Amazing fact

[Phil]

On the first of March, 1924, Edith Boyd of Meriden Connecticut, scored 128 points in a high school game.


That's impressive all by itself, but that isn't what is amazing.

128 points is not the most ever scored in a women's high school basketball game, not even close.


It isn't even the most scored in a high school basketball game in 1924.

In fact, it isn't even the most scored by a player named Boyd in 1924.

On the 25th of February, Marie Boyd scored 156 points in a girl's high school basketball game.

 

[connboy77]

On the first of March, 1924, Edith Boyd of Meriden Connecticut, scored 128 points in a high school game.


That's impressive all by itself, but that isn't what is amazing.

128 points is not the most ever scored in a women's high school basketball game, not even close.


It isn't even the most scored in a high school basketball game in 1924.

In fact, it isn't even the most scored by a player named Boyd in 1924.

On the 25th of February, Marie Boyd scored 156 points in a girl's high school basketball game.

156 points! Did the other team show up? Seems like she was playing by herself.

 

[Phil]

I think the final score was 163-3

 

[ed4ourgirls]

If it was a 40 minute game she would have had to be tossing
them in at the rate of nearly two buckets per minute.

In an era before the shot clock one would have thought the
opposition would hold the ball long enough to prevent that
kind of production.

 

[Icebear]

1924, were the rules the 3-3 era of women's hoops. That could help explain the situation.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Did they have a 5-point shot back then?

Were the Boyds related?

So who was the original ballhog chick?

 

[Sonny44]

My grandfather played in those days, actually a decade or so previously. You have to understand that it was a different game back then. Dribbling the ball wasn't allowed. Two steps with the ball and then you had to either shoot or pass to another player. After a basket there was a jump ball so you could keep possession nearly the whole game if you controlled the jump. A team had a designated foul shooter; no matter who was fouled the same person took all the foul shots for his/her team. Many other different rules which I don't remember.

My grandfather showed me several clippings of his HS team, Potsdam Normal HS of Potsdam NY, coached by Professor Blood who later became famous for his coaching at Rutgers. The HS team often won games by over 100 points. They played a college team once [can't recall which one] and when they amassed a good lead the college boys started getting rough and busting up the high schoolers. Coach Blood went over and warned the college coach that if they didn't stop he would not allow them to touch the ball in the second half. Of course they paid no attention, indeed they did not allow the college team to touch the ball in the second half. If there was an ESPN today this would probably be the greatest embarrassment in sports history.

My grandfather [pretty short] was the designated foul shooter for his team. During half times he often did exhibitions. He once sank 64 straight from the foul line. Everybody shot two handed underhand in those days. Sadly when my grandfather died the clippings which were all tattered and discolored were apparently trashed as is the usual case. I wish I had them because very few people believe me.

 

[Phil]

My grandfather played in those days, actually a decade or so previously. You have to understand that it was a different game back then. Dribbling the ball wasn't allowed. Two steps with the ball and then you had to either shoot or pass to another player. After a basket there was a jump ball so you could keep possession nearly the whole game if you controlled the jump. A team had a designated foul shooter; no matter who was fouled the same person took all the foul shots for his/her team. Many other different rules which I don't remember.

My grandfather showed me several clippings of his HS team, Potsdam Normal HS of Potsdam NY, coached by Professor Blood who later became famous for his coaching at Rutgers. The HS team often won games by over 100 points. They played a college team once [can't recall which one] and when they amassed a good lead the college boys started getting rough and busting up the high schoolers. Coach Blood went over and warned the college coach that if they didn't stop he would not allow them to touch the ball in the second half. Of course they paid no attention, indeed they did not allow the college team to touch the ball in the second half. If there was an ESPN today this would probably be the greatest embarrassment in sports history.

My grandfather [pretty short] was the designated foul shooter for his team. During half times he often did exhibitions. He once sank 64 straight from the foul line. Everybody shot two handed underhand in those days. Sadly when my grandfather died the clippings which were all tattered and discolored were apparently trashed as is the usual case. I wish I had them because very few people believe me.

Thanks for that story Sonny. I wonder if those clippings are preserved on microfilm somewhere.

One other relevant rule - they had a center jump after every basket (until 1938) so if Boyd's team had a tall center, they may have won just abotu every tip, which might explain why the other team couldn't eat any clock.

 

[Phil]

Were the Boyds related?

I wondered that myself, but one as in CT, and the other in MD, so unlikely that they were close relatives.

 

[Sonny44]

William Boyd (Hoppy) shot straighter than either of them, right?

 

[Icebear]

Thanks for that story Sonny. I wonder if those clippings are preserved on microfilm somewhere.

One other relevant rule - they had a center jump after every basket (until 1938) so if Boyd's team had a tall center, they may have won just abotu every tip, which might explain why the other team couldn't eat any clock.

That is one of the things I was thinking about, Phil, but I couldn't remember the particular rules of that era.

 

[wire chief]

When I read of Naismith's first instructions to the newcomers, it clearly said that the inventor insisted on dribbling. Any one know why that dropped out for awhile?

 

[kibblesnbits]

Anyone that's watched an NBA game might think dribbling was optional and you are allowed at least 3 steps if it ends with a dunk.

 

[Phil]

When I read of Naismith's first instructions to the newcomers, it clearly said that the inventor insisted on dribbling. Any one know why that dropped out for awhile?

That sounds inconsistent with the rules. When you talk about "first instructions to the newcomers" what are you talking about?

 

[wire chief]

Just that the original rules called for dribbling.

 

[Phil]

I actually have a copy of the rules, which I carry in my briefcase at all times. Rule 3 starts: A player cannot run with the ball, the player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it...

The first part is not definitive, and maybe the second allows a dribble, but not a dribble with movement, unless I'm missing something.

 

[meyers7]

So who was the original ballhog chick?

Ah that brings back memories. Think I have all 4 of them (Ode, Legend, Legacy, Return) somewhere.

 

[Phil]

Ah that brings back memories. Think I have all 4 of them (Ode, Legend, Legacy, Return) somewhere.

Yes, unfortunately, bittersweet now, as the inventor of the phrase is no longer with us.