Lady Vikings Winning Streak Years

Georgia HS Sports Dynasties - We're number 6!

2008-04-08T06:53:00.004-05:00

In the Atlanta Journal on April 1, 2008, Jeff Haws and other AJC sports columnists compiled a list in his Take 10 column of the greatest dynasties in Georgia High School sports. We made the top ten - coming in at number 6. That's pretty amazing considering the number of Georgia High School teams in all sports and the great records that some have achieved. There were 180+ comments afterward as people argued and pleaded the case for their high school teams. One made reference to the Taylor County teams playing in the 60's. That's true that it was a long time ago (1967-1972), but also you must consider there was a complete turnover of players during the five years the streak was accomplished, that the rules changed from 3-on-3 to rover rule, and that integration occurred in 1970 with two teams combining. If you want to see the article and the comments, click the link:
http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/prepsports/entries/2008/04/01/take_10_georgia.html

Here's the list:
Top 10 List of Georgia High School Sports Dynasties
10. Woodward Academy volleyball, 2001-05 The Eagles won five consecutive state titles, producing such stars as MacKenzie Crain and Taylor Noland.

9. Columbus baseball, 1991-96 The second-greatest dynasty in Georgia baseball history, the Eagles are still one of only two teams to win five titles in a six-year stretch.

8. Norcross boys basketball, 2006-08 This one’s not on here for its length but for how difficult it is to do. If you’ve watched basketball in this state, you know how tough it is to dominate any classification — much less the highest one — for three years in a row.

7. Parkview football, 2000-02 The Panthers are the only team since the old days of Valdosta dominance to win three consecutive titles in the state’s highest classification. One could make a case that Lowndes’ current run of three out of four is at least as impressive.

6. Taylor County girls basketball 1968-72 While they were winning five consecutive state titles and a state-record 134 consecutive games (tied for third-best all-time nationally), they also found time to play a key role in integrating sports in the state. (There's a mistake in number in the HS record book - should be 132 and 4th nationally. Bunny)

5. Jefferson wrestling, 2001-present Since the state went to five classifications, Jefferson has owned Class A. During that time, the Dragons have won every traditional and dual state wrestling title, 15 in all.

4. Richmond Academy baseball, 1951-57 This seven-year dynasty still stands as the longest in state history and the second-longest anywhere in the country. Coach Al Williams is a Georgia Hall of Fame coach, as well as the school’s former principal and a World War II prisoner of war.

3. Marist girls tennis, 1994-2006 This amazing run was ended last year when Starr’s Mill finally pried the state title out of the Eagles’ hands after 12 consecutive team titles that followed a singles title in 1994.

2. Westminster cross country, 1984-present The boys have won state every year since 1996, except for 2006. Not to be outdone, the girls took home the state championship from 1984-1990, 1992-2004 and again last year. This is certainly the longest dominant stretch in any sport.

1. Valdosta football, 1951-71 This is the stretch when Valdosta became Valdosta. The Wildcats won 13 titles in 21 years, including 10 undefeated seasons and a 13-1 record in the state championship game.
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I'm proud that we're considered a high school sports dynasty. We had a long stretch of winning and wasn't it fun? Bunny

Privileged

2008-04-07T19:26:00.007-05:00

I asked Bob Wade if I could reprint his article paralleling women's sports news with the Lady Vikings winning streak years. He agreed, and sent me the document. I really enjoyed this article, and was afraid some might have missed seeing it in the Taylor County News. I loved being reminded of the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Emcee Ron Jaworski's triple take after hearing of the 132 consecutive wins during the introduction of Coach Carter. Jaworski questionned, "132 wins in a row?" once, twice, three times, each time looking questioningly at Coach Carter. Coach just nodded and grinned. It was great! Bob ends the article with a list of all 47 girls who played on the winning streak teams. Thanks, Bob, for a great article. Bunny
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Privileged

“Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, ‘She doesn't have what it takes.’ They will say, ‘Women don't have what it takes.’”, Clare Boothe Luce.

An American King, Billie Jean, ruled England’s tennis empire in 1967. She repeated as Wimbledon’s singles champion, won at women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. That was unprecedented. The Associated Press named her the Female Athlete of the year.

There was another Norman invasion that year but not in England. Norman Carters’ girls’ basketball team won the consolation game of the March 1967 region basketball tournament defeating Pike County.

In the midst of the bitter Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union enmity was deep; yet, the official news organ of the USSR, TASS named American swimmer Debbie Meyer the Woman Athlete of the Year! Women athletes moved from footnotes to mainstream nightly news that year.

In the fall, Coach Jerry Partain delivered a well prepared fundamentally sound class of freshman basketball players to Butler High School Coach Norman Carter Jr. The Butler Bears were eager to pickup where the program left off at Pike County. His girls opened on October 31, 1967 with a win over Crawford County. Carter’s team dominated the hardwood floors of basketball gymnasiums throughout Middle Georgia. At the end of ‘67, his team had 15 consecutive wins.

Debbie Meyer won the American Athletic Union’s James E. Sullivan Memorial Award for 1968. Peggy Fleming skating on ice dazzled television audiences around the world. The Associated Press named her the Female Athlete of the Year. Wyomia Tyus, 8 time national AAU sprinter, won the second of her two consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 100-meter dash at Mexico City. Individual women were routine in sporting news.

Norman’s girls ended 1968 with 44 consecutive wins.

The Associated Press in 1969 named swimmer Debbie Meyer the Female Athlete of the year. Sharon Sites Adams sailed solo across the Pacific Ocean in the 31-foot Sea Harp. Coach Carter’s girls’ basketball team won their second consecutive state championship on March 16th at the Macon Coliseum. The winning streak was 63 games.

In that year, Ruth White a 17-year old black woman won a major US fencing title and was the national fencing champion. Audrey McElmury was the U.S. World Road Racing Champion. On December 31, 1969, at mid-season the Taylor County girls’ had an unbroken string of 75 games.

The ’69-‘70 season ended on March 21, 1970 with a third straight state championship and extended the unbroken winning streak to 94.

That year 294,000 American high school girls competed in interscholastic athletics.

The 1970-’71 basketball season opened with a 71-44 win at Marion County. Cathy Rigsby won a silver medal in balance beam at the world championship. She was the first American (man or woman) to win a medal in international gymnastics competition.

The Taylor County Girls won every game in 1970 ended the calendar year at Manchester with 103 straight wins. That season ended March 4, 1971 at the State Championship, Macon Coliseum. The girls won the 4th of 5 straight state championships and extended the undefeated count to 124.

The Associated Press in 1971 named Evone Goolagong the Female Athlete of the year for tennis. The International Tennis Hall of Fame enshrined Althea Gibson that same year. On December 31, 1971, the Taylor County Vikings Girls Basketball team had 132 consecutive victories.

American girls numbering 817,073 participated in interscholastic athletics in 1972. The 15 girls playing for Coach Carter that year sealed the longest winning streak of Georgia high school girls’ basketball history in Perry on January 4.

The crowd cheered for three-quarters an hour. In an act of sublime grace, the Taylor County team visited their opponents’ locker room and congratulated the game winners.

The definition of privilege includes this phrase “benefit that is not available to everyone”. In five years, the number of American high school girls competing in interscholastic sports rose from about 200,000 per year to over 800,000. Coach Carter’s teams consisted of just 47 players over five years. During that phenomenal growth of female participation on high school sports, those 47 made history! Coach Carter and his teams are truly privileged.

The Georgia Hall of Fame immortalized the Lady Vikings Friday and Saturday February 15-16, 2008 not as individuals but by inducting their coach into that institution. Their meritorious contribution to Georgia sports history is enshrined now as it should be.

Emcee Ron Jaworski of Philadelphia Eagles professional football fame and ESPN commentator did a triple take during the ceremony on the incredible 132 consecutive games won. His amazement was fitting tribute to the Taylor County Lady Vikings of 1967-1972 and Coach Carter.

The combined rosters of girls who put “Coach” into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame were: Sandra Arnold, Jean Burke, Grace Bussey, Cynthia Carter, Shirley Durham, Carol Dyer, Earline Flowers, Bunny Fuller, Glenda Gassett, Mary Grover, Sandra Guined, Vicky Harris, Faye Hayes, Linda Hill, Marianne Hinton, Jan Hobbs, Linda Joiner, Harriet Jones, Jean Jones, Cecelia Kendrick, Dianne Kendrick, Maxine Lawhorn, Sue Lawhorn, Denease McAbee, Joye McCrary, Donna Minor, Carlynn Neisler, Joann Parks, Regina Parks, Lynne Partain, Karon Peed, Kathy Peed, Donna Pittman, Patsy Ranow, Judy Riley, Mary Riley, Sissy Riley, Mary Jane Robinson, Patty Singleton, Edie Smith, Kathy Underwood, Carol Wall, Diane Wall, Susan Whidden, Betty Williams, Gail Woodall, and Vicki Works.

You had what it takes!

by Bob Wade - first printed in Taylor County News, March 2008
(pictured are Brynda and Bob at the Hall of Fame Induction in Atlanta)

Ring the bell for one more

2007-06-08T10:13:00.000-05:00

Ed Grisamore, columnist for the Macon Telegraph, was the guest speaker at our Lady Vikings Winning Streak Reunion. During his remarks he promised us that he would do everything in his power to get Coach Norman Carter in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. He wrote the column below on May 16, 2007, a few days before the latest group of 7 were inducted into the HOF. Two letters to the editor have since been published and I've included them below the article. Maybe this wonderful article and the great letters that followed will help us in our quest to get our coach and our winning streak (longest in the state and 4th in the nation) included in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon, Georgia. Thanks to everyone for any help they can give us! Bunny Harris

Ring the bell for one more
By Ed Grisamore - egrisamore@macontel.com

BUTLER --
The late John Turk was the kind of philosopher every small town seems to have among its riches. He would supervise the ringing of a bell from an old oak tree after every victory for the Taylor County High girls basketball team.
For five years, it was a familiar sound, like church bells on a Sunday morning. Everyone walked around with ringing in their ears.

From 1967-72, a stretch folks around here affectionately call "The Wonder Years," the Lady Vikings won 132 straight games and five state championships.

Coach Norman Carter could have been elected king. Or mayor. Or, at the very least, county school superintendent.

Actually, he was named superintendent in January 1969, when his girls teams had a 39-game winning streak. He asked if he could coach until the "streak" was over, never dreaming he wouldn't step down for another three years.

It is the longest consecutive winning mark in state history and the fourth-longest nationally among high school girls teams.

I say all this because I believe Norman Carter deserves to be in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, he's not.

The trouble with halls of fame - music, sports or tiddly winks - is they are the most selective and subjective institutions in the world. You can't apply for membership or buy your way in. You're supposed to earn your spot in the hallowed halls. Even then, there's no guarantee.

Our state sports hall of fame will induct its 2007 class of nine members Saturday night at the Macon City Auditorium. But, for every Steve Bartkowski or Don Richardson, there are dozens of others outside the door without an invitation.

I am familiar with the process. I served as a member of the selection committee in 2001. I now feel compelled to join the campaign for Carter, who doesn't deserve to keep being passed over.

By now, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame is very familiar with Carter. Ever since the Lady Vikings teams held their 35-year reunion in late March, folks from Butler, Reynolds, Potterville and points between have been waging a full-court press to have their coach immortalized.

In 12 seasons, Carter's teams won six state championships and compiled a remarkable record of 350-32. During the streak, the Taylor girls won five titles in three different classifications. They began the streak when the rules allowed only three players per side and adjusted to the switch to "rover" (six-player) basketball in the 1970s. Taylor won 63 consecutive games prior to integration, then helped smooth the transition of merging with the all-black R.L. McDougald High by winning 69 more.

