Middie Basketball Players in the Middletown Athletic Hall of Fame
Jim Ratliff, Class of 1990
Jimmy was an outstanding basketball player for the Middies. He was a three year starter on the varsity squad, He was an integral part of 2 GMC Championship teams and one District Championship team. During his senior season, Jimmy averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocked shots per game. As a senior he was selected First Team All GMC, First Team all Southwest District and First Team All-Ohio. He was also selected to Who's Who in Sports. Jimmy was the 1990 Gatorade Circle of Champions Ohio High School Player of the Year and was nominated for the 1990 McDonalds All-American Team. For good measures he played in the Ohio North-South, Ohio vs. Michigan, and Ohio vs. Indiana All Star games and was selected MVP in each game. He ranks 9th on the Middies all-time scoring list with 1,070 points. Upon graduating Jimmy received a basketball scholarship to The Ohio State University and played on 2 Big Ten Championship teams.
Paul Walker
Paul holds the state record for state championships with five (1947, 1952, 1953, 1956, and 1957). His Middie teams made a total of eight trips to the state tournament. He compiled a 564-137 record in 30 years as Middie coach, including 76 straight wins from 1955 to 1958. His 41-year coaching record was 693-163. Paul was named national “Coach of the Year” by the National High School Coaches Association in 1973 and was named to its Hall of Fame. Three times Walker was named “Ohio Coach of the Year” by the Associated Press. Paul helped found the Ohio High School Basketball Association and served as its first president and long-time secretary. Walker is considered the greatest coach in Ohio High School Basketball History.
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Ed "Skeeter" Payne
Skeeter holds the distinction of having on two Middie state championship basketball teams (1952-1953). He played varsity football and held many pass-catching records. Payne played for the South in the annual All-Star Football game. He served as assistant coach in football and basketball and head baseball coach before being named athletic director for MHS. Skeeter was AD for 15 years, helping the Middies implement the Title IX program. He is a member of the Butler County, William Jewell College, and Southwest District Athletic Directors Sports Hall of Fame. Skeeter was named “Southwestern Ohio Athletic Director of the Year” and “Ohio Athletic Director of the Year” in 1987.
Jerry Lucas
Jerry led the Middies to 76 straight wins and two state championships (1956, 1957) and was “Ohio Player of the Year” in 1958. He was a member of Ohio State’s national champions in 1960. Jerry was a three-time all-American and a member of the U.S. Olympic championship team (1960) in Rome. Lucas became National Basketball Association “Rookie of the Year” in 1965 as a member of the Cincinnati Royals. He became the first player in the country to be a member of championship teams at high school, college, Olympic and professional levels. His NBA championship came as a member of the New York Knicks in 1973. Jerry holds the Middie record for career points, averaging 32 points per game during his three seasons. Lucas is a member of the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame. Lucas is also a member of the NBA Inaugural Greatest 50 Players of All Time. Learn more about Jerry Lucas
Shelby Linville
Shelby helped the Middies to two state championships, including the 1945-46 teams that went undefeated. He was a member of the 1946-47 state champs and as a senior made all-Ohio. Linville was an exceptional shooter for a center. He later played for the fabled Adolph Rupp at the University of Kentucky and was a member of the Wildcats’ 1950-51 national champions. Shelby was the team’s second leading scorer with 355 points and had the best free throw average of 75.7. His basket with 17 seconds remaining against Illinois put the Wildcats in the finals against Kansas. Shelby coached high school basketball in Kentucky and Ohio before joining the ministry. He is a member of the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame.
Elmo Lingrel
For 40 years Elmo served as a Middie coach and athletic director, setting the formula for athletic success that lasted a half century. He started coaching in Walla Walla, Wash., after serving the infantry in World War I. Lingrel returned to Ohio to coach at Dayton Stivers and started his Middie career in 1923. His football teams won 149 games and lost only 32, tying 19 other games. His 1934 team went undefeated in 10 games. His 1936 team was undefeated and unscored upon. He also coached Middie Basketball from 1923 to 1929. He is a member of the Otterbein College and Butler County Sports Hall of Fame. Elmo earned 11 varsity letters in sports at Otterbein.
