I recently ran into current Greenwood resident Howard Dardeen at a local restaurant. The former Terre Haute Gerstmeyer and University of Kentucky great was talking about the Record Book and offered-up a story regarding how his Blackcats were upset in the 1957 Wabash Valley Tourney Championship by Greencastle, 76-74. He told me I should look into it because he recalled the Tiger Cubs hitting "a lot" of free throws in that game. Vague at first, Dardeen's details became more and more vivid.
We all have games that live with us a long time, for good reasons and for bad. Dardeen, who had a basketball career wrapped in glory, recalled this one in the latter. A mere 69 years later he still recalled his then 19-0 and number #3 state-ranked Gerstmeyer losing that 1957 title game as if it was last weekend. "A lot" of Greencastle free throws were recalled in more detail as the conversation went on as 24 for 24.
A fact that was right on the money as detailed in newspaper accounts I looked-up later that evening. Now confirmed, that 24 for 24 from the charity strip qualifies as the second best display of free throw shooting by a team in the history of our great game.
"I've never seen such free throwing shooting," exclaimed Gerstmeyer (and future Hall of Fame) Coach Howard Sharpe.
Dardeen also detailed how Greencastle played nearly a perfect game from long range. Not Record Book qualifying, but newspaper accounts also have Greencastle hitting 26 field goals for the game with only three of those coming in the paint (which were referred to as crib shots at that time.)
The Only Word for this Game is Fabulous. Simply Fabulous - Indy Star
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Game Story from Front Page - Terre Haute Trib
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Game Story Continued on Sports Page - Terre Haute Trib
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Highest Free Throw Percentage for a Game (Min. 10 Attpts)
(B) 100% (26/26) Bloomington South vs. Columbus East 1997-98
(B) 100% (24/24) Greencastle vs. TH Gerstmeyer 1956-57
(B) 100% (22/22) Jeffersonville vs. Castle 2012-13
(B) 100% (22/22) Orleans vs. Borden 2013-14
(B) 100% (22/22) Winchester vs. Triton Central 1997-98
(B) 100% (21/21) Borden vs Cortland 1962-63
(B) 100% (21/21) Kankakee Valley vs. North Newton 1990-91
(B) 100% (20/20) Greenfield-Central vs. Shelbyville 2010-11
(B) 100% (20/20) Rivet vs.Dugger 2001-02
(B) 100% (19/19) Loogootee vs. Jasper 1980-81
(B) 100% (19/19) Princeton vs. Bosse 1951-52
We all have games that live with us a long time, for good reasons and for bad. Dardeen, who had a basketball career wrapped in glory, recalled this one in the latter. A mere 69 years later he still recalled his then 19-0 and number #3 state-ranked Gerstmeyer losing that 1957 title game as if it was last weekend. "A lot" of Greencastle free throws were recalled in more detail as the conversation went on as 24 for 24.
A fact that was right on the money as detailed in newspaper accounts I looked-up later that evening. Now confirmed, that 24 for 24 from the charity strip qualifies as the second best display of free throw shooting by a team in the history of our great game.
"I've never seen such free throwing shooting," exclaimed Gerstmeyer (and future Hall of Fame) Coach Howard Sharpe.
Dardeen also detailed how Greencastle played nearly a perfect game from long range. Not Record Book qualifying, but newspaper accounts also have Greencastle hitting 26 field goals for the game with only three of those coming in the paint (which were referred to as crib shots at that time.)
The Only Word for this Game is Fabulous. Simply Fabulous - Indy Star
Article clipped from The Indianapolis Star
Clipping found in The Indianapolis Star published in Indianapolis, Indiana on 1/27/1957.
www.newspapers.com
Game Story from Front Page - Terre Haute Trib
Article clipped from The Terre Haute Tribune
Clipping found in The Terre Haute Tribune published in Terre Haute, Indiana on 1/27/1957.
www.newspapers.com
Game Story Continued on Sports Page - Terre Haute Trib
Article clipped from The Terre Haute Tribune
Clipping found in The Terre Haute Tribune published in Terre Haute, Indiana on 1/27/1957.
www.newspapers.com
Highest Free Throw Percentage for a Game (Min. 10 Attpts)
(B) 100% (26/26) Bloomington South vs. Columbus East 1997-98
(B) 100% (24/24) Greencastle vs. TH Gerstmeyer 1956-57
(B) 100% (22/22) Jeffersonville vs. Castle 2012-13
(B) 100% (22/22) Orleans vs. Borden 2013-14
(B) 100% (22/22) Winchester vs. Triton Central 1997-98
(B) 100% (21/21) Borden vs Cortland 1962-63
(B) 100% (21/21) Kankakee Valley vs. North Newton 1990-91
(B) 100% (20/20) Greenfield-Central vs. Shelbyville 2010-11
(B) 100% (20/20) Rivet vs.Dugger 2001-02
(B) 100% (19/19) Loogootee vs. Jasper 1980-81
(B) 100% (19/19) Princeton vs. Bosse 1951-52
