GC HOKE

Thank you Richlands alum, I think you are spot on.

SXSW, I could be wrong, but I don't think that each team played 10 district games in a season. I think that each team played 9 out of the 10 district foes every year, with the odd team out being on a rotating basis. Otherwise, we couldn't have played Ketron every year and play 10 regular season games. Also, I apologise for leaving Marion out of my original post. SW_Va_boy, I remember going to a GC- Narrows playoff game at GC in 1979. Good times!

There was no district stronger than the old Southwest District, which was from 1970-1985 I believe. I'm gonna try to name them: GC, VHigh, Lebanon, Abingdon, Tazewell, Graham, Grundy, Richlands, and PH. One year, VHigh finished 9-1 but didn't go to the playoffs, because their one loss was to Gate City, who won the district with an 8-2 record. Their 2 losses were to Ketron (pre-Sullivan North), which back then didn't matter, and another district foe. Head to Head put GC in and left VHigh out. This might have been 1977.

True dat.

And you call yourself a fan. :)

Good effort. I saw some good things. Don't know if we have enough playmakers or speed to have a really good season, but there is some toughness, size, and skill there. We might surprise some people and have a decent season. I think I only saw one injury. I hope that young man is ok. There were a few players not dressed out, I assume due to injury as well. I hope those young men heal quickly.

I remember the helmet episode. He hit the player so hard that the impact echoed in the stadium. That was a low point in my experience of being a fan.

Kind of ironic who Graham's placekicker was in that game, huh?

Here are a few recollections that stand out in my mind: -In the early 90's, Tom Turner and Appalachia ran the hook and ladder on the last play of the game to beat GC. -A couple of years later, Lindsey Fisher leveled, and I mean leveled, an Appy Bulldog on a crack back block on a punt return, and Coach Houseright jumped around like a jumping bean on the sidelines. That's still the hardest hit I ever saw. -Before you could spike the ball into the ground to stop the clock, Barry Wolfe tried to throw the ball out of bounds to stop the clock, and a Tazewell player stepped in front and made the long pick six. In the category of really wild: -In 1983, Colobro's first year at GC, Tazewell was down to GC 7-0 and threatening to score. Near the goal line, while the Bulldogs were snapping the ball, some fan set off some firecrackers, and Tazewell fumbled on the play. GC got the ball, took a self-inflicted safety, and won 7-2. - I didn't see it, but one of my friends who played RB in the '70s told me that he got his leg broke really bad against Graham while he laid in the bottom of the pile, and a G-man broke it by twisting on it.

I know dwindling numbers are a trend with almost every school, but I remember when Lee consolidated, looking at their roster in the program, they had players with numbers 1 through 99, with no gaps. That's unbelievable.

UVAO, I think your perception of the number of delusional fans in GC is skewed a bit. Yes, there are some, but on the whole, most of us know how hard it is to win the top prize, because after all, we have never done it in boys.

Great City, you said that in bball, GC has never played above AA. That's sort of a complicated issue. In classification name only, that is true. However, prior to a certain year, it was only A, AA, and AAA. Then they renamed the classes 1A-6A. I'm fairly certain that in 1997, when Salem beat GC in the bball finals, GC was AA, but in the new classification system, they were called 3A. I am basing this on the fact that in the fall of 1997, GC won the FB state championship in 3A. Even if bball didn't have 6 divisions back then, but just 3, GC was AA, which is the equivalent in today's day and time as either 3A or 4A. As far as your analysis of the slide in football at GC, you are spot on. The athletes are there, they are just choosing to focus on other sports, and not playing football. Kids do whatever appeals to them most. Also, travel sports are big in our area, with the TriCities hosting a bevy of tournaments in all non-football sports. I know that there is travel football in our area, but I don't think it's as prevalent. Just my two pennies.

I would like to reply to UVAO (I'm too stupid to figure out how to insert his last post): The champion will be determined on the court, where it should be. GC better than 50/50 chance of taking it all? I agree, probably too high a %. But, I would think they would have as good a chance as anyone else, maybe better. It's really whoever gets the hottest at the end of the year. They've been to the finals three times I think, and two of those were higher than 2A (I could be wrong, but I know the final against Salem was higher than 2A). If they learn how to play defense, and play to win instead of not to lose, GC will be fine.

No prob. SXSW.

The Redwine kid at DB is actually a JR. He is a great kid who comes from a great family.

That is really sad. My prayer is that the Lord comforts his family during this difficult time, and uses the life that Brandon lived to bring joy to all who knew him. Rest in peace young man, in that promised place where we will have no worries or sorrow.

When I was in 9th grade, I was a bench-warmer on the JV basketball team for Gate City. It was the 1983/1984 season. I remember going to Bluefield (for the first time) and playing Graham. I think we won (not sure though), and it must have not been a very close game, because I got to play. I do remember getting to shoot 4 free throws, and I made all 4 of them, which I think was the only points I scored on JV all year. The one thing I remember about that Graham gym was that it had a rubber floor. I had never seen that. That same year, I got to go on the away trip to Grundy (also a first). I will never forget the size of the mountains and the hollows that probably didn't see a whole lot of sun (no slight intended, I was in awe of the topography). Also that same year, I have some unique experiences (but fond memories) of basketball against Lebanon. Earlier in the season, I got to play in a 9th grade game at the old Cleveland gym. I was really into the game, and got about 2 or 3 steals in a row, along with a layup or two, when all of a sudden I felt the urge to talk to Ralph....right in front of our own cheerleaders on the court. The same season, for the Lebanon away game, all but two of our varsity starters got in trouble the game before on the bus ride back, so varsity coach Dave Mason (who came from Rich Valley) suspended several varsity players, including 3 starters and the main reserves. He picked 3 or 4 off the 9th grade team (I was one of them), and used the other 2 starters and reserves who were not suspended. That was the weirdest game...everyone on our team wanted to score. We weren't really in the game, but we weren't being blown out either. Our 2 varsity starters, Craft and Salyer, had scored every one of our points. I had attempted one shot earlier in the game, but it went in and out. Near the end of the game, I got a pass on the baseline from about 10' and rattled the shot home. Lebanon won 82-62. Box score for Gate City: Salyer 31, Craft 29, Flanary 2. I finished the season and did not play basketball again, so I finished my HS varsity career with 2 points. My buddy Tommy Musick (who was an incredible basketball player and finished Milligan as their 2nd leading scorer) kids me that I scored varsity points before he did. I do remember that Lebanon had a really good player named Orlando Early, who I think was a sophomore in 1983/84.

I've never posted to this site before, but I am an avid "lurker." I thought everyone would want to know that "Legend at Legion" died this morning in his sleep. I think some of you knew him. He was a good friend of mine. There was no bigger Gate City fan around. Please pray for his family. Thanks.