TERRE HAUTE —
It occurred to me late last month, as I opened my morning newspaper to read up on the draw for this year’s Pizza Hut Wabash Valley Classic, that when I walk through Terre Haute South’s doors on Wednesday it will be the first time that I won’t find my old buddy Dean Kendall sitting at one end of the gym, a smile on his face a good while before the first whistle is blown or the first shot is taken.
Dean’s name was hardly synonymous with the PHWVC, but he rarely, if ever, missed a game. Instead, those who have memories of the old Wabash Valley Tournament are probably more familiar with him. He compiled the definitive book about the Valley’s history in 1997, and from the very first game of the very first Classic you could find him at a table near a doorway, selling a book or two and reacquainting himself with all the friends he’d made over the years — myself, I am happy to say, among them.
Dean died last March; he was 88. He enjoyed driving over to Terre Haute from his Indianapolis home, always taking a short detour south to Pimento, where he grew up as a boy, always happy that the classy guys who ran the Classic had taken the time to invite an “old codger” like him to the draw. If there ever was a man who appreciated his seat and a slice of pizza at the Classic, it was Dean.
Like most of us, I suppose, Dean thought his childhood was special. He was primarily a scrawny bench-warmer for his Peppers’ teams, and he graduated in 1942 with hardly a basket to his name. I don’t believe his team ever made it to Terre Haute for a Valley finals while he wore the uniform — after all, the odds were against the Peppers, who entered the tourney 39 times but advanced to the final round only four times. I found that out, by the way, in Dean’s book.
I think that what I liked the most about Dean wasn’t his basketball knowledge; it was his eternal optimism. More than once the old boy beat the odds, particularly after several bouts with cancer, and for years he published a little circular he called “The Cheer-Up News,” a photocopied and stapled handout that he’d slip in the mail to his friends from church or, in my case, to someone he’d met at the Classic. He did it all on his own dime, too, because — as he told me once — he just like to “see people grin.”
Not many people who go to the Classic are going to notice that Dean isn’t there. I’m not going to be able to attend as many games this year as I usually do, but for those I watch, I know it won’t be quite the same when I head out the door past those tables. A few years ago, Dean told me that he appreciated the fact that I’d always come by to talk to him. “You always remember me,” he said more than once.
How could I ever forget him?
Now, as customary, I have prepared the dreaded “Wabash Valley Pizza Hut Classic Quiz.” Nothing much has changed in the quiz’s format over the past 13 years; I ask the questions and you answer them. I almost always slip in a few questions about the PHWVC’s predecessor to appeal to those readers who have a few extra seasons under their belts. As to prizes for the highest score, don’t be ridiculous. You’ll lose your amateur status!
Lunsford’s Classic Quiz
1. Just about every Classic buff knows that Hamilton Southeastern won the very first PHWVC 13 seasons ago, but very few can remember the small Illinois school the Royals defeated in the first game to get their tournament roll started. Who was it? a. Palestine, b. Hutsonville, c. Red Hill, d. Westfield.
2. Now, one to honor Dean: We know that Kendall’s Pimento Peppers played in the Valley 39 times, but another team called the Peppers was in the field 23 times. Name that long-gone school. a. Solsberry, b. Decker Chapel, c. Roachdale, d. Wallace.
3. Only one school in PHWVC history has placed a player on the all-tournament team every single year, and that is Terre Haute North. Who was that very first North player to make the all-PHWVC team (in the first few years, only five players made it.) Sorry, no multiple-guess on this one!
4. Duane Klueh, legendary basketball player and coach, can now say that he not only drew the names for the 13th annual tournament, he played in a few of the Valleys, too. For what local school was Klueh an outstanding player? a. Glenn, b. Blackhawk, c. State High, d. Wiley.
5. On last year’s final day of play, the four games that decided sixth place through the championship all had something in common. Was it a. each of the winners trailed at halftime, b. each of the winners were ahead at halftime, c. each of the four winners were tied with their opponents at halftime, or d. each of the four winners were visitors on the scoreboard?
6. In what year of the Valley Tourney were players first given a fifth foul before being disqualified from play? a. 1927, b. 1936, c. 1945, d. 1955.