If Carter is getting the cold shoulder because he coached for only 12 years, then the qualifications are flawed. Do we want length or depth?

With that line of thinking, Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball's color barrier, might never have been inducted.

He was born in Cairo but moved with his family to California when he was only 16 months old. He never lived in Georgia after that. Jackie, we hardly knew ye.

Carter grew up in Talbotton, was a star athlete at Mercer University and has been a pillar in Taylor County since 1960. He served as school superintendent for 21 years. And he continues to change the lives of hundreds of women at "The Golden Rule," a home he founded in 1998 for victims of alcohol and substance abuse.

He's one of the finest men I've ever known.

I cannot believe there's not a place in our state's hall of fame for someone like him.

by Ed Grisamore

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Ed Grisamore's recent column in which he expressed dismay that Norman Carter, former legendary Taylor County girls' basketball coach, continues to be denied entry into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame was eloquent and persuasive. Years ago I was privileged to formally nominate Norman, my lifelong close friend, to the selection committee as an obviously worthy inductee. To me, it was as clear cut a case for induction as one would ever see. When I submitted all the necessary documents, I couldn't imagine this was anything but - pardon the pun - a "slam dunk."

In support of Norman's candidacy, I emphasized certain overwhelming facts - a career record of 350 wins against only 32 losses as a girls basketball coach; the incredible 132 game winning streak; the five straight girls state championships.

I admit that because of my close friendship with and unmitigated personal admiration for Norman I'm not purely objective, but please let's be reasonable. Mere opinions are not at issue here. No reasonable person could even attempt to deny these numbers, these facts, and this stunning, virtually unbelievable record.

In conclusion, allow me to reiterate: A won-loss record of 350-32; a winning streak of 132 games; five straight girls state championships. What else is there to say?

Charles H. Weston Sr. Macon

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Compelling reasons
I would like to compliment Charles H. Weston Sr. on his nice letter about Norman Carter as it was published in The Telegraph on May 23. He set forth compelling reasons why Carter should be included in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame based on his stats as a girls' high school basketball coach, to-wit: Three hundred and fifty wins against only 32 losses as well as the incredible stretch of winning one 132 straight games without a loss. Also, he coached five straight girls championships. Mr. Weston ended his letter with a question "What else is there to say?"
I would like to add that Carter was my fraternity brother at Mercer and he is indeed an outstanding person. If I remember correctly, and I think I do, Norman was Allstate in three different sports in high school and had a stadium named for him at Talbotton, where he was raised. At Mercer, he played basketball, baseball and tennis where he excelled while accumulating an outstanding academic record. He made the Dean's List while playing two varsity sports in one quarter, baseball and tennis.
I would like to add to Mr. Weston's letter by simply suggesting that these stats from high school and college also be included in his consideration for the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Doye E. Green Sr. Macon

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We'll keep you posted as we continue our efforts to get Coach Carter inducted into the Hall of Fame and/or get the amazing winning streak included in the Hall of Fame exhibit area.

Stars in the Sky

2007-03-30T20:56:00.000-05:00

I asked Bob Wade if I could post this article that appeared in the Taylor County News to the blog. Thanks for such an excellent article, Bob, and for letting me share it with all the Lady Vikings. Bunny
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There are mortals walking among us who don’t know six o’clock occurs twice each day, morning and afternoon. Those of us who walk in the pre-dawn hours are privileged to observe stars twice each day. Recently the morning skies have been spectacularly stunning and brilliant celestial displays.

On March 17th I was fortunate to see three sets of stars; two celestial and a group of girl basketball stars. Starting with the last game of the 1967 season the Butler High School (later merged to form Taylor County High School) girl’s team began an amazing string of 132 consecutive victories spanning 5 years. It is the longest winning streak in Georgia high school history and the fourth longest in the nation. The reunion of the teammates was the 35th anniversary of beginning that remarkable and historic feat.

Strangely the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (GSHF) has not enshrined the streak or Coach Norman Carter. The director of that institution reportedly said Norman coached too few years to qualify for induction into that august body; but what about the winning streak? Winning 132 consecutive games doesn’t merit so much as a footnote in the hall of fame? Is there a flaw in the charter of the GSHF or is there some other reason for the snub?

The answer to those questions may have been ferreted out recently. You be the judge.

My wife and I are avid fans of women’s basketball, particularly at the college level. We attended several of Taylor County’s winning streak games and tournaments while dating; we’ve attended numerous Southeastern Conference (SEC) women’s tournaments, and watched many televised women’s basketball games. As this is being written we are watching the Lady Bulldogs play the Lady Boilermakers of Perdue in the Sweet Sixteen NCAA tournament of TV.

A few weeks ago the Southeastern Conference Women’s Tournament was played. News coverage was hard to find on broadcast television news while men’s teams were given good coverage. ESPN and the Internet were the only readily available sources of news about the event; not everyone has either or those services. You may be saying this is anecdotal evidence of a different standard applied to girl and women’s sports but consider one more piece of evidence.

This afternoon after church I attended a board of directors meeting of the Golden Rule. That’s a facility for women seeking help breaking their chemical dependencies. Norman Carter started and heads up that organization. Today there are over 40 women in residence and sadly the waiting list is long.

Years ago when I joined the board the Golden Rule was the only facility of its kind for women in our state. Today it is one of few in the southeastern United States and the only one for destitute women charging nothing for the service. It has a high success rate for women completing the program.

Combining these it seems evident society treats women differently than we do men. And, we do. Women with chemical dependencies are anathema to us. We can’t cope with the nurturers of our children being addicts of alcohol or drugs. We likewise struggle to accept the fact women can be and are excellent athletes, doctors, lawyers, bankers, pilots, carpenters, truckers or business leaders.

Winning 132 consecutive basketball games is a significant feat. The fact it spanned five different teams compounds the difficulty; yet it happened and no one outside Taylor County seems to make note.

When the streak began the school was in Class C, among the smallest schools in the state. My home county, Miller, was in the same category and lost to Taylor during one state tournament. Being a diminutive school, the talent pool was much smaller increasing the degree of difficulty of establishing the state record; and still no mention by the Hall of Fame?

Interesting thing success, everybody loves it and hates it at the same time. Think about that then consider this fact. In Norman’s speech at the reunion he spoke of some interesting details. One dealt with officiating. He said as the streak continued the referees often stacked the deck against the Taylor girls calling quick, numerous and nebulous fouls. Bringing down a winner is everybody’s goal; sometimes no matter how it is done.

Once in a sub-region game in Thomaston the officiating was so bad that after a game Norman called the head of the Georgia High School Association (a regulatory agency). He didn’t rant and rave about bad officiating instead after stating his opinion he asked the man to be at and make his presence known during the next night’s game.

That happened and the officiating was stellar; the streak continued. That spoke volumes about Norman, the coach, his character, and his understanding of human nature.

And of human nature, Norman said those players, managers, statisticians, and cheerleaders were of the highest and best order. It wasn’t hard to see that was true. The room was filled with successful family people who have excelled in life. Basketball (all sports) after all is said and done is just one of many fields of human endeavor. Looking at the participants after setting Georgia’s longest girl’s high school basketball winning record it was easy to see winners are competitive, tenacious and successful in life.

Norman said he prided himself in his ability to recognize character and mold it into greatness. No truer words can be spoken of the participants. Good people made great by quality leadership; winners all!

And, the Golden Rule? What a testament to “Coach Carter”! He continues to recognize and extract goodness, mold it into greatness, and revels in success of women!

Bob Wade (Husband of Brynda Peed Wade)

A Special Event

2007-03-22T12:42:00.000-05:00

This event was very special to me and to see all of my teammates was priceless. There were moments when my eyes became a little teary, especially when Coach Carter was talking about us and how well we worked together as a team. I would like to thank all of you for the long hours that were put into this event to yield a perfect night. Also, thank you for including me and for letting me witness such an impeccable event from start to finish. May God continue to pour his rich blessings upon each of you and let us continue to love one another as was shown at this thirty fifth Lady Vikings Gala.

Thanks for the memories.

Mary Riley

Thank you from Coach Carter

2007-03-21T14:08:00.000-05:00

Next to my marriage and the birth of my children and grandchildren
this will be my most memorable event. Everything was perfect. I frankly spent the entire evening in awe of the occasion. Please know how much this meant to me and my family, and I thank and love each and every one of you.

Norman Carter

Dear Coach

2007-03-20T07:26:00.000-05:00

I just had to reprint Edie's letter to Coach Carter so everyone could read it. Very well put, Edie. Todd read the letter at the reunion, and it was wonderful. We missed you. Bunny
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Dear Coach,
Words are insufficient to express the impact you have had on my life. Excluding my family, you are the one person who has influenced me more than any other. I’m sure that the other members of the Lady Vikings family will concur with my praises of you. You have the special power to see potential and to draw it out. You believe in individuals long before they believe in themselves. With the self-discipline, determination, and high standards that you set, you have taught us all how to benefit from hard work, thrive during difficulties, and find within ourselves that “something special” that you have always seen in us. You are a part of who we are and what we have become. You live in us and in our families. We often hear your words coming from our mouths, like we might those of a dear parent, when we are encouraging, scolding, or guiding our children. We even find that we are still disappointed in ourselves when we don’t meet the high standard that you set for us so long ago. We are all connected to you in an immensely important way.
In addition, you have connected us with each other – players, cheerleaders, managers, scorekeepers, teachers, parents, and fans – to a place in time where expectations, team work, and a sense of community allowed us to achieve the impossible. All this happened in a tiny little town where practically every citizen was involved with “the winning streak” at some level. We are all a part of a miracle from the past. It lives in our hearts and souls, and its stories will never stop being told. I can say with confidence that when we are gone from this world, our children and theirs will continue to share the legend that only you could have imagined we were able to achieve.
It has been a wonderful blessing to have had the honor of being coached and encouraged by you. I am eternally grateful that God placed the Lady Vikings family in your care.

Edie Smith Baxley

Evidence of The Golden Rule

2007-03-19T20:01:00.000-05:00

My husband, Mike, was the Chief Probation Officer in Tifton, Ga. until his recent retirement. He and his Probation officers are those in the Department of Corrections who send these women with substance abuse problems to The Golden Rule. They have a choice of either going there to recover from their addictions or to jail. According to him, there are other residence programs of this type in existence, but often are not effective.

Judge Gary McCorvey from the Tifton Judicial circuit always gives these women a lecture as he gives them The Golden Rule as an option and basically says,
"If you are serious about getting help, there is a place for you to go. If you are not serious, you will not be there very long. The folks at the Golden Rule don't play with you. That is one of the most effective drug and alcohol progams anywhere."

Mike and his staff found The Golden Rule to have a high success rate and a program that gives these women the tools to make it in life if they want to. If there had been time on our program Saturday night, he would have shared this with the group. Doesn't this sound like how we were coached?

Also, Mike was a "green-horn" basketball coach back in 1971 who had not won a game until he attended a coaching seminar in Albany, at Merry Acres Restaurant featuring Coach Norman Carter. Mike implemented the simple offensive plays he learned there and won his first game! Based on what he learned from Coach Carter, he never had a losing season. It is a small world.........

