Lipan Indians: Region 2 Semifinalist. Guys . . . . . WONDERFUL SEASON. We are PROUD OF YOU!!!! The TRADITION lives on!

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Below: Jerry Blogger Vestal (SHS '65 SMU '69), Bobby Wilson (LHS '54  TTU '58), Ned Underwood (Wild Jam's coach)(SHS '53 TTU '57).  Maxine Dunning Wilson  and Polly Yandel Underwood were there too.  These two couples lived together at Tech while Bobby and Ned starred for the Red Raiders.  Small world! One of their best memories - losing by one point to nationally ranked #3 SMU up at Wichita, Kansas.  They called themselves the Firehouse Five! They were shorthanded that game and suited up their manager!

Speaking of TRADITION - James Addison (LHS '50, TAM '54) star on one of P.T. Dunning's teams, he took these pictures in Abilene. In between he flew USAF jets and raised cattle.   Thanks again, James!

More TRADITION to reflect on, Maxine Dunning (Wilson) (LHS '54) is a Lady Indian considered one of Lipan's most outstanding.  Eventhough she wasn't able to pursue college ball, she is placed in the same great player category as Debbie Lou Howard (Williams),  Amber Tate (Branson),  Amber Williams and (who else? or next!). Maxine and Debbie Lou played in the era of 6 on 6 with 3 girls on each end of the court.  (Beginning in 1958 the Office of Civil Rights started looking at banning six-on-six high school girls basketball. The "modern era" in Texas playing full court began in 1979. (Wikipedia and other)(Not-so-trivia stumbled on: in 1976 Debbie Lou Howard scored 65 points in a game & that was before the 3-point shot! She is 20th in the Texas record books.)

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Then there is P.T. Dunning (Maxine's father) Lipan coach, bus driver and superintendent!  He first coached in the 1920's and continued at various schools returning to lead again in Lipan in the 1940's.  The oldest LHS ball picture that the blog has is:

This photo comes from Lipan historian Tim Sears. Tim and my wife's mother, Jo Ator, worked/guessed at identifying the players, but more help is needed.

Back row: 1L Eugene Campbell but maybe a Whorton (said Horton), 3L Woodrow Williams, 4L Coach Artis Burke, 5L Coach P.T. Dunning, 7L J. Woodrow (Squeek) Wilson, 8L Orvil McCauley. Front Row: 2L Ross Ator, 5L Hank Ownbey, 6L Delieth Petty, 7L Mack Rippetoe, 8L Loyd (Pedro) White.  

Squeek Wilson's son Bobby and P.T. Dunning's daughter Maxine were there yesterday watching the Lipan Indian traditions continue! 

On this Sunday morning following the regional tournament loss to the Grady Wildcats, the community of Lipan Country and its fans give thanks! They are proud of their Indians!