7. The PHWVC welcomes the Robinson Maroons to the field for the first time in its 13-year history, but the Maroons were a steady force in the Valley years ago. Which of the following statements is true about RHS? a. Robinson is one of five Crawford County schools to have won the tourney, b. Robinson won the Valley three times, c. Robinson won the tourney more than any Illinois school, d. Robinson held an opponent to its lowest scoring total in Valley championship history.
8. In what year did the old Valley Tournament field over 100 teams for the last time? a. 1956, b. 1958, c. 1960, d. 1965.
9. In last year’s quiz, I asked a question about who was the only player besides R.J. Mahurin to have scored 15 field goals in a single PHWVC game, and the answer was Shakamak’s Billy Newton. Now three players share that record. Who is the most recent player to hit 15 field goals in a game? a. Sullivan’s Rhett Smith, b. Terre Haute South’s Jeffrey Turner, c. Casey-Westfield’s Brandon Wolfe, d. Terre Haute North’s Calvin Blank.
10. What school in the PHWVC field has the most popular nickname/mascot in its respective state (there are three Illinois schools in the tourney)? Just so you’ll narrow the field, let’s go ahead and drop the Miners, Rox, Lakers, Golden Arrows and Maroons. That leaves the Warriors, Lions, Knights, Panthers, Wildcats, Patriots, Bulldogs, Braves and Vikings from which to choose.
Lunsford Classic Quiz answers
1. c. Red Hill played in the first two years of the Classic.
2. d. The Wallace Peppers were from Fountain County.
3. Steve Weatherford
4. c. Coach Klueh started out as a Young Sycamore.
5. b. Every team that led at the half won the game.
6. c. Until 1945, players fouled out after their fourth foul!
7. For those of you who thought, “It could be any of those answers,” well you’re right. You couldn’t miss the question; all the answers are correct.
8. c. There were 110 teams in the Valley in 1960; 88 remained in 1961.
9. b. Turner came up big for coach Scott Ridge’s first PHWVC.
10. It’s Turkey Run. The Warriors join 21 other schools to have the most popular nickname in Indiana, tied with “Eagles” for the top spot. Riverton Parke isn’t far behind at 19, making “Panthers” the second-most popular name. By the way, there are 30 schools in Illinois — Casey-Westfield included — that are Warriors, but that places them fourth (behind Eagles, Wildcats and Panthers).
Sports Columns
Old friend missing as Pizza Hut Wabash Valley Classic begins
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TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
In its rich 43-year history, the Tony Hulman Sprint Car Classic has long carried on a strong local racing tradition.
From its early beginnings starting in 1971, the U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned event has been the annual centerpiece of the racing calendar at the Terre Haute Action Track as well as a key stop on the USAC sprint schedule and one of the most sought after wins in big league sprint-car racing. -
Shooters compete to fight cancer
A team of employees at Taghleef, formally A.E.T, would like to give a personal invite for you to join in on a lot of fun while helping save lives.
Cindy and Mark Wilguess are the inspiration behind the Taghleef Team. Cindy herself fought this battle with cancer and won. Last year she led her team to be the No. 1 fundraisers in the Relay for Life. -
TILL IT'S OVER: Terre Haute Triathlon's new race director seeks more events for his hometown
Today is the day for the Thunder in the Valley, and the Terre Haute Triathlon is under new leadership in 2013, the 28th year for the event at Hawthorn Park.
A former Terre Haute North track and cross country standout, Ethan Page is the race director as the race falls under the reign of Page’s new company, Crossroads Events. -
TODD GOLDEN: Don't give up on ISU baseball just yet
If you had to pick one word that would describe the 2013 Indiana State baseball season, it would have to be frustration.
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TRACKSIDE: Terre Haute's Carmichael enjoying strong spring in modifieds, stocks
It might have been cold and blustery at Charleston Speedway on Saturday night, but for Terre Haute driver Kenny Carmichael the evening couldn’t have been more pleasant.
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From Terre Haute to the major leagues: Phegley's play could earn him promotion to Chicago
Josh Phegley's debut in the Major Leagues could be coming to a ballpark near you.
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There's an expert at Parker's Archery
As I was driving the winding roadways of southern Indiana, a rustic building caught my attention and the sign on the front revealed it to be an archery shop called Parkers Archery.
