Jim Polk
From Jim Polk: I lived 12 miles from Lees Creek and only 3 miles from Sabina.
I ended up in Simon Kenton when they combined Reesville and Wayne.
I spent most of my time in Sabina; the guys in Sabina were our rivals.
I ended up in Simon Kenton when they combined Reesville and Wayne.
I spent most of my time in Sabina; the guys in Sabina were our rivals.
Jim led the county in Basketball Scoring in his senior year by scoring 408 points.
He averaged 23 points a game and scored 48 points in one game, long before the 3-point shot was added.
Below is some Clinton County Basketball background from Jim:
He averaged 23 points a game and scored 48 points in one game, long before the 3-point shot was added.
Below is some Clinton County Basketball background from Jim:
Clinton County in the 50’s had about 11 county schools. There were no football programs because the schools were not big enough, consequently basketball was the big thing. During games, the gyms would be standing room only and sometimes chairs were set up almost on the out-of-bounds lines, making it difficult to put the ball in play. Gymnasiums at these schools came in all different sizes. Some were long and narrow, some were short with the foul and center circles overlapping. Blanchester played on a stage with hot-water radiators along the sidelines. Jefferson had two big beams that were so low that any long-range shot could not be arched. At Clarksville, you had to dress in one building and then run outside to the gym, even in rain and snow. The playing floors were all different; Kingman had a tile floor, most had wooden floors. Backboards were sometimes wood, sometimes metal, some were square, some were oblong. Home teams had a definite advantage being used to their own court. But the basket was still round and was still 10 feet in height, which was about the only common trait of the gyms.
In the early 50's, the county basketball tournament was held at the Wilmington College gym which was not large enough to accommodate all the basketball fans. Fans would start lining up outside the doors in the middle of the afternoon to be assured of getting in and having a seat. This is why the county tournament was moved to the Xenia Field House to accommodate all those who wanted to go, and it was usually packed despite the drive. Unlike the local school gyms, the Xenia Field House sat thousands and had glass bank boards, which we had never seen before. New Vienna was No. 1 in the state in their class and entered the county tournament with only one defeat. They had new uniforms, warmed up with a blue and white basketball (school colors) and then lost their game to Clarksville and their season was over. Martinsville won the tournament.
In the early 50's, the county basketball tournament was held at the Wilmington College gym which was not large enough to accommodate all the basketball fans. Fans would start lining up outside the doors in the middle of the afternoon to be assured of getting in and having a seat. This is why the county tournament was moved to the Xenia Field House to accommodate all those who wanted to go, and it was usually packed despite the drive. Unlike the local school gyms, the Xenia Field House sat thousands and had glass bank boards, which we had never seen before. New Vienna was No. 1 in the state in their class and entered the county tournament with only one defeat. They had new uniforms, warmed up with a blue and white basketball (school colors) and then lost their game to Clarksville and their season was over. Martinsville won the tournament.
Below is a Baseball story from Jim
We played Port William for the county baseball championship.
They had an outstanding athlete by name of Jack Haley who played basketball and also pitched baseball for them.
When we played them, there was a scout from Cleveland Indians at the game.
Jack later signed to play professional with the Indians.
That night we beat them 2-1 in 10 innings; He allowed one hit, I allowed 2 hits.
He later was on Wilmington Police dept.
Not sure but heard he got a $4,000 signing bonus.
My, how times have changed
They had an outstanding athlete by name of Jack Haley who played basketball and also pitched baseball for them.
When we played them, there was a scout from Cleveland Indians at the game.
Jack later signed to play professional with the Indians.
That night we beat them 2-1 in 10 innings; He allowed one hit, I allowed 2 hits.
He later was on Wilmington Police dept.
Not sure but heard he got a $4,000 signing bonus.
My, how times have changed
Below is another Baseball story from Jim
Dick Grove and I went to the Old Crosley field to try out for the Cincinnati Reds. Dick was a pretty good hitter and played first base. I was a pitcher. When we went down to Cincy, there were about 300 pitchers there to try out. I didn’t even get on the field, but Dick did. He played first base and got to bat once. There was a big guy throwing on the sidelines that the scouts were obviously very interested in and when Dick got to bat, they brought that guy in to pitch. Jim Mahoney struck Dick out on three pitches, along with about everyone else he faced. Mahoney had a great career with the Reds, including a no hitter.
Jim also had multiple wins for track events.
Jim's Personal Stories from Wayne-SimonKenton Days - #1: Hunting with Marvin Bond
Marvin Bond and I went hunting on the Bond family farm on Henry road.
When we got back to the house, Marvin’s mom had baked a pumpkin pie and offered us a slice.
Then she brought out a can of Redi-whip and asked if we wanted some on our pie, which we did.
When she went to put it on the pie, the can just blew up and whipped Cream went every where in her kitchen.
Except on the pie. What a mess. Pie was good though!!!!!
When we got back to the house, Marvin’s mom had baked a pumpkin pie and offered us a slice.
Then she brought out a can of Redi-whip and asked if we wanted some on our pie, which we did.
When she went to put it on the pie, the can just blew up and whipped Cream went every where in her kitchen.
Except on the pie. What a mess. Pie was good though!!!!!