WINNSBORO – During halftime of a home basketball game on Friday, Dec. 20, Richard Winn Academy celebrated the school’s very first state championship team – the 1974 men’s basketball team.
The 15-man squad, seven of whom were seniors, finished the regular season with a 19-2 record, beating their opponents by an average of 20 points. After losing to Catawba twice in regular season, the Eagles beat them by 23 points at the regional tournament to advance to the Upper State tournament, where they defeated Wardlaw by 4 in the semi-final.
Led by Coach Raymond Gardner, assisted by coaches Larry Waters, Joe Sanders, and Tom Lynn, Richard Winn defeated Clarendon Hall 56-45 to claim the coveted State Championship title.
Team members and coaches of the historic championship team were:
Dan Ruff, who operates his family business, Ruff Hardware, in Ridgeway, is married and has one son. His senior year, Ruff was awarded the Leading Free Throw Award. One memory that stands out to Dan is having to sign a liability waiver after riding in the back of Grady Phillips’ truck from practice in the old Blackstock gym. Grady didn’t want to get blamed for anyone catching the flu!
Dr. Johnny Patrick, a co-captain, is a podiatrist in Spartanburg where he and his wife reared three children. He describes the team as “well-balanced” and steadfast in beating the full court press. Johnny remembers his days well RWA and the investment of hard work and many fundraising events that went into building it.
Fleming McMaster lives in Barnwell County where he owns his own agricultural consulting business and is married to a class of ‘76 RWA alum. They have two daughters. McMaster’s senior basketball season was dampened by emergency surgery, but he remembers the great coaches and enjoyable teammates. One teacher in particular that stands out to him is Dr. Miller with his innate ability for accuracy…most of the time.
Ivey Matthews and his wife operate the family farm in White Oak. He and his wife, who is a current faculty member, have three daughters, all of whom graduated from RWA. He notes that the relationships built at Richard Winn were and are like family.
Warren Beach is an associate professor of pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences at the University of Georgia; he is married and has one child. Beach remembers Coach Gardner as the PE teacher who made non-team members run laps and had the team play basketball. He attributes the cohesive play to the extra time they had on the court during school.
Billy Reynolds led the team as point guard. Reynolds, like most, fondly remembers Coach Gardner’s expression “gee my ninny” and how he pronounced “toonament”. Reynolds is retired from a career in custom home building. He has 3 children, 6 grands, and 3 great grands.
Dale Drew, one of the team’s co-captains, played center and was one of the leading rebounders. He was named Most Valuable Player his senior year. His reputation as an athlete followed him to college where he was recognized by former opponent as “the one that kept blocking my shots!” Drew is married, lives in Rock Hill and has two children and three grands.
John Sullivan lives in Lexington with his wife. They have one son. Sullivan said that back in the day, the school’s athletic banquets were top of the line. He remembers having the opportunity to introduce the banquet’s guest speaker, University of South Carolina’s Head Basketball Coach Frank McGuire. In that introduction, he referred to Coach Raymond Gardner as Gardner Raymond.
Sandy Burns was a junior on the championship team. He is retired and lives with his wife, Brenda, in the Lebanon community of Fairfield County.
Marion Bolick is retired. He and his wife reside in Blair and are the proud parents of two daughters. Bolick was a sophomore on the ’74 team and was a tremendous help under the basket. One of his fondest memories of RWA was being a part of the title team.
Vince Miller, from Little Rock, Arkansas spends his days guiding fishing trips and fishing in tournaments. Miller remembers having to travel to Blackstock for practice because there was no gym at Richard Winn. Because of Vince’s height, Coach Gardner told him to go hard on Warren Beach in practice, who also stood well over 6 feet. Miller is the son of the infamous Dr. Miller.
Paul Gardner traveled from Hilton Head to represent his dad, the late Raymond Gardner, head coach of the team. Gardner was basically a volunteer, serving as girls and boys basketball coach, as well as the school’s softball and baseball coach. His never-ending devotion to Richard Winn is remembered.
Assistant Coaches Larry Waters and Joe Sanders were the calm before the storm – the storm Coach Gardner. While Coach Gardner would be slinging a few “gee-my-ninnies” and turning nearly purple in the face, players could find comfort in the quiet demeanor of Waters and Sanders.
Mr. William DuBard, the school’s headmaster for many years, also spent time coaching this team.
Other team members who were unable to attend were: Keith Collins, Fairfield County; Bill Berzley, Chapin; Al McMeekin, Sarasota, Florida; Rick Powell, The Woodlands, Texas.
The school closed its halftime recognition by sharing a member Powell sent of what Coach Gardner said to the team in their pre-game huddle
“There are a lot of people in the gymnasium that are watching. There are only a few of them that think we will lose. In fact, there are 15 of them and I am looking at them right now. YOU. Tonight, you can face defeat, turn your head, and lose or face defeat and beat the H&^% out this team. We are the top, play like it. You got 30 minutes, 30 minutes you will never see again.”
