timekeepers, ball tales & the education of sam alford

There are a couple of things you should know about Gary Shouse.  First off, he was a pretty good ball player - that's him in the back row (#55) of the Monroe City 1953 Sectional championship team.  Also, he didn't like playing against Decker on their home court, either the new or old one.  That's probably why he bought the school (& gyms) and turned the facility into a sawmill - sweet revenge takes many forms.  And then there were his days as Sam Alford's timekeeper at Monroe City - a time when the young coach was gaining the education that would take him on to successful stints at South Knox, Martinsville and eventually New Castle.  Four hundred and fifty-two victories, 17 Sectionals, 6 Regionals, one Semi-State title and a legacy of players (including his sons) who moved on to greater success in basketball and life. The story of Gary & Sam, Decker & Monroe City is the story of basketball in Indiana.  It's a story of old gyms, some left behind and some carried forward;  it's the story of old friends, old photographs and trophies.  It's a story of communities that are forever linked together, whether they know it or not.  And it's a story that will continue as long as tales are told. CGS.