THE PIRATE’S
TREASURE CHEST….
Our Pirate heritage began its hardwood action ninety-five-years-ago when a
young teacher, who grew up on a farm, was appointed our first manager of a
boy’s varsity basketball team.
In those days they were not referred to as ‘coach’ but manager.
Ever
since that beginning, Charlestown High School has had 29 head coaches that
have dedicated their time and talents in teaching young athletes the game of
basketball that was created in 1891 purely for keeping people fit during the
bleak wintry months.
Following
are “Charlestown Pirates Treasure Chest” vignettes that tell
the story of individual Pirate athletes who had their finest hour wearing
the blue and white jersey that contributed tremendously in many victories
for the Pirate teams. However, it is only a small taste of some of the
many outstanding athletes you will get to know once again who dribbled onto
the hardwood and gave local fans invigorating moments of Pirates
Hoops-Hysteria through the era.
The 1938 Charlestown Pirates, with Coach Charles
O. 'Poodle' Manaugh. He was quite a mentor during the 1930's almost having
an undefeated season until the final game with the Georgetown Bearcats.
The "Manaughmen" lost by two points at
Georgetown.
Charlestown
Basketball Lore: At the time, there
were only two Indiana High School basketball teams undefeated in the State.
Unfortunately, for us and the Montcello Indians, both clubs tasted defeat on
their last outing!! Thus, for the second year in a row, there would be no
undefeated high school basketball team contesting for the crown at the IHSAA
Tournaments that year.
Only one living member is
left from the 1938 successful Pirates and that would be Floyd Bohart (#77 in
the front row).
“Charlestown
Pirate's Treasure Chest”
is a prelude to a
forthcoming book by Chuck E. Ledbetter, Sr. to be titled
“Charlestown
Pirates ‘Hoops-Hysteria’ 1917-2011” - The History of Charlestown High School
Boys Varsity Basketball.”
Pirate Basketball History is rich in tradition....
Some of
these short essays will appear in the book in greater detail. The
book tells the story of basketball in documentary fashion as it began in a
community several decades ago with a populace of less than 900 that got the
fever of ‘Hoosier Hysteria!’ that was increasing up and down the State of
Indiana and still with us today playing to a new generation of exciting ball
players and enthusiastic Charlestown fans.
I hope
you enjoy reading the vignettes and that you will share them with others.
Chuck E. Ledbetter, Sr., author
“Charlestown Pirates Treasure Chest”
Vignettes
( click on the following
links to begin reading and exploring the rich basketball tradition of the
Charlestown Pirates )