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TRACKSIDE: Rain still a pain for Wabash Valley racing organizers
Soggy weather conditions, which have rightfully drawn the ire of Wabash Valley race fans and crews in recent days, continue to plague promoters where it hurts the most — their pocketbooks.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Pacers having a ‘Garden Party’
The Indiana Pacers are back in form and looking good.
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KENNY BAYLESS: Sponsors sought for 'Ladies Only' event at Terre Haute Sporting Clays
Sponsors are being sought at the Ladies Only event at Terre Haute Sporting Clays on Saturday at 10 a.m. Sponsors should be willing to donate $1 or more for every broken bird. Each lady is allowed 25 shots. Flat donations are gladly accepted. Also, organizers are looking for more ladies to participate. Ammo, clay birds, and guns (if needed) will be furnished.
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College Report: Lively earned collegiate upgrade with strong play
Hillary Lively signed to play Division II basketball at Maryville (Mo.) during her senior year at North Vermillion, but those plans changed and she would up at nearby Danville Area Community College — where she recently concluded an outstanding two-year career.
Lively was impressive enough to earn a Division I scholarship to Southeast Missouri State of the Ohio Valley Conference, and both her future and past college coaches think she will continue to succeed there.
“She fits what we need,” SEMO coach Ty Margenthaler said. “She has college experience, she is strong and physical and plays well around the basket and moves well.
“Her strength, rebounding and touch around the basket will be a big help. On the defensive end, she’ll be able to guard a true center.” -
RAMBLIN' RECK: It’s May … a time for horses and horsepower
It’s the first day of May, a great month for sports.
It begins with the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. My Old Kentucky Home is played before the start of the race on which hundreds of bets will be placed by folks who ordinarily don’t bet on thoroughbred horse racing.
A week later, practice begins for the Indianapolis 500.
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Terre Haute runner sets up race to help Boston
Having competed in the Boston Marathon once before in 2003, 35-year-old Majel Wells of Terre Haute thought she should give it another try in 2013.
“My goal was just to finish and enjoy Boston,” she reflected this week. “I had an injury [runner’s knee] beforehand, so I wasn’t too worried about beating my time from 2003 [4 hours, 10.20 seconds].
“But nobody cares about what your time is at Boston anyway.”
From what I’ve heard over the years, she’s right. Unless you’re a super-serious runner, the Boston Marathon has been more about taking in the atmosphere and having fun than placing in the top 50, although Wells was pleased that she beat her previous time by finishing in 3:55.19 on April 15.
Obviously, her race time wasn’t the most vivid memory that Wells took away from her 2013 Boston experience. -
Amey Takes Aim: NHL playoffs to put TVs to good use
If Jenny had known, she probably wouldn’t have bought that TV.
But four or five years ago, my Fathers Day present — for those unfamiliar with Amey family traditions, the Fathers Day one is “let’s get something we all really want and pretend it’s a gift for Dad” — was a 42-inch Vizio. It’s been used even more than the cell phone I never would have bought for myself, or the TomTom that disappeared since Jenny’s smartphone arrived.
And it came with high-def.
I’m not going to insult you by telling you how great high-def is, because to do so would be to imply that you are even farther behind the technological curve than I am. I’m guessing, however, that not all of you have yet discovered what it does for hockey. -
Foot Notes: ISU track athletes looking to keep improving at Drake Relays
Indiana State’s track schedule has helped its men’s and women’s teams escape the glacial Wabash Valley weather and enjoy warm days in Auburn, Ala., and Knoxville, Tenn.
With the Sycamores’ track facility basically laid to rest for competition and construction on a new one planned near the Wabash River to begin in 2014, major kudos go to everyone involved for continuing to produce athletes that are NCAA contenders who race with some of the world’s best.
Some of ISU’s current athletes are hoping for season-best performances this weekend against strong competition in the Drake Relays.
Former Sycamore NCAA pole-vault champion Kylie Hutson, who competes professionally for Nike and trains in her hometown of Terre Haute, also has been in Des Moines, Iowa, to compete in the Pole Vault in the Mall on Wednesday night. -
REDNECK QUAKER: Variety of birds to search for in turkey hunting
My father-in-law, Donnell Dunn of Jacksonville, Fla., is a retired engineer from J.I. Case and an avid reader and loves information on anything he takes interest in. He has five patents under his belt during his career.
