CHS "Basketmen" of 1921

In December 1920, just six years after basketball was introduced at Cuba City High School, fifteen young men showed up for practice to be a part of the school's 1920-1921 team. [1] The team photo below suggests that that number may have shrunk as the season progressed. The squad was coached by attorney J. W. Murphy, Jr., who practiced law with his father in Platteville and Cuba City, and later served as Cuba City's city attorney.

Cuba City's 1920-1921 basketball team, photographed in their new uniforms at the end of their season. Back row: Charlie Schuh, Veryle Scott, Mr. Murphy, Robert Nelson, Hipe Winn. Front row: Will Ahern, Bob Peacock, John Harris. Photo courtesy of Rachel Butts. Player identification from the "Remember When" DVD put together by Beanie Loeffelholz and the City of Presidents.

The team played at the Auditorium above the former Ford Garage (109 North Main St.), which was more spacious than the school gymnasium but presented new challenges in the form of three metal roof trusses located at the center and free-throw lines. [2]

Advertisement for a basketball game played at the Auditorium on March 4, 1921. Published in the Cuba City News-Herald (March 4, 1921).

As the basketball held in the team photo attests, these athletes had a rather successful season and were "Platteville Runners Up," earning second place after being defeated by Platteville High School in a sectional tournament in March 1921. The Cuba City News-Herald commended the team: "Coach Murphy and his crew of doughty basketmen deserve great credit for the fine showing they made." [3]

The season did not end without controversy, however. After finishing third place in the Platteville sectionals, Monticello went on to successfully challenge both the Platteville and Cuba City teams' eligibility, resulting in Monticello representing the region at the state basketball tournament. The Platteville team was cited for having a player over the age limit and, according to the Lancaster Teller, Cuba City was also disqualified "because the school had hired a professional coach." [4] Cuba City newspaper editor W. H. Goldthorpe remarked, in disgust, that "the whole business looks like a 'fake' from start to finish." [5]

Cuba City would have to wait two more years before reaching its first state basketball tournament.

[1] "High School Notes," Cuba City News-Herald, December 10, 1920, 1.

[2] Edward J. O'Neill, Cuba City Centennial: 100 years, 1875-1975 (Cuba City, Wis.: Cuba City Centennial Committee, 1975).

[3] "Cuba City Gets Second," Cuba City News-Herald, March 18, 1921, 1.

[4] "P. H. S. Team Ruled Out State Basketball Meet," Lancaster Teller, March 29, 1921, 1.

[5] "Platteville Shut Out," Cuba City News-Herald, March 25, 1921, 1.