PHOTO from 1955 Buccaneer Yearbook on Bluffton Schools online Wall of Fame

By Bill Herr

Two of the greatest Pirate basketball games I ever witnessed occurred in the year 1954-1955. Coach Joe Harris has passed, so I asked two of the starters on that team to share their memories of the games and the players involved. They are Ron Lora and Jim (Spike) Berry. Ron was the leading scorer on the team that year and Spike was the point guard and floor leader.

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After graduation Ron went on to become Professor of American History at Toledo University. He was a graduate advisor in the history department. In retirement he writes occasional columns for newspapers. They are historical with a political and economic emphasis. Spike Berry became a successful football coach for Cory-Rawson High School, and later its principal. He coached six undefeated teams, and the 1968 team was not scored upon. The UPI acclaimed that team as State Champions and Spike was honored as Coach of the Year in Ohio.

Those two men met recently and teamed up at my request to write about their remembrances of the games against Bellefontaine and Willshire. Ron told who the players were on that team and described them, while Spike wrote details on the two games. Their comments are unedited.

Ron Lora: The starters were Jack Fields (center), Spike Berry (Guard), Joe Urich (guard), Ron Lora (forward) and Jim Matter (forward). Teammates were Thorne Lauriat, Bob Badertscher, Jim Fisher, Don Alspach, Dan Gleason, Marvin Diller and Ron Geiser. Jack Fields was an outstanding rebounder and scorer. Spike Berry served as point guard and was the overseer of the floor. Joe Urich was a fine free throw shooter. Jim Matter was a strong defensive player. The team had habits of sportsmanship and teamwork, which keyed a victorious season. Another measure of the team's success was that four of the starting five finished their careers with 500 or more points. Jack Fields scored 916 points, which is still the 3rd most career points scored by a Pirate.

Others were Joe Urich with 694, Ron Lora with 525, and Spike Berry with 500.

Spike Berry: Bill Herr asked if he could print a few words about two of the Pirate games out of four that were the best he had ever seen. The starters on the team of 1954-1955 were Jack Fields, Spike Berry, Ron Lora, Jim Matter, and Joe Urich. Jack Fields was a great athlete as a good scorer and a great rebounder. Ron Lora was a good shooter and was good on defense. Jim Matter was the only senior starter and was a tough player. He was great on defense. Joe Urich was a fine athlete. He could shoot with the best of them. Four players averaged in double figures.

This team was runner up in the tough Non County Tournament. They were the first Pirate team that went to the District since 1942. The next year they won the Non County Tournament (13 teams) and dedicated the new Toledo Waite Fieldhouse by beating Waite 72-51. The next year of 1955-1956, Jack Fields, Spike Berry and Ron Lora made the All Western Buckeye team.

Now, it is time to write about two of Bill's favorite games, Bellefontaine and Willshire. After a few words you will find out that Spike Berry is not T.S. Elliot. Wilbur Howe, Chuck Hilty and Fred Steiner (former editors of The Bluffton News) would shake their heads in dismay. Mr. Howe was my senior English teacher. He would get upset with the class and say, "That's enough Tom Foolery and Skulldudgery." He would shake his head if he read this. I figured the Tom Foolery out, but to this day I know nothing about Skulldudgery.

The Bluffton-Bellefontaine Game

The Pirates and Bellefontaine were both undefeated in the Western Buckeye League. Back in 1954-1955 only two Divisions (A and B) were sponsored by the OHSAA. The Chieftains were coming to town ranked 4th in Class "A." It was a cold night on January 27 when the Chiefs came to town with their All-Ohio center Ray George who was averaging 29 points per game.

Thursday was the last day to buy tickets at Rexall Drugs, Urich's IGA or at the school. Prices were 75 cents for adults and 45 cents for students. It was a sold out, standing room only crowd. The Western Buckeye Traveling Trophy (Susie) was at stake. If the Pirates could get a victory in the old gym they would take the trophy from the Chiefs and maintain it as long as they won.

It was a great game for the Pirates as they defeated Bellefontaine 54-45. The Pirates held them to 14 points in the first half as Jim Matter was all over the All-Ohio Ray George. The offense was led by four Pirates in double figures. Jack Fields had 15, Spike Berry 14, Jim matter 10 and Joe Urick 10. And just like that the cold January night became very warm and toasty in the old Bluffton High School gym. Everyone got their 75 cents worth.

Bill Herr: As Spike said, it was a packed crowd in the old gym as Bluffton and Bellefontaine faced off. Many students were sitting on chairs placed on the gym stage. I was a sophomore and among them. We all knew how much was on the line in this game and how high Bellefontaine was ranked. As the game went on into the 4th quarter, Bluffton fans grew even more excited as the prospect of victory seemed near. At the final buzzer the fans exploded in joy.

I saw many of the home games in the old gym since 1946 when my brother Don played. I was 7 years old. Of all those games, this one against Bellefontaine was the greatest and most exciting I ever witnessed in the old gym.

In the next column, Spike Berry will describe the Pirates tournament game against undefeated and State-Ranked Willshire.

Bill Herr taught high school mathematics and science for 32 years. After retiring from teaching, he began a nursing home ministry. He served as chaplain at a nursing home for 24 years. He has since written columns relating to sports memories from high school experiences and columns relating to experiences at the nursing home.