1949-50

UNDEFEATED!
That's the way the screaming headline of the 1950 edition of The Torch described the basketball team's incredible season. The team was undeafeated in the regular season (19-0) and headed into the 7th District Tournament as the number 3 seed. It was a tall Lakeview squad that received the number 1 seed and Model was seeded number 2. But, Berry handily knocked off Lakeview with balanced scoring in the district quarterfinals, 65-49, and then lost to Model the next night in the semi-finals, 31-28, denying the team a trip to Macon and the State Tournament. With a record of 22-1, the 1950 basketball team posted the best record and longest winning steak (22 games) in Berry history.

The 1949-50 team was small but very quick and had accuarate shooters. The tallest player on the team was 6'0" junior Fred Benson who was a tremendous leaper, and the team averaged ony 5'10", but Berry consistently knocked off larger opponents with their determined style and deadly shooting. Coached by Earl Downey, a former University of Tennessee track star, the 1949-50 Berry squad was one of the best in school history. However, the bitter disappointment of having the perfect season end one game short of the State Tournament only served to set the stage for next year's team, believed by many to be Berry's greatest team ever.

The 1949-50 Berry Basketball Team Kneeling, L to R - Billy Phillips, Morris Phillips, Fred Benson, Tom Phipps and Calvin Hyers.
Standing, L to R - Drake(Manager), Robert Dykes, Bell, McCullough, Charles Hutsell, Whitehurst and Coach Earl Downey
Not pictured - Leeman Whatley, Dan Wood, Elvin Wilborn and James Kinney.

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