Laying the foundation

The Patriots are in pursuit of their 18th sectional title and the first in 15 years.

But it all had to start somewhere for the Patriots. And the team and school will honor those that paved the way.

For the 50th anniversary of the opening of Jay County High School, the Patriots will honor those from the very first basketball team in school history on Saturday during their matchup with the Blackford Bruins.

“From an athletic department, all of our teams, we want to celebrate that 50th mark of the first teams and the establishment of Jay County,” said JCHS athletic director Alex Griffin. “We have a few of the coaches … some of the players … they are going to come out and be recognized. They’re going to come and spend some time … show them where the school is today and take a few minutes at halftime to bring them out and recognize them.” 

Prior to the 1975-76 school year, there were five high schools that all got consolidated into Jay County High School.

The Patriots didn’t have the prettiest season to start with as students from Bryant, Dunkirk, Pennville, Portland and Redkey went from county rivals to playing for the same team.

“It wasn’t as difficult as you’d think it would be,” said former freshman coach Ted Habegger. “I think they developed a team unity and so forth. … It was kind of amazing to me how the whole school was able to mesh together and become Jay County.”

The Patriots had some ups and downs throughout the year. While they managed to win their holiday tournament in which they hosted South Adams, Bluffton and Bellmont — the Braves were undefeated to that point in the season — they only managed to finish the season with an 8-12 record.

They started to click toward the end of the season.

Back then, Jay County hosted the sectional tournament that included the Monroe Central Golden Bears, the Union City Patriots and the Winchester Community Golden Falcons. The Patriots rolled through MCHS in the first round and beat the Indians to claim their first sectional championship in the school’s first year in existence.

JCHS wasn’t done there, but continued on to the regional at New Castle and upset Tri in the semifinal before eventually falling to Richmond in the final.

“Winning the sectional championship was the most memorable,” said Dean Theurer, a senior from the first JCHS boys basketball team. “I never had that opportunity before. Growing up, that was always a big thing, the sectional championship and the pride of the school.

“Then I’d always heard about New Castle’s gym, but had never been in anything like it. … Getting to play at New Castle and the packed gym is the highlight I can remember.”

That first Patriots team set the standard and paved the way for Jay County. Since the 1975-76 season, the Patriots have won another 16 sectional titles, won one regional championship and participated in one state tournament game.

“I think it was important because all the county schools used to play the sectional at Blackford because they had a bigger gym,” Theurer said. “When they built Jay County High School, they made sure the gym was a little bit bigger. … I think coming together for the new school, we were all kinda united.”

Due to a variety of factors such as health problems and distance — some of the members of the first team live in Florida, Texas, North Carolina and other states — there will only be three players, two assistant coaches and the cheer coach in attendance. Theurer and Frank Vormohr both still live in Portland, while Brian Grady plans to travel down from Cleveland.  

Assistant coaches Habegger and Randy McGriff — they were assistants and freshmen coaches back then — are also planning on being in attendance. McGriff’s wife, Nancy, was also the cheer coach.

Along with the first Jay County basketball team being in attendance on Saturday, JCHS will host the Patriot youth basketball teams.

The past, present and future of the Jay County Patriots will all be at the game.

“One of the funnest things that I get to do, one of the things that brings me the most joy … is I’m working, doing something on the floor and I look up and it’s just 20, 30, 40 kids just watching,” Griffin said. “Just watching as a spectator, or as a school, there’s no better feeling because that is our future.

“We’re getting people in the right places and they’re starting to see that buzz is there. I think constantly showing these kids, this is what our program is, these are the people, we want to recognize you and show you what it’s like to be a Patriot.

“We want to recognize those people from our past too and to show these kids, it doesn’t go away.”

The Patriots will look to take down a one-loss Blackford team and grow closer to a squad that can claim a sectional championship. But for at least a portion of the day, the attention will be turned away from the right now to focus on those that came before the current Patriots.

“I’m pleased that they think it’s a big priority to keep our history and so forth,” Theurer said.