Friday, December 21, 2012

Zane Shaw voted Chester's Best Basketball player ever


The storied history of Chester High School boy's basketball has produced some great players. Based on the names I repeatedly hear as the best, your votes have determined that Zane Shaw, the school's all time leading scorer, is the best to ever don the orange and black. 

Survey Results

71 votes

Zane Shaw 14
Jameer Nelson 11
Rondae Jefferson & Emerson Baynard 8
Mike Marshall 7
Granny Lash & The Mann brothers 5
Bo Ryan 5
Horace Walker & Herman Harris 4
Rahlir Jefferson & Carlton Silk Gordy 1
Nasir Robinson 0

Zane Shaw. I wasn't in the area to see him play but from what I've heard from the people I trust as CHS basketball gurus, he and Herman Harris may have been the best. Harris was the best I've seen as he was the Lebron James of high school basketball with his size and skills. Didn't he score 65 in a game- before the 3-point shot?

Older fans swear by Horace Walker and Emerson Baynard.

Jameer Nelson blossomed at St. Joe University and has carved a great professional career for himself in Orlando. He is our only NBA All-Star.

Mike Marshall and Granny Lash were both Harlem Globtrotters which was a huge compliment to their skills in years past.

Phil and Hank Mann played along with Herman Harris on what was probably the best Chester High team ever.

Carlton Silk Gordy may have been the first 10th grader to start for the varsity team.

Rahlir Jefferson and Nasir Robinson played exciting ball and both are currently key players for their Division 1 college teams (Temple and University of Pittsburgh).

Rondae Jefferson is today's star and may be the best 'big' guard to play for the Clippers. His defensive skills may be his biggest asset. He's following Herman Harris' lead as an Arizona Wildcat. 

I hear that Bo Ryan was the defensive stopper during his era. He's become one of the greatest college coaches in college basketball, currently at Wisconsin. 

Who else should have been on the list?

40 comments:

  1. I think you have to include John Linehan's name in there somewhere. He didn't score a thousand points but he was one of the fastest defensive forces on the court. His work ethic was also crazy. He's playing overseas and he's become a big name and he's doing really well. I think you also have to mention Rick Carrol. He did score a thousand points. He went on to play for Fordham Univ if I'm not mistaken. Rick was solid. In fact, I think you have to expand the categories. Both guys played on state championship teams. I graduated with John. Rick was a year ahead of me.

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    1. You are absolutely correct. I wasn't around to see either of them play at Chester High, but I got to know them both in the past few years.

      Linehan graduated from Providence University as the NCAA's all time leader in steals. He was named defensive player of the year at least once. He's had a great career in Europe pro leagues where he has won three championships. I had the chance to interview John for the Chester Spotlight.

      Carroll was a 20+ppg scorer in CHS State Championship year but didn't do much in his 5 years at Fordham. Makes you wonder how he would have done at U of Penn if they had given him a full scholarship. I worked with Ray as a substitute teacher at Showalter. He was an unbelievably great sub. That was his gift.

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  2. If my memory serve me right Emerson Baynard also.played for the Harlem Globe Trotters even though he didn't stay with them long enough to trot the globe. Emerson was one of the best I can remember and could have been much better had he been serious about being the best he could be.

    LW

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    1. One of my old coaches described Baynard as the smartest basketball player he had ever seen. It may have been the only time I've heard a white man describe a black player as smart. He describe Em as just the opposite off the court.

      The other Chester baller that was selected as a Globe Trotter was Melvin Wade. He said they didn't pay enough and didn't join the team. Go figure.

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  3. Zain is a pure talent. I believe Keith Wood should be on that list. I went to CHS with both of them. Zain came out after us

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    1. I didn't see the teams of the 90s, but I'll take your word for it.

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  4. I like Zane Shaw but he was a disapointment, he just had to come home and get back on the block and messed everything up for himself. I was looking forward to seeing him play in NBA, you can take a kid out of the jetts but you can't take jetts out of the kid (projects)what a waste of talent he could