John Fraley
John made his mark as a basketball player with the Middies, earned three varsity letters, was names all-Ohio as a junior and senior, and “Ohio Player of the Year” as a senior. He averaged 29 points as a junior and 30 points as a senior. Fraley twice scored 50 or more points in a game and holds the Middie record with 40 straight successful free throws. John played in the 1968 North-South All-Star Game. He also earned three varsity letters in track and two varsity letters in cross country. John played college basketball at University of Cincinnati and University of Georgia and has coached track and cross country during a long teaching career at Miamisburg High School. Fraley is a member of the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame.
Cris Carter
Cris was all-Ohio in both football and basketball with the Middies and played on the 1983 state tournament team. He earned all-American honors as a wide receiver at Ohio State in 1986. Cris held the OSU record for receptions (168) and touchdown catches (27) and appeared in the Rose Bowl as a freshman. Carter was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1987 and joined the Minnesota Vikings in 1990. He caught an NFL record 122 passes in 1994 and repeated that total in 1995. Cris holds the most Viking records for pass receptions and is listed among the top 10 all-time receivers in the NFL history. He was second team all-NFL in 1995 and set the league record with two or more TD’s in four straight games.
Clarence "Butch" Carter
Butch is third in career scoring in basketball with the Middies. Carter played with the 1976 team that reached the state tournament finals. He was named “Ohio Player of the Year” in 1976. Carter shot the winning basket for Indiana in the 1976 NIT title game. He was co-captain of the Hoosiers as a senior and was drafted in the second round by the Los Angeles Lakers. After six seasons in the NBA he returned to coach the Middies in 1986 and in 1988 was named “Ohio Coach of the Year.” Butch is the only person to win both top player and top coach honors in Ohio. Carter became assistant coach at Dayton and then with the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA before being named head coach of the Toronto Raptors.
Archie Aldridge
Archie earned “Ohio Player of the Year” honors and posted the highest shooting percentage as a senior with the Middies. He is the second all-time leading scorer for the Middies. Archie later became Miami University’s all-time career points’ leader and was the hero in the greatest upset, scoring all the overtime points in beating defending NCAA champion Marquette in the tournament in Indianapolis in 1978. Several times he scored 50 points in a game and averaged 34 points per game as a senior. Aldridge is a member of the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame and the Miami University Sports Hall of Fame.
Merle Wendt
A 1933 graduate of MHS, Merle lettered four years in football and basketball. During the Dayton basketball tournament in 1931, he was named to the second team All-Stars of Southwestern Ohio. According to the 1932 Optimist, he was an iron man on his team, playing throughout every game. Merle not only was captain of the football and basketball teams as a senior, but also served as class president his junior and senior years. At Ohio State in 1934, 1935, and 1936, he was a three-time All-American end and captained the Buckeyes his senior year. He was selected to play in the annual East-West Shrine Game and for the College All-Stars in a 7-0 victory over Green Bay.
Eddie Merchant
A three-sport star who earned varsity letters at MHS, Eddie Merchant played football and basketball and ran track. He was a member of the 1950 basketball team that won the district championship and played in the 1951 North-South All-Star Football Game. Upon receiving a scholarship, he played four years of football at Miami University where he was an outstanding running back. After two years for the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League, he coached football at Cleveland East Tech where he was twice selected Cleveland’s Coach of the Year. He also coached in the annual East-West All-Star Game.
Robert "Bob" Grimes
A 1949 graduate of Middletown High School, Bob Grimes is one of the few Middletown athletes to have earned nine varsity letters—three each in football, basketball, and baseball. As captain of the basketball team and co-captain of the football and baseball teams his senior year, he won first team all-state honors in football and third team all-state honors in basketball. Bob participated in the North-South All-Star Football Game in 1949 and was selected to play for Ohio in the Ohio-Kentucky All-Star Basketball Game. He was a member of Middletown’s 1947 State Basketball Championship team. Bob served as president of the Junior Class, a member of the National Honor Society, and a representative to Buckeye Boy’s State.
