 years

1960-61 - 24 wins, 6 losses
1961-62 - 31 wins, 2 losses
1962-63 - 30 wins, 3 losses
1963-64 - 31 wins, 4 losses - State Champions Class C
1964-65 - 30 wins, 3 losses
1965-66 - 18 wins, 6 losses
1966-67 - 27 wins, 4 losses
1967-68 - 31 wins, 0 losses - State Champions Class B
1968-69 - 31 wins, 0 losses - State Champions Class C
1969-70 - 31 wins, 0 losses - State Champions Class C
1970-71 - 30 wins, 0 losses - State Champions Class A
1971-72 - 26 wins, 3 losses - State Champions Class A

I'm not totally sure of the accuracy of all this. I copied it from the articles I've saved over the years. By my calculations that is 340 wins and 31 losses for Coach Carter with the girls.

From 1967-72 his girls won five straight state championships and 132 games in a row, a record that stands in the state of Georgia and is ranked fourth nationally for consecutive wins.

He also coached boys from 1960 - 1967. He brought his boys teams to state tournaments several times and in 1965-66, the Vikings were crowned state Class C champions. My husband Mark was point guard on that state championship team. Coach Carter gave up coaching the boys when he became principal of Taylor County High School.

Coach Carter was elected superintendent of Taylor County schools, started in that position in January of 1969, and asked the school board to let him continue to coach until the winning streak was broken. The streak continued until 1972. He retired from coaching after twelve years.

During those twelve years, the Butler and Reynolds schools consolidated, the rules of girls basketball changed, the school's state size classification changed, great players graduated, and the schools integrated. The one thing that remained constant for girls' basketball was Coach Norman Carter.

Seven state championships (6 with the girls and 1 with the boys) in twelve years is absolutely amazing.

The Guards Deserve Credit for This One!

In the 1970 State Class C Tournament held in Macon, we played Laurens Co., Norman Park, and Stratford. By far the most exciting and best game of the series was the one versus Norman Park, the semi-final game. Both teams had excellent coaches - Julian Grantham for Norman Park and Norman Carter for Taylor County - and both teams were excellent fundamentally. Both teams were also undefeated for the season. This team was, according to the Macon Telegraph, "unawed by Taylor County's enviable record" of 92 straight wins and stayed right with us the entire game. At the first quarter it was tied 9-9. At the half, although Norman Park led twice during that quarter, it was Taylor Co. 22, Norman Park 18 . At the end of the third quarter, once again it was tied 37-37.

If you remember, this was in the days of three-on-three girls' basketball - three guards on one end and three forwards on the other with no crossing the center line. We had four guards who were awesome, and Coach Carter substituted them freely. I know the other teams' forwards hated to see them coming. They were tough!


I cannot say enough about the play of our guards in this particular game. Our guards were Denease McAbee, Patsy Ranow, and Kathy and Karen Peed. They always took great pride in their play, and it was certainly evident in this game. We would not have won this one without their great defensive effort.

The fourth quarter was very exciting. Norman Park went ahead 39-37, but Judy Riley tied it with a shot for TC. Norman Park went ahead once again at 40-39. Sandra and I scored baskets and a free throw to make it 44 -40 with us in the lead. Norman Park came back and tied the score at 49-49 at 1:13 left. Sandra scored a free throw to put Taylor Co. back on top 50-49.

That's when the play of the guards became critical. We were ahead one point (50-49) with a minute thirteen left to play. Norman Park had the ball and went into a freeze to wait for a last good shot. Their ballhandlers were dribbling the ball out near the center line. The clock was ticking down. It all happened so quickly and so spectacularly. We let them hold it for about 30 seconds, then Coach Carter waved his hand from the bench for the guards to get after them. Patsy Ranow sprang out at the ballhandler with a quick jump. Their player was startled and walked with the ball. The referee called the violation. With twenty-five seconds left, we had the ball back and a one point lead!

We froze the ball for the remaining seconds and won the game. How was the final score 52-49 - a three point win instead of one point? The article from the paper that's in my scrapbook says that I was fouled at the buzzer and connected on two free throws with no time showing on the clock. I don't remember a thing about shooting those free throws. I'm glad I made them, but those two points were just icing on the cake.

We won that game with the play of our wonderful defense! The Lady Vikings had won our 93rd straight game and third straight state championship!

It's 'Basketball Tonight'

In February of 1971, Ron Hudspeth with the Atlanta Journal came to Butler and did an article on our team. Our winning streak was at 115 games the night he visited, only a few away from breaking the state record at that time of 118. We were playing Perry in Butler, and we jumped to a quick 20-7 lead. We won this game 70-60. I always liked this article.

Click on the article to make it big enough to read.

Random Memories From The Minds Of The Managers

Joyce and I put our heads together and came up with these random memories. Just bits and pieces. Maybe they will stimulate some other memories.


