LOUDONVILLE — Two Ashland County high school basketball teams got a history lesson over the weekend.
The Black River Pirates and the Loudonville Redbirds faced off in the historical Hoosiers gym, home of the fictional Hickory Huskers from the 1986 flick “Hoosiers” featuring Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper.
The 101-year-old, 600-seat facility — which remains as a museum — stays true to the film and is located in Knightstown, Indiana, just off I-70 east of Indianapolis.
The gym, adorned with memorabilia from the film, can be rented. That’s exactly what coaches Jim Bates and J.R. Wilson did for the Dec. 3 game.
“When I got the job at Loudonville, I knew coach Wilson through my son (Tyler Bates). So he brought up about playing out there, and I thought it was a great idea,” Bates said.
Bates, hired in June 2021, took over from Kelly Seboe, who stepped aside as Loudonville boys coach after 12 seasons to spend more time with his family.
Black River defeated Loudonville 72-51 in the contest. But the final score didn’t matter as much as the bonding that took place over the weekend and the experience the venue provided, he said.
“No matter what you’re doing in basketball, you have to have some fun or it’s not worth doing,” Bates said.
Loudonville Athletic Director Tyler Bates is glad the Redbirds got the opportunity to make the trip, despite the outcome of the game.
“For anyone who plays basketball, you’re familiar with Hoosiers. It’s a classic movie in our country. So it was a tremendous opportunity. It was a great experience for our boys,” Tyler Bates said.
Jim Bates said the Hoosiers Gym allowed him and the other coaches to relish a time period in basketball that no longer exists with larger, well-lit arenas — and spread that appreciation to the youngsters.
“I’m working really hard to get the program on it’s feet. Well, to do that you need to have some fun,” he said.
The Hoosiers gym is small. Underscoring this is the absence of a center timeline. Players had to cross a line similar to where they volleyball line is on modern courts to avoid a 10-second violations. To adjust, the Redbirds practiced playing 5-on-5 at the home gym by playing on a sideways court.
“I tried to get them lined up for that. I don’t know if that helped or not — it was still a fun experience,” he said.
The Redbirds had around 12 or 13 turnovers, Bates said.
“You’d like to get below double figures. The two teams were evenly matched. We were a little worried about the over-and-back lines, that never happened to either team. They both got after it on defense to speed up the teams,” he said.
Being at the historic gym took Bates back, having coached at Orrville, Smithville and Wooster before landing the job at Loudonville.
“On those old courts, you’re right on the court. I just can’t imagine how loud that gym would have been fully packed. When they’re screaming and it’s standing room only all along the walls? I could see where that would be a true home court … it was a cool period to just show (the team),” he said.
The Redbirds (0-2) host Kidron Central Christian on Friday for the team’s first conference game.
