Fouled Out: Finishing High School Basketball

As the basketball season proceeded toward the end, NBC was tied with Bedford High School for the Bedford County Championship. Bedford was a big school. We had soundly beat Bedford on our basketball court but Bedford had won on their court. So now there was a playoff on a neutral court. The game was on a Tuesday and played at Everett High School. The bleachers were filled and there was standing room only. Dad drove from Pittsburgh to watch the game. I could hear his voice over the large roaring crowd.

I was doing my job of denying access to their top player and by the end of the third quarter we had a twenty point lead and I had three fouls. At the beginning of the fourth quarter I was called for a fourth foul. Coach Batzel called a time out and specifically told me to be careful and not foul out. I nodded in agreement, that I understood. The next time Bedford brought the ball down the court, I tried to squeeze between the pick and the referee saw that contact as impeding my opponent. Yep, the fifth foul and out of the game. Well Moe (Momentum) went to the bench with me. I went down to the end of the bench a little frustrated.

Coach Batzel yelled, “Come up here and sit beside me and look what you’ve done!” Now with fear and helplessness I watched the tide go out. Our lead melted quickly. Trying to slow down the play of the game did not work. Bedford was quick and actively looking to take the lead. Down by two points with five seconds to go, the Bedford player named Black came charging down the court to the top of the key and took a jump shot. His release was just after the buzzer rang and his shot was accurate but too late. The final score was NBC 61 and Bedford 59.

My emotion of elation and joy was beyond anything I had known before. We lifted Coach Batzel on our shoulders and carried him to the center of the court with the rest of the team. All the while he was smiling and yelling to be careful not run over anyone as the basketball court had immediately filled with cheering fans. I don’t recall seeing a single Bedford basketball player after that last shot. The Good Lord had been so merciful, for I am sure that just as I carry this joyful memory of winning the first Bedford County Championship for NBC, I would be carrying remorse and regret to this day had we loss.

We went to district competition and lost to Conemaugh Township by four points, but I did not foul out of the game. Coach Ewart later told me that I should have fouled out and we might have won. Conemaugh Township had two high scorers so our strategy was not as successful.

When we had our senior basketball photographs taken by Clay Hull. All the other seniors had a basketball in their hands. Coach Batzel took my basketball out of my hands and said “You play defense.” So my photo shows me in a defensive position with a smile on my face. At the awards assembly in the auditorium in front of the whole high school, Coach Batzel gave a Basketball Trophy for outstanding defensive player. I still have that memento on my desk as a memory of wonderful coaches, wonderful team mates and a time when Tuesday and Friday nights were the most important things in my life.

Editor’s Note: This is the fifth installment in Ritchey’s recollections. The Herald will publish the last installment in next week’s edition.