When the Big Green Rolled

"When the Big Green Rolled"

"When the Big Green Rolled" was about a small town high school basketball team winning the West Virginia State championship. It took place in a small town called Newell, West Virginia, and the basketball team was from Newell High School. People in Newell were hard workers and reflected that onto the basketball team. The athletic community in Newell was very strong and enthusiastic. In the state championship game, Newell played the Gasoway High School Elks and won.

Newell High School was coached by John Robinson, but the players referred to him as Robbie. According to the players, he was a good coach, but a tough teacher. Coach Robinson wanted the players to live by a good moral code. He required that the players attended church on Sundays, regardless of what religion they were. They were taught act maturely and be good role models. They had a 10 o'clock curfew and were not allowed to do things any of the younger kids weren't and only what the adults though was acceptable.

Because of their defense, the Newell High School basketball team was very successful. They switched from man-to-man to zone and then back to man-to-man defense during games. The big green's highest scorer was Ron Leneve. He was also the second leading scorer in the state. In just one game, he shot sixty four points and only missed three baskets throughout the game. The big green pretty much depended on him to be the offense of the team.

The Big Green went into the championship games against the Elks with a record of 16-3. The losses came from their archrival, the Chester High School Panthers, and two from the rival high school, Wellsville. The championship game was played in Morgantown. Game after game they had the community's support, and this game in particular was a full house. One of the great things about Newell, West Virginia was that there was such a strong athletic community. Before the game, people talked about how Newell should be playing in a bigger school conference because they were just too good for the small schools. Newell ended up defeating the Gasoway Elks 56-39. When the players and coaches returned to Newell, people lined the streets waiting for them. Instead of going to school the next day, a parade was held for the champions. This win was a huge deal to the town and school of Newell, West Virginia and