Wheelright Basketball Part One
The 1959 basketball season ended for Wheelwright after losing a semifinal game to Mayton by 22 points in the 58th District Tournament. However, the Trojans had some great players coming back for the 1960 season. Bobby Vicars and Forrest Newsome had been All-State Honorable Mention players on that ‘59 squad, and they were determined to take the Trojans a bit further than the 1959 record of 13-12. Coach Don Wallen also had a few more players coming back.
Vicars stepped up to lead this team as a senior in 1960. They attained a record of 27-5. Vicars made the All-State Third Team and Newsome was once again an Honorable Mention player. These guys carried the team that season, and they went on to win the District Tournament, defeating Wayland, Prestonsburg, and Martin. In regional play, which none of the Trojans had ever participated in, they defeated Sandy Hook by 10 before bowing to eventual champ Meade Memorial 64-56 in the semifinals. The 6’4 Vicars was off to play college basketball for Virginia Tech. However, Forrest Newsome was back for the 1961 season.
Newsome returned for the 1961 season, as did big Bruce Belcher, who would be recognized on the All-State Second Team that season. McDowell transferee Jim Rose had also become eligible, since he had to sit out the previous season. This team went 32-4, evidence of the program’s progress under coach Don Wallen. The games for the Trojans these days also included participation in the prestigious Ashland Invitational. Wheelwright would take the 15th Region crown that year, defeating Paintsville 86-60 in the final. The Trojans defeated Lone Jack and Shelby County in the State Tournament before bowing out to the mighty Ashland Tomcats, who won it all that season. Wheelwright then defeated Breathitt County in the consolation game for third place.
The 6’6 Bruce Belcher was also honored as a member of the All-Sweet Sixteen team in that tournament. He later played college ball at Marshall University, where he would say in an interview that the toughest player he faced as a member of the Thundering Herd was Nate Thurmond of Bowling Green University, a 6’11 NBA Hall of Famer selected as one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all time in 1996. At season’s end Forrest Newsome was part of the All-State Honorable Mention squad for his third straight season. Newsome joined Belcher at Marshall University to continue their careers.
