Graford team that finished a hare short in state title run honored

By Libby Cluett
lcluett@mineralwellsindex.com

PALO PINTO – In recognition of their stately efforts, Palo Pinto County Commissioner’s Court adopted a resolution commending the Graford Jackrabbit boy’s basketball team for displaying “both skill and dedication in competing in the semi-finals of the 2008 University Interscholastic League State Boys Basketball Tournament.”

The Jackrabbit boys won district and advanced to the Class 1-A, Division 1 state semifinals in March before losing. According to Coach J.B. Littlejohn, the Graford boys lost by four points after their winning journey.

Coach Littlejohn called the county resolution a “pleasant and honorable surprise. Anytime your kids and can be recognized locally, outside the district, that’s meaningful.”

“It was surprising to have the county take the time from their busy schedule to recognize our players and give us a certificate. It’s a privilege to be recognized by your own county and elected officials,” he said, adding that both County Judge Mike Smiddy and Precinct 2 Commissioner Ed Laney attended their sports banquet.

The resolution commended all involved with the team’s efforts. This included players Colby Green, Grant Finkbeiner, Tyson Heath, Victor Gonzalez, Ian Reedy, Dustin Parker, Tyler Groves, Dustin Snell, Josh Box and James Curtis. It also noted Curtis and Heath as being among 20 students honored by being named as All-State players by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.

Also contributing to the team effort were managers Tanner Hargrove and Clint Nelson, Coach Littlejohn and assistant coaches Derek Wuthrich, Diane Ivy and Calvin Wright.

“The achievement of these young people and their coaches is a high honor and serves as an example for all of the youth of Palo Pinto County,” cited the commissioner’s court resolution.

Competitive basketball has a long tradition in Graford. According to Littlejohn, the boys team made the state tournament in 1965, ’82, ’88, 2000 and this year. He added the girls were state runners up in 1979.

“There’s somewhat of a tradition of making it that far,” he said. “There have been 10 or more times when the boys and girls competed at the regional level.”

“There’s a tradition of boys and girls basketball being good here. There’s an expectation and culture here that revolves around [the sport],” Littlejohn said.

“By time we got to regionals [this year], it was like a family reunion with people from Graford – who lived elsewhere – coming back to watch. It’s a part of their history.”

Two notable college coaches, Billy Gillespie of the University of Kentucky and Samantha Morrow of the University of Texas at Arlington, were both homespun Graford basketball players. Both also contacted Littlejohn when the boys headed to state.

“I received a fax from Gillespie, and Sam came to the regionals [in Arlington] and she called before the Austin game,” he said.

Littlejohn called these efforts by two Division 1 college coaches, “Good coaching stuff.”

In his third year at Graford, Littlejohn admitted during this year’s season, “I was a nervous wreck. I lost about 7 pounds.”

He said the Graford boys played a difficult schedule in their 29-6 season. Eleven teams they played were ranked. “All six losses came to playoff teams. In four of six losses, those teams advanced to their own respective regional tournaments with the other two being playoff-qualifying teams,” Littlejohn said.

“With a number-one ranking in all but three weeks of the season, we had a target on our back all season,” he added.

Although the pressure was great for teenage boys, Littlejohn said, “As a coach, you hope [events like this] carries kids onward in the rest of their lives,” he said.

Even though times change, “There’s still a ball being bounced in Graford driveways,” he said. “It ignites and electrifies the community when our basketball teams are doing well.”

“People took note of how the Graford boys played their games, displaying tremendous character,” he said.

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