Last week’s column focused on Tim Dominey’s storied basketball accomplishments. During our conversation he emphasized the contributions of teammates and coaches. He said his game was much better because of them.     

Tim especially wanted to acknowledge players from his days at Vienna High School, along with their legendary coach, Glenn Cassell. I promised to spread some credit later. 

There’s not enough room to list everyone, so I’m naming the starters from his senior year plus two high-impact players from before. The other four on the floor in the 1967-1968 season were Tommy “Moose” Mason, Carl Forehand, Ronnie Walton, and Wayne Nelson. Senior Walt Stone and junior Mike Cason were standouts when Tim joined the starting five his sophomore year. 

Reverend Tommy Mason lives just up the road, so I stopped by one afternoon. Decades ago he transitioned from the insurance business to ministry. I had expressed doubts that such an abrupt change was possible, suggesting an intermediate career might be appropriate. He was similarly skeptical of my switch from car sales to banking.  

Tommy and Tim were classmates from third grade through graduation. They shared many experiences on and off the court. “Basketball,” said Tommy, “was fun all the time, even practices except perhaps the line drills.” Football, however, he considered enjoyable on Friday nights.

When I asked Tommy about playing alongside Tim, he noted how generous his friend was with the ball. Like the other players, Tim shared a team-centered focus on winning, a philosophy instilled by their coach. 

In their senior year Vienna High lost the state championship game to Wilcox County. The teams had met five times that season with Vienna winning three and Wilcox two. Their sixth matchup was decided in the final seconds. Tim had made a smiling confession earlier he missed a shot at the end that would have given Vienna the win.  

Coach Glenn Cassell’s Training Rules were mentioned by both Tim and Tommy. Moose has a mimeographed copy of the handwritten sheet from the 1965-1966 season. On the bottom is Tommy’s signature, leaving no room for misunderstanding. Five numbered points are followed by a short admonition.   

“Go to church on Sunday. No smoking, drinking, or cussing. Be in bed by 10 on week nights and 11 on weekends. No eating between meals. Goal – Win State Championship. Team – Love one another.”

The rules were nonnegotiable. Tommy relayed a story from Hardy Tippett, a 1957 graduate who played for Coach Cassell. Hardy was dating Alice Ambrose who lived on U.S.41 in Richwood. He would leave her house well before 11 p.m. to make sure he wasn’t seen after hours.

Requiring church attendance wouldn’t be allowed today. Dictating behavior could infringe on someone’s rights. Bedtime curfews and restrictive menus are probably unacceptable too. The goal of winning might be okay, if we take the other four away. “Love one another,” would likely be alright unless the source was referenced. It was a different era.

There’s no way to adequately thank or even recognize those who contributed to Tim Dominey’s basketball successes. Besides those mentioned there are scores of unnamed players, friends, and supporters deserving of accolades. So here’s a parting thought. Whatever role we are destined to play, success is best measured by those we help along the way.

As I was about to leave Tommy’s home, I mentioned Tim’s remark about the missed shot. Tommy remembers the scene well. “The ball hit the front of the rim and ricocheted like a bullet toward Al Crenshaw. He took it down court as Ronnie Walton pressed him tightly. Al made a looping throw, sort of a hook shot, which put Wilcox ahead. The clock showed two seconds. It wasn’t enough time.” 

Tommy then offered a telling perspective on that once-somber moment. “But,” he said with emphasis before pausing briefly, “do it again and I’d give Tim the ball. I’d give him the ball every time in that situation.”        

Tim said his game was much better because of his teammates and coaches. Each of them would no doubt say the same of him. The young hoopsters of Vienna High embraced Coach Cassell’s strict rules and lofty goal and it served them well. Sharing credit for what they achieved comes natural I believe, because they understood what’s most important. Love one another.