Donnell took great interest in the Turkey World Slam display at Gander Mountain and thought each bird needed some info to help people understand more about them. -
TRACKSIDE: USAC racing picking up, including Sunday's stop in Terre Haute
With a break in the weather, U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned racing will kick into high gear on the area motorsports scene this weekend with events scheduled at three Indiana ovals.
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Ramblin’ Reck: Sato first Foyt winner since 2002
Takuma Sato made Izod IndyCar Series history Sunday when he won the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
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Former South players to play in Saylor benefit game
I had my first phone conversation with Mike Saylor since mid-February on Thursday and he sounded good.
The former Terre Haute South High School boys basketball coach, who’s been battling cancer this year, has been traveling back and forth to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for chemotherapy treatments. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Valley prep athletes getting ready for next level
The NCAA “regular” signing period begins Wednesday for all sports except football, field hockey, soccer, track and field, cross country and men’s water polo.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Pacers closing out a nice season
In case you hadn’t noticed, the final games of the regular season will be played this week in the National Basketball Association.
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Amey Takes Aim: Can’t bottle the joy of Amey vacations
The first bad sign was the Gatorade bottle.
In the Bataan-Death-March drive to Orlando that got the Amey family spring break vacation off to a bad start, seeing it between lanes of I-24 — as we zipped along at a 100-miles-in-five-hours clip — filled with an ominous yellow liquid was a little bit scary. And although we didn't stop to check for sure, I'm fairly certain I knew about its contents.
And the person stuck in the same traffic jam with us, the one with the existential license plate YMIHR4, couldn’t have asked a more pertinent question.
But, after seeing a lot more of Oak Grove, Ky., than we’d planned, and after enduring more traffic slowdowns in Nashville, we were on our way. Even some rain in the dark in the Smokies didn’t slow us down much, so you would think our first-day troubles were over.
You would be wrong. -
Redneck Quaker: Mascari gets thrills from turkey hunting
Annie Mascari is a beautiful, vibrant, 26-year-old lady that loves the outdoors.
She comes from a large family of four brothers and a sister and lives the teachings of good family values.
Olivia Rightly let me know that I “should talk to my teacher at St. Pats School, Ms. Mascari, because she’s taken a turkey.”
As I shook Annie’s hand, I could feel the energy she has for life. As proof, the first time she went up in an airplane, she jumped out of it!
She’s also quite the hunter. Mascari picked up a used PSE bow for $30, one for a left-hander because her left eye is dominate for shooting. The Page Arrows are her choice for broadheads. -
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Louisville gets two shots at NCAA title
Louisville met Michigan in the championship game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Monday. Louisville faces Connecticut in the title tilt of the women’s tournament tonight.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Learning to shoot clays a great experience
Tom Mitchell from Burnett is an all-around outdoor enthusiast. His passions are motorcycles, cars, and most of all, shooting sports. When he sights in on metal target shooting with a hand gun or rifle you will hear a lot of “clang” noises, he can shoot very quiet also, because he is licensed to own suppressers.
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TRACKSIDE: Racing season picking up speed
With several tracks already open and others scheduled to get underway this weekend it’s a sure sign the area motorsports campaign has taken the green flag for the 2013 season.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Out with the hoops, in with the bats
It’s a super week for sports fans — college basketball comes to a close and the first baseball games are played in the major leagues.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Conferences honor Valley softball players
Several Wabash Valley area college softball players have been honored by their respective conferences for outstanding play this spring.
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FROM THE PRESSBOX: Content McKenna has enjoyed seeing ISU's progress
It all happened so fast in June 2010.
One minute, Kevin McKenna was head coach of the Indiana State men’s basketball program. Then — poof! — he was gone.
McKenna resigned from his head coaching position at ISU on June 13, 2010 to take an assistant coach position on Dana Altman’s then-burgeoning University of Oregon staff. -
FROM THE PRESSBOX: NCAA got it right with Louisville in Indianapolis
The worst decision and the best decisions made by the NCAA Tournament selection committee shared space on Lucas Oil Stadium’s hardwood Friday night.
The Midwest Regional’s opener pitted Louisville and Oregon, two teams that were on the opposite sides of the NCAA’s coin on Selection Sunday.
Oregon, winner of the Pac-12 Tournament and Pac-12 runner-up in the regular season, was shockingly seeded 12th in the Midwest Region. - More Sports Columns Headlines
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