Sweet Tarts--the official "manager food" especially grape ones, they came in flat foil packages. We would purchase at least 10 packages for one game.

The smell of Gatorade.

Before a game, getting ice for cooling the Gatorade from Bone Hardware

The smell of the tape we used to wrap the players' ankles

Trying to improve the time in which we removed tape from the players' ankles after a game

The smell of the locker room with the lingering scent of Right Guard spray deodorant

The sound of basketballs hitting the floor in a gym that was silent just minutes before.

The sound of a player slapping the ball as she held it above her head signaling the beginning of a play.

Tossing the medicine ball. It was heavy.

Eating hamburgers at Mrs. Wright's after a home game.

When Melodie kept the books and as the players fouled, she would hang four fingers over the edge of the table to indicate to Coach that they were in danger of fouling out.

At the gym in Yatesville, the floor was so small that Bunny, Judy, and Sissy had to stand sideways when taking the ball out of bounds.

Watching Patsy play defense. She was intimidating.

Watching Bunny rebound and go up to score two more points.

Watching our guards cause the opposing team to earn charging fouls

The rules changed over the years. Originally the girls played half-court, then the rules changed and each team had "rovers" that could cross the half-court line. Finally, the girls could play full-court like the boys did.

The All American Redheads trying to recruit Bunny.

Having to take the players blue hand towels home after each game and wash them and relabel them.

All the players and female managers wearing blue and white plaid jumpers before and after games, these were made by local seamstresses.

Proudly wearing a letter jacket with patches on both sleeves. (Being sad that I never got the patch for the 5th State Championship--always wondering why not and if anybody got one)

Riding to games with parents of players - the Underwood's white station wagon, and the Riley's red & black Dodge Charger, where Joyce sat on the console between the bucket seats. This was before seat belt laws.

Managers having a room just for items that managers were always supposed to have at all games - gatorade, ice chest, practice balls, clipboards with shot charts and rebound charts, towels. Another item kept in the manager's room was the First-aid kit which contained all the necessary medical supplies needed for the team, especially lots of adhesive tape for taping the players ankles for support.

Misspelling the sign on the Manager's Room - "The Manger Room" and Coach Carter bringing it to our attention.

Making a timely visit to the concession stand before half-time, making sure Coach Carter had a coke for the half-time break.

Gathering all the charts together at half-time for Coach Carter to review with the players

Carrying the practice balls to and from the game in a large drawstring bag. Being responsible for distributing and collecting the basketballs for the pre-game warm-ups.

Being proud to carry a clipboard, especially a wooden one. Although sometimes they got broken!!!!!!

The sound of Joyce's wooden clipboard hitting the floor after it suddenly left Coach Carter's hand.

The sad look on Joyce's face as she picked up her broken clipboard.

Staying at the Alpine Lodge in Macon for State Tournaments.

Staying at the Holiday Inn in Carrollton.

Eating strawberry pie and hot fudge cake at Shoney's on Riverside Drive in Macon.

Eating at The Checkered Apron in Macon.

Eating at the City Cafe in Butler, and Flintside on Highway 19.

Having great support from our parents and the whole community

Calling in scores to the Macon newspaper after a game and having my name (Melodie Bohler) appear in the by-line

Merchants in Taylor County closing their stores early when it was tournament time in order to get to the game

Caravans of loyal fans going to away games with signs plastered on their cars to show support.

Labeling a section in the Macon Coliseum as "The Taylor County Section"

"Screen, get through"

Local Support Awesome

Businesses in Taylor County, both Butler and Reynolds, were always so supportive of the Taylor County Lady Vikings. I know they must have gotten requests from school organizations constantly to help with fund raisers. Although we probably didn't tell them as teenagers, we appreciated so much their attention and recognition.

In an article I scanned from the Taylor County News, the 1967-68 Lady Vikings were entertained five times after their state championship win. Various fans and organizations fed the Lady Vikings group at restaurants or homes, invited them to attend their church as a group, or honored them in other ways.

Since it is Super Bowl Sunday today, I couldn't help but think about our State Tourney rings. The senior players received a ring (purchased for us, I think, by the bank in Butler) and in the picture of mine, you might be able to make out the engraving: State Champs 69 C, 70 C, 71 A, 72 A. (Click on any picture to see it bigger.) The letters stood for the classification that our school was in. The numbers stood for the years we won state.

What fabulous support we received from our fans and local businesses during the years of the Lady Vikings winning streak!

