Long-time educator to be honored Tuesday – Daily Southerner

TARBORO — A veteran educator who served as a teacher, coach, mentor and role model for 37 years before being elected to the Edgecombe County School Board will be honored Tuesday night when the gymnasium as South Edgecombe Middle School is named for him. The ceremony will get under way at 7 p.m. at the school. (More)

Video/Pictures: South Edgecombe Class of 1971 -72 Boys Basketball State Champions Team Honored By Coach Kevin Horne on Saturday January 21, 2012

Click on Picture To View Pictures - 35 Total

Click On Picture To View Video – 17 mins. 52 secs.

A moment in history.

Pinetops NC/Macclesfield NC 

South Edgecombe Flying Dragons Class of 1971 – 72 were the first class after the merging of George Washington Carver High School Flying Eagles (black school) now G.W. Elementary and South Edgecombe High School (white school) now South Edgecombe Middle School Dragons.

Keith Pittman was the coach.

Norfleet Suggs was the announcer during the ball games.

The starting 5 were James Johnson (Sugar Bear) Center, Dennis Eason Guard, Boysie Jackson Guard, Douglas Bynum Forward, Benjamin Lancaster Forward. Johnson, Jackson, Bynum, Lancaster are black males. Team captains were Seniors James Johnson (Sugar) and Dennis Eason. Jackson and Bynum were the only Juniors on the starting 5.

Others on the roster were Harvey McEachin Forward, Larry Collins Guard, Byron Jenkins (Mickey) Guard, Gregory Bridgers (Poochie) Forward, Charles Morgan Forward, Richard Whitlark Forward, Benny York Guard, George Barnes (Tiny Man) Guard. Billy Mayo Center and Winfred Dancy Guard. McEachin, Collins, Bridgers, Barnes, Mayo and Dancy are black males. Barnes is deceased.

South Edgecombe record was 27-7. They beat Waccamaw 54 – 51 for the State Title at Barton College formerly Atlantic Christian College Wilson NC. James Johnson (Sugar) and Boysie Jackson lead all scorers with 11 points each.

Dennis Eason made 3 clutch free throws within a few seconds left to win the game.

James Johnson (Sugar) who averaged (21 points per game) fouled out with 7 minutes left in the game. Johnson was the season MVP.

The Class of 1972 – 73 team reached the Regionals. Boysie Jackson and Doug Bynum were the team captains and both averaged around 18 points per game. Jackson was the season MVP.

Coach Kevin Horne current boys basketball coach as South Edgecombe is responsible for ceremony to honor the 1971 –72 State Champions on their 40th Anniversary.

The ceremony was held immediately following the South Edgecombe Girls/Boys vs Rocky Mount Prep basketball game on Saturday, January 21, 2012 which began at 11:00 AM.

Keith Pittman former coach former coach and current Edgecombe County Public Schools Board Member, Benny York, Harvey McEachin, Byron Jenkins (Mickey) and Norfleet Suggs were present.

Coach Horne introduced those present and presented the group with a plaque that will be kept at the school. York, McEachin and Jenkins had the honor of walking up the stairs to where the old balcony used to be whereby 2 banners were uncovered that has been hanging for a couple of years.

After the short ceremony in The Keith Pittman Gymnasium, all whom were present were directed to the school’s cafeteria where Coach Horne had a meal prepared for the State Champions and both the girls/boys basketball teams from Rocky Mount Prep. and South Edgecombe. Others were able to eat with the State Champions by giving a $4.00 donation for a barbecued chicken dinner.

Winfred Dancy is my uncle, James Johnson (Sugar Bear) and Douglas Bynum are my cousins. I remember Boysie Jackson, Benjamin Lancaster, Harvey McEachin, George Barnes (Tiny Man) and Billy Mayo.

Benny York’s brother Aubrey York and I were very close friends and classmates.

I remember my dad taking me to the game.

Yours truly captured the ceremony.