Maysville’s historic basketball season brings unity and triumph.
The 1956–57 school year marked a turning point in Maysville history as local schools integrated following the Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. That iconic Supreme Court ruling included Mason County native, Supreme Court Justice Stanley F. Reed. For decades, the city operated two separate systems: Maysville High for white students and John G. Fee High for African American students, named for abolitionist John G. Fee, founder of Berea College.
Basketball had long been a source of pride for both schools. The African American high schools were not allowed to participate in the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s (KHSAA) tournament. The KHSAA, established in 1917, only allowed white schools. Consequently, in 1932 leading African American educators formed the Kentucky High School Athletic League. Fee High was a state runner-up in 1932, 1933, and 1952, and its girls’ team claimed consecutive titles in the 1930s. Maysville High won the boys’ state championship in 1947 and the girls’ title in 1926. Yet African American schools were barred from KHSAA tournaments until integration.
When Fee High discontinued varsity basketball in 1956, its players joined Maysville High under legendary coach Woodrow “Woodie” Crum. Also, the iconic coach for the Fee High Wildcats, John Fields joined the Bulldog coaching staff. Fee High School dropped varsity basketball after the 1955-56 season. All the returning players would be allowed to play on the MHS team while only the seniors would go to school at Maysville High. The Fee High players were seniors Bobby Jones and Gene Peters, sophomores Charley Stewart, Harry Jones and Ulysses Green. The returning MHS players were seniors Dickie Breeze, Kenny Downing, juniors Allen Smith, Jackie Allison, Bobby Reetz, Chuck Hayslip and Bobby Hutchison and sophomores Roy Gilbert and Philip Hutchison.
Historic Season
The Bulldogs posted a remarkable 34–2 record, undefeated at home, and set multiple school records. Their only losses came in tournament finals. MHS lost to the Ashland Tomcats in the AIT finals at Ashland and the Dogs were beaten in the Tenth Regional Finals by Nicholas County in Cynthiana.
Stars of the Court
Bobby Jones – 24.2 ppg; first African American named to KHSAA All-State.
Allen Smith – 12.8 ppg; later led MHS to a baseball title and became an All-American at LSU.
Gene Peters – 9.5 ppg; Jackie Allison – 9.1 ppg; Charlie Stewart – 7.6 ppg.
The integration year not only reshaped education in Maysville but produced one of the most celebrated basketball teams in its history—a team that symbolized unity, talent, and progress. It was legacy beyond the scoreboard.
Most Wins in a Season: 34
Fewest Losses: 2
Winning Percentage: 94.4%
Longest Winning Streak: 23 games
Total Points: 2,680
Average Points per Game: 74.4
Average Winning Margin: 20.7
