(2-14-24) In 1965 there was no 3-point line…but that didn’t stop the Deavertown York Tigers from scoring an OHSAA game scoring record with 171 points in a win over Chesterhill Marion. The record still stands today 59 years later.

The two schools would both end up consolidating into Morgan in 1966, Rodney Edgell, who scored 18 points in the game, would graduate in 1967 as a Raider.

Special thanks to the Herald’s Managing Editor Janis Keller for allowing us to share this story….

Deavertown York Tigers remember 1965 state record-breaking, 171-point game

By The Herald Staff | on February 08, 2017

By KEITH SPARE

This coming Sunday will be the 52nd anniversary of a state record-breaking night in Morgan County. On February 12, 1965, the Deavertown York Tigers scored an Ohio High School Athletic Association state-record 171 points in a Morgan County League win over Chesterhill Marion.

The team, Coach William “Doby” Thomas, family members and friends gathered on the front lawn of the old York High School on November 20, to dedicate a sign commemorating the record-breaking night.

Gary Sharkey, a freshman member on the reserve team that year, had the sign made and arranged for it to be placed in front of the old school.

Sharkey said of the sign-

“I thought these guys should be recognized. I had the sign made to recognize the players and the coach for this state record. I think it is a great honor to recognize these players and coach. It’s been 52 years, and it is long overdue.”

A ceremony was held with Coach Thomas and forward Russell Pletcher unveiling the sign which included how many points each player scored in the game. A moment of silence was held in remembrance of teammate Gary Edgell.

Coach Thomas then addressed the crowd.

“What you remember most about being a coach is all the good people you have around you, and I see most of them each and every day. I had a part in helping you grow as I grew older. What I remember most about that game is we only missed two shots in the first half. We could score within five seconds just up and down the court in a small gym. It was a good bunch of boys.”

“If I had it to do over again, I would not have done this, but I would have had to set everyone out in the last quarter. Our reserves scored 51 points in the last quarter, and we let the clock run three minutes of the last quarter. It’s unbelievable that many points were scored in a game. I was surprised, and I appreciate Gary for doing this. It’s part of history, and I’m glad to be part of it.”

Later, the crowd moved into the gym where the record was set. Memories were shared about the game and the time they spent together as a team.

Gary Hash­man –

“Everyone on the whole team was hitting. It was one of those nights nobody could miss, whether it was the starting team or the reserves. Everybody was hot. That is what I remember of it.”

center Don Young noted –

“It was my birthday on that day. We had a good night. We couldn’t miss. It was amazing. It was a packed crowd-standing room only. We had a ball. The gym seems so small compared to what it was. It seemed bigger back then.”

center Randy Lanning –

“I played reserve and dressed for varsity. It was mostly rebounding and throwing the ball down the floor. Our guys were quick and fast. It was basically getting the ball down the floor. It wasn’t too much defense to it.”

The Tigers saw eight of the ten players that scored reach double figures, with four scoring 20 or more points. Gary Edgell recorded 28 points to lead the record-breaking effort. Mike Ross tallied 27 points, and Don Young dropped in 25. Will Eppley tossed in 22 markers. Rodney Edgell contributed 18 points. Larry Burns and Russell Pletcher each had 15 makers. Dee Olney finished off the double-digit scorers with 13 points. Gary Hashman’s six points and Randy Lanning’s two points rounded out the scoring.

The 171 points broke the record of 158 scored by Vienna Mathews against Southington Chalker on January 22, 1955.

Coach Thomas explained –

“Maybe people thought I ran the score up, but it wasn’t on purpose. The Chesterhill Coach, Ed Wycinski, was a friend of mind. He was a good guy, and there was no animosity. It was just one of those things that happened.”

Unlike high school basketball today, where players are allowed to play five quarters in a day, the rule in 1965 only allowed a player to participate in four quarters.

Thomas pointed out.

“I played my reserves three quarters in the reserve game, and they played the last quarter of the varsity game. I played everyone I could play, and they scored over 50 points in the last quarter. Everything went our way.”

Pletcher added-

“There is no way he tried to run the score up,.It was just one of those nights no one could miss. Doby was a good coach.”

Will Eppley explained –

“We only had a few spare players, so most of us boys had to play most of the game. Coming from a small school, we had to play to get the game in. Everything just fell into place that night. Looking back, you felt sorry for the team you played.”

For the coach and players, it was nice to get together once again as a team.

point guard Mike Ross –

“I don’t remember much about the night, but more about the whole year. We had a great coach in Doby Thomas. The thing I remember most is, he made it fun for us all the time. It was so much fun playing for him, and the guys were a joy to be around. You don’t realize how special that time was until we get everyone back together and you start thinking how special those years were. The thing that sticks with me is how much we enjoyed being together. As you get older, you realize what people mean to you and that time means to us. To see all these guys again, you can’t put it into words. It just sticks in your heart. It is something you never forget.”