A Great Coach, A Great Father

2007-03-19T17:05:00.000-05:00

Trey Carter posted this as a comment on one of the blogs, and I copied it here so everyone would be sure to see it. Bunny
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Many of you don't know me that well as a person. You may know me as a tennis player or the little coach's son watching your games. However, I am so honored to witness the glory you have given my father. As I sat there watching each of you at the reunion, it took all of my energy to fight back the tears. Being an athlete, I understand the discipline and focus that it takes to be successful. What I am not used to seeing is the selflessness. My father is a great man. Many of you know that. He has touched you and you will never be the same. However, many driven coaches tend to distance their families in their passion to be successful. My father is a better father and grandfather than he was a coach. I have never felt a love and respect deeper than I feel for him. You have allowed me and my children to experience a part of my father, their grandfather, that we never really knew. They still know him as granddaddy, but now they also know him as Coach. As my son North said "I didn't know grandaddy was famous". He deserves to be in the Hall Of Fame, and will be, but he has already made it in the hearts of his family.
God Bless Each Of You.

Trey

Check this out!

2007-03-19T14:52:00.000-05:00

You've got to read Bruce Goddard's blog on the reunion. Click here to go straight to it.

Coach Carter

2007-03-19T14:36:00.000-05:00

I had a wonderful time at the reunion Saturday night. My emotions ran the gamut from almost tearful to hilarity. I don’t think I have heard anything funnier than Coach Carter describing the opposing coach turning one of his players over his knee and spanking her right in front of everyone.

I heard all the tributes to Coach Carter, have been reading them on the blog, and today read Bruce Goddard’s blogs about the reunion and his call to action regarding getting Coach in the Coaches HOF and the Georgia Sports HOF. I want to add a few personal observations that will help give some insight into the kind of coach he was and the kind of man he is.

Coach Carter started coaching me in 6th grade. He instilled a dedication to excellence based on fundamentals, belief in yourself and your teammates, and plenty of hard, hard work. He made us believe we were as good as anyone. Unlike the girls teams, who were usually just a whole lot better than their opposition, we played a lot of teams that had a whole lot more talent, were bigger, faster, and usually had much nicer facilities in which to play and practice. What they didn’t have was Coach Carter. Just one example is when we played Warner Robins High School in the Tom Porter Tournament in Macon in December, 1965. Warner Robins was AAA, the highest classification at the time. We never thought that we weren’t supposed to beat them. Never mind that they were undefeated and ranked first in the state. (They finished third or fourth in AAA that year.) If we had played 10 games, they would have beat us at least eight times. We played them once, and Coach Carter had told us we could beat them, and more importantly, showed us how we could do it. We played them once and beat them once. I’ll never forget, after the game, seeing the WR coach just sitting in his chair with his head in his hands. Tough luck, I thought.
In the Class C boys state championship game in 1966, we played another bigger, faster team. Adrian had a couple of boys about 6’3” or 6’4”. That was big for Class C in those days. I had the good fortune to make four fairly high-pressure free throws in the last minute or so of that game, which we won 78-76. Fast forward to the 66-67 season. Harris County beat us by 30 in Hamilton. We played them later in Butler in a very tight game. I had a one-and-one free throw situation with the score tied with less than a minute left. They called time-out to put the pressure on me. All Coach said in the huddle was, “I’ve seen you make tougher ones than this.” I missed the first free throw, Harris Co. got the rebound, scored, and we lost by two. I was devastated. In the locker room, as Coach walked by me without even stopping, he said, “Don’t worry about it. It happens to the best of us.” I had expected not a chewing out, but at least an expression of disappointment. The next week during practice several of us were horsing around during our free-throw practice. I was banking my free-throws off the backboard instead of doing it like I was supposed to. I didn’t even know Coach was watching us. Suddenly, like out of no where, he was standing behind me. All he said was, “I didn’t notice you banking any free-throws Friday night.” Again, I was devastated. I knew I had let him and the team down by not taking something as important as free-throw practice seriously. The point is that he knew when and how to build his players up, and when and how to put us in our place, all the while doing it in a way that wasn’t obvious to fans, and many times not even to the other players. By the way, we beat Harris County by two in a triple-overtime game in the region tournament, knocking them out of a chance to go to the State Tournament.

Coach Carter is one of those people that knows what works and knows how to inspire people to do those things that work. According to one of my friends who works with State Probate officers, The Golden Rule is recognized by authorities as one of the best and most successful facilities of its kind.

Coach Carter, nor any of us who played for him, would expect anything less.

Mark Harris

Reunion Fun!

2007-03-19T10:31:00.000-05:00

The pictures speak for themselves of the fun we had at the reunion!

Four pages of pictures

Four more pages of pictures

Send me more and I'll post them also.

Fabulous!

2007-03-18T22:50:00.000-05:00

The Lady Vikings have had a busy and fabulous week-end. Our reunion was a great success. We had a party that I can truly say had a dreamlike quality.

All I can say is WOW! What a good time we had. We celebrated 35 years of our winning streak holding as the state record in Georgia and as fourth in the nation. We pulled off a fabulous party with 180 guests to honor the coach, players, managers, and cheerleaders of the winning streak years. We had a great time with Ed Grisamore as speaker, and Lady Vikings presenting each part of the program. A favorite with everyone was Coach Carter giving his memories from the winning streak years. Then we surprised our coach Norman Carter and his wife Jane with a sizable donation to their passion, The Golden Rule, a substance abuse facility in Mauk that they founded and operate. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Now we plan to start on our next goal: getting our coach inducted into the Hall of Fame - the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame. And getting the Lady Vikings Winning Streak mentioned in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. It's amazing to everyone that hears that there is no mention now. A record that's held for thiry-five years deserves to be mentioned. As Coach Carter said in the WMAZ interview, "People say it was easy to do back then... Well if it was, why didn't someone else do it?"

We've had some pledges of help toward our goal of getting Coach Carter in the Hall of Fame from some fantastic people - Ed Grisamore with the Macon Telegraph, Todd Smith, Sandy Harris, Bruce Goddard, and the list continues. With some teamwork from the Lady Vikings, like Coach Carter trained us so many years ago, we can surely make this happen. It's time, don't you think?

Watch for pictures of the reunion - coming soon!

Nothing Left to Chance

2007-03-16T05:59:00.000-05:00

I remember how Coach Carter covered every detail in preparing for games. Before we played in the state tournament in the Macon Auditorium, we had special additions to our practice one day. The Macon Auditorium had a balcony that was level with the glass backboards, so when you were shooting free throws, you could see all the fans waving and screaming. To get us used to this, he had several B team boys climb up on the bars behind our backboards and sit there and wave and yell while we practiced shooting free throws. This is another example of how careful attention to detail helped us win 132 games in a row!

Sissy Riley Martin

Surprise to Lady Vikings!

2007-03-15T13:08:00.000-05:00

This half-page advertisement appeared in the Taylor County News this week - a surprise to the Lady Vikings! I love the five basketballs - one for each state championship.

I suspect that Mr. Buddy Dunn had something to do with it. Thanks to all the businesses and to Buddy! Thanks to Valori, editor of the Taylor County News, for publicizing our event. We have 175 registered to attend. It's going to be a special night. Many more surprises are planned!

Many Great Memories

2007-03-15T08:23:00.000-05:00

The four years 1967-1971 that I was on the team were years that will always remain in my memory. I read the blog and enjoy thinking about the very hard work that every member of the team put out because we wanted our community to be proud of us and we did not want to let them down.

Yes, that was my Dad that came all the way to Milledgeville to get me, Joyce and Lynn at college so we could see the game against Perry. He carried us back that night. That was a long ride back to school after the game. We were so sad about the loss.

I remember the medicine ball. I also remember the ankle weights that we wore everywhere. Yes, I mean everywhere.

We had so many great supporters. I remember the banquets people in the community would give after we'd win the state tournaments. Flintside, out on Hwy 19 North across the river on the left hand side, was one place I remember we went as a group for supper. I hesitate to name the groups that honored us. There were several, and we loved it. We had some great times and good food.

Everyone of the Lady Vikings had matching outfits for away games. I always felt we made quite an impact on everyone when we walked into the gyms.

I think we all learned a lot about ourselves that made us who we are today. We were, and are, a determined, dedicated group that just will not quit. I am not good at writing these kind of things, but I am thankful that I had the opportunity to be a Lady Viking and I would not take anything for that experience.

Dianne Kendrick Chastain

My Very Best Wishes to All

2007-03-14T21:13:00.000-05:00

Glenn moved to Taylor County first..the Viking girls saw how tall she was and must have been thrilled..then they discovered that her hidden talents may not have included basketball. Then I came to town.. ok..not as tall, but another hopeful. While I did attend Coach Carter's basketball camp one summer and conquerred one "mean layup", I ultimately found my niche as one of yalls biggest fans...yelling my fool head off! Sherry taught me that!! haha

My very best wishes to all the Ladies of Viking. Sandra, Edie, Bunny, Patsy, MaryAnn, Kathy...Sherry, Dawn..wow.. thanks for the memories!

Funny, I can only remember the winning..not that loss! Enjoy your celebration...

Shelley Carroll Thessen

The Wonder Years: 1967-1972

2007-03-13T17:02:00.000-05:00

We had heard about him before he walked into the new Butler High School Gymnatorium in 1953. He was a tall, skinny kid out of Talbot County High School. Our basketball coach, Bill Hornsby, told us he was well known throughout the state, and maybe the best basketball player in Georgia. But, you must not let this kid intimidate you! He was just that good and even better, outscoring our entire Butler High School Bears’ team. But, because he was such a good and popular kid, we felt fortunate to have played against such a star. This was Norman Carter, but we never knew back then that his dream was to coach girls’ basketball. Neither did we know that Butler High School would be his first coaching assignment, and that he would be coaching my then 9-year old sister, Kay, in the state championship game in Macon in 1962. But, even more, to be coaching the Taylor County Lady Vikings in 1967-1972, during The Wonder Years of Taylor County basketball.

During 1967-72, The Wonder Years, the Lady Vikings won 132 consecutive games, went undefeated for five years and won five consecutive state championships. In 1969, they held both the Class ‘B’ and Class ‘C’ championships for one hour.

Great basketball fans and supporters of yesterday helped to make basketball the best thing going and the most talked about thing. Some of the best fans and supporters of girls’ basketball in Taylor County have left us now, but their memories of the games have not. Just to name a few of them, Leo Anglin, M.P. Dean, Emory Harris, Joe Eubanks, and John Turk, (one of the Turk brothers). These loyal fans made the game of basketball the most popular of all sports.

John Turk was a favorite of many players and fans. He was the owner and operator of The Rabbit Box (famous for its Turkburger.) The old oak tree, planted in 1892 stood out front, a perfect place for talking basketball. John had an old bell hanging in the tree. He would ring the bell for hours (if he could not make it to the games), when the word came from the old Macon City Auditorium that Taylor County was state champions again. If he could make the game, he would call a friend or neighbor to ring the bell until his arrival home. Within the last few years, the old oak tree, a gathering place for over 100 years, died too. (If only this tree could talk to us about back then!)

This weekend, the Lady Vikings of 1967-1972, The Wonder Years, will return back home to Taylor County for a 35-year reunion. Norman Carter, their coach and mentor, will be present for this memorable event.

Likely, nothing like Norman Carter’s records will ever be compiled again. We should stay proud of his outstanding contributions to our young ladies of yesterday, and to Butler, Taylor County, and Georgia basketball.

Buddy Dunn

If we play defense...

2007-03-13T10:07:00.000-05:00

I have really and truly enjoyed reading the various comments about lessons learned as a Taylor County Lady Viking and how those lessons have poured over into adult life. I am looking forward to seeing all of my teammates on Saturday night. I am sure that all of us look the same…..ha! ha! but just a little more matured and nutritionally enhanced.

