66 NCHS Rams
From 6-12-14
The 1966 Newton County seniors set a four year school basketball that is likely to stand for a long time. Wayne Hall, Bob Richardson, and Steve Smith's 4 year record of 131 wins and only 9 losses is amazing. During this period they never lost a home game as they added 68 wins to what later became a national record. Great teams not only in Georgia, but from other states wanted to be the team that ended the long streak. Their teams had 14 different championships which included a State Title and a state 2nd place finish. they were always ranked 4th or higher in the state's top 10 poll.The 1967 seniors actually won the same number of wins, 131 in their 4year career, but had 11 losses. Yogi Wilkerson and Eddie Hinton were the two seniors on those teams.This was during a period when it was a unique honor to put on a Ram uniform. The players were easily recognized as they wore one pound ankle weights most of the year. The training required such an effort that a player was never cut from the team. If a young man did what was required, he made the team. The spring, summer, and 8 weeks of fall practices were well organized to insure that the players were fundamentally sound and, well disciplined, and someone special. An administrator came to me one time and wanted to complain and said," your players think they are something special!" My answer was," yes we work hard to make them special." I always thought that every person should think they are special. Everything about the program was 1st class in the way they dressed, the way they traveled, the meals before and after games, and the places they stayed on overnight trips they took. The school body and local community thought nothing was too good for the boys that brought much pride to their community. Sheriff Odum escorted the team bus and stood guard at most all of the sell out games. You can be assured that Mayor Harris and any other important person were always in their seats at tip-off time. Wayne Hall was one the greats that led the Rams as he won numerous honors including being named All State two times. Wayne reminded his coach several times he only played in 7 losses as he was out with an ankle injury in losses to Griffin and Athens. Those losses were reversed later in the season with Wayne in the lineup. Bob Richardson was a small guy when he started out in our program, 7 or 8 inches later he was a big guy. Many thought I was playing favorites with Bob on the team,but his teammates knew better. (His dad was the County School Superintendent.) One day when he was late again his mother asked him why he was always late, and he said," Coach Bradley won't let me leave until he wins" Bob loved to play shooting games in which he was very good. The All Stater was always very respectful and well disciplined and it showed later when the town had a 45 year reunion for the team. Bob was with a group and he saw his high school coach coming, and he said, "I hope Coach doesn't tell us to run." One of the others said, "what are you going to do if he tells you to run?" Bob said,"I'm going to run." Steve Smith probably never got the recognition he deserved. He was an ideal teammate and well respected. If an award for the best effort in my 50 year coaching career was given, Steve Smith would have to be near the top. Steve caused me to do a lot of soul searching as he was an outstanding player and a great competitor, but he always played on teams that were loaded with talent. I had many lesser talented teams when I wished I had a Steve Smith, he would have been an all star as he led us. There must be something to be gained when you help hold a team up, instead of standing at the top. Steve has been a very successful business man, with a great family. In fact, all these three men have been very successful in their lives. They all are special!
