| One hundred points. College basketball teams now reach the century mark on a fairly regular basis, but back in 1952 this was certainly not the case. Coach William Crouch's Michigan Normal College teams were noted for their run-and-gun style--and lack of defense--but when the Hurons scored big, that meant they broke the 70 point barrier. Normal opened the '52-'53 season by splitting six games, scoring more than 70 points four times. No one was prepared, then, for the offensive explosion when the Hurons met Illinois State in an Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game in late December. The battle between the Hurons and Redbirds centered on a personal duel between two tremendous scorers, Webster Kirksey of Michigan Normal and Bill Sarver of Illinois State. Kirksey resembled an early Lorenzo Neeley. He was only 5'10" but lightning quick with a great leaping ability. He was only a sophomore, but on his way to leading the Hurons in scoring for a second straight year. After his college career ended, Kirksey lit up scoreboards across the country as a barnstorming Harlem Globetrotter. Sarver wasn't much taller but also possessed a magnificent shooting touch. The red headed junior played high school ball with former NBA coach Stan Albeck and would set several school records before he was finished at Illinois State. Both Kirksey and Sarver were talented shooters; this night, one would enjoy the game of his life. Nearly 2,500 spectators filled cozy McCormick Field House to capacity. They saw the Hurons jump out to a 22-16 first quarter lead. Illinois State came back, thought, as Sarver and center Don Richard scored almost at will. The Redbirds flattened the mistake-prone Hurons in the second quarter en route to a 50-39 halftime lead. Redbird Head Coach Pim Goff designed simple scoring plays for Sarver, whose shooting was particularly effective in the first half. Sarver simply crossed the midcourt stripe, used a screen to get open, and let it fly. Many years later, teammate Del Swearingen remembered that, for Sarver, "Today's three point shot would be nothing for him." Kirksey, meanwhile, singlehandedly kept the Hurons within reach. Normally a difficult player to defend, this night Kirksey was virtually unstoppable. At halftime, Kirksey later remembered, an opposing player stopped him on the court. The Huron guard was surprised when the Redbird pointed out a defect in either the basket or backboard that the Hurons would be shooting at in the second half. Whatever the defect was, Kirksey adjusted his jumpshot and stepped into the record books. |
| The Hurons began chipping away at the 11 point Redbird lead. Forwards Stan Tomczyk and Nick Manych provided inside scoring and rebounding support, and at the end of three quarters it was 70-67, Illinois State: anybody's game. The duel continued between the two scor- ing machines. Sarver mechanically hit his long-range bombs but Kirksey was all over the court, scoring from the wing, the top of the key, and on driving layups. He would relate later that he flet like he "could have kicked the ball in" that night. Kirksey finally tied the game at 87 with a minute and a half left but Sarver instantly untied it with two free throws. Kirksey scored on a jump shot. With time running out, Sarver coolly stepped around another screen and scored from near midcourt, giving the 'Birds a 91-89 lead with just seconds remaining. The Hurons quickly pushed the ball upcort to--who else?--Webster Kirksey. He launched a prayer that was answered, falling through the net as the buzzer sounded, sending the game into overtime. In the extra session the two teams were content to commit fouls to keep Kirksey and Sarver from doing any more damage. Michigan Normal hit five free throws but trailed, 99-98, when Sarver scored on yet another rainbow with 1:23 showing on the clock. This time Crouch decided to use Kirksey as a decoy. As the play unfolded, Manych found himself open under the Redbird net. He scored and moments later, Kirksey was fouled at the other end of the court. With the pressure on, Kirksey sank both free throws to ice the 102-99 victory. An unbridled Crouch shouted, "Oh, what a Christmas present!" as his players celebrated on the court. Bill Sarver had a typically fine game, scoring 30 points. The sophomore guard from Saginaw, however, stole the show. Webster Kirksey hit a terrific 22 of 33 shots from the floor, scoring 46 points in one of the most amazing shooting displays in Huron Hardwood History. Return To Huron Hardwood History Dave's Attic |
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| Webster Kirksey |
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| December 20, 1952 Normal, IL Eastern Michigan 102 Illinois State 99 (OT) |