Fifty-one years since playing basketball at ConVal Regional High School, former guard Bill McRae said the reunion was something “I never even of dreamed of.”
On Friday, Aug. 5, nine former athletes from ConVal’s Class of 1971 and 1972 came together in at Tod Silegy’s home in Keene to reminisce about playing for the school’s first sports teams, including soccer, baseball and basketball. After the Peterborough Consolidated School (PCS) declared itself a K-8 institution, students living in the Monadnock region transferred to newly built ConVal the fall semester of 1970.
Silegy, tri-captain of the first ConVal basketball team, said the purpose of Friday’s reunion was to reflect on the historic 1970-71 season with his former team.
“My idea was to reunite with great players and friends from the first basketball team and come together after 51 years. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to catch up,” said Silegy.
For captains McRae, Silegy and Dick Blood, basketball became more than just a childhood pastime. From late-night games at Adams Playground in Peterborough to breaking into ConVal’s gym late at night to play, basketball became a livelihood for the three men and their team.
The 1970-71 basketball season started off with a bang for the Cougars. McRae led the team to a 9-0 start as a power forward, averaging 24 points per game against Division II rivals Goffstown and Conant. Blood was the sturdy center, camping under the hoop and leading the team in rebounds, earning the nickname “The Rock.” Silegy and Paul Boule were the shooting and point guards, charging at the hoop during fast breaks while small forward Jeff Wheeler was ready to take the shot at close range.
After McRae suffered a debilitating knee injury, Providence College basketball coach and Peterborough native Dave Gavitt stepped in to help rehabilitate McRae’s injured knee, but he would never play another game for ConVal. Gavitt went on to be the founder and first commissioner of the Big East Conference, coach of the 1980 U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team that did not compete because of a boycott and senior executive vice president of the Boston Celtics. He was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
The Cougars finished the 1971 season 16-4, eventually losing to Goffstown in the semifinals. Despite the loss, 88-year-old former coach Ray Richard said the season was one he’ll never forget.
“This was one of my best teams ever,” said Richard. “We had a great relationship.”