Richard "Chick" Boxwell
“Chick” was a member of the 1942 undefeated Middie reserve basketball team. He received three varsity letters in basketball as a center and in baseball as a shortstop. In 1943 the basketball team won the GOL and the district championships and played in the state tournament. After repeating as GOL and district champions in 1944, the basketball squad with “Chick” as captain won the Class A Ohio State Basketball Tournament championship. “Chick” earned all-state honorable mention honors and was selected to the All-Star Five Tournament Team.
Jim Ousley
Jim Graduated from MHS in 1966, earning varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. As a first team All-Ohio quarterback in 1965, he was 16-2 as a Middie starter and rewrote most of the passing records for MHS. A member of the 1966 District basketball champions, he was selected to the league all-star team in basketball and was an all-state baseball player. Jim is a member of the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame.
Owen Lawson
A 1954 graduate, Owen earned three varsity letters in basketball at MHS. As a member of the 1952 and 1953 Ohio State Championship teams, he was a first team all-state tournament selection in 1953 and first team all-Ohio selection in 1954, when he also received the Armco Association Outstanding Player Award, setting a school season scoring record of 435 points. He played for the Ohio All-Star in the Ohio-Kentucky game. Paul Walker said, “Owen would have to rank in the top ten of any All-Star list I picked from all the players I coached in my 30 Years at MHS.”
Paul Johnson
Paul lettered three years in football and baseball and two years in basketball at MHS. A 1953 graduate, he was a member of the 1952 and 1953 State Basketball Championship teams and was selected to the All-Ohio State Tournament second team in 1953. That same year Paul played in the North-South All-Star Football game and for the Ohio All-Star in the Ohio-Kentucky basketball Game. Paul, who also participated in track at MHS, attended Buckeye Boys’ State.
Harold Hursh
A 1953 MHS graduate, Harold participated in football, basketball, and track. His running, passing, and kicking abilities as a quarterback were largely responsible for the undefeated, untied, and unscored upon 1936 season. He was the 1936-1937 basketball team captain, making the All-Ohio State Tournament second team, and was catcher on the 1936 Middletown American Legion baseball team that won the state and area championships. Harold, who is a member of the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame, gave his life for his country when his plane was shot down in World War II during the Wake Island campaign.
Cliff Hafer
Cliff, who graduated from MHS in 1953, played two years of varsity football and won all-state honorable mention honors in 1951. Earning three letters in basketball, he was a member of the 1952 and the 1953 State Basketball Championship teams. In 1953 he was a Middie team captain, a first team all-Ohio and all-state tournament selection, and a second team High School All-American. Cliff Played for the North in the McDonald’s North-South All Star Game. Cliff, who also lettered three years in track, is a member of the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame.
Tom Dillman
A 1953 graduate, Tom earned three varsity letters in football and two letters each in basketball and baseball. He received an honorable mention to the all-state football team and played in the North-South All-Star Football Game in 1953. That same year he received the Paul Walker Award for the Most Improved Player and was selected to the All-Ohio State Basketball Tournament team and the Ohio All-Stars. Tom is a member of the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame.
Robert Cole
Said to have been one of the finest shooters to ever play basketball for the Middies, Bob was a member of the 1955 District Tournament team and the 1956 undefeated Ohio State Basketball Championship team. As a member of the all-district, all-regional, and all-state tournament teams in 1956, he was voted the Most Valuable Player. Bob is a member of the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame.
Don Bolton
A 1946 graduate of MHS who earned three varsity letters each in football, basketball, and baseball, Don was an honorable mention selection to the all-state football team in 1945. In basketball the 1944 team (24-1) won the state championship, the 1945 team (24-1) was state runner-up, and the undefeated 1946 team (26-0) won the state championship. Don is a member of the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame.
Don Barnette
Don, who graduated from Middletown High School in 1952, was co-captain of the 1952 MHS State Basketball Championship team. As a first team member of the Greater League All-Stars and of the All-Ohio State Tournament, he was presented the Armco Association Basketball Trophy for his outstanding play on the 1952 MHS team and was selected to play for the Ohio All-Stars in the Ohio-Kentucky basketball game. Don is a member of the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame and the Black Legends of Professional Basketball Hall of Fame.
