Monticello High School celebrates Hall of Fame

The scoreboard on each end of the floor of the Monticello gymnasium read

"78-73" on Saturday, February 7. No, there wasn't a game played that night,

but it was a score that former Trojan players and fans still remembered, as

the Monticello High School Athletic Hall of Fame held its 11th annual

banquet.

See that was the final score of the 1956 regional tournament

championship, which Monticello won over Mt. Vernon to earn its first trip

back to the state tournament in nearly two decades. The 1955-56 Trojan

Basketball Team was among those inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.

"This group of 10 players overcame a lot of obstacles," said Kay Morris,

as he introduced the team. "They had a different coach for three straight

years, and they overcame that obstacle. They were not a very big team and

they didn't shoot the ball very well, yet they won the regional tournament

and played in the state tournament. How did they do it? They were downright

ornery and they hated to lose."

Morris noted that this team laid the groundwork and helped set the

standard for the Trojan teams that followed. The team was coached by Charles

Harris, who is deceased. Team members included: Aaron Stringer, Tommy Hicks,

Fred Frye, Jack Benny Hill, Gene Pendleton, Thurston Frye, Kenny Rice, Ralph

Hurst, Bobby Morris, and Jimmy Miller.

Several players from that team attended the banquet, including Kenny

Rice, who shared memories of his playing days.

"I remember losing the district and that was so painful, and I remember

the joys of winning the regional tournament," said Rice.

Rice expressed appreciation to all those who supported the team and

helped the players, people like Bill Wray, who was a tremendous fan, and Dr.

Frank Duncan. He also thanked the many dedicated teachers who helped him

succeed at Monticello School.

Also during the banquet, Bobby Morris was inducted individually into the

Hall of Fame. Morris a member of the Class of 1956, scored 1,156 points in

his career. He was All-District, All-Region, and All-State during his senior

year, which is when the team won the region and went to the state

tournament.

He was introduced by his brother, Kay Morris, who is the youngest of the

four Morris brothers. He said he looked up to Bobby and wanted to be like

him.

"He was very determined and he didn't like to be second in anything,"

said Kay Morris, as he talked about his brother.

Bobby Morris accepted the award and thanked everyone for the

recognition.

Orville Correll, a member of the Class of 1954, also expressed

appreciation to the Hall of Fame Committee after he accepted his plaque.

Correll was one of the top scorers for the Trojans every year he played,

and he was a member of one of the favorite Monticello teams of all time, the

Team of 1953. This team was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

"I want to thank the committee for giving me this honor," said Correll,

"I want to thank anyone who had something to do with this."

Monticello Trojan Coach Trevis Upchurch had the honor of introducing

Hall of Fame inductee Bill Bertram. Bertram, a member of the Class of 1997,

and Upchurch were teammates.

"He was a great player and he was a great competitor," said Upchurch.

"He was a great teammate but he was an even better friend."

Bertram was known for his versatility. He could shoot from 3-point range

and he could score often under the basket. He led Monticello in scoring and

rebounding throughout his career and he scored 1,051 points as a Trojan.

Bertram expressed appreciation to the committee as well as his former

Coach Wade Upchurch.

"I want to thank Coach Upchurch for all the things he did for me, and

not just with basketball," said Bertram.

George O. Horton, the son of George V. Horton, who was a member of the

Class of 1938, accepted the award on behalf of his father. George V. Horton

led the Trojans in scoring during his junior and senior year. He was

All-District and All-Region his junior year and was named to the All-State

Tournament Team after leading his team in scoring in two state tournament

games.

Two teams that he played on, the 1937 and 1938 teams, have already been

inducted into the Hall of Fame.

"I want to thank everyone for making this night possible," said George

O. Horton.

June Martin, the daughter of the late Andrew York, accepted the award on

behalf of her father. Andrew York was a member of the Class of 1926. He

played his sophomore and junior years at Monticello, then finished his high

school career at Louisville Male. He received a scholarship to play at

Western Kentucky University, but opted to get married and got into business.

York was a high-regarded motivational speaker and was owner of the Carnegie

Leadership Seminars.

"His heart never left Monticello," said Martin, as she addressed the

Hall of Fame crowds. "He loved Monticello so much, and he brought me back

here many times."