Page 13 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote and Some Stuff I Didn't (2011) H. Morris Williams

Column January 14, 2007

1947: CHS’S ONLY STATE ROUNDBALL TITLE

In 1947— 60 years ago this coming March— Columbia High School won its
only state basketball championship. Here is a quick glimpse at that state
‘Class B’ championship tournament played in Daytona Beach.

Sixteen tournament teams vied for the championship. The Tigers won by
defeating Brandon, Eustis, and St. Augustine Ketterlinus in preliminary
games, and Pompano in the finals. Seabreeze High School of Daytona
hosted the event and was a favored team but got upset in the semi-finals
by Pompano.

During the three-day tournament, the 15 visiting teams were housed in
various hotels around town. The CHS team stayed in the Morgan Hotel
and hid four unauthorized young visitors in their rooms. Gene Cox (CHS
1952) and three of his junior high school friends had hitch-hiked to
Daytona to see the games but had no place to stay once they got there.
So, the players let them stay in their rooms.

When Pat Summerall (CHS 1948) was inducted into the Florida High
School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2006, he said winning that
state championship was a highlight of his life and he wouldn’t take
anything for it.

Team member Wendell (D.D.) Barnes’ father, Foster Barnes, designed the
architecture and grounds at the then brand new Stephen Foster Memorial
in White Springs-and later D. D. played on FSU’s first football team.

Three tournament teams had unusual nicknames: The Tarpon Springs
‘Spongers’, the Pompano ‘Bean Pickers’, and the Seabreeze ‘Sand Crabs.’

The last names of six of the Tarpon Springs players reflected their Greek
background. Deno Cordullias, Chris Tsardoulias, Jim Mouhourtis, George
Cutsuries, Bill Hasavasillis, and Chris Gallanos.

CHS Coach Jim Melton’s Tigers entered the tournament with an 18-5
season record. Only two members of that championship team still live in
Lake City, I.J. Godbolt and Joe Bullard, Sr.

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