Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame

April 13, 2015 Hall of Fame Working

DAWAHARES/KHSAA HALL OF FAME
NOMINATION FORM AND INFORMATION

Information about Nominee:

Name: George Hart

Information about Person Making the Nomination:

Name: Chris Evans

Address:
125 E. Bellville St.
PO Box 191
Marion, KY 42064

Category of Nomination:

Athlete

Gender:

Male

Minority?

Primary KHSAA Basketball Region: 2

Secondary KHSAA Basketball Region: 0

Athlete:

High School Attended: Frances

Year of Graduation: 1950

Nominee's Accomplishments at the High School Level in Kentucky:

In 1950, George broke Kentucky legend Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones national four-year scoring record while playing for the Frances Bulldogs in Crittenden County. George finished his high school career with 2,604 points, and it is believed that he held the record until it was broken by “King” Kelly Coleman, who still holds the state record. At the time of his death in 2001, George ranked 45th on the Kentucky all-time scoring list. George learned a new style of basketball on the city playgrounds in Baltimore during the war years. A feature in The Courier-Journal said, “He flips the ball from every angle imaginable – and some you can’t imagine – and makes ‘em.” This was despite often being double- or triple-teamed, according to his coach. He was also an early adapter of the overhand free throw and was known for his deadliness from the line. He would shoot from the half-court circle to start games, and opponents would often move games to bigger gyms to accommodate the crowds that flocked to see him. George worked wherever he could in the small, fluorspar-mining community to help support his grandmother, with whom he lived after being abandoned by his mother. That included starting the fire at the school in the early mornings before everyone else arrived, catching mice for a local storeowner, and whatever farm work he could find. Often, he would miss morning classes to go hunting or fishing in order to provide food for the table. George was offered numerous scholarships, and went to UK the summer after graduation to scrimmage for Coach Rupp. After two weeks, he decided that he missed home too much and left. He served as a Marine Corps during the Korean War and later retired from US Steel in Gary, Indiana. He then returned to spend the rest of his days in Crittenden County, where he continued to support the school in Frances until it was closed due to consolidation.