1952 Montezuma Aztecs gather at Daphne for reunion

When Bill Martin took over the basketball program at Montezuma High School in the 1945-46 school year, it was at best an innocent looking move.

On the contrary!

The next seven years would produce one of the most amazing runs in boy’s basketball in the state.

During those seven years, 1946-1952, Martin’s teams reached the Class C state finals six times, with state championships in 1948 and 1950 to go along with four runner-up finishes.

The last of those seven teams, the 1952 Aztecs, gathered on June 27 at Daphne Lodge near Lake Blackshear to relive those amazing high school moments.

The 1952 team didn’t win the state championship, losing 53-52 in overtime to unbeaten Stilson.

Still, there are those who believe this might have been Martin’s best team. It was a well-balanced team of experience and youth, with seven seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and one freshman making up the squad.

Of the 14, five have passed away, and the remaining nine and their spouses ere all there for Thursday’s reunion.

Most of them still live in the Montezuma area. The exception is Tommy Hurdle, who lives in Memphis.

John Williams, who was a junior on the 1952 team, put the reunion together, and was delighted that all of the surviving members were able to attend.

On that 32-8 team, and in attendance were seniors Carl Peaster (Montezuma), Tommy Hurdle (Memphis), Jimmy Taylor (Cordele), juniors John Williams (Perry), Judson Allen (Montezuma) and Ben DeVaughn (Tifton), sophomores Buddy Liggin (Montezuma) and Eian Fowler (Cordele) and freshman Harry Fisher (Dawson).

The group recognized and honored the deceased members, seniors Calvin Porch, Bobby Pike, Richard Hurdle and Merrill Deal, along with junior Harold Guest.

Coach Martin was also recognized, with remarks by several of the team members emphasizing and stressing the important part Coach Martin played in their lives, both on and off the court.

HHJ News