I can still hear Coach Carter saying, "If we play defense, our offense will take care of itself."

Mary Riley

Basketball was my life!

2007-03-12T15:36:00.000-05:00

I forget what grade I was in, but I had decided that I wanted to be a cheerleader. I was pretty small, but I had a loud mouth, so cheerleading seemed like the thing to do. Coach Carter had a different idea. He said I was too mean to be a cheerleader and he was going to make a basketball player out of me. Well imagine my surprise when in the 9th grade I made the team. Of course my uniform was a little big for me. My mom had to rip out the seams and fold them under and pretty much remake the entire thing. At least I had a lot of padding, which turned out to be a good thing, since Coach Carter taught me the technique of getting "charging fouls" (even when you were not touched by the opposing team). I was suppose to get a milkshake for each successful attempt. I can't remember how many milkshakes I got, but I do have a few scars to show for my success. Yes, basketball was my life and I sure had some good friends to make all the hard work worthwhile and of course all the winning and State Championships were a big PLUS. I didn't know what it meant to lose! In my 4 years on the team, I never played in a losing game!! Thanks to all my teammates, the fans, cheerleaders, managers and Coach Carter for helping me be a part of such an awesome winning streak.
#10 Patsy Ranow Gaultney

Taylor County Vikings Pride

2007-03-12T15:26:00.000-05:00

I'm sure the Taylor County High School Cheerleaders stood at attention for Mrs. Jeri Harris just as quickly as the girl's basketball team did for Coach Carter. Mrs. Harris was a tiny little thing, but you knew you better do exactly as she said on the court as well as in her French and English classes. Mrs. Harris encouraged us to do our best and to exhibit lots of spirit and pride -- Taylor County Vikings Pride!

I have fond memories of being on the 8th grade basketball team and playing with Sissy, Maxine, Linda, Dianne, and all the rest. I also had sense enough to realize that I was no where close to being in their league, so I became a cheerleader. Our squad had a lot of fun cheering for Coach Carter and his winning basketball team. We also knew we had to be very serious. I can still remember the cheer, You can sock it to the East, You can sock it to the West, but when you sock it to the Vikings, you sock it to the Best! It is such a privilege to be a part of a group that is going to honor one of the "Best" coaches and the "Best" players in the state of Georgia. I knew Coach Carter as a teacher, principal, superintendent, but most important of all as a coach. Mrs. Carter was my 4th grade teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have touched many lives and continue to do so. Thanks for the memories!

Charlene Wright Jackson, TCHS Cheerleader

Lady Viking Memories

2007-03-11T08:03:00.000-05:00

I am so looking forward to next Saturday night. It will not only be great seeing all the girls I spent so much time with as part of the Lady Viking basketball team 35 years ago but it will also be a great opportunity for all of us to honor Coach Carter. He was a great basketball coach but he was also a great life coach.

My basketball playing began at Reynolds when I was in the seventh grade. Bunny and Sandra were eight graders and I learned a lot playing with them and watching them. During my eight grade year, I was one of the girls chosen by Coach Carter to go to Butler to practice with the TC Lady Vikings. I was awestruck but it was during those practices I became determined to work hard enough to make that team.

I remember sitting on the bench next to Edie our freshman year in the State Championship game in Macon.   Bunny, Sandra and company were routing the opponents but Edie and I were still shocked when Coach Carter called our names to go in that game. My sophomore year I got more playing time and worked harder than I had ever worked in my life. It was during that year that I realized I had a chance of making the starting line-up on that great team.   I remember wearing ankle weights not only to school every day but also to church and on dates. Every girl on the team did that. My junior year my dream was realized. I found myself playing on a regular basis and being a real part of the team and the history that was being made. I look back on that experience and it continues to be one of the highlights in my life.

I have so many great memories. I remember all the drills in practice. We practiced fundamentals so much I did drills in my sleep. We were prepared for our opponents.   Every game I knew the name of the person I would be guarding. Coach Carter made sure we knew their strengths and weaknesses. I knew if their tendency was to go to the right and I knew if they could not shoot with their left hand. I also remember Coach Carter always raising the bar. If I did something good, like draw a charging foul, he would acknowledge it but always challenge me to do it more often.

Coach Carter taught us all that it takes hard work to be successful. That is true in basketball but also true in life.   It was anything but easy playing for Coach Carter. We all remember coming back to the gym in Butler to practice late at night after a bad game and him daring us to shiver in that very cold gym. We were all afraid of him but we also had great respect for him. But despite of his toughness we all knew he cared about us as individuals. The day my dad died my junior year was obviously a very traumatic time in my life. I remember the crowd of people at our house that night and I remember looking up and seeing Coach Carter walking down the hall. He was there for me during that time and was there for me on a personal level that entire year. He even allowed my boyfriend (who would later become my husband) to drive part of our team in our white station wagon to some out of town games that year.

I can count the true heroes in my life on one hand. Coach Carter is in that group.   The lessons I learned with all the girls who were part of the mighty Taylor County Lady Vikings are the greatest lessons I ever learned in life. I thank God for allowing me to be a part of that team and to get to experience what we experienced.

I can't wait to see you all on Saturday night.
– Kathy Underwood Goddard

The Night We Lost

2007-03-09T19:48:00.000-05:00

The Lady Vikings lost their first game in five years on January 4, 1972. It was a sad night for all of us. We never wanted to lose. Winning was way too much fun!

There are many amazing stories that came from that night. I've learned more in the last few weeks.

Perry was the team who finally beat us. They had focused on trying to do just that for a couple of years. Although Perry at that time was a AA school and we were A, Coach Carter scheduled them because they were good and we needed the competition before play-offs. We beat Perry in Butler (pictured) on Dec. 10 by five points, 56 - 51, so we knew that first game after Christmas in Perry would be another close one.

Sandy Harris (now my brother-in-law), who was the boys' coach at the time, talks about how very hard it was for the boys' game to follow close girls' games. He said when the girls would have a close game, he would have a time getting his boys settled down and ready to play. They wanted us to win about as badly as we did. The night that we lost was the worst. The boys had to wait a long time before they could even take the floor for warming up. They say that near pandemonium occurred on the gym floor immediately afterwards and it was 30 minutes before the boys' game could begin.

Most anyone you ask, who was halfway a basketball fan, will say that they were at the game that night. Many college students came home to be there. I know Mr. Cecil Kendrick drove to Georgia College in Milledgeville to pick up Joyce Kendrick, Dianne Kendrick, and Lynn Young so they wouldn't miss this game, and drove them back afterwards. Jean Jones and her boyfriend (and now husband) Robert Cooper drove over from Middle Georgia College. Many, many people went to the game in support. We can't say we lost because the other fans were louder. Ours were there and were loud.

Mr. Buddy Dunn said that the talk that day at the Warner Robins base where he worked was that a Houston County school would break the winning streak in 1972, and that it would probably be Perry that night. He was at the game of course. Mr. Buddy was a loyal fan for years.

I just learned this week that our scorekeeper, Melodie Bohler Stinson, was so upset and crying so hard after we lost that the official scorekeeper (Perry, because they were the home team) told her that she should not be allowed to keep the boys' scorebooks. She walked into the lobby to compose herself, but she only cried harder. Mr. Grady Trussell overheard and came to her rescue, but his arguments got nowhere with the officials. Melodie was not allowed to keep the boys' scorebook that night.

Over the past couple of weeks, a student movie-making team at the middle school has been interviewing former players for a short film on the Lady Vikings. When they ask the players about the game that was lost, the players start talking, and then nearly get choked up. Even after so long, it still touches us to talk about it. It was a hard night for those of us on the team, and for those in the stands that night.

After the game that night, when the buzzer sounded and signified the end of the streak, we went to the locker room and Coach Carter went also. I remember we just sat quietly for awhile, all of us in a daze. It was surreal. Tears were rolling, and everybody was very quiet. There was shock and disbelief. We could hear the celebrating in the Perry locker room, and rightfully so. They'd played a good game; they'd reached their goal. Coach Carter then asked if we'd like to go and congratulate them. We nodded that we would. He led the way and we went in and shook hands with all the team members and the coach. They'd done what no other team in five years and 132 games had - beat the Lady Vikings of Taylor County High.

When I remember that 1972 season now, I don't dwell much on that loss to Perry. It would have been easy to have dissension on that team after we lost. But we didn't. We picked ourselves up, our coach motivated us to continue, and we reached our number one goal of the year - to win the state championship.

Basketball - A Constant at TCHS

2007-03-08T12:19:00.000-05:00

I am excited about the reunion and am looking forward to the fun of seeing everybody and am especially excited about our having the opportunity to honor a great coach and a great man who was such a positive influence in our lives.

I am at the same time a little apprehensive about seeing everyone because in my mind’s eye I look pretty much the same as in my high school days, just slightly more mature. I’ll be much obliged if nobody lets on to me that the truth is not that.

Basketball was a constant throughout high school. No matter how much everything else changed, there was always basketball to focus on. I know how blessed I was to have the opportunity to witness great coaching up close and to be part of the Lady Vikings team.

We all worked so hard! The overpowering smell of us after a hot spring practice going down the steps into the locker room! Remember that? It was such a closed space, and we smelled so unladylike, but it was the smell of hard work and meant that we would win again. And I don’t know where Coach Carter came up with those medicine balls, but they looked they could have been unearthed from an Egyptian tomb. He surely knew how to keep us all motivated to give our best!

Growing up in Reynolds with Bunny and Sandra, I had no doubt as to who of the three of us not only was lacking in physical talent, but who also lacked the competitive drive that makes a great athlete. They were amazing basketball players from early on, and I know I was fortunate to come along when they did.

I was still a freshman when Maxine Lawhorn explained to me that what I was was a Rinky-Dink. Ordinary teams had benchwarmers, but even the Lady Vikings’ bench was a step above other teams’ benches and had its own proud name. Maxine may have been joking, but that’s sure what we called ourselves. It was part of the tradition.

Games are won in practice, and we Rinky-Dinks were an important part of the team. Once when a big game was coming up, Coach Carter had some of the B-team boys come to practice against the starters. I don’t know if Coach Carter thought the other team’s players were on steroids or what, but I remember feeling a little let down that he thought his own Rinky-Dinks might not be keeping the first team on their toes. I took my role on the team seriously.

I vividly remember the night of the loss to Perry even though I was no longer on the team. I was at Middle Georgia College in Cochran and had met the light of my life, Robert Cooper, who had heard lots about my high school basketball team that could not lose a game. So when the Vikings were playing in Perry, he and I rode over for the game. Incidentally, my mother was there since Harriet was on the team, and that was the first time she met Robert. (She liked him right away, and we all know how much easier life is if your mom approves of your boyfriend.) The evening started off great, but it ended horribly. I was devastated by the loss. The thought had never ever occurred to me that the combination of Bunny Harris, Sandra Arnold, and Norman Carter could lose a game. On the way back to Cochran, I concluded that Coach Carter had decided that the pressure of the winning streak was so heavy on the players that it was a hindrance to the main goal of winning State and had arranged to lose by a slim margin to a worthy opponent. That was how impossible it was to me to comprehend that we could lose.

But then Robert and I went to see the game in Warner Robins. Another loss, which blew my theory. That was the last game Robert Cooper was allowed to attend. He and I thought about going to the State finals that year, but didn’t. I’m not really superstitious or believe in jinxes, but still it seemed best for the team if he just wasn’t there.

To this day, when the topic of the Lady Vikings’ incredible winning streak comes up, Robert jokingly comments that all he ever saw the team do was lose!

