Members of the first Campbell County High Basketball Team are from left to right Gary Moser, Jackie Shepard, Keith Bryant, David Lawson, Anthony Bowman, Rick Parks, Andre Houston, Gary Ward, Robbie Gillard, Greg Mattie and Pat Smith. The coaches on the front row are Assistant Jim Pierce (left) and Head Coach Robert Morton (right). Morton’s son, Campbell County Mayor E.L. Morton, shares with us that the other coach, in the middle front row, is Assistant Coach George Nichols. The mayor said Coach Nichols moved on to Powell a season or two later. Thanks, Mayor. Not pictured are Roger Byrge and Tony Claiborne and managers Terry Wells and Michael Messing.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – It has just amazed me over the years the number of coaches and players I come across who can recall seasons, games, plays and players names just like that. Rick Parks, co-captain of the very first Campbell High Cougar Basketball Team, shares some nuts and bolts about that inaugural season.

“Our overall record was 23-6, and we were runner up in the district to Oak Ridge,” said Parks. He goes on to say that the first-year Cougars lost in double overtime in the region to Austin East and “The Big E”, Elston Turner. “Turner went on to Ole Miss, then to the NBA for a 15 year career and now coaches for the Minnesota Timberwolves,” added Parks.

It just so happens that the first head coach of the Cougars, Robert Morton, celebrates his 83rd birthday today. Happy Birthday, Coach!

Campbell hosts Oak Ridge tonight on Brown Court. WLAF has all the televised coverage. Click on the WLAF – Lindsay’s Carpet & Paint Center video player to watch the games. The Lady Cougars play at 6pm followed by the Cougars and Oak Ridge at 7:30m. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 01/14/2022-6AM-PHOTO COURTESY OF JANE BAIRD)

6 Replies to “1st CCHS Basketball team battled Oak Ridge for district title”

  1. Love this first team may have been the best to have to learn to play with each other it would have interesting if Jacksboro and Lafollette would have stayed one more year really good teams

  2. Love this first team may have been the best to have to learn to play with each other it would have interesting if Jacksboro and Lafollette would have stayed one more year really good teams

  3. Knowing that Jacksboro and LaFollette would be combined was kind of scary for all students including the sports teams. There had always been intense rivalries. Getting to know guys and play basketball and baseball on the first CCHS teams is something i look back on with great satisfaction..we formed friendships that have lasted over45 years..It didnt take long for our basket ball team to jell and begin to win games i think we got up number ten ranking at one point in season. will never forget those days.. signed co-captain Anthony Bowman

  4. OH MY , I REMEMBER THAT AUSTIN EAST GAME SO CLEARLY, WATCHING IT FROM THE STANDS, BOTH TEAMS WERE BURNIN THE NETS OFF, INCREDIBLE GAME !!

  6. What special memories!! What perfect timing Jim! Thank you so much! Dad’s years of coaching bring back precious memories of wonderful times for our family and all the students we got the pleasure of befriending through the years!

Comments are closed.

Related