Carver Challengers

Students maintaining the tradition at Carver include (front, from left): Carissa Byears, Erica Munoz, Chi’maine Allen, Sabrina Folkes, Melina Andarcia and Fatima Gonzalez. Back, from left: Eric Avila, Damontez Pendleton, Deshawn Delaney, Delvoy Folkes and Clemente Chaidez.
(Jean Lachat/Sun-Times)

February 3, 2009 BY TAYLOR BELL

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TOP SPORTS MOMENTS

Pete’s 90

1. On Feb. 18, 1950, sophomore Darius ‘‘Pete’’ Cunningham put Carver on the map by scoring 90 points against Morgan Park. Only one other player in Illinois history scored more — Cathedral’s John Battle scored 91 vs. Roycemore in 1979. Cunningham made 35 of 47 shots and 20 of 30 free throws. He averaged 35 points during the season.

Cazzie’s statement

2. Led by Cazzie Russell and Joe Allen, coach Larry Hawkins’ 1961-62 basketball team (28-5) won its first Public League title by spoiling Marshall’s bid for a fifth city crown in a row, then beat St. Patrick to advance to the state finals. They upset Centralia and McLeansboro. But despite Russell’s 24 points, they lost to Decatur 49-48 in the state championship game.

Smedley’s shot

3. Carver (28-5) avenged its loss in 1962 by stunning top-ranked Centralia 53-52 for the state championship in 1963 in one of the most exciting finishes in tourney history. Anthony Smedley, a 5-7 sophomore, came off the bench in the closing seconds, stole the ball and made the winning shot. Joe Allen had 18 points and 17 rebounds, and Ken Maxey scored 18.

Yolanda’s records

4. Yolanda Griffith was one of the best athletes in state history. As a junior in 1987, she hit .682 and set a state record for extra-base hits in softball. As a senior in 1988, she scored 42 points against Robeson in the Public League basketball quarterfinals, then had 39 points and 17 rebounds in a 62-60 loss to Young in the semifinals. She still plays in the WNBA.

Public League finalist

5. Carver’s boys basketball teams reached the final of the Public League playoffs in 1985 and 1995. Coach Robert Walters’ 1985 team, led by Tim Hardaway and Wade Jenkins, was 22-8 but lost to Simeon 65-54 in the city final. Coach Don Pittman’s 1995 squad, led by Nick Irvin and Marcel O’Neal, was 29-2 but lost to Farragut 71-62 for a berth in the Elite Eight.

WHAT CARVER MEANS TO ME

By Cazzie Russell: The Player of the Year and No. 1 pick in the 1966 NBA draft has been head coach at Savannah (Ga.) College of Art and Design (NAIA) since 1996.

When I was growing up in Altgeld Gardens, baseball was my first love. But when I enrolled at Carver, my life changed. A tall gentleman named Larry Hawkins found me in a physical education class and said I might grow to 6-5 — I was 6-foot or 6-1 at the time — and I should learn to play basketball.

One day, he asked three of us to stay. I wondered what I’d done. He wanted us to shoot baskets and drive for layups. I took it seriously. I wanted to make every shot. Afterward, he asked me to come out for the team. The rest is history.

Coach Hawkins taught me fundamentals, shooting. I was shooting the ball in front of my face. He also taught me stretching and lifting exercises to make me stronger. And he taught us square dancing for timing and rhythm, and how important footwork is in today’s game. He taught us discipline, accountability and responsibility. We had to go to class or we couldn’t be on the team. He taught us more refined forms of discipline, like not giving teachers a hard time, establishing priorities and getting our work done. It paved the way for my education later on.

Other teachers at Carver helped me, too. Mr. Smith helped me to pronounce words properly and got me into plays, like Raisin in the Sun. Mr. Richey, who taught in the auto department, always stood at the door during games and encouraged me. He said: ‘‘No. 24, it’s time to go to work.’’

Russell Alexander set the tone for me in sixth and seventh grade. Miss Glenn helped me in math. And William McQuitter, who taught baseball, softball and basketball. All of them prepared me for my education. They got me ready to meet people, taught me how to talk, laid a foundation for me.

My mother and father taught the spiritual side. They taught the word, to love the Lord, to put trust in Him, to never get into trouble and learn to be respectful of elders.

NOTABLE ALUMNI

• Joe Allen: Bradley basketball Hall of Fame.

• Darion Anderson: NIU basketball player.

• Jason Avant: Philadelphia Eagles WR.

• Terry Cummings: Former DePaul, NBA player.

• Yolanda Griffith: Current WNBA player, two-time Olympic gold medalist.

• Tim Hardaway: Former NBA player.

• Nick Irvin: Two-time All-State basketball player, current Morgan Park coach.

• Gerry Jones: Former college basketball player.

• Sylvester Jones: First African-American assistant director, U.S. Marshal.

• Cliff Kelley: WVON radio talk show host.

• Reggie Lewis: Former college football player.