OTTO-ELDRED'S BIG MAN, TEAMMATE AND FRIEND

  Before I go back a half century in the annals of Otto-Eldred High School basketball, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the outstanding seasons that the 2022-2003 basketball programs achieved. 

I never compare teams or individual players in these blogs. I just try to look back at memorable players and teams in various sports. There is a deep history of talented individuals at O-E and some very good teams. 

It's safe to say that there has never been a year that both the boys' and girls' basketball programs put together seasons like this past year. 

I regret not seeing any games, but technology certainly lends a helping hand. The coaches and players of these two programs achieved an outstanding feat and those who were a witness to many of the W's must have had a great time watching it all.

Congratulations on a record-breaking year.

Jerome Wolcott is one of three boys at O-E to hit the 1,000 point career mark. The 6'6", 215 pound center was ahead of his time with the ability to score from inside and outside. 

He led the Terrors to the District 9 Tourney in 1973, where his O-E team lost close games to A-C Valley and Union-Joint. 

    

1973- North Tier League first team all stars. Top row: Scott Potter (Smethport) and Jerome Wolcott (O-E). Middle row: Gary Price and John Frank of Austin. Bottom row: Bill Vasallo and Matt Grimone of Emporium. Wolcott and Frank were first team repeat selections.

The second team consisted of Herb Shirey (Coudersport), John Thrash (Port Allegany), Steve Barrett (O-E), Mike Dodge (Smethport), Randy Cooney (Austin) and McManigle of Emporium.

John Frank was my catcher for the Potter-McKean little league all-stars in 1967 with his Austin teammates, Gary Price at shortstop and Randy Cooney at first base. There were three or four players in this group of athletes who were outstanding in another sport(s).

Wolcott was a three-year basketball starter, played varsity golf and was both a baseball player and football player through his early teens. He also was one of the best Pac-Man players in the area (somebody might have to explain the intricacies of that game that tested hand-eye coordination and ability to strategize to some of the younger readers)

1966- Potter-McKean Little League baseball. Wolcott, a first baseman, saved his team's shortstop at least an error a game pulling down an errant throw that was headed over the first base coach's head and into the stands. Thanks, big man!

Wolcott homers against Shinglehouse, 1967

    1967- Coudersport edges Eldred for the P-M league title

What I remember most about the big man's golf game was his length off the tee. We were playing the course at Saint Bonaventure- a par four from an elevated tee, 300 plus yards to the green.

There was a foursome on the green so we all hit. Jerome's drive landed just short of the green and rolled near the flag. The guys in front of us, trying to make their putts, jerked their heads back to the fairway ready to voice their anger about someone hitting their second shot. All they saw were three young men standing at the tee.

They just waved and went on missing their putts.

1974- Eldred Open. Jerome's father, Joe, was a fine golfer also.

1971- Jerome helping a classmate after school.

1971-1972 season, early season eight point loss to Allegany.

Wolcott and Kerry Snow lead O-E over Allegany.

1972-1973 action below:

1972-1973: First game of O-E Christmas Tourney. Terrors win fifth in a row after loss to Portville to start season.

Bradford Central Christian wins O-E tourney.

O-E in league win over Port Allegany. Austin's John Frank hits the 1,000 point mark. Austin and O-E battling for class title.  Wolcott is doubled-team for most of the game, Steve Barrett and Kerry Snow take advantage of defense for big nights.

Wolcott finishes sixth in the Big 30 scoring, 1972-1973. John Frank and Randy Cooney of Austin also in the top 20. Wolcott averaged 20.4 a game.

O-E finishes 17-5 in regular season play and wins the class C title. Emporium wins the league and Class B title with 22-1 record. Red Raiders only loss was at O-E.

Wolcott leads Terrors with 13 in season's final game, a playoff loss to Union Joint, 48-45

    

Wolcott is a member of East All-Stars. Bill Vassallo of Emporium is also a member of squad.

Four years of college basketball at Elmira.

Elmira and the University of Kentucky represent U.S. in Australia.

1978- You have to love coming back home and playing some local league basketball. Maybe, not as tight a defensive struggle as college. Lots of 20 point plus games and Wolcott hits for 42.

Only one day of March remaining- MLB opens today, NCAA Final 4, NOTE-Lots of excitement out here in Iowa with the women's team led by Caitlin Clark (if you haven't seen her-she's a unique and exciting player) playing pre-tourney favorite, South Carolina. I don't know about all the match-ups and how big a favorite S.C. is, but Clark is a lot of fun to watch. Just like the 2022-2023 Otto-Eldred HS teams were this season.

Jerome Wolcott, one of O-E's best, and my long-time friend of almost 60 years. A tremendous competitor and person.

OCCASIONALLY OVERLOOKED, RARELY OUTPLAYED

     OCCASIONALLY OVERLOOKED, RARELY OUTPLAYED

#63- senior, two-way lineman, Ken Kio in the 1967-68 and the 1968-69 seasons

   I went to a high school football game six years ago. I had not seen one in over 25 years.

   My cousin and his wife were nice enough to house me for three or four days and I tried to fill each day with visits and remembrances of years past back home in the Eldred community and some bordering towns. I had wonderful family company to relive old times and friends, great meals at their home and even some dining in some restaurants I never knew existed. My cousin even furnished me with a car to travel to various memorable sites, at least for me.

   When my cousin asked me if I wanted to attend the Otto-Eldred game at Smethport on a Friday night, I immediately said yes and quickly remembered all the games, football and baseball, that I had played in McCoy Stadium.