Tom Wiley
Tom, a long time Middie supporter, graduated from Middletown High School in 1956. He played basketball and tennis. He was an outstanding on the tennis courts, playing #1 singles his junior and senior years. In 1955 he teamed with his doubles partner to win the Greater Ohio League, the District and State Doubles Championship. In 1956, he once again teamed with his doubles partner to win the GOL and the District Championships. He has served as the President of the Middletown Boosters Club and Chairman of the All American Weekend. He is a member of the 1955 Gold Medal Club, honored as “Middie Man of the Year” during Middie Pride Week, and honored for his contributions made to the South-western District Football Coaches Association.
Paul Walker, Jr.
Paul is a 1964 graduate of Middletown High School. He lettered three years in both football and basketball. He also played baseball and ran track. He was a two year starter in football, not able to complete his senior year because of an injury. He played on the 1962 team that placed 5th in the AP Poll with a record of 9-1. The same year he was selected 1st Team All-Ohio at quarterback. He played the 1964 North-South All-Star Football game in Canton, Ohio. Paul played on the 1962-63 team that went undefeated in the regular season and won the Greater Ohio League and District Basketball Championships. His team was GOL Champions again in 1964 and he was selected to the 1st Team All-League. Paul received the 1964 Armco Basketball Award for his outstanding play.
Robert "Butch" Waldon
Butch graduated in 1963 from Middletown High School, lettering three years in football, basketball, and baseball. He was a member of the 1962 football team that went 9-1 for the season and was rated 5th in the Football State Poll. Butch was selected 1st Team Greater Ohio League, 1st Team All-District, and 1st Team All-Ohio as an end. He received the Armco Association Award for his outstanding play. He graduated holding the MHS pass catching record. He was a member of the 1963 Middie basketball team going undefeated in the regular season and winning the district championship. He was named to the 1st Team GOL in basketball in 1963.
Jim Nein
Jim graduated from Middletown High School in 1963. He was captain of the 9-1 1962 football team on the way to being selected Honorable Mention All-Ohio. In 1961 he was the “Middie Lineman of the Year.” He was a member of the Greater Ohio League All-Star Team in 1961 and 1962. Both years the team tied for the league championship and in 1962 the football team finished 5th in the AP Poll. He also captained the 1962-63 basketball team to an undefeated regular season of 18 wins and no losses and the Greater Ohio League and District Championships. The 1962 basketball team was rated #1 all year in the AP Poll. Jim was the recipient of the Armco Association Award in basketball.
Royner Greene
Royner Greene was a teacher/coach at Middletown High School from 1929-1945. He was the head basketball and baseball coach and taught history and physical education. His basketball teams won 207 games while losing only 76. During his coaching career at MHS he won 7 league titles, 4 District Championships, 2 Regional Championships, and the first MHS State Title in 1944. In 1945 his team was State Runner up. He coached two first team, two second team, and eight honorable mention All-State basketball players during his days at MHS. Coach Greene had two undefeated regular seasons, 1940-41 (16-0) and 1944-45 (17-0).
Robert "Bud" Bierly
Robert “Bud” Bierly graduated from Middletown High School in 1970. After playing on the 1966 Manchester Jr. High undefeated City Championship team, he earned six varsity letters at MHS. He lettered once in football, twice in track, and three times in basketball. As captain of the 1970 basketball team, Bud averaged 24 points and 13 rebounds a game and was the leading free throw shooter. He was given the Mighty Middie Award in 1969. Bud was 1st Team All-Greater Miami Conference in 1969 and 1970 and 2nd team All Ohio in the UPI Poll. He graduated the 3rd leading scorer in Middie basketball history.
Dick Vice
Dick was co-captain of the 1952 Middletown State Tournament Championship Team. During the eight-team tournament he set the following records: most points scored (59), most field goals (23), and most free throws (13). He was selected to the Associated Press All-Ohio 2nd Team and to the 1952 All-State Tournament Team. Dick was a member of the Ohio All-Stars in a game against the Kentucky All-Stars. He was also the table tennis champion of MHS from 1950 to 1952.
Howard L. Schueller
He played basketball and baseball in high school. He was a member of the first Boys State Basketball Championship Team in 1944 and was selected to the State Tournament All-Star Team. Howard led the team in scoring and rebounding during the 1944 season. He was also in the M Letterman Club, participating in Hi-Y, and served on the Optimist Staff. Howard was a member of Middletown Board of Education for 8 years, serving as president 6 years.
