It was quite a basketball season for LHS in 1953-54

The Owls finish as runner up in the state championship game

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- In January 1954, students opened the year in their new high school, La Follette High School on the east side of town on Middlesboro Highway. “We left the old high school, next to First Baptist Church, in December and moved over Christmas break into the new school,” said Raymond Duncan, a member of the Class of 1954.

La Follette’s radio station, WLAF, had just signed on the air in May 1953 and was on hand to broadcast the Owls in their 1953-54 season. Owls Football Coach Al Rotella was WLAF’s basketball play-by-play announcer covering all the games.

Logan Hickman shared this game program with WLAF, and we thought this week would be the appropriate time to share it with you. You’ll know many of the names on the LHS roster. One other name that stood out is that of Powell’s John Cooper. Cooper went on the lead his Arizona State Sun Devils to the 1986 Rose Bowl title and later coach the Ohio State Buckeyes football team.

On the program are some schools that no longer exist, La Follette, Huntsville, Lake City and Everett. Huntsville consolidated with other schools to form Scott High while Lake City did the same and joined Anderson County High School. Everett of Maryville became part of Heritage High School. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-02/27/2025-6AM)