Not in the book: This is Clemette Haskins. We grew up together. My dad and her dad played at Western Kentucky University together (and went to the Final Four). Our parents are best friends. Wayne and Laura ā and Clem and Yvette. Clemette was āMs. Basketballā in Kentucky in 1983. I was āMr. Basketballā in 1986. She was three grades ahead of me but just two years older. SHE KICKED MY FKNG ASS IN BASKETBALL our entire childhood and it wasnāt until I was about 16 years old before I could beat Clemette 1-on-1. She attended Western and was a 3 time NCAA All-American (1984, 86, and 87). She took WKU to the Final Four. Weāre both in the Kentucky HS Basketball Hall of Fame. We ended up dating a little bit when we got older but it was always weird because we were really just best buddies. We attended the Kentucky State Tournament together every single year together as kids. Our parents would take us out of school for the week and Clemette and I would run around Rupp Arena, watching games, eating ice cream, and just being kids. We were OBSESSED with hoops. But I always felt bad for Clemette because there was no way for her to play basketball here in the states following college. She was like Nancy Lieberman, Cheryl Miller, Doris Burke, etc. ā GREAT womenās players with no professional league! Itās always been bullshit. But now the women are getting their due. And as a dad of three girls - Iām beyond here for it. Women of that generation were deprived of all of the experiences grown men had in team sports. The bus rides, the plane rides, the camaraderie. Women were actually discouraged from playing sports many times and in many parts of the country because it wasnāt ālady likeā. Lmfao. Itās taken forever but I couldnāt be happier for all of the girls and women who are reaping the benefits of the groundwork pioneers like my bestie Clemette Haskins laid down for them.šā¤ļø simonandschuster.com/books/Its-Hardā¦
Many times there werenāt even girls teams or leagues. Girls played with the boys if they wanted to play. Also, sidebar - boys and girls high school games were usually played on the same night. But they only played the national anthem before the boys varsity games.
@RexChapman Another era of course but the OG womenās team was the Edmonton Grads. 502-20 over their 25 year history. Including world champs and Olys. Thatās my Gāma off coach Pageās R shoulder.. then my 10y/o wearing that same sweater from 1938. Miss her stories.
@RexChapman Fabulous thread! ā66 Toppers got screwed. ā71 for revenge
@RexChapman Was former Gophers coach Clem Haskins related? Siblings?