Cheering for the Lady Vikings

I was part of that wonderful time of the “streak” but from a different point of view. I was graduated from Mercer University in June, l967. Norman Carter, Taylor County High School Principal, came to my parent’s house in Reynolds and hired me to teach English and French. He called me “Tiger” – my high school mascot, Reynolds High. I was put in charge of the cheerleading squad. We sold “goodies” during breaks at school to earn money for uniforms, trips, etc. That is why I am the best rice krispie maker now…5 years of experience. Julie mentioned in her blog that I left the squad, made a career change. Coach Carter became superintendent and I moved from the classroom at the end of the l971-72 school year to the Central Office, where I still am today. I loved “my” cheerleaders and wanted them to be and do their very best. I was proud of them during those 5 years, and I am still proud of them in 2007, and look forward to visiting at the reunion. Coach Carter certainly holds a very special place in my heart…always has, always will.

"The Viking Star", March 30, 1972

Recently, while cleaning out an old box of papers, my husband, Bill, found a Viking Star (Taylor County High School Newspaper) dated March 30, 1972.
On the inside front page there are two articles about the Lady Vikings. “Lady Vikings Do It Again!” is about our fifth state championship won on March 4, 1972. “Four Selected to All-State Team” tells about Sandra Arnold, Shirley Durham, Bunny Fuller and Mary Grover receiving that honor.
The gossip page, “The Star tells us that . . .” includes three references to the Lady Vikings. (1) “The Lady Vikings got their revenge on Haralson County in the State Championship. The Taylor Girls won their fifth championship.” (2) “Carlynn has found a new mode of travel at Holiday Inns with Kathy U. and Bunny as horsepower” and (3) “Carlynn, Melodie, Bunny and Lynette just can’t stay away from the Macon Coliseum, according to the man at the pass gate.”
“Quotes of the Month” includes three references to Lady Vikings basketball. (1) “Managers will be mangers! Bunny Fuller, (2) “Five in a row!” Fans at State and (3) “I can’t believe she missed the whole goal!” Taylor Co. fan about an opposing team’s player.
The sports page headline reads “Congratulations Lady Vikings On Your Fifth Consecutive State Championship!” and it lists the names of the Lady Vikings. Also, the page has an article about the managers which includes the “Code for Managers” that Joyce Kendrick compiled for me the previous year which was her senior year. Here it is:
1. Obey your coach and senior manager.
2. Continue to make No. 1 hit songs, but never forget the Oldie Goldies.

1. We are Poor Little Pills
2. We – We – We – We
3. V-I-K-I-N-G-S
4. Manchester, Manchester
5. Jingle Pills
6. Joy to the Vikings
7. Deck the Gyms
8. Viking Wonderland


3. Always be prepared to sew up one of the player’s uniforms, especially the boys.
4. When washing out a bottle, make sure it’s empty before slinging it at anyone.
5. NEVER, I repeat, NEVER leave Coach Carter standing in the middle of the street
6. Always be picky about what you wash the player’s uniforms with, they have very tender skin.
7. Learn to drive a certain three-speed Maverick expertly.
8. Always have enough shot charts on you to scout a few games.
9. Always leave the balls in a safe place behind lock and key.
10. The secret of being a good manager is not only being able to take orders but to carry them out as well.

I am so glad Bill looked through that box of papers instead of just throwing it away. It was a fun “blast from the past.”

We Were In Good Hands

Coach Carter took nothing for granted. Remember the flu shots we all had to take in Talbotton one year? The vitamins we had to take each day? How we did not start with basketball too early in the Taylor County schools so we would not develop any bad habits?

I remember when Sissy was cutting our grass one summer. A piece of metal flew out and cut her leg pretty badly. Guess who showed up to check on his star forward? None other than Coach Carter. He probably had heart failure when he heard she had cut her leg!

Teams these days have a legion of coaches and assistants etc. to look after all the players needs. The Lady Vikings only had Coach Carter and our trusty managers who did whatever it took to keep us all healthy and ready to play!

Two Overtime Adventure

Being tied at the end of regulation play and having to go into overtime is nerve-wracking for any team, but imagine doing so carrying a 109 game winning streak with you. That is just what the Lady Vikings did on Jan. 19, 1971 in Warner Robins, Georgia. Two overtimes later our winning streak was still intact. Our nerves were probably not! Thank goodness this was our only overtime adventure during the whole streak.

Coach Carter told me this was one of the most amazing games during the streak to him. He said we had fallen behind 31 - 23 at the start of the fourth quarter and he remembered thinking as he looked at the scoreboard, "If we've only scored 23 points this whole game, how are we going to score 9 to catch up in the amount of time remaining." Somehow, someway, we managed to catch up and at the end of the game the score was tied 34 - 34 and we went into the first overtime.

In the first two minute overtime we swapped baskets back and forth, with each team scoring at will, and we ended tied once again. The score was 42-all.

The second two minute overtime we forged ahead 46 - 45 with 34 seconds left. Just as we had practiced so many times, we froze the ball with Sandra and Shirley handling it. Sandra was fouled and made one of two. With nine seconds left we led 47-45 and they got the rebound. They went to the other end and WR's Janice Murphy had a shot at the basket. The ball hit the rim and bounced off. The final whistle sounded as the referees called a jump ball. We had won!