OT: John Bagley returning to his roots

[RichZ]

Bagley taking over a troubled program

Growing up in Bridgeport, Harding basketball was something special, and it remained so into the '90s. Wonder if Bagley can have any success in bringing it back.

 

[superjohn]

He was Khalid El-Amin before El-Amin, awesome player.

 

[Huskybass]

I played 2 on 2 once against Bagley and Mouse McFadden. Bagley hit threes over me like I wasn't even there. It was a thrill to play against a pro nonetheless.

 

[mauconnfan]

I played 2 on 2 once against Bagley and Mouse McFadden. Bagley hit threes over me like I wasn't even there. It was a thrill to play against a pro nonetheless.

Mouse Mcfadden of Cleveland State and Kevin Mackie fame? There's how you see the road.

 

[Huskybass]

Mouse Mcfadden of Cleveland State and Kevin Mackie fame? There's how you see the road.

Yes, it was the summer of 86 on Cape Cod.

 

[Chief00]

Glory days

 

[mauconnfan]

Went to see Harding play against Maloney in the CIAC tourney when Jay Murphy was a Jr, 2 real good teams but Frenchy Tomlin was the deciding factor. Nice player, believe he went to Cleveland State too?

MHS went undefeated the next year until a Branford team upset them in the quarters. Harding, Bassick, Bridgeport Central always had great players back then and before.

 

[huskyrob1]

Bagley taking over a troubled program

Growing up in Bridgeport, Harding basketball was something special, and it remained so into the '90s. Wonder if Bagley can have any success in bringing it back.

Very nice guy. I used to work out with him at the old Fitness Edge in Fairfield during the late 90's. He had a business in Chicago at the time and was constantly jetting back and forth between Bridgeport and the Windy city. If anyone can bring Harding back to some glory it's Bagley.

 

[UConnDad]

Went to see Harding play against Maloney in the CIAC tourney when Jay Murphy was a Jr, 2 real good teams but Frenchy Tomlin was the deciding factor. Nice player, believe he went to Cleveland State too?

MHS went undefeated the next year until a Branford team upset them in the quarters. Harding, Bassick, Bridgeport Central always had great players back then and before.

Harding Central games were a war back then. Bassick was good every few years. The league was called the MBIAC. In 1975 3 of the state champs came out of that league. Central won the LL and Harding that beat Central twice that year failed to win the L.

 

[Stinger92860]

Harding Central games were a war back then. Bassick was good every few years. The league was called the MBIAC. In 1975 3 of the state champs came out of that league. Central won the LL and Harding that beat Central twice that year failed to win the L.

I grew up there and saw all these guys play. It was an awesome time for park city and Connecticut high school basketball!

 

[chiller99.5]

Great homecoming...played at Harding with Willie and Gumby Murphy and that group, Wes Matthews and McKay were coming up it was a big time league but Dee Rowe barely recruited from it.

 

[huskyrob1]

Harding Central games were a war back then. Bassick was good every few years. The league was called the MBIAC. In 1975 3 of the state champs came out of that league. Central won the LL and Harding that beat Central twice that year failed to win the L.

Speaking of Bassick does anyone remember John Garris? Great player and also played for BC.

 

[UConnDad]

Great homecoming...played at Harding with Willie and Gumby Murphy and that group, Wes Matthews and McKay were coming up it was a big time league but Dee Rowe barely recruited from it.

Called them the M M & M wrecking company.

 

[UConnDad]

Speaking of Bassick does anyone remember John Garris? Great player and also played for BC.

Sounds familiar. I remember a player named Ernie Pouncy from back then.

 

[olehead]

Speaking of Bassick does anyone remember John Garris? Great player and also played for BC.

Yep. Garris was a solid Big East forward back in the day. Lanky about 6'8", good rebounder, decent offensive game.

 

[RichZ]

Great homecoming...played at Harding with Willie and Gumby Murphy and that group

Are you talking about Phil Murphy? Kid like 5-10 that jumped center and led the MBIAC in rebounding? If it's the same kid, when he was lie 12, he showed up at the Sunday afternoon games at Washington Park, and he could out jump everyone there.

 

[chiller99.5]

Are you talking about Phil Murphy? Kid like 5-10 that jumped center and led the MBIAC in rebounding? If it's the same kid, when he was lie 12, he showed up at the Sunday afternoon games at Washington Park, and he could out jump everyone there.