Can’t wait until the 17th! You’ll recognize me right away because I look pretty much like I did in high school, just a little more mature.

Special People

2007-03-07T08:47:00.000-05:00

It has been so interesting to read all the blogs and comments from everyone. I have wanted to write since the first one I read, but something happened January 25, 2007 that changed my life. My Dad passed away. He was so excited about this reunion. Just a few days before he passed away he and I talked about it when he was in ICU. I know he will not be with me at the reunion, but I will feel his presence.

Another great man that influenced my life is Coach Carter. Gosh, I was so scared of him! He taught us all so much. While playing under his coaching I learned that it took the entire team to win. It takes the entire family, the entire church, the entire co-workers, etc. to be successful and because of Coach Carter I can say I am successful because of him.

There are so many great memories of Coach Carter........well, some are not so great! I remember once that he lined us up against the "wall" after practice and said someone had failed an algebra test. He wouldn't name the person but said, "you know who you are". He said he had talked to the teacher and this person would be allowed to take the test again the next day and "you had better pass". Of course I went home and studied my butt off and made a 94 on the test. I was so nervous because I knew if I failed again Coach Carter could remove me from the team. Basketball was my life so I never failed another test. (Thanks Mr. Dwight!!)

There are so many memories that I will never forget. Of course there are several about my Dad that comes to mind. Because he was a preacher I had to attend Church. For some strange reason we had a game on a Wednesday night and I was afraid he would make me go to Church and miss the game. He let me play and I remember seeing him come into the gym during the 3rd quarter. Apparently, he cut his service short so he could come to the game. I can only remember him missing 2 games in four years. My senior year, my last game, the State championship game, I got my front tooth knocked straight up into my gum. Gosh, it was so painful. It happened a few seconds before half-time. I did not see him, but I have been told that he climbed the fence that separated the fans from the court. He had to see for himself that I was alright. Two doctors came to our dressing room and said I should go the the emergency room. Coach Carter asked what I wanted to do. There was no hesitation.....my last game....I was finishing the game! I did, we won and I could not eat my steak afterwards.

I was asked how I felt after Perry broke our winning streak. That was one of the worst nights in my life. With 5 seconds left in the game I started walking off the court and someone grabed me and walked with me to the door of our dressing room. I thought it was the guy I was dating, but to my surprise it was my brother, Edward. He knew how devastated we were. There was not a dry eye on the TC side of the gym. Edward later wrote an editorial to the Perry newspaper commending the Perry team on their win. He also reminded them that "we are still number one". The following day we were allowed to report to school late. I will never forget the scene. The cheerleaders had the halls decorated and everyone was cheering. I know I cried all day.

So many people were involved in our winning streak......Coach Carter, players, cheerleaders, managers, scorekeeper, fans and our parents.....you are all so very special. I will always cherish each of you. There is one more special person in my life I have to mention. Bunny Fuller Harris, thank you for being my teammate for so many years. Bunny and I started playing together at recess in the fifth grade. Yep, in our little dresses! We actually started our winning streak in the 8th grade. Believe it or not, I could read her mind. I could look at her and I would know which direction she was going and I would throw the ball in that direction.....hoping I was right. From as far as I can remember it has been Fuller-Arnold!!!! Thanks, Bunny for so many memories.

Looking forward to seeing all of you March 17, 2007.

Teams Were Seeing Double!

2007-03-06T17:46:00.000-05:00

The Peed tradition on Norman Carter's basketball teams had been around a few years when I first joined the Lady Vikings. By 1970 all 8 teams he had taken to the state tournament had at least one Peed girl on them. Coach Carter considered that tradition a good luck charm. Dondra was on the 1963 team and Janice was on 1964 and 1965. When Kathy and Karon joined the team in 1967, I guess it became double good luck. They were identical twins.
Kathy and Karon played guard, and they were double trouble to the other teams we played. To be as nice as they were, they played tough defense. I'm sure the other team's forwards thought they were seeing double by the time it was over. Coach Carter alternated his guards the years I played, and if both weren't in there at the same time, one was in there. If you couldn't tell Kathy from Karon you could look at their uniform numbers. Kathy was #20 and Karon was #30.

Karon Peed Dunn saw Judy Riley Bland back in the fall and as with any two Lady Vikings talking, the conversation turned to the fact that we really need to have a reunion. Judy and Karon get the credit for our upcoming get-together. They got the ball rolling first. Now it is really bouncing! We have over 125 signed up to attend.

Kathy Peed Davis has been making a scrapbook for our reunion and I got to see it last Friday. It is fabulous! It turns out that her mother kept all the newspaper articles from the twins' four years in high school. Kathy got them out after her mother's death and her mother had numbered every one in order of occurence. She also had a note in there the day the Sunday paper didn't run and she didn't have that article. Kathy went to the library and got that one. She's been working hard since Christmas getting the scrapbook done. This scrapbook is so impressive, with all the stickers and acid-free paper that current day scrapbookers use. My scrapbooks and Sissy's scrapbooks are falling apart! Of course, they are 35 years old!

There is a photograph in Kathy's scrapbook that I want you all to see. "Miss" Eleanor had hung Kathy's and Karon's uniforms (white and blue) on the clothesline and taken a picture. It is so neat to see those four uniforms hanging on the line. Brings back memories!

A Bright Star in My Collection of Memories

2007-03-05T20:36:00.000-05:00

I can truly say without a doubt that the memories I have of my school days at Taylor County are by far the fondest. The friendships made with both teachers, coaches, teammates and counselors are a bright star in my collection of memories. My class of 1973 was an awesome group of people. Even though we were the green peas in comparison to the group that we followed, we still felt very much a part of the Lady Vikings Winning Streak years. When Edie Smith, Kathy Underwood, Carlynn Neisler, and I made the varsity team you would have thought we had made it to the Olympics.

The momentum of what Norman Carter had done with basketball was felt throughout Middle Georgia. He had become a legend and had earned the respect of his players and colleagues alike. I often think back and wonder what it was. He created in us an absolute love for the sport. If you were not totally committed 100% to basketball and the program, then there was no place for you. Coach Carter demanded respect and raised the bar for all of us to achieve the very best in all areas of our lives. What people fail to understand was that he made us better people for it. We were expected to be academically high achievers. We held our heads high wherever we went. We were proud of who we were, because we knew that we had been set apart. Bunny, Sandra, Patsy, Regina, and those that I cannot recall were role models to us.

I went on to play basketball at Middle Georgia College. Bunny had also played there. We might have gone on to better things, but women's basketball in the intercollegiate level was untapped at that time.

I want to thank Sandy Harris and Dwight Harris for keeping me focused on my academics during that time.

Taylor County Lady Vikings became who they were because of one man's dream (Norman Carter) and the support of a lot of parents and teachers who supported that dream. I just want to say thank you to Bunny, Karon, Judy, and all of the great people who are taking the time to bring this reunion to fruition. Job well done to each of you, and to Coach Carter.

Manchester Memories - Tri-County Tournament

2007-03-04T22:09:00.000-05:00

During the years of the winning streak, we played in the oldest of all Georgia Invitational Basketball Tournaments - the Tri-County Tournament. This was a tournament held in Manchester. It was started in 1926 with Meriwether, Harris, and Talbot Counties playing in the first tournament. Basketball was about the only type of athletics at the smaller high schools. The only indoor playing court in the three counties was the one owned by the Manchester Mills, and they started playing it there. When Manchester High got a gym, the tournament was moved there.

Taylor County High School was invited to the tournament in 1968 and the girls won it the next five years in a row. The gym was always full of people, and it was just a great place to play.

Mr. Jim Woodall presented the trophies several years that I remember. He was referred to in the Manchester newspaper as "Talbot County's 'Grand Old Man' of sports, education, and just about everything else constructive and instructive to area youth." It was a tournament with a lot of history and it was always exciting to play there. I always felt like I had my best games there, and I looked forward to it every year.

The Lady Vikings won the tournament in 1968 over Harris County, in one of their many meetings that year. That's the year Taylor County beat Harris County five times - every time - all the way to the finals of state.

I especially remember the first game of the 1969 tournament - my freshman year. Sandra and I alternated starting by games that year, and it was my game to be the starter. The other forwards were Sissy and Judy Riley. Teams were always focusing on stopping the Riley phenom, and the first tournament game that year was no exception. For the first three minutes, every time down the court their guards would double team Sissy. Coach Carter had taught us to look at the defense and find out who was open. It didn't take a rocket scientist to realize that I had no guard; Judy would throw me the ball and I would shoot right under the goal. I scored the first six times down the floor - 12 points - and didn't think anything about it. It was automatic. Well, then it dawned on me that I had scored all the points that we had so far. I kind of got the "big head" and missed the next time down the floor! The other team called timeout and put a guard on me then. Sissy and Judy took over and scored 23 and 17 respectively. I ended that game with 18 points, and we won and moved on to win the tournament - the second time for the Lady Vikings.

In 1970, Jim Coger from Columbus WTVM came to our game and it was quite exciting when he and his camera crew interviewed Coach Carter with us watching after the game. I remember Coach threw a towel over Judy's head as the camera panned around the room of players.

Another exciting thing about the tournament was they named an All-Tourney team. Judy, Sandra, and I were so excited in 1970 when all three of us , the forwards on the Lady Vikings, made the All-Tourney team. We scored 201 points among the three of us during the tournament. We had five on the team that year - Denease McAbee and Patsy Ranow, two of our guards, were also honored.

The Tri-County tournament was split over two week-ends. In 1971 we won our tourney game the first week-end, then nearly lost our game on Tuesday in between when we beat Warner Robins after two overtimes. We were glad to return to Manchester with our winning streak still intact.

In 1972's tournament first round I remember being on the bench during the fourth quarter as our subs got a chance to play, and this guy coming over to Coach and saying, "Norman, put Fuller back in and let her get 50 points. It's been a long time since we had a player score 50 in this gym. " Coach just laughed, and said, "We aren't interested in that." I ended the game with 47 points, and didn't even play the whole game. The Manchester gym was one of my favorite places to play.

The Tri-County Tournament was just a lot of fun - a lot of good memories were made there!

Get those reunion reservations in soon!

2007-03-01T22:07:00.000-05:00

101 Lady Vikings, managers, cheerleaders, coaches, fans and family members are registered for our Lady Vikings Winning Streak Reunion on March 17! It should be a great time renewing old friendships with most of us not having seen each other for 35 years! Don't worry, Bunny is making us all name tags with our high school team picture on it so we can recognize everybody by how we 'used' to look....not that we have changed that much.......

I hear Linda Joiner has been looking for some navy and white houndstooth fabric like our team skirts were made of to make herself a reunion skirt. She hasn't much luck though. Remember those navy blazers, our skirts and the jumpers? We did look pretty spiffy didn't we! Sandra Arnold still has her lucky knee pads she is bringing to the reunion to add to the memorabilia. Linda is bringing her high top converse shoes. Remember those? Some of us are bringing our State Championship rings to display. We'll have all the trophies on display.

This could turn into a Peed reunion - at this point we have six 'Peeds' and their families. Harriet Jones Geesey will get the prize for coming the fartherest - Laramie, Wyoming! There are lots of you who have not responded yet that live right around Butler......we hope you all can come.

Super Supporters

2007-02-27T12:43:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-23T08:17:00.000-05:00

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!

2007-02-21T09:45:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-21T09:11:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-19T23:22:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-19T21:28:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-19T15:20:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-18T09:13:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-16T14:04:00.000-05:00

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!

2007-02-15T20:51:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-13T08:05:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-10T11:37:00.000-05:00

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!

