Richmond High School - Pierian Yearbook (Richmond, IN)

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Basketball No. At the beginning of the 1987-88 basketball season. Richmond Red Devil fans had a lot to look forward to. A Mr. Basketball candidate in Woody Austin and a 1 ranking in both Associated Press and United Press International polls. Second-ranked Muncie Central rolled into Tiernan Center in December to face the Devils in one of the state’s most spotlighted games of the year. 1 Richmond vs 2 Muncie Central. All three Indianapolis TV stations and both Indianapolis newspapers covered the showdown which lived up to its expectations. The Devils overcome an eight-point deficit to keep its 1 ranking by defeating the Bearcats 67-61 in overtime. The biggest weekend of basketball in Red Devil history continued with the Hall of Fame Classic at Tiernan Center. Richmond breezed by arch-rival Connersville 77-63 in the opening game, but in the championship game, they ran into a bit of a wall. Jay County had the Devils down by as many as 19 points, but Richmond went on a 210 spurt to take a 54-53 lead into the fourth period and eventually hold on to win the title, 76-67. The first loss of the season came with the loss of 6-7 starting center Andy Gay-dosh due to an infected toe. Gaydosh remained out of action for most of the season. 1988 brought even more challenges for the Devils as three-time defending state champion Marion tried to conquer the Devils. But Richmond remained perfect as they pummeled the Giants. 96-77. The victory was coach Griffith’s first over Marion since he came to Richmond. A game that will probably go down in the folklore of Wayne County happened when the Devils traveled to Fort Wayne Northrop. Down by 12 points with less than two minutes to go and with David Cruse and Chuckie Smith on the bench. Richmond rallied to tie the game at 80-80 and send it into overtime. But the problems weren’t over yet for the Devils. Woody Austin fouled out one minute into the overtime period and Richmond had five non-scorers on the court. Austin finished the game with a school-record 46 points. But. somehow, without the services of their three-best players, the Devils pulled out a miraculous 86-84 victory and left their fans in disbelief. The third-rated Kokomo Wildkats came into Tiernan Center with an undefeated record and a chance at spoiling the hopes of an NCC crown for the Devils. But with 28 point from Mr. Basketball candidate Woody Austin, the Wildkats went home losers 74-69. Richmond breazed back to Hinkle Field-house for the third time in four years. But the storybook season came to a tragic end as the Devils lost in the first game to Ben Davis. However, to top off an excellent year. Woody Austin was selected as Mr. Basketball for 1987-88. Woody Austin Our Mr. Basketball Four years ago Woody Austin was the only freshman on the 1984-85 State Finals squad. Today he has the 1988 Mr. Basketball trophy all to himself. Austin blazed his way through the record books and be came Richmond's first Mr. Basketball. He became RHS’s all-time scoring leader and finished his highschool career with 1.990 points. Austin also set a single-game record with 47 points against Randolph Southern. Austin's ability will be missed in the years to come. Richmond fans will never forget The Woody Austin Show!” in Richmond