Boys basketball: Ron Heflin has court named after him in Roosevelt loss to East Chicago
By Aaron Pineda Post-Tribune correspondent January 18, 2013 11:02PM
Former Roosevelt coach Ron Heflin walks with family through a gaunlet of current and former Roosevelt players and coaches before the unveiling of Coach Heflin's Court at Roosevelt Friday evening. | Jeffrey D. Nicholls~Sun-Times Media
Article Extras
Updated: February 20, 2013 6:15AM
GARY — It wasn’t the first time former legendary Roosevelt coach Ron Heflin walked to center court to a standing ovation, but this was the first time he did so alongside his two daughters and grandson with the decal “Coach Heflin’s Court, Rod Heflin” in big black and yellow lettering.
Heflin, who sent 300 of his former players onto play college basketball, including three McDonald’s All-Americans, was honored and had the floor named after him prior to the Panthers’ (1-10) 93-56 loss to the visiting East Chicago Cardinals (7-5).
As Heflin entered the floor, the who’s who of his former players lined one side, including the likes of Thea Bowman coach Marvin Rea and Roosevelt coach Reynaldo Thomas. “They made me, I didn’t make them,” Heflin said, referring to his former players.
Heflin, who is battling cancer, spoke softly and kept his speech short, but the weight of the words will not be lost on the standing crowd. “This is special, lots of hard was put into this and it’s really special that Reynaldo (Thomas) has taken over and he is doing a great job,” Heflin said.
The Cardinals tandem of T. Burnett and Hyron Edwards did everything to put a damper on this night of celebration, as Burnett went for 25 points and Edwards 21. Edwards played just three quarters and finished with seven assists, six steals and three rebounds on 6-10 shooting, while Burnett chipped in eight rebounds and three steals while shoting 12-21 from the floor.
As a team, the Cardinals shot 35-72 and held the Panthers to just 20-57. The lighting quick guards caused trouble for the Panthers all night and came away with 23 steals and out-rebounded them 38-37.
The Panthers were led by center Joseph Lipscomb, who finished with a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds and a block.