2007-02-08T13:22:00.000-05:00

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'

2007-02-06T15:44:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-05T14:20:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-04T14:56:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-02T22:37:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-02T11:12:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-02T08:20:00.000-05:00

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

2007-02-01T17:44:00.000-05:00

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!

First Lesson in Leadership

2007-01-31T14:11:00.001-05:00

Beyond how I got there, most of the stories I took away from cheerleading were of a teenager’s life within that context. We did practice hard and we did take ourselves seriously … we even endured a very arduous, very hot week each summer at the American Cheerleading Association’s camp at Mercer University … but as I read the stories of the Lady Viking’s focus on strategy and discipline, I realize the day-to-day work of even a good cheerleading squad paled in comparison.

A teenager’s life in Taylor County, Georgia in the late 1960s, early 1970s is bound to yield a good story or two, though. I remembered one this morning as I considered the environment I want to create for a new business.

My fellow cheerleaders will be too kind at the reunion to remind me of it, but the truth is, I could be a hard-driving captain … as obnoxious as I was in 8th grade, only different. I must have really enjoyed my first taste of power. Our sponsor, Jeri Harris had made a career change, leaving a void in team leadership. I tried to fill the hole, awkwardly, of course. Today cheerleading captain! Tomorrow the world!!!

It was my senior year and the powerful Lady Vikings weren’t so powerful anymore. It had been a death of sorts, but we were too young to know how to grieve properly. Then again, do we ever learn how to do that? We come to realize, though, that from time to time our universe shifts abruptly. It just happens, and it happens to everybody. Knowing that helps you brace for it, but it may not prevent you from feeling shell-shocked.

That’s how I felt the first time I went to an away game and saw the bleachers nearly empty. My gut ached knowing I’d never get back something I had dearly loved and so carelessly taken for granted. Perhaps part of the rigor I wanted for the cheerleading squad stemmed from a desire to be taken as seriously as we once were. Whatever the reason, I was too immature to realize I had neither of the two qualities essential to those who are a big pain the rear: charm and authority. Therefore, after a week or two of making those who failed to fully straighten their arms run laps around the gym, the entire squad quit.

Now, that possibility had never occurred to me. I did what most teenage girls would do in a similar situation; I cried. I was in the bathroom at school and Jan Hobbs was delivering the bad news. She was annoyed, too, but luckily for me our friendship struck a little deeper than it did with others. She’d try to fix things, she said … and did. If only all the world’s abuses of power could be remedied so quickly.

Most people want to be masters of their universe, or at the very least king or queen of something. Acquiring the skills to make you fit for the position, though, takes time. I am very grateful to have received that first lesson in power … Abuse it and lose it! … in the arms of the Lady Vikings family.

Statistics From “The Manager’s Room”

2007-01-31T13:23:00.000-05:00

Being a manager for the Taylor County Lady Vikings was really a great honor. A manager had lots of responsibilities and duties. One of those was to help transport players to and from away games. In 1971, we traveled in cars to all our away games. Coach Carter usually asked one of the managers to drive his wife's “Ford Galaxy 500” and he drove his “bright green Ford Maverick”, both filled with players. Parents drove the rest of the team. A caravan of fans followed.

One incident that stands out in my mind was after a game in Manchester. I, as senior manager, was driving the “Ford Galaxy 500” and had a carload of hungry ball players. We left the gym before Coach Carter and as we passed the Dairy Queen it was like it was calling us to stop. We took a vote and decided it would be ok to stop and get a quick snack for the trip back to Butler. We pulled in, jumped out of the car, and lined up at the window to order (this was so long ago that most fast foods were walk ups.) I had my hot fudge sundae (which is still my favorite) and was in the car ready to go. The others were in various stages of getting their orders, loading the car, or still in line waiting to place their order. All of a sudden, the “Green Ford Maverick” pulls into the Dairy Queen parking lot.
Coach Carter jumps out, and opens the passenger side of the car, leans down and spoke these words. "Get out, and throw those ice creams away, throw it ALL away." Of course we followed Coach Carter’s directions. I couldn’t believe I had just thrown away my untouched hot fudge sundae in a trashcan. He snapped to the others in line, "Load up, and stay right behind my car, I mean right behind me, the rest of the way to Butler." We did as instructed - those with ice cream found the trashcan to stuff their treats and those who were waiting jumped in the car. Off we went back to Butler staying right behind that “green Ford Maverick”. If it passed a car, I passed a car. The tension in our car was so thick you could cut it with a knife. We worried over what was going to happen to us and if Coach Carter would tell our parents. But most of all we were upset because we had displeased our Coach.
There were a lots of tears shed that night.

We pulled up at the gym right behind Coach. He came over to the driver's side this time and simply said, "What would have happened if you had a flat tire out in the middle of nowhere tonight? How would I have explained to your parents if you'd been kidnapped or worse? I had no idea where your carload was, whether it was ahead or behind me, or that you had stopped. I hope you've learned a lesson."

I know I learned my lesson. I have used this story many times - with my own daughters and with students in my job as attendance officer in the school system. I tell them that someone should always know where they are. They should use some common sense, they should think before doing things.

Coach Carter made a lasting impression on me that night in Manchester in 1971. I still enjoy telling this story now, many years later!

Proud To Be Part Of The Phenomenon

2007-01-31T11:38:00.000-05:00

It was a great honor to be a Viking manager for all of my high school years. Growing up in Taylor County in the ‘60’s, it seemed that high school basketball was the thing that tied the community together and the players were the local celebrities. So, of course, I wanted to be a player, too. I was on my 8th grade B-team and enjoyed the experience, but I quickly learned that I was not a “natural”. I never tried out for the high school team, because, as a freshman, I was offered a position as manager. I jumped at the chance. I saw it as my opportunity to be a part of the best show in town, my chance to go everywhere the Vikings went and, so, I agreed to keep up with books, charts, basketballs, Gatorade, vitamins and anything else the coaches asked me to do for the teams.
One of my biggest tests came very soon after I was “hired.” At that time, Coach Carter drove a light blue Ford. I believe it was a Falcon. It had a manual transmission with the stick on the steering column. When Coach Carter asked me if I could drive a straight shift, I told him I could. But, I lied. I was afraid that if I told him that I didn’t know how to manage a car with a clutch and three gears he would fire me and find someone who could. I immediately set out to learn how to operate a manual transmission. My friend, Deborah Spillers’ dad had an old truck that had the shifter on the steering column. I remember being shown how to find the gears and told how to operate the clutch, but I don’t remember actually driving the truck on the road. I may have driven up and down the driveway. Anyway, I was ready. I thought. Soon, Coach Carter asked me to drive to town one afternoon during 6th period basketball practice. So, Joyce Kendrick (Kennon) and I got into the car, me behind the steering wheel and the moment of truth had arrived. Our mission was to go to the drug store and get vitamins for the players and failure was not an option. Changing the gears wasn’t the hard part. The hard part was synchronizing the clutch with the gas. This skill comes with experience, of which I had very little. To begin with, the car choked down a lot when starting and stopping. I learned to “pop” the clutch, which worked, but did not provide a very smooth ride. Needless to say, Joyce and I had some memorable trips to town. I got better at it, though. Eventually, Coach Carter traded the blue car in on a green Ford Maverick. It, too, had a manual transmission and I was really ready this time.
With the Maverick, I graduated to driving the Lady Vikings to out-of-town games. One trip in particular stands out in my mind. We were traveling to the tournaments in Manchester. I had a Maverick full of players. It was very foggy and Coach Carter was behind me with another load of Lady Vikings. In Manchester, I stopped at an intersection, looked both ways more than once (remember, it was VERY foggy) and then I cautiously drove on through. Arriving at the gym, some of the players in Coach Carter’s car came running up to me. “Do you know what you did?” Well, no. I didn’t remember doing anything out of the ordinary. However, I had done something awful. While I was stopped at the intersection, Coach Carter had gotten out of his car and walked up to my window to tell me something. About the time he got close enough to tap on the window, I drove off! He was left standing in the road, alone. The players riding with him said that he walked back to the car, got in and said, “That better have been a mistake!” It was, oh, it was! Thankfully, Coach Carter didn’t chew me out. I guess he gave me the benefit of the doubt.
We won the tournament, of course. I don’t mean to sound cocky but we always won. Don’t misunderstand; the Lady Vikings didn’t take their skills for granted. Every game was a contest in its own right. Every game was exciting. Every game my voice was added to the roar of the crowd. I’m proud to say that I was a Viking manger during the Lady Viking’s 132 game winning streak and I was a part of the phenomenon.

All For One and One for All

2007-01-31T11:07:00.000-05:00

I don't think it ever occurred to any of us as members of the Lady Vikings basketball teams to want any glory for ourselves as individual players. We wouldn't have dared!!

Our streak was a prime example of teamwork and what the results can be if everyone pulls together and keeps their eyes on the task at hand. I think the fans from our team and others noticed it about us as well.

I remember when we beat Harris County five times in one season with the last victory over them coming in the finals of the state tournament in the old Macon Municipal Auditorium. Their star forward, Pat Robinson, wrote my sister Sissy a note congratulating us on our win. I think we must earned that kind of respect by the way we played.

It was also a result of what Coach Carter learned about coaching a bunch of girls along the way!

The Record Book

2007-01-29T23:17:00.000-05:00

Back in December when we first started working on reunion planning, I talked with Ed Grisamore (Macon Telegraph Columnist and Grammy award nominee) who is to be the guest speaker at our event. He asked me if our winning streak is ranked nationally. I had no idea. I knew it was still a state record, but didn't know if it was in the national record books or where to research that. I was sitting in front of my computer, as was Ed, so he led me through a search on Google to find out. Let me say that he is good at Google searching. He got just the right combination of words and phrases and it brought up this page.
http://www.nfhs.org/core/contentmanager/uploads/PDFs/
Publications/Basketball.pdf

This is a publication called the National High School Sports Record Book put out by the National Federation of High Schools. This chapter is on Basketball. If you scroll down one page past this opening one, you'll see in the left column at the bottom a list titled Most Wins, Consecutive. We're on it - No. 4 - because we won 132 (misprint of 134) consecutive games between 1967-72. How about that?

The Fundamentals

2007-01-28T19:29:00.000-05:00

When you talk to any Lady Vikings about how we could possibly have won 132 games in a row, we immediately say we were coached in the fundamentals of basketball. From Coach Norman Carter we learned:

Shoot a jump shot. Coach Carter was a master at teaching girls to shoot jump shots.

It takes sense to play defense. Anybody can be taught by Coach Carter to shoot. (That's what he told the forwards. Made us feel real good. )

Block out on defense. Look at the pictures. You'll see those guards blocking out every time.

Always protect the ball, usually with your body between the defender and the ball.

Find your spot on the free throw line at the beginning of the game, and the beginning of the half, and go back there each time you shoot. Always bounce the ball a time or two, take a deep breath, exhale, and then shoot. Do your pre-shoot routine on every free throw.

Start with the ball above your head. Make a pass from there. Drive by moving the ball down the side of your body and your shoulder down, always protecting it from the defense. If they reach for the ball, they'll foul you.

Cut into the pivot. Fake behind, then go in front. Fake in front, and go behind. (I've seen Coach Carter laugh out loud at practice as we would sometimes fake so well that the guard would turn a circle looking for us.)

Keep the ball protected when you're in the pivot. Plant your feet, then pivot one way or the other, protecting the ball. Go up to shoot. Lead up with your left elbow turning left; right elbow turning right. If there are any arms between you and going up to the basket, go right through them. Get a grip on the ball and take them up with you!