Paul K. Lawson
Paul played four years of varsity football and three years of varsity basketball. He played baseball with the American Legion team, since the high school did not have baseball. In 1928, during his freshman year, he was referred to by the Middletown Journal as “a 14 year old wonder.” He served as captain of the football and basketball teams his senior year. The football teams recorded seasons of 9-1, 8-2, 8-1, and 9-1 from 1928-1932. In the 1930-31 basketball season the team was 12-4 and 3-1 in the tournament. While at MHS he was an M Letterman, a member of Hi-Y, and played a trumpet in the band.
Leroy Hardeman
He played football, basketball, and baseball during his high school years. He was selected Honorable Mention All-State in basketball in 1940 and 2nd team All-State tackle in football in 1941. He was a member of the 1941 District Basketball Championship team. The 1939 basketball team was co-champs of the Southern Ohio League and won the league in 1940 and 1941. Leroy was the leading hitter (.434) during the 1941 baseball season. He also led the team in hits, walks, triples, and home runs the same season.
Glenn Barker — 1962:
Barker was another in the long list of Middie basketball greats who played for the legendary coach Paul Walker. He was exceptionally agile and was a perfect fit for the up-tempo style of play the Middies were known for playing. He earned three varsity letters and capped off an outstanding senior season as the Middies leading scorer. Barker was named first team All-G.O.L and first team all-state his senior year.
Billy Crowe — 1961:
Crowe was a three-sport star as a student at MHS and one of the best all-around athletes in Middie history. He earned seven varsity letters during his career — two in football, three in basketball and three in baseball. In football, Crowe excelled as a halfback, quarterback and receiver for Glenn "Tiger" Ellison. In basketball, he was an outstanding shooting guard for Paul Walker. In baseball, he was the ace pitcher for Coach Stan Lewis. In 1960, he pitched a no-hitter and received a full scholarship to Ball State University. His senior year, Crowe was named first team All-G.O.L. in both football and basketball.
Tom Sizer — 1958:
Sizer was a key member of the heralded Middie basketball squads of the mid-'50s. During his career, the Middies ran off a still record 76 consecutive wins and two consecutive state basketball championships. Sizer earned six varsity letters, three each for basketball and golf. His senior season he was named a Parade magazine All-American, second team all-state and played in the Ohio All-Star game, the Ohio/Kentucky All-Star game and the Ohio/Indiana All-Star game. Sizer was also the recipient of a full basketball scholarship to the University of Cincinnati.
Jack Wallace — 1958:
Wallace was another three-sport star for the Middies. He earned two varsity letters in both track and basketball. He played on the legendary basketball teams that won 76 consecutive games and two straight state championships.
Football was Wallace's strongest sport. He received three varsity letters. His senior season he was named team captain, played in the Ohio All-Star game, was named first team All-State as a defensive back and was named an All-American by Scholastic Coach Magazine.
Mark Current
Mark Current was a two sport athlete and one of the top players in Middie Basketball history. He was considered a great shooter who could take over a game with his ability to dominate inside and shoot from long range as well. Current lead the Middies to the state basketball championship finals in 1983 and was the leading scorer and rebounder during that season. Mark Current was an All GMC player in 1982 and 1983, All Ohio Honorable Mention in 1983 and received a full athletic scholarship to Virginia Military Institute. The 6’6 Current is currently fourth on the all time Middie scoring list behind such greats as Jerry Lucas, Archie Aldridge and Butch Carter. He currently resides in Middletown and has several children involved in Middie athletics.
Bob Bush (1948)…
was a member of the 1947 Paul Walker coached Middies state championship team as a junior, and a 2nd team all-state selection as a senior in 1948. A big guard in his time at 6’3”, Bob held the modern era single game scoring record for the Middies, when he went for 28 points in 1948. Bob was inducted into the Middletown Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006 for his efforts on the basketball court, joining teammates Shelby Linville (1948) and Bob Grimes (1949). After school, Bob served in the civil service aspect of the community, retiring from the Middletown Fire Department, and serving as Police Chief for the Lemon Township Police Department.