Every year during tournament time I get our my copy of the Hoosiers video and watch it again (like most, for the umpteenth time). This year I discovered videos from the first two years of the White Shadow TV series (featuring the imaginary Carver High team), which I believe ran from 1979-82. I always wondered what would have happened if the mythical teams from the two series could have met. Actually their time on film was from a similar era (I believe Hoosiers was 1984, also the story was actually 1952). I think this has been done before on a similar thread, but let's take a look at the possible matchup.
Personnel:
Forwards.....Milton Reese (Carver) vs. Merle Webb (Hickory) Neither were big scorers for their team, Reese was pretty quick and appeared to defend well. Webb was a solid player (believe he was involved in the picket fence) who was committed to the team concept. Pretty much even here.
Curtis C.J. Jackson (Carver) vs. Jimmy Chitwood (Hickory) Jackson is a loose cannon who can score but pretty undisciplined (I think Coach Reeves has to remind him to take his hat off before he goes in the game). If his outside shot isn't there he isn't much help. Jimmy can score in many ways and the best shooter of the group. If the 3 point shot is in effect this is a big advantage for the Huskers. Plus, Jimmy is the ultimate crowd favorite (We want Jimmy! cheer).
Center.....Warren Coolidge (Carver) vs. Everett Flatch (Hickory) Potential big advantage to Carver. Big Cool is really tough to stop when he wants to play and at 6'8" would tower over the shorter Flatch. Perhaps Hickory doubles up here and plays in front and behind the big man. Coach Dale would never zone (even though the Hickory downtown group would probably be hollering for a 2-3......"it's the only thing that will work"). Flatch is not afraid to play physical, though (he went through the trophy case, remember!) so maybe he can move Coolidge off the block and force the outside jumper. Still thing Coolidge goes for big points and rebounds.
Guards::::::James Hayward (Carver) vs. Rade Butcher (Hickory) Tough one. Hayward is highly touted by Coach Reeves and probably more of a 3 man than a 1 or 2. He has a quick first step and can score in many ways. Rade is lanky and probably tall enough to make it tough for Hayward to shoot over him. Rade also has the 1950's one foot outside push shot that the Carver boys would probably laugh at and not guard. Rade, however, has problems at time shooting quickly (4 passes!) so he may be benched early. Slight advantage to Carver.
Morris Thorpe (Carver) vs. Buddy Walker (Hickory) These would be the closest to point guards on either squad. Mo Thope has a nice mid-range jumper and handles the ball well. Appears to be a good defender and might be able to make life difficult for the slower Buddy. Buddy, however, is really the most steady Husker (once Coach Dale let him return to the team) and could probably play physical defense on Thorpe. Buddy would also know what flavor gum he was chewing. Tough call here but advantage Hickory.
Bench.....Gomez, Salami, and Goldstein (Carver) Whit Butcher, Strap Purl, and Ollie (Hickory) Carver guys are much quicker and better athletes, Reeves probably uses Gomez and Salami to keep the press going when the quick guards go out. They add to Carver's fast break style. The Hickory subs don't score much, and Ollie would have the Carver crowd dying with laughter with the underhand free throw. Big advantage Carver.
Coaches......Ken Reeves (Carver) vs. Norman Dale (Hickorty) Interesting pair of coaches, neither coming into their job in the conventional fashion. Reeves ends up at Carver because he blows out his knee in the NBA and the Carver principal recruits him for the job. Norman Dale has been in the Navy for 12 years after losing his job for punching a kid, and the Hickory principal talks him in to taking the Huskers. First year coach Reeves has less disciplined athletes but they can really run and press, and apparently can score points in bit bunches. Coach Dale is the ultimate old school coach (4 passes! 4!) who preaches patient offense and tight half court defense. Both seem to struggle with getting players to listen to them early but as time goes on players buy into their system.
Assistants: real advantage Hickory. Carver has none, which means Coach Reeves has to take care of all details. He probably doesn't go personally to see Hickory play, if he has technology maybe he watches them on Huddle. If Shooter is out of rehab he is a big help, particularly if Coach Dale is ejected again. Also the Butcher boys dad is on the bench and a couple ministers are available so Hickory has this covered.
Possible outcome: Lots of factors could influence the result. If played at a neutral site, probably slight advantage to Carver IF Coolidge comes to play. Of course, any of the Carver players may be in trouble and suspended at any time so it depends who is available. Classic big inner city school vs. small rural school matchup. Carver wants to break at every opportunity and will press most of the game. Hickory will try to be patient on offense, making Carver become over anxious on defense and beating Carver with backcuts. Defensively Hickory probably sags off on Coolidge and makes Carver "chuck it from the cheap seats".
Another variable is the location of the game. If Carver hosts, it would be a tough ride on the church bus from Indiana to south central LA. Probably could not get much of a caravan organized. Also, the smaller Carver gym with 200 or so seats on one side would be a far cry from Hickory's appearance at Butler (now Hinkle) fieldhouse. Plus LA might be a huge culture shock for the farm kids from Hickory.
Big advange to Carver here.
If played at Hickory, big advantage to the Huskers. The home crowd would probably be particularly tough on the Carver kids, and someone would have to watch that the downtown crowd doesn't say something inappropriate. Culture shock for Hayward and crew would be how boring southern Indiana is and how much the area lacks diversity. Plus, Indiana referees probably call a different style game.
Bottom line....if Hickory slows down Coolidge inside the Huskers win. If Carver can hold Jimmy to a respectable number they win. As always it gets down to containing the other team's best.