When you catch the ball, jump and land on both feet. Then you can use either foot to pivot off of and not be called for a walk.

Don't dribble the ball when you get a rebound in the paint. Go back up with it.

The less you dribble the ball, the better off you are.

Use the backboard for any shot around the goal.

I don't care if you use a steel barrette, get that hair out of your eyes.

When playing defense, don't look at their eyes or their head. Look at their mid section - it will tell you where they're going.

Know what to do in close situations.
You're ahead a point or two, and the other team has the ball. Play good smart defense and make them work for a good shot. Try your best not to foul.
You're behind a point of two, and the other team is holding the ball. Make them do what they don't want to. Press the one with the ball. Close the passing lanes, and make them go toward the goal. Their coach has obviously told them to go toward the center line. If you have to foul one of them in order to get the ball back, know who's the worst free throw shooter on the team.

Play the best, smartest, zone press when they're bringing the ball to the line. Walk through it at practice over and over until you know exactly what to do. Know your position well. During the game, our zone press gave many teams fits. They couldn't get the ball to the center line, so they couldn't get it to their scorers.

When driving to the basket, take a long first step.

Play good defense and the rest will take care of itself.

I can remember occasions at practice when coaches from other schools would be sitting in the stands taking notes. Every minute of every practice was planned. The only minutes left to chance were at the end of practice. A lot of days Coach would have the forwards shoot free throws as a pair - eight in a row before you can go - meaning that your team of two had to shoot two, swap, shoot two, swap, until as a team you had eight in a row. Talk about pressure - after a long time you'd get to seven and then it was your turn to shoot the last to determine if you went home or started over.

I was a coach for a few years and I tried to teach all this, but my teams weren't nearly as successful. So I know there was some magic from Coach Carter in there somewhere too.

Lowest Scoring Game of the Streak

2007-01-27T21:33:00.000-05:00

The state final game of Taylor County vs. Cave Spring in 1969 was a really low scoring battle between two great coaches and defenses. Cave Spring was picked to beat us. Our senior forward, number 15 (Sissy Riley) and Cave Spring number 15 were both renowned forwards, but it wasn't an offensive slugfest, it was defensive. They used a stall offense against us. An amazing statistic to me was that we were held to only two points the whole second quarter. The score was tied 13 to 13 at the half.

Another reason I remember this game with fondness is because several years later I met Coach Graham Woodell, Cave Spring coach, when he worked at Coach Carter's Basketball Camp. He always teased me by saying that our game really bothered him. His game plan was to double up on the Riley sisters, and leave the freshmen alone. He said who would have thought two freshmen could make a difference in the state finals. The two freshmen he was referring to were Sandra and me. In this game, to the dismay of Coach Woodell, we two freshmen combined for 14 points. He had to quit double teaming Sissy and start guarding the freshmen, which allowed Sissy to find the mark for 20 points.

We ended up winning by a score of 36 - 32, the lowest scoring contest of the year for the Lady Vikings, and one of the lowest I remember during the entire streak. A picture engraved on my memory banks was in the final quarter at the less than one minute mark. Coach called timeout and instructed our guards, Denease McAbee, Dianne Wall, and Linda Joiner, to walk back to their position on the court and stand there with their hands straight up. "Let them go. Do not move." he said. "They can't score enough to beat us now." Cave Springs drove right through our guards without a movement from Taylor County. We got the ball then and held it as the clock ticked down to zero. Another state championship for the Lady Vikings!

The Best Doctor

2007-01-24T17:44:00.000-05:00

Coach Carter tried his best to keep us from getting sick during basketball season. Our managers were in charge of making sure each of us took a vitamin every day after practice. At the beginning of the season, I remember us lining up and each getting a flu shot. This preventive medicine seemed to work, because I only remember Patsy missing that one game during the state tournaments. I don't remember anyone else missing a game; there may be someone but I don't remember it. I know several Lady Vikings, and anybody who played ball under Norman Carter, have tales similar to the following.

One day during basketball season I was feeling a little under the weather. I was in typing class, and Coach Carter appeared at the door. He motioned for me to come there and told Mrs. Guy that I'd be back in a few minutes. He told me he was taking me up to Jimmy Smith's pharmacy to see if I had a fever and if I needed any medicine. I had no idea how he knew I wasn't feeling well, but I hopped in the green Maverick and off we went uptown to the drug store to see Mr. Jimmy (who was a great basketball fan). He checked my temperature, asked me a few questions, gave me some medicine, and Coach took me back to class. I was instantly well. When I got home, I asked my mother how in the world Coach Carter knew I didn't feel goodthat day. We finally figured out that at the teacher's lunch table, she questioned Coach Sandy Harris about what the rules were concerning missing a portion of the school day and still playing ball that night. That information passed from Sandy to Coach Carter, and my illness was nipped in the bud.

Some say it was pretty amazing that during the five years of the streak, Lady Vikings had 99.9% attendance at school. They just didn't know that illness was not allowed by Coach Carter.

Five Points for the Scorekeeper

2007-01-23T19:53:00.000-05:00

We had the best managers and scorers around on the Lady Vikings basketball squad. They were always ready with Gatorade when you needed it, a towel to dry your sweat or your tears, and an eagle eye when keeping the books. That eagle eye helped us get 5 extra points in a state first round game.

We were playing Temple in 1970’s state tourney. The game was in Fairburn, a long way from Taylor County. We arrived at the game and noticed that Temple had nice looking new uniforms. We hoped it wouldn’t bring them good luck.

At a state tournament game, the official scorer was from some neutral place. During the first quarter, our scorekeeper, Beth Jones, called Coach Carter over to the scorer’s table. She told him that the numbers and players names she received before the game didn’t match for the Temple team. Coach Carter told her to tell the officials, which she did. The officials didn’t want to do anything about it, so Coach Carter mentioned it to them again at the half because the rule book called for a technical for every wrong number. The officials didn’t feel it was Temple’s fault. Then they found out that Beth had gotten the numbers from the Temple scorer, as had the official scorer.

When we returned from the locker room at half time, Coach Carter told us what had happened and called for Judy Riley to go with the officials and shoot the technical fouls.

Picture this: the crowd for both sides sees our player go out to the foul line with the official. Our player Judy shoots free throw after free throw. Points are added to the scoreboard for our side. The score changes from 26-20 to 31-20.

The crowd went crazy. Our fans didn’t know what was going on, but they saw points being added to our score and they liked it. The Temple fans didn’t know either, but they could certainly see it wasn’t to their advantage and they didn’t like it. I think it was the most unusual thing that happened during the years I played.

Judy ended the game with 15 points that night, and the final score was Taylor Co. 51 and Temple 38. She didn’t enjoy very much shooting those technical fouls, but it helped us win the game. One more interesting detail: it was Friday the 13th!

Life Lessons Continued

2007-01-22T13:38:00.000-05:00

It was a true privilege to play for the Taylor County Lady Vikings for four years, although only two of those were with THE Taylor County Lady Vikings. Just making the team was a great accomplishment in my eyes and I enjoyed every minute -- even during those years after losing the senior class that was so loaded with talent that it can't be adequately described coupled with losing a spectacular coach.

Reading the blogs does cause a lot of memories to surface. The power of the fear factor keeps bubbling up for me. As a freshman, I was totally intimated by the whole team and just worked hard to keep up. The fear of having Coach Carter address me individually kept me completely motivated. Lots of time at practice I wasn't sure at all what I was supposed to be doing, but I learned quickly -- as Edie stated -- don't throw the ball away.

Once we were working on a drill on how drive from the side of the foul line by stretching that first step. Patsy Ranow -- a senior that year who was quick as a cat and tough as nails -- was the guard that we had to drive around. The fear factor was truly working for me that day. Coach Carter said to drive around her so I did -- to the surprise of everyone, including myself. Coach Carter gave me a funny look and told me to do it again. Somehow I was successful again. He then asked me if my game uniform was so heavy that it was slowing me down in games. Of course I didn't realize the sarcasm -- I just knew that I was too afraid not to do what he told me to do. You can call it fear or respect, but I know at times it allowed me to do the impossible!

In spite of my complete fear of disappointing Coach Carter, I too have many life lessons learned from the basketball experience: when faced with a setback, keep your eye on the bigger picture (definitely learned the night of THE loss); it takes a team to win; fundamentals, planning, practice and hard work are the keys to success; win with class and face defeat the same way; always anticipate. When I see other successful teams, whether in sports or other activities, these characteristics are usually present. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to learn these lessons while having fun playing basketball.

The Last Time You Try

2007-01-21T20:14:00.000-05:00

There were more seniors on the 1972 season than there had been any other season during the streak - 6 players, 2 managers, and 1 cheerleader. And, as always happens during any student's graduation year, this group started thinking of the "lasts" that were occurring during basketball season. Our last first home game, our last Tri-county Tournament, our last regular season game, and sadly, we also had our last game of the winning streak.

That loss came to Perry on January 4, 1972. Perry was out to get us. We had played them in Butler in December and come away with a 56 to 51 win. They were quick and they were good. Their coach was quoted in their paper after the December game as saying, "I am not convinced Taylor County has a better ball team than we do." We set out to show him otherwise. By halftime of the fateful game in Perry, we were ahead fourteen points 29 - 15. The third quarter saw a turnaround with Perry scoring quickly and narrowing our lead to six points. Perry went ahead for the first time at 40 - 39 with six minutes to go in the fourth quarter while shooting 61.5 percent from the floor. Our attempts at turning the momentum our way were squelched as Shirley Durham fouled out early in the fourth quarter. The buzzer sounded and our streak was gone. Little was said in the locker room that night. Coach Carter asked if we wanted to go and congratulate the other team, which we did. The Houston County newspaper reported that "the boys game had to be delayed 30 minutes as near pandemonium broke out on the court and in the hallways leading to the gym."

After we lost to Perry, Coach Carter told us that the pressure was off now from the streak; that we had a good ride with it and set a record that would be hard for anyone to beat; and that we still had our number one goal of the season ahead. Our number one goal was to win the state tournament, the fifth in a row for Lady Vikings. On the way to doing that we lost two more games. One was to Warner Robins, who were AAA in state classification; we were A. Then we lost the finals of the sub-region tournament to Haralson County. Coach Carter told us in the locker room after the sub-region loss that if we had to lose a game in the tournaments, this was the one to lose. It didn't send us home, it meant that we'd play the sub-region champ the first night of region. We could still win region and state. After Coach Carter left, we had a players' meeting in the locker room, and decided losing was not fun and that we were not going to do it again. If we did lose again, of course, that would be the worst "last," our last game of basketball for the year. We wanted to play five more games. We wanted to win the semis and finals of region, and three games in Macon at the State Class A Tournament.

It was not an easy feat to get to Macon. We were in a region of Northwest Georgia schools and region was held at Haralson County High School in Tallapoosa, 133 miles from Butler. We had to play Cartersville the first night, the all-important game determining if we would go to the state tourney. I remember looking at the printed program, and Taylor County was listed on the tourney bracket as the Region 4-A South Loser - imagine! We won that game handily 61 to 44 and spent the night in Bremen at the Holiday Inn. Our region finals opponent was Haralson County, our fourth meeting that year and on their home court. It was a hard fought contest, but we managed to win 44 - 41 and the region 4-A title was ours.

We plastered "On to Macon" on the locker room wall with used tape. What we had worked so hard for was in our sights. We would head to Macon for the March 1 - 4 tournament.