Phil was the youngster Willie could come close to the top of backboard and Richie "gumby" was a lanky scorer rebounder back in early 70 ...Grew up with them and Samuels brothers,Matthews ,McKay etc at Orcutt boys club. Murphys were related to Sam Miller and Calvin Murphy

 

[Stinger92860]

Are you talking about Phil Murphy? Kid like 5-10 that jumped center and led the MBIAC in rebounding? If it's the same kid, when he was lie 12, he showed up at the Sunday afternoon games at Washington Park, and he could out jump everyone there.

He could soar. If my memory is correct he blocked a turnaround by Gminski and sent it into the stands. He jumped the opening tip for them. Was a cousin of Calvin.

 

[RichZ]

Phil was the youngster Willie could come close to the top of backboard and Richie "gumby" was a lanky scorer rebounder back in early 70 ...Grew up with them and Samuels brothers,Matthews ,McKay etc at Orcutt boys club. Murphys were related to Sam Miller and Calvin Murphy

I first learned to play both bball and 9 ball at Orcutt in the late 50s/very early 60s. Probably a few years ahead of your time.

 

[LIUCHusky]

Great homecoming...played at Harding with Willie and Gumby Murphy and that group, Wes Matthews and McKay were coming up it was a big time league but Dee Rowe barely recruited from it.

Dee Rowe had retired from coaching several years prior to Bagley graduating from Harding. Dom Perno along with assistant Jim Obrien recruited him very hard. If I recall correctly there were some academic issues involved.

 

[RichZ]

Speaking of Bassick does anyone remember John Garris? Great player and also played for BC.

My wife went to Bassick, so naturally, we followed them. And since we lived in Monroe by then, I also followed Gminski. Seem to Recall Garris & Co knocking off Mike's Masuk team once.

 

[chiller99.5]

Dee Rowe had retired from coaching several years prior to Bagley graduating from Harding. Dom Perno along with assistant Jim Obrien recruited him very hard. If I recall correctly there were some academic issues involved.

Bridgeport was totally loaded with talent in the 70s Harding, Central, Bassick and Kolbe all put players out mainly to BC at that time, Notre Dame and Fairfield Prep also,,,he must not have recruited too hard. Read the book Chase the game by Pat Jordan
The Foundation for Excellence in Bridgeport Public Schools - CoachMcLeod

 

[8893]

Bridgeport was totally loaded with talent in the 70s Harding, Central, Bassick and Kolbe all put players out mainly to BC at that time, Notre Dame and Fairfield Prep also,,,he must not have recruited too hard. Read the book Chase the game by Pat Jordan
The Foundation for Excellence in Bridgeport Public Schools - CoachMcLeod

My Mom went to Central, my Aunt Harding, my Uncle Bassick and my Dad Bullard-Havens. He apparently got to know Pat Jordan somehow; I remember him coming home from a bar one night with a signed copy of A False Spring with an inscription to me, having run into Jordan there. Come to think of it, I should look for that.

 

[ShabooAllStar]

Don't forget Kolbe's Walt Luckett. He made the cover of Sports Illustrated around 1972. He set all sorts of records. Blew his knee out before he got to the NBA.

 

[imno1]

Don't forget Kolbe's Walt Luckett. He made the cover of Sports Illustrated around 1972. He set all sorts of records. Blew his knee out before he got to the NBA.

Had to give you a like for your nick

 

[huskyrob1]

Don't forget Kolbe's Walt Luckett. He made the cover of Sports Illustrated around 1972. He set all sorts of records. Blew his knee out before he got to the NBA.

Walter Luckett was Connecticuts Labron, he could do it all.

 

[8893]

Had to give you a like for your nick

Speaking of which, I'm hoping to check this out:

Shaboo Reunion – Come join us at the best event of the year!

 

[ShabooAllStar]

Had to give you a like for your nick

When I attended UConn in the mid to late 70s, Shaboo was the place to see great live music. David Bromberg was my personal favorite. Also saw Tom Waits, Elvin Bishop, James Cotton, etc. The house band, the Shaboo All Stars was really good, and they some great guest including Matt "Guitar" Murphy and (I think) Jack Scarangella sitting in on occasion.