Retrospect: Bulldogs captured Big Four tournament

If not for a missed free throw, the Bulldogs may have had to wait another decade for a tournament title.

Forty five years ago this week, the Pennville Bulldogs boys basketball team held off defending Big Four Tourney champion Redkey Wolves, 74-73.

The Dec. 23, 1972, victory was Pennville’s first Big Four holiday tournament title in more than 10 years.

Pennville led 71-68 with 45 seconds to go before Bulldog sophomore Randy Davidson made both of a one-and-one to make it a five-point contest. Redkey senior Mark McIntire trimmed the deficit to three points with a basket at the other end, and with 24 seconds remaining Davidson was sent to the line once again.

The first went through the hoop for a 74-70 Pennville advantage, but missed the second. Redkey got the rebound and McIntire delivered again with a layup. The Wolves snagged the ensuing Pennville rebound with five seconds left and Jack Hammond of Redkey had his potential game-tying shot miss. He got fouled as time expired and was sent to the charity stripe for a chance to send the game into overtime.

Hammond missed the first — securing a Pennville title — and made the second in a 74-73 Redkey defeat.

Pennville knocked off Albany 72-54 in the semifinal, while Redkey upset tournament favorite Dunkirk 74-68 in its semifinal.