   I didn't realize the Hubbers didn't play there anymore. I don't know when that move took place. It might have been only a few years or decades earlier-it didn't really matter. Friday night football again!

   There seemed to be a lot of cars backed up the hill to the parking lot, but we ended up with seats on the visitors' side right on the 50 yard line. The teams were on the field and they may have even had the coin toss when the public address announcer stated that a serious storm was approaching with high winds, lightning and heavy rains.     

   Players and everyone in attendance were asked seek shelter, either in their vehicles or inside the school. We waited in my cousin's car for over two hours. 7:00 became 8:00 and soon 9:00 arrived. We were now thinking that a postponement was oncoming- maybe a morning or afternoon game on Saturday.

The referees came out of their shelter shortly after nine and a half hour later there was high school football action. We lost our seats, but I didn't mind. It used to be a rarity that I ever watched a game from the seats and finding a standing position between the end zone and the 20 was a reminder of the old days. It also gave me an opportunity to see some old friends along the way as we worked hard trying to identify one another.

Smethport won an exciting game and even with the long delay it was a lot of fun. 

I was hosted by my cousin, Ken Kio and his wife, Judy. My mother, Helen and Ken's mother, June were sisters. They were two of the nine Nicklaus girls growing up on my grandfather's farm in Burtville. 

The "Sometimes Overlooked" partial of the title simply identifies  how different it is to recognize the value of high school linemen. College and professional football have the video capabilities to zero in on any individual, even the offensive linemen opening holes for runners and protecting quarterbacks. Defensively, who stops a halfback cold or sacks the quarterback is isolated for you to view.

Even if your parents are bearing down on your son, it's difficult to tell for sure who beats his defender on a play(s). The defensive coaches and the head coach usually can tell almost instantly why a play worked or why his squad gave up a big play.

I was 12 or 13 when I watched Ken play and even if he was in the middle of seven or eight bodies, I had a good idea he was involved in the tackle or opening a gaping hole. 

O-E captains for the coin toss, QB Tut Hanks and Ken #63

It was impossible not to see Ken in action during an O-E game. He could easily correct me on this, but I don't think he was any bigger than 5'9 and 180-185 lbs. He certainly was not one of the larger lineman on the field. Most of the time, he was clearly the best one at the line of the scrimmage.  His coaches had no time recognizing that even though the Terrors had an impressive defensive and offensive front.

I always believed Ken only played football through all his youth years, but I found out he was a pretty good hitter in teenage baseball. I was five or six years younger and wrapped up with my own little league competition and I don't remember ever seeing him playing baseball.

Potter-McKean Teener League with Tom Sherwood and Ken Kio hitting home runs in Eldred's win big win over Austin.

Ken hits a bases loaded double and Jojn Oszustowicz pitches Eldred to an 8-4 win.

Ken hits another grand slam in the fifth inning as Eldred scores seven runs in the fifth to beat Crosby, 13-6. Tom Sherwood went 2-5 for Eldred and struck out seven. 1964.

O-E's, Steve Smith, 8/30/69

8/68- Pre-season outlook. Some big guys on the line for O-E. Ed Schwab, Bill Stroup, Max Crandell and Dick Shay at 200 pounds or more with Gary Trask, Chris Wurster, Frank Lawrence, John Baldoni, Roy Wilbur and Ken filling out a strong front.

8/68- The Terrors were 7-2 in '67. O-E had 60 kids at the opening workouts. Returning regulars from that '67 squad were Frank Lawrence, Kio, Fred Williams, Roy Wilbur and John Oszustowicz.

#81, receiver Denny Bickford

#35, wide receiver John Oszustowicz

Players of the Week include: Tony Segulin and Bill Murphy of Smethport, Dan Lane and Kirk Johnson of Port Allegany, Tim Knapp and John Hughes of Coudersport and O-E's Ken Kio and Fred Williams.

O-E's Ken Kio and Fred Williams

NOTE: Also listed above photo of Williams and Kio

Another week of Player of the Week. Kio is named for the fifth week along with fellow lineman Dick Shay. Coudersport, Smethport, Port Allegany players also named.

O-E with a big win, 36-6 over Coudersport. Smethport and Port Allegany tied for Border Conference lead. 

Ken Kio scores his second defensive touchdown of the year, returning a fumble 25 yards for a touchdown. I'm quite sure that one t.d. came when he stole the ball from a ball carrier and the second one might have occurred the same way. Regardless, two touchdowns by a defensive lineman is quite rare at any level of football.

Harry Leffler and Jim Slavin help stop the Emporium offense.

10/68- Kio's first touchdown of the year bests Emporium 6-0. 

O-E roster

Border Conference All-Stars and also Seneca Conference. Bruce Lafferty and Terry Johnson of Smethport. Dale Paffie and Ron Greene of Bolivar, O-E's Kio and Williams represent the Terrors, Mike Fortuna and Bruce Quattrone of Allegany and Kirk Johnson and Mike Herger of Port Allegany. Lance Chaffee and Al Ralston represent Portville.

O-E Sports Banquet at the Castle Restaurant, March '69. Program autographed by Joe Paterno

A slightly older Ken Kio 

Ken even got in some baseball coaching action after his football career-lots of familiar Eldred names.

NOTE: I donated a scrapbook from the 1968-1970 seasons to the Eldred Library a few years ago. It documents some missing parts of this writing. If you are passing through town, stop and take a look. There's some other late 60's and early 70's basketball, football and baseball ones also.