Farmersville Wildcats Look Back In Time
Farmersville, OH (July 23, 2004) It was the season of 1955-56 when the Farmersville Wildcats drove their way through their regular season for a second place in their league and then traveled their way into the district tournament.
The Wildcats had recently switched coaches that year after head coach Bill Rentz retired and John Townsely stepped in to fill his shoes. Townsley led the team to a 19-7 record before the district tournament.
Just that year, Farmersville finished in a second-place tie in Montgomery County League play and also took second place in the tournament.
The team consisted of Emerson Focht, Mike Howard, Charles Kerns, Dane Kingrey, Darrell Erisman, Bob Oldfather, Harold Shell, Bradley Stiver, John Brower, Dale Bowser, Fred Mendenhall and Paul Leatherman.
Before playing their district seed, West Elkton, Farmersville had to take out rival Brookville. And they did, 52-44. That win is what gave the Farmersville Wildcats the Consolation title.
Now it's time for a little game recap to refresh everyone's memory. Things started off a little slow for the Wildcats as they were down by twelve points but came back one basket at a time, or should I say back-to-back baskets.
Brookville had a nine-point lead in the second half, but Farmersville came back when Marvin Hoops hit a basket and free thrown before Ralph Bartley hit a jump shot, which was followed up by a Hoops lay-up. Then right before the buzzer went off Clark made another lay-up to make the score 26-23.
The third quarter was tight on both ends of the court, as the Wildcats only scored 11 points and held Brookville to ten. Then it happened, in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats came on strong offensively and defensively scoring 18 points to the Blue Devils eight. The game ended 52-44 and the Wildcats moved into districts.
Things were moving at a fast pace that season, but all good things have to come to an end and they did during the West Elkton game.
The court was covered with the flu that the night of March 1, 1956. Hoops and Brad Stiver were both sick, but still saw some playing time. Even with the downside of the flu, the Wildcats put on a great show. The score was tied 11 times and the lead alternated a total of 14 times.
Hoops, Stiver and Ralph Bartley moved the score up to 64-67 with less than a minute remaining in the game and then Mike Howard soon hit another shot to make the deficit only one.
Time was a huge factor, so Farmersville fouled in the process of trying to obtain possession, but their opponent, Don Crawford, only made on of two baskets. Farmersville had the chance to take the lead back and win, or tie the game, but under pressure the next shot was missed and they Wildcats fell.
The Farmersville squad was too determined to give up, but sadly the clock ran out and they had to accept the 68-66 loss.
Hoops recorded 24 points, Bartley had 14 while Clark and Stiver recorded 10 during the big game.
Another highlight of the Wildcats season was their 42-28 win against their friendly rival Germantown. It was the Cardinals first loss in league play.
It was a good season for Farmersville (19-8), as was it for the Germantown Cardinals who went 13-7. Both these schools made Valley View what it is today and you can see by the basketball records alone, that both of these areas had/have exceptional athletes.
Congratulations to the 1955-56 Wildcat team for their accomplishments throughout the season.
