By FRED SWIFT
On Saturday night, Carmel High School will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the CHS basketball season which ended with the Greyhounds’ first appearance at the state tournament final game.
Carmel finished that season as state runner-up to undefeated East Chicago Roosevelt in a game played at the storied Butler (now Hinkle) Fieldhouse. CHS was coached by Bill Shepherd who died last year at age 91.
Several members of the 1970 team will attend Saturday’s game when Carmel hosts New Castle. They include David Shepherd the state’s top scorer and Indiana Mr. Basketball that year.
The late Eric Clark was assistant coach and seven years later, as head coach, would lead Carmel to the state championship over another East Chicago team, the Washington Senators.
Two members of the 1970 team, Randy Ludlow and Scott Odom, are deceased. Other members were Dean Ransom, Greg Cline, Bob Thornberry, Bill Yde, Steve Wilson, Dave Scott, John Gradle, Gary Duke and Gary Duryea.
Saturday’s home game starts at 7:30 p.m.
