(MILAN, Ind.) – As the boy’s high school basketball season ramps up, we thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane.
We all know Milan won the state basketball tournament 70 years ago in 1954.
But, how was it covered by the local newspaper back then? Keep in mind, news traveled much slower in 1954 that it does now.
Milan's historic journey first made the front page of the Batesville Herald-Tribune on March 4 when the Indians repeated as sectional winners.
"The sectional ran pretty true to form with possibly the only upset being the opening game of the tourney in which Sunman defeated Holton," the newspaper reported.
Here is the front page of the Batesville Herald-Tribune on March 4, 1954:
The following week, area people were certainly getting excited about the Milan team.
The newspaper began calling them the "Mighty Men of Milan" and reported about their 'rousing' 46-38 win over the Aurora Red Devils. The win gave the Indians a trip to the semi-finals.
Not everybody was happy about the Milan win over Aurora. Here's what the newspaper said happened after the game:
"Immediately following the game, some wag, evidently an ardent Aurora supporter in the press section dug up the old Brookyln comment 'Just wait til next year!'," the Herald-Tribune reported. "Aurora will return but one player from their lineup next year."
The newspaper added, "To Coach Marvin Wood and his gallant bunch of Indians, we wish the best of luck and hope this year, you go all the way."
Milan advances to the State Semi-Finals:
It was no secret who the writers at the Batesville Herald-Tribune were rooting for in what would presently be the Regional round.
The newspaper reported how the Mighty Men of Milan played with 'coolness and precision' as they beat Montezuma 44-34 and then later topped Crispus Attucks.
The Montezuma game was close as the Indians led 32-30 at the start of the fourth quarter.
"In the final period the Indians used their 'famous cat and mouse' game to their advantage. Playing with cool, calm confidence, the Indians outscored the Aztecs 12-4 to give the Indians a well-earned 44-34 victory.
The Indians turned their attention to Attucks who was led by a player named Oscar Robertson.
Milan trailed at the end of the first quarter but outscored Attucks in the final three periods to win the contest.
"Bob Plump was the big boy in the Milan scoring with 28 points while Robertson led the Attucks with 22," the Herald-Tribune reported.
The newspaper added a little editorial after hearing the Indianapolis media had listed Milan as underdogs.
"It might have been a surprise for Marion County but as far as Ripley County, and especially the Milan fans, it was no surprise."
Here is the cover of the Batesville Herald-Tribune from March 18, 1954:
After defeating Gerstemeyer, the Indians were set for a championship game against the much larger Muncie Central Bearcats.
How about this incredible foreshadowing of what would come years later... This was very first sentence from the Herald-Tribune's coverage of Milan's championship win.
"Hollywood could not have filmed a more dramatic spectacle than the setting in the fourth quarter of this, the bluest of blue ribbon classics," the Herald-Tribune wrote.
Milan and Muncie were deadlocked at 26-26 at the start of the final period.
"Now with minutes remaining the Indians had returned the ball to mid-court and suddenly they were motionless as Plump held the ball," the newspaper reported.
With about 4 minutes remaining, the newspaper noticed Plump look over to Coach Wood who held up three fingers.
"You could almost hear [Ray Craft] whisper to [Plump] that he wants you to hold the ball until there's only minutes left, and then we'll make our move," the newspaper said.
A timeout was called and the players were huddled around the coaches.
"You just know what Coach Wood was telling his boys, hold onto that ball until you see the whites of that net," the paper reported.
Milan was leading 30-28 when Muncie his a game-tying score which sent the Butler Fieldhouse into a 'madhouse.'
"Milan brought the ball back, working for one shot and with eighteen seconds left, called time. The score was 30-30.
Here is a clipping from the newspaper about what happened next:
The Milan Indians were crowned state champions, in front of an arena of 14,00 fans!
The newspaper added that their reporter found out during the game that Plump was awarded the coveted Arthur L. Trester Medal for Mental Attitude, however, was not allowed to mention it until the game was over.
"This was the first time during the history of the award that it was given to a member of a winning team," the Herald-Tribune reported.
The newspaper added that Plump maintained a "B" average in school.
Little did the Batesville Herald-Tribune know at the time, but the Milan Miracle would inspire the movie 'Hoosiers'. The last paragraph of their report read:
"This is the story of the 1953-54 basketball season, a story that will be told and retold in the years to come and whose memories will be fondly cherished."
"So, to Coach Wood and the his assistants, to the Mighty Indians themselves, and to the fine basketball fans of Milan we extend our sincerest congratulations on the winning of this State Title and say: "It couldn't happen to nicer people."
Here is the Batesville Herald Tribune on March 25, 1954 and we added some other treats from that newspaper as well:
The two other photos that were in that edition:
Here's some advertisements found in the newspaper at the time (Click photo to expand):
Comments