Rodney Edgell

“It is was great; people recognize you and remember what you accomplished. Back then, most of these schools played two sports, basketball and baseball, but basketball was the main sport.Most of us kids would play at home. We would put rims up in the old barns and play until nine or ten o’clock. It is a great honor to have them respect us like that. We appreciate Gary doing that.”

Young said –

“I will always remember this. I will bring my grandkids out and let them see it. It was an honor to play with these guys. I loved everyone of them when I played with them and I still do. A lot of good memories.”

Coach Thomas said the day gave him an opportunity for reflection.

“You get to my age and you start thinking back about things that happen during your career. It has been a great day. It brought back a lot of good memories. Good kids, good people, and all of them turned out great, that is what I’m grateful for. I’m really grateful.”

The coach also summed up the day best for all involved.

“I want to thank Gary. He is a good neighbor and a friend. I thank my wife, who was responsible for getting me here. I’m glad to see each and every one of you guys. It has been a great day-a lovely day.”

OHSAA – Most Points Scored, Game (minimum 130)

171 – Deavertown vs. Chesterhill (2/12/1965)
165 – Harriettsville vs. Dexter City (2/16/1955)
158 – Vienna Mathews vs. Southington Chalker (1/22/1955)
152 – Walnut Creek vs. Glenmont (02/12/1943)
151 – Roseville vs. South Zanesville (01/31/1941)
151 – Archbold vs. Swanton (1922)
149 – Centerburg vs. Bladensburg (11/22/1938)
149 – Toledo Christian vs. Toledo Maumee Valley Country Day (1/31/1992)
145 – Clarington vs. Stafford (2/1953)
144 – Harriettsville vs. Dexter City (02/16/1956)
144 – Adamsville vs. Plainfield (11/18/1955)
143 – Madison vs. New Athens (1/17/1967)
143 – Lore City vs. Quaker City (02/05/1961)
142 – Beverly vs. Bloomfield (11/23/1954)
138 – Barberton vs. Cleveland East Tech (12/1/1990)
138 – Byesville vs. Cumberland (01/27/1956)
137 – Barberton vs. Akron Archbishop Hoban (12/10/1976)
137 – Sarahsville vs. Forest Grove (01/20/1954)
137 – Sedalia Midway vs. Canaan (2/6/1953)
137 – Malvern vs. Pettisville (1947-48)
136 – Albany Alexander vs. Wellston (12/23/1972)
136 – Bristolville Bristol vs. Bloomfield (12/6/1966)
136 – Newcomerstown vs. Dover St. Joseph (1965)
135 – Stow-Munroe Falls vs. Ravenna (12/28/1993)
135 – Stryker vs. Pioneer North Central (11/19/1974)
135 – Sarahsville vs. Chandlersville (01/17/1956)
134 – Jewett vs. Franklin New Athens (12/23/1966)
134 – KIllbuck vs. Clark (02/0331956)
134 – Belle Valley vs. Forest Grove (12/17/1954)
133 – McDonald vs. Mineral Ridge (2016-17)
133 – Dayton Colonel White vs. Dayton Meadowdale (12/1/1989)
133 – Pleasant City vs. Quaker City (12/11/1959)
132 – Lorain Admiral King vs. North Ridgeville (1988)
132 – New Madison Tri-Village vs. Dayton Christian (1980-1981)
132 – Lore City vs. Cumberland (01/22/1960)
131 – McDonald vs. Mineral Ridge (2/3/2017)
131 – Botkins vs. Mendon (12/3/1988)
131 – Old Fort vs. Spencer Sharples (1/31/1975)
131 – Albany Alexander vs. Wellston (12/30/1971)
131 – Bristolville Bristol vs. Warren John F. Kennedy (2/5/1965)
131 – Killbuck vs. Union (02/19/1963)
131 – Lewisville vs. Bloomfield (02/11/1958)
130 – Dayton Colonel White vs. Sidney (12/11/1993)
130 – Columbus East vs. Columbus Briggs (1/6/1978)
130 – Continental vs. Lima Perry (1/2/1971)
130 – Tiltonsville Warren Consolidated vs. Smithfield (12/11/1970)

The last time a school in Ohio scored at least 130 points in a game was in 1993, two teams did it Dayton Colonel White scored 130 points vs Sidney and Stow-Munroe Falls scored 135 points vs. Ravenna.

The first school to enter the OHSAA record book for most points scored in a game was when Archbold scored a 151 points vs. Swanton in 1922.