Monday - April 19: Some pushing, shoving and grabbing took place yesterday in front of Wellsville's Village Hall. Getting ready for the May 1 rematch of the geriatric basketball players, East Liverpool's Mayor Jim Swogger returned the Old Gray Mayors traveling trophy to Wellsville yesterday. A Revitalization Committee press conference was taking place with Mayor Swogger, Mayor Joe Surace and NCAA Basketball record holder Bevo Francis to promote the 2nd Annual Old Gray Mayors Basketball Game. Laughs were exchanged about last year's inaugural game and some of the antics. Bevo was recalling his days of playing as a Wellsville Tiger and some of the games he played in versus the East Liverpool Potters. Everybody was reminiscing about the old rivalry that at times was very intense except when the seven foot tall Bevo was wearing the orange & black. When Bevo was playing the Potters would swear he was at least eight foot tall and the walking wounded wearing blue & white were happy to just survive.
Bevo was a tall, gangly young man from Hammondsville when he transferred to Wellsville well over 50 years ago. When he donned the Tiger stripes for a basketball game it was standing room only, not only at Beacom Memorial but in every gym Wellsville visited. Everybody wanted to witness the basketball phenom playing, including college recruiters from all over the country. Bevo went on to play college ball at the University of Rio Grande. It was in a game against Hillsdale College on February 2, 56 years ago Bevo set a NCAA/NAIA record that still stands today. He single handedly scored an incredible 113 points and that was in the days before the 3-point line. We think the term he "could shoot the eyes out of a basket" originated with Mr. Francis. His height only complimented his talent when he shot the roundball.
Yesterday's press conference seemed more like a social gathering until Swogger declared he might as well take the trophy back to the 'pool. Throwing down the gaunlet, he said the aging Potters are going to win it back anyway. Surace responded, laughingly saying he heard some of those players are still trying to recuperate from the Celebrity Alumni game that was played a few weeks ago. Ain't no way!!!
It was pandemonium after that with Swogger grabbing the trophey and Surace trying to get it away from him stating the trophy is going to stay in Wellsville this year. Pictured above getting in the fray from the left is Revitalization Committee Chairwoman Candy Bangor, WPD Lt. Ed Wilson, Mayor Joe Surace, Swogger, Village Administrator Jim Saracco and Committee Member Connie Bauer. Poor Bevo got caught in the middle trying to separate the rival Mayors.
The game is scheduled for Saturday, May 1. Doors open at 6 P.M. with the game scheduled to start at 7. There will be refreshments, a 50/50, a Chinese Auction in addition to the fireworks on the gym floor. Bevo will be on hand to meet, greet and sign autographs. One of the items for the auction will be a Bevo autographed basketball. There's even a historic program from the old Turkey Bowls when Wellsville actually played ELO in high school football. Tickets are available from any Committee member or at Air Waves, J.C.s Wellsville Barber Shop and Holly Development. Bangor is attempting to get an East Liverpool ticket location. We'll let you know.
Proceeds from the game benefit Wellsville's Revitalization Committee and the Alley Cat Aid Brigade. The honor to shake hands with Bevo and witnessing the Senior Tigers winning the bragging rights, the $5 bucks a ticket is cheap at twice the price. We can't convince Bevo to play but he will handle the tip-off to begin the game. Both Mayor "Silver Fox" and Mayor Swogger vow there will be no tie scores this time!
ole nib
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