NANTICOKE -- In 1961, John F. Kennedy was president, a gallon of gas only cost a quarter, and the Nanticoke High School boys basketball team won the state championship.
On Friday night, the school honored those who helped bring the championship to the Luzerne County community 55 years ago.
The Nanticoke Rams, or more affectionately known as the Nans, were riding a one loss season into the boys basketball PIAA Class A state title game in 1961.
“Did you ever see the movie ‘Hoosiers?’ That was us! They were a small team and they were playing the giants and they won! Criss-cross my heart, that was us!” said Bill James, co-captain of the ‘61 team.
The Nans defeated Hickory Township for the championship under the direction of head coach Syl Bozinski and with the help of their all-state player Kenny Legins. Both Bozinski and Legins have since passed away, but their impact is not forgotten.
"Kenny was one of the best. I was sorry to hear when he passed away. He was one of the best that ever came out of the Wyoming Valley," said Rich Kiewlak, a guard on the ‘61 team.
The championship game made these players, coaches, even cheerleaders, instant stars in Nanticoke. After the victory, a parade ensued. It was a parade that former cheerleader, Regina Norczyk-Plodwick will never forget.
"We met the players in West Nanticoke, got in the convertibles with them, and we paraded through the entire city of Nanticoke and the streets were crowded--loaded. It was fantastic!” she recalled.
"There had to be 20 to 30,000 people in that town and we only had 11,000 people in the town," James added.
Fast forward 55 years to the present day when those who were a part of the 1961 championship season were finally recognized and honored with a deserving banner to be hung in the gym.
"You're talking 55 years ago and this is the first time we are getting any recognition and we are the last time to win a state championship in Nanticoke," said James.
"It was a memory that will last forever and I decided that we needed something in the school to make us proud again," Norczyk-Plodwick said.
The banner will be hung in the gymnasium above the basketball court and the players said this wouldn't be the last time they reunite. They plan to get together to reminisce about that 1961 season in the near future.