WAVELAND BASKETBALL GLORY DAYS
WAVELAND BASKETBALL GLORY DAYS
I want to thank (so very, very much) Robert "Bob" Harbison (and nephew Dave who I think did some prompting - heehee) for sharing his wonderful clippings, pictures and memorabilia for the enjoyment of those using the site. Although Waveland had many great basketball teams throughout the years, the 1951-54 seasons with Bob, the Greves brothers and others, these were definitely the best of the best in WHS basketball. ENJOY !
NOTE: We will be moving the entire site to a new program SOON - however, it will take probably a year to do it since it is such a huge undertaking; however, these photos will be in a flipping album when we get that done and will be sooo nifty ! Note: Bob Harbison told me that he'd not say the Glory Days were just my choice of 1951-54 but before that back to the early Greve boys in the mid 1940s and even a year/two past the 54. Thanks Bob for your knowledge, interest and sharing all the great things :) kbz
NOTE for below: The lengthy clippings I plan to type - less space and easier to read but for now, will leave them this way as the hubs (thanks, Jim Z for all your help) scanned them, so that I can at least get them up here - I know lots of basketball fans who want to see them - thanks again, Robert Harbison :) Although there may be a bit of overlap they are in order and you should be able to read right through them ! Go Hornets !!
Let's start with Keith Greve mentioned below !
Thanks to Bill Boone
Waveland High School Basketball 1934-1955 – Charles E. Priebe Aug 13, 1999
Waveland High School Basketball for 20 years was unique
The most contributing cause was the Greve Brother’s mystique
It was in 1935 that Waveland’s first section title came
Oldest brother, Leonard, played center in that ballgame
With four sophomores on that team from them more titles were expected
But for the next two years in each tournament the title was rejected
In 1939, Waveland’s next shot at the sectional title came
Ray Jr, the second Greve brother was on that team to claim fame
Victory against Wingate in the Wabash gym did not come easy
Because a three time substitution rule had bench Waveland’s “Greasy”
John Woodrow, a guard, infuriated by the turn of events, saved the day
Not a player on Wingate’s team could hold him at bay.
The third Greve brother to contribute to the mystique was Keith.
He fired line drive shots from the forward position that were beyond belief.
His shooting accuracy and general skills helped bring the Hornet’s third crown.
It was in 1949 that this section title came to town.
Keith was a senior in 1951, on a team that a regional almost won,
With the errant ball in the air when the gun went off, the team lost by one.
With the stars of the best Waveland team ever graduated and a new coach on the hot sea
Who could ever expect the last year’s section champions to repeat?
But repeat it they did with freshman four brother, Bill, playing a leading role.
The Waveland Hornets and the Greve brothers mystique was still taking its toll.
The players and the 1952 team liked the feeling so well
They went to the tournament 1953 and rerang the bell!
Four county tourney championships the Waveland Hornet’s did comprise
Those championships started in 1950 and ended in 1955.
On each of the county championship teams either Keith or Bill played,
This just continued to show how much effect the Greve mystique made.
Leonard started playing as a freshman in 1934.
Bill graduated in 1955 and the mystique was no more.
Over a span of some 20 years the Greve brothers did play,
And to each came at least one championship in his own day.
Waveland in some 50 years of basketball won no championships at all,
Unless on the team a Grever brother played basketball.
The Greve-Waveland relationship, call it what you will -
Unique, a mystique, not exactly the run of the mills