I know, way to much time on my hands before the Super Bowl. Would be interested if anyone has anything to add to these projections. Actually I loved both Hoosiers and the White Shadow and enjoy thinking "what if?"
Thanks for ready this.
Personnel:
Forwards.....Milton Reese (Carver) vs. Merle Webb (Hickory) Neither were big scorers for their team, Reese was pretty quick and appeared to defend well. Webb was a solid player (believe he was involved in the picket fence) who was committed to the team concept. Pretty much even here.
Curtis C.J. Jackson (Carver) vs. Jimmy Chitwood (Hickory) Jackson is a loose cannon who can score but pretty undisciplined (I think Coach Reeves has to remind him to take his hat off before he goes in the game). If his outside shot isn't there he isn't much help. Jimmy can score in many ways and the best shooter of the group. If the 3 point shot is in effect this is a big advantage for the Huskers. Plus, Jimmy is the ultimate crowd favorite (We want Jimmy! cheer).
Center.....Warren Coolidge (Carver) vs. Everett Flatch (Hickory) Potential big advantage to Carver. Big Cool is really tough to stop when he wants to play and at 6'8" would tower over the shorter Flatch. Perhaps Hickory doubles up here and plays in front and behind the big man. Coach Dale would never zone (even though the Hickory downtown group would probably be hollering for a 2-3......"it's the only thing that will work"). Flatch is not afraid to play physical, though (he went through the trophy case, remember!) so maybe he can move Coolidge off the block and force the outside jumper. Still thing Coolidge goes for big points and rebounds.
Guards::::::James Hayward (Carver) vs. Rade Butcher (Hickory) Tough one. Hayward is highly touted by Coach Reeves and probably more of a 3 man than a 1 or 2. He has a quick first step and can score in many ways. Rade is lanky and probably tall enough to make it tough for Hayward to shoot over him. Rade also has the 1950's one foot outside push shot that the Carver boys would probably laugh at and not guard. Rade, however, has problems at time shooting quickly (4 passes!) so he may be benched early. Slight advantage to Carver.
Morris Thorpe (Carver) vs. Buddy Walker (Hickory) These would be the closest to point guards on either squad. Mo Thope has a nice mid-range jumper and handles the ball well. Appears to be a good defender and might be able to make life difficult for the slower Buddy. Buddy, however, is really the most steady Husker (once Coach Dale let him return to the team) and could probably play physical defense on Thorpe. Buddy would also know what flavor gum he was chewing. Tough call here but advantage Hickory.
Bench.....Gomez, Salami, and Goldstein (Carver) Whit Butcher, Strap Purl, and Ollie (Hickory) Carver guys are much quicker and better athletes, Reeves probably uses Gomez and Salami to keep the press going when the quick guards go out. They add to Carver's fast break style. The Hickory subs don't score much, and Ollie would have the Carver crowd dying with laughter with the underhand free throw. Big advantage Carver.
Coaches......Ken Reeves (Carver) vs. Norman Dale (Hickorty) Interesting pair of coaches, neither coming into their job in the conventional fashion. Reeves ends up at Carver because he blows out his knee in the NBA and the Carver principal recruits him for the job. Norman Dale has been in the Navy for 12 years after losing his job for punching a kid, and the Hickory principal talks him in to taking the Huskers. First year coach Reeves has less disciplined athletes but they can really run and press, and apparently can score points in bit bunches. Coach Dale is the ultimate old school coach (4 passes! 4!) who preaches patient offense and tight half court defense. Both seem to struggle with getting players to listen to them early but as time goes on players buy into their system.
Assistants: real advantage Hickory. Carver has none, which means Coach Reeves has to take care of all details. He probably doesn't go personally to see Hickory play, if he has technology maybe he watches them on Huddle. If Shooter is out of rehab he is a big help, particularly if Coach Dale is ejected again. Also the Butcher boys dad is on the bench and a couple ministers are available so Hickory has this covered.
Possible outcome: Lots of factors could influence the result. If played at a neutral site, probably slight advantage to Carver IF Coolidge comes to play. Of course, any of the Carver players may be in trouble and suspended at any time so it depends who is available. Classic big inner city school vs. small rural school matchup. Carver wants to break at every opportunity and will press most of the game. Hickory will try to be patient on offense, making Carver become over anxious on defense and beating Carver with backcuts. Defensively Hickory probably sags off on Coolidge and makes Carver "chuck it from the cheap seats".
Another variable is the location of the game. If Carver hosts, it would be a tough ride on the church bus from Indiana to south central LA. Probably could not get much of a caravan organized. Also, the smaller Carver gym with 200 or so seats on one side would be a far cry from Hickory's appearance at Butler (now Hinkle) fieldhouse. Plus LA might be a huge culture shock for the farm kids from Hickory.
Big advange to Carver here.
If played at Hickory, big advantage to the Huskers. The home crowd would probably be particularly tough on the Carver kids, and someone would have to watch that the downtown crowd doesn't say something inappropriate. Culture shock for Hayward and crew would be how boring southern Indiana is and how much the area lacks diversity. Plus, Indiana referees probably call a different style game.
Bottom line....if Hickory slows down Coolidge inside the Huskers win. If Carver can hold Jimmy to a respectable number they win. As always it gets down to containing the other team's best.
I know, way to much time on my hands before the Super Bowl. Would be interested if anyone has anything to add to these projections. Actually I loved both Hoosiers and the White Shadow and enjoy thinking "what if?"
Thanks for ready this.
