I knew Wilt. Vince Miller is my uncle who past away last year. I remember them talking about the game saying it was a fix. The refs let Farrell players hack all game without calling hardly anything. Wilt said he went through the same thing at Kansas. The refs think because your bigger a fouler doesn't mean as much. That is why he left Kansas and played for the Globe Trotters. I could beat a team with Shaq if I was able to hold onto his arms. Give me a break....
It's hard to believe the ex-Farrell player say he had never heard of Wilt, since he had been dominating high school basketball. I remember reading an article by Vince Miller, Wilt's teammate and close friend on Overbrook, and VInce claimed it was one of the worst officiated games he ever saw, and that a tournament organizer actually apologized to Overbrook after the game. I believe this game is from 1954 (not '55). It was Wilt's senior year, but it was played in late Dec '54.
Just found a box score of this game. The newspaper article is from Dec 29, 1954 so I assume the game was played the day before. Wilt scored 33 making 12 field goals and shooting 9-15 from the line. Farrell led 31-30 at the half, and then 50-48 going into the final qtr. I believe the guy talking at 4:20 is Paul Gustus. He scored 8 points in the game, all from the f/t line. By the way, the greatest player to come out of Farrell is Jack Marin, who played for them in the very early '60s.
At 6:50 Paul Gustas mentions that the Farrell coach actually went to the officials and told them not to foul Wilt out of the game. That kind of leads me to believe that Vince Miller had a point about the bad officiating. Why else would an opposing coach warn the officials about bad calls made in FAVOR of his team?? The calls must have been so bad against Overbrook that even the opposing coach had to tell the refs to cool it.
Farrell was a C school playing a great team with one of the best players of all-time. Ed just wanted their best game. I agree JacK Marin had a great Pro career.
BobG: In the book "Wilt: Larger than Life" by R. Cherry, the author writes that even the Farrell fans apologized to Overbrook after the game because the officiating was so bad. I know that Cherry is very factual with his accounts, so I believe this really happened. Why do you refer to Farrell as a "C school" ? Most sources I have found show them winning championships in "WPIAL, PIAA Class AAA". Whatever their league, I do give alot of credit to McCluskey and the Farrell teams of that era.
BobG: I was just reading about a player named Julius McCoy, who was a major star at Farrell, and who passed away last year. He is considered (by some) the greatest Farrell player. He went on to have a great college career for Michigan State in the mid '50s. Then he was drafted into the army. Following that, he tried out for the St Louis Hawks but was one of their last cuts, some say because of a desire by Hawks management to keep African Americans off their team.
I'm going to buy the book. I interviewed Julius. My point was Farrell was a C class school. They grad about 120 kids and played the top schools. In Hoosiers they won one state game. farrell 7. McCuskey was one of the best of All Time. Ask Bobby Knight.
My Mom went to Overbrook, she was in Wilt's class.
SmelOdies 4 months ago
Is the guy in white being interviewed at JJ's Litehouse in Farrell? Looks like the inside of the place.
sarcogram720 10 months ago
I knew Wilt. Vince Miller is my uncle who past away last year. I remember them talking about the game saying it was a fix. The refs let Farrell players hack all game without calling hardly anything. Wilt said he went through the same thing at Kansas. The refs think because your bigger a fouler doesn't mean as much. That is why he left Kansas and played for the Globe Trotters. I could beat a team with Shaq if I was able to hold onto his arms. Give me a break....
bermudasand 1 year ago
It's hard to believe the ex-Farrell player say he had never heard of Wilt, since he had been dominating high school basketball. I remember reading an article by Vince Miller, Wilt's teammate and close friend on Overbrook, and VInce claimed it was one of the worst officiated games he ever saw, and that a tournament organizer actually apologized to Overbrook after the game. I believe this game is from 1954 (not '55). It was Wilt's senior year, but it was played in late Dec '54.
ddenuci 3 years ago
Just found a box score of this game. The newspaper article is from Dec 29, 1954 so I assume the game was played the day before. Wilt scored 33 making 12 field goals and shooting 9-15 from the line. Farrell led 31-30 at the half, and then 50-48 going into the final qtr. I believe the guy talking at 4:20 is Paul Gustus. He scored 8 points in the game, all from the f/t line. By the way, the greatest player to come out of Farrell is Jack Marin, who played for them in the very early '60s.
ddenuci 3 years ago
At 6:50 Paul Gustas mentions that the Farrell coach actually went to the officials and told them not to foul Wilt out of the game. That kind of leads me to believe that Vince Miller had a point about the bad officiating. Why else would an opposing coach warn the officials about bad calls made in FAVOR of his team?? The calls must have been so bad against Overbrook that even the opposing coach had to tell the refs to cool it.
ddenuci 3 years ago
Farrell was a C school playing a great team with one of the best players of all-time. Ed just wanted their best game. I agree JacK Marin had a great Pro career.
BobGolub1 3 years ago
BobG: In the book "Wilt: Larger than Life" by R. Cherry, the author writes that even the Farrell fans apologized to Overbrook after the game because the officiating was so bad. I know that Cherry is very factual with his accounts, so I believe this really happened. Why do you refer to Farrell as a "C school" ? Most sources I have found show them winning championships in "WPIAL, PIAA Class AAA". Whatever their league, I do give alot of credit to McCluskey and the Farrell teams of that era.
ddenuci 3 years ago
BobG: I was just reading about a player named Julius McCoy, who was a major star at Farrell, and who passed away last year. He is considered (by some) the greatest Farrell player. He went on to have a great college career for Michigan State in the mid '50s. Then he was drafted into the army. Following that, he tried out for the St Louis Hawks but was one of their last cuts, some say because of a desire by Hawks management to keep African Americans off their team.
ddenuci 3 years ago
I'm going to buy the book. I interviewed Julius. My point was Farrell was a C class school. They grad about 120 kids and played the top schools. In Hoosiers they won one state game. farrell 7. McCuskey was one of the best of All Time. Ask Bobby Knight.
BobGolub1 3 years ago
I want that Wilt footage!!
WiltatKansas 3 years ago
working on doing a documentary and a book. i saw your web page. you must love Wilt.
BobGolub1 3 years ago
Wainting for the doc, i hope will can get the doc when it is finished.
WiltatKansas 3 years ago
This was a very good idea. The men were well spoken. Next time get a few shots of Spearman Ave. with some Hudaks!
leshudak 3 years ago
where are u from?
BobGolub1 3 years ago
Born and raised in F-Town.
c197373 3 years ago
Frank Sincek, what a blast from the past.
c197373 3 years ago 2