Winning the region gave us a bye in the first round, and we handled the second and third rounds, and then met once again our familiar opponent, Haralson County, with the championship on the line. It was a hard fought contest, a defensive contest. It took a while for the forwards to find their mark and Sandra Arnold had to leave the game when she was hit in the mouth. She came back in the third quarter and we pulled ahead to win the game 51 - 45.

Accompanied by a slew of fans with hands outstretched and yelling "Five in a Row!", we accepted our fifth state championship trophy for Taylor County High School Lady Vikings. We seniors had succeeded in making our "last" game as we wanted it to be. After our loss in January, Mrs. Mickey Foreman, our Senior English teacher, gave us a quote from American inventor Charles Kettering, which fit the rest of our season. It read, "The only time you mustn't fail is the last time you try."

One of Several Life Lessons

2007-01-20T14:07:00.000-05:00

As an eighth grader, several of us were asked to practice with the Lady Vikings. What an exciting moment!! I was, however, a nervous wreck as we entered the gym and headed to the locker rooms to change clothes. Practice was fast-paced and serious, but we worked hard to keep up and act like we knew what we were supposed to do.

At one point, we were practicing a stall pattern to use when we were ahead or waiting for a last second shot at the end of a quarter. We learned that we could hold the ball for up to 4 seconds, dribble it for up to 4 seconds, hold it again for up to 4 seconds, and pass it without penetrating the forecourt. It all made perfect sense. At one point in the execution of our well-designed stall pattern where no lateral passes should ever be made, someone threw the ball away. I went and got it and brought it back to the court. Coach Carter was explaining the importance of eliminating turnovers, “It’s simple,” he snapped, “you just cost us 4 points…2 points that we had the chance to score…and 2 points that you gave them because of stupidity.” I was still holding the ball, eyes wide and lips parted, when he started guarding me. He continued to talk to us all about the importance of good decisions, quick passes, and no turnovers. He said, “Listen, Smith, you hold it, you sit on it, you put salt and pepper on it and eat it, but don’t you ever throw that ball away.” “Yes, Sir,” I stammered, “Yes, Sir.” End of discussion.

We continued to practice with the awesome Lady Vikings, as we played a few junior high games of our own. I practiced shooting whenever my brothers went to the gym and on our grassless backyard court. Before my 9th grade season, Coach Carter asked me to go with him to a tip-off tournament and keep some scouting charts. I had no idea why he thought I should go, but naturally I went. He gave me some papers and told me he expected me to record the defenses, offenses, out-of bounds plays, and out-of bounds defenses of the teams we were watching. “Oh, my,” I thought, “who does he think I am?” Though I was just a thirteen year-old kid, I was determined that I would not let him down. Needless to say, I watched the game with more focus than I had ever mustered for anything in my life. I saw patterns, recognized the stimuli that created changes in offenses and defenses, and also saw individual strengths and weaknesses of players. I was writing constantly. After that time, I never looked at a basketball game in the same way.

Coach Carter expected great things from us wherever we were…on the court, in the classroom, in our community. There was never any doubt that we would be well-disciplined, mannerly, timely, and respectful. Some…no… many might say that “He put the fear of God in us.” He had high expectations and seemed to believe that we could do things that we had never dreamed of accomplishing. Over time, I began to realize that he was right. With his rigorous standards, we all stepped up to a new level of functioning. I believe that each of us found strengths and power that we were previously unaware of through his strong leadership.

That sense that I am someone special, that I can do anything I set my mind to, that I will control the way I think, behave, and interact with people has stuck with me for a lifetime. Many Americans don’t realize that the following common phrase was invented by Norman Carter when he was coaching basketball in Taylor County… “If I say, jump! You say, how high?” Some may be surprised to know that, but for those of us who played for Coach Carter, we can’t respond right now, because we are too busy jumping!

Five Times That Season

2007-01-20T10:45:00.000-05:00

You can't talk about the 1967-68 season without talking about the five matchups with Harris County. At one point in the season, the two teams played each other twice in seven days. Harris County did not lose to any team except Taylor County that year. If they hadn't played Taylor County, they would have had a perfect 23-0 record. The finals of sub-region saw Harris County play Taylor County. Same with the finals of region. Same with the finals of state. Each time Taylor County was victorious.

The state tournament was held in the Macon Municipal Auditorium. It was the last year the state tournament was played in that building. All the players say it was a wonderful place to play. The fans were right there close on the sidelines with the team. The balconies were full too. By the end of the night there was a haze of smoke swirling in the ceiling.

When you get to the finals of the state tournament, all the other games go out the window. This is the all-important game. This is the game that gives your school bragging rights until the next year's state tournament. This is the game you remember all your life. And the Macon Telegraph writer described Harris County as starting the game without fear of falling again to Taylor County.

It was a defensive first half. The guards, led by senior Grace Bussey and juniors Dianne Wall and Linda Joiner, played a wonderful defense and held the Hornettes scoreless for seven minutes at one point. The score at halftime was a very low 17-10 with Taylor in the lead.

During the third and fourth quarters, the forwards, who were senior Sue Lawhorn, junior Sissy Riley, and sophomore Judy Riley, reeled off several strings of unanswered points. The lead expanded to 18 points twice, with the final margin 41 - 24. The Lady Vikings left the Macon Auditorium that night with the State Class B State Championship trophy.

This game ended the first perfect season and first state championship during the winning streak years for the Lady Vikings. There would be three more perfect seasons and four more state championships to come.

And several girls, namely eighth graders Bunny Fuller, Sandra Arnold, and Jean Jones, were sitting up in the Macon Auditorium stands at that Harris County game, thinking, "I want to be a part of that."

A Life-altering Experience

2007-01-19T14:26:00.000-05:00

Every parent has a story or two they pull from their past to instruct their children on life's most important lessons. Apparently, my two sons, Daimon (23) and Ben (21) have heard my cheerleading story so often that they can predict when I'm about to tell it (rolling their eyes for effect) before I even get started! Whenever I want to inspire them to reach for their dreams, to look beyond rejection or defeat, to work hard at perfecting their best effort, I reach back into time for this anecdote. Usually Daimon and Ben are the only ones to hear the story, because I refrain from admitting my four years as a Taylor County cheerleader lest peers unfairly peg me as a mental and athletic lightweight. However, I do brag on the Taylor County Lady Vikings whenever the opportunity arises! That typically leads to someone asking what position I played, though, and I'm left with the equally feeble choices of lying about my role or admitting to being a lowly cheerleader ... "but we were good, too," I insist in defense.

I do believe my story is an instructive one. The lesson I learned has carried me through many challenges and is the inspiration for most of my successes:

If you noticed me when I moved to Taylor County in 8th grade, it was only because transplants were rare. I was skinny (and unappreciative of being so), with curly, unruly hair (it was before the era of blow dryers), thick glasses (thank God for contacts) and teeth reminiscent of Buggs Bunny. And to top it off, my dad was a teacher! I had determination, though, and apparently I was determined to stand out in a crowd. I did so by making a real menace of myself in Ms. Nelson's English class. Once, I even put a tack in her chair! Like most kids, I had no sense of consequence and at the end of the year tried out for the varsity cheerleading squad ... a long-held dream. I can still vividly recall listening for my name to be called over the intercom (in Mrs. Nelson's classroom) and then sucking up my tears when I realized I hadn't made the squad. My good friend Jan Hobbs later shared with me the reason she'd heard through the grapevine: I was obnoxious, though that word is a bit longer than most words we used at the time.

Throughout the summer, I held onto my dream. I practiced my cheers. I practiced walking gracefully ... well, as gracefully as an adolescent can be. I imagined myself being where I wanted to be. And when school began, I tried my best to be the model student. I didn't realize the significance of it at the time, but my French teacher was Jeri Harris, the cheerleading squad's sponsor. Then, just as the basketball season began, one of the cheerleaders had to leave the squad. As I've since been told, Jeri checked with my other teachers to see if my behavior and academic performance were consistently good. She then asked if I'd like to join the squad. I was the worst cheerleader on the squad and got there by sheer luck, but it was a starting point.

I'm grateful for that lesson, and I'm very honored to have had the opportunity to be a part of the Lady Vikings experience. I'm very much looking forward to reconnecting with everyone in March!

We Left Our Fans Weak

2007-01-18T16:46:00.000-05:00

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.

A Special Place for Lady Vikings

2007-01-17T22:31:00.000-05:00

In 1969 the State Basketball Tournament moved from the Macon City Auditorium to the new Macon Coliseum. The Macon Coliseum was, and still is, a cavernous place. I remember the first time I saw the inside of that building. Coach Carter took the team over to get a feel for the place - it seems like we went to see a Hawks exhibition game. The wall that divides the lobby from the open Coliseum was not there as it is now. You walked in and saw this huge expanse of seats and basketball floor that stretched on seemingly forever. It was an awesome view, and was the biggest place this 15 year old country girl had ever seen! I well remember the nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach when I thought of playing basketball before a crowd in that huge place.

Little did I know what a special place the Macon Coliseum would become to my teammates and me over the next four years.

Our first game in the Macon Coliseum was the state game on March 20th, 1969. It was the second round of the state tournament; the first rounds were held at different locations around the state. Our first round game was held at Talbot County and we had beaten Toombs Central to advance to Macon. We had played the first round on March 15, so we had nearly a week to get ready for the second round, and the media had that week to tout the upcoming game as a "Dream Match." Our opponent was Doerun, the defending state Class C champions. The Lady Vikings were the defending state Class B champions. The game was billed as the contest that should probably be the final of the three day tournament in Macon instead of the first.

The basketball court at the Macon Coliseum was a removable one and I remember the joke among the players was that if we could all just get on the court without tripping over the raised edge as we ran in from the locker rooms, everything would be all right. The ball dribbling on the court had a strange sound, the voices of our guards hollering "Screen," "Get Through," drowned out in the air, and it was very hard to get your depth perception as you shot at the clear backboards against that expanse of space between goalpost and bleachers. But I'd say the Lady Vikings overcame those obstacles fairly well.

The "Dream Match" against Doerun quickly became a nightmare - for them. Our guards held their forwards to only 3 points in the whole first quarter, while our forwards scored 19 points. Senior Sissy Riley scored 35 points that night, and the guards, as usual, were awesome. Although Doerun kept trying to catch up, that early lead was too big and we ended up winning that first game in the Macon Coliseum 63 - 39.

The Macon Coliseum is close to forty years old and it's still a good place for basketball games. The court still has that hollow sound as players dribble down court and the shooters still probably have trouble with depth perception as they try to score. It's a special place with special memories for Lady Vikings.

An Amazing Time

2007-01-15T13:46:00.000-05:00

Forty years ago, in the small town of Butler Georgia at Taylor County High School, a group of girls coached by an amazing man started winning basketball games and did not lose for 132 straight games. The rules changed, great players graduated, the schools integrated, the school's state size classification changed, the coach became superintendent of schools - none of these factors affected the determination of each year's team to win every regular season game and every tournament.

I feel fortunate to have been a part of those teams. We had so much fun playing basketball every Tuesday and Friday night from November until February each year. And then the tournaments - they were the best. What great memories!

I remember the games of the 1970 state tournament. The tourney was held at the Macon Coliseum, and Stratford Academy of Macon was the Cinderella team that year. They won each of their state tournament games, and received so much publicity from the Macon media. Much was made of the fact that we would possibly meet up in the state finals and they'd have a chance to stop the streak. In the finals, we had a great game and beat Stratford 68-50. Coach Carter afterwards said, "Stratford was the Cinderella team, but my girls were a group of hard-working pumpkins." I always laugh when I think of us as hard-working pumpkins!

It was an amazing time and I'm glad I was a part of it.