2006-07 Oregon-Davis Bobcats

Sometimes we think of history as being long ago…but maybe long ago is in the eye of the beholder.  This month’s article is on local history that happened less than 30 years ago.  A generation ago for some…for others, not so long.  

At any rate, 2006-2007 was an exciting school sports year in Starke County. Oregon-Davis basketball was on fire, with both high school teams having strong teams. Going into that season, Oregon-Davis had zero state titles in school history.  In March, 2007, all changed as the Bobcats laid claim to both the boys and girls basketball championship trophies, also becoming the first school in Indiana to lay claim to both the boys and girls high school basketball championship trophies in the same year. 
The Oregon-Davis Lady Bobcats held off the Trojans of Oakland City Wood Memorial, 54-46, to win the Class A state basketball championship - the school’s first state championship in any sport. Oregon-Davis, coached by Terry Minix in his 14th year, finished the season 25-3, winning their final 19 games. Following the game, members of the IHSAA Executive Committee named Angela Boyle of Oregon-Davis High School as the winner of the Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award.

Three weeks later, Class A top-ranked Oregon-Davis Bobcats, coached by Travis Hannah, won its first state championship in boys basketball. The Bobcats jumped out to a 30-19 lead at halftime and never looked back, capping off the 27-1 season at Conseco Fieldhouse by beating powerhouse Barr-Reeve, 63-52.  Following the game, members of the IHSAA Executive Committee named Adam Pflugshaupt of Oregon-Davis High School as the winner of the Arthur L. Trester Mental Attitude Award.
The two teams supported each other.  Following the boys' win, Coach Travis Hannah said, “When the girls were playing in the tournament, our players <the boys’ team> were right there in the first row dressed as cheerleaders… Today, the girls’ team was right in front cheering like crazy for us.”

Another quote by Coach Hannah sums up the event - “Think about the tradition and history of Indiana high school basketball.  For us and the girls to be state champs and be part of it is unbelievable.  The first school to sweep both tourneys says something for our school and our community.  The Red and Black travel well.”

Congratulations to these outstanding athletes. You made all Starke County proud.  

Thanks to the Oregon-Davis staff for the pictures and the IHSAA & March, 2007 The Leader  for information.