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!