What Legends Are Made Of!
Jul 26, 2022 06:17PM ● By Brian L. Fislar
Growing up before the advent of social media may now seem boring to some, without Twitter or Instagram to track our sports heroes, we often looked to local legends to idolize. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the last basketball state championship for our community when the 1972 Chillicothe Pearce Mustangs, coached by the late Tony Blew, brought home the Championship trophy.
Twin superpowers, Alex and Tony Razo, led the starting five. Alex Razo hit the game winning shot with just seconds remaining causing Mustang fans to prematurely rush the court in celebration. They would do so again moments later when the final horn sounded in the tightly fought 58–56 victory. Tony Razo led the scoring for the Mustangs with twenty-two points while setting the record for most free-throws made in a championship game with ten. Mike Rushin, the team’s floor general, added ten points. “We always played such good pressure defense, most teams had a tough time getting it across half court,” recalls Rushin. Mark Mead, a reserve contributor said, “Mike Rushin was our press breaker, he really had the experience with handling the ball for our team.” Starting guard, Jim Thornton, had ten championship game points and recalled the team’s motivation came from Rantoul’s overconfident coach, Hal Summer, who was quoted in the newspaper saying “We’ll blow them off the court. If we can rattle them, we will win it.” Marty Miller completed the starting five and was the leading rebounder for the Mustangs. “At half time of the championship game we had the pep talk of the year. It was Coach Blew’s first year as head coach. We were down by eight and he told us that no team down here could beat us,” says Miller.
Mike Nibbelin, Mustang 6th man in 1972, said, “The championship taught me that effort and execution can lead to success, and ability usually plays a lessor role.” Mustang Assistant Coach Roger Tramel distinctly remembers how methodical the team played during the last few minutes under pressure. Tramel recalled, “It was truly an honor to be associated with these young men and Coach Blew.”
The favorite memory shared by most was being met by the Chillicothe Police and Fire Departments and paraded around town. “We rode all around town waking everyone up, pretty sure it was late,” said Tony Razo. “I remember how exciting the whole week was,” Mead added. “The coach let me ride on the main firetruck with all the starters, it totally completed the experience for me.” The entire town supported the team,” recalled Alex Razo. Jim Thornton, who eventually became an IVC Varsity basketball coach says, “I was fortunate to play AND coach in a State Championship game.” Other team members included Joe Bailey, Jeff Chamberlain, Troy Childers, John Coates, Steve Connor, Mark Gronewald – MGR, Tom Kehr, Brian Lauber, Steve McAllister, Joe McMillan, Mike Vaughn, Chuck Walker, and Keith Williams – MGR.
Twin superpowers, Alex and Tony Razo, led the starting five. Alex Razo hit the game winning shot with just seconds remaining causing Mustang fans to prematurely rush the court in celebration. They would do so again moments later when the final horn sounded in the tightly fought 58–56 victory. Tony Razo led the scoring for the Mustangs with twenty-two points while setting the record for most free-throws made in a championship game with ten. Mike Rushin, the team’s floor general, added ten points. “We always played such good pressure defense, most teams had a tough time getting it across half court,” recalls Rushin. Mark Mead, a reserve contributor said, “Mike Rushin was our press breaker, he really had the experience with handling the ball for our team.” Starting guard, Jim Thornton, had ten championship game points and recalled the team’s motivation came from Rantoul’s overconfident coach, Hal Summer, who was quoted in the newspaper saying “We’ll blow them off the court. If we can rattle them, we will win it.” Marty Miller completed the starting five and was the leading rebounder for the Mustangs. “At half time of the championship game we had the pep talk of the year. It was Coach Blew’s first year as head coach. We were down by eight and he told us that no team down here could beat us,” says Miller.
Mike Nibbelin, Mustang 6th man in 1972, said, “The championship taught me that effort and execution can lead to success, and ability usually plays a lessor role.” Mustang Assistant Coach Roger Tramel distinctly remembers how methodical the team played during the last few minutes under pressure. Tramel recalled, “It was truly an honor to be associated with these young men and Coach Blew.”
The favorite memory shared by most was being met by the Chillicothe Police and Fire Departments and paraded around town. “We rode all around town waking everyone up, pretty sure it was late,” said Tony Razo. “I remember how exciting the whole week was,” Mead added. “The coach let me ride on the main firetruck with all the starters, it totally completed the experience for me.” The entire town supported the team,” recalled Alex Razo. Jim Thornton, who eventually became an IVC Varsity basketball coach says, “I was fortunate to play AND coach in a State Championship game.” Other team members included Joe Bailey, Jeff Chamberlain, Troy Childers, John Coates, Steve Connor, Mark Gronewald – MGR, Tom Kehr, Brian Lauber, Steve McAllister, Joe McMillan, Mike Vaughn, Chuck Walker, and Keith Williams – MGR.
The 116 total combined points for a Lightweight championship game was the second highest at that time, and third highest of all time prior to the introduction of the 3-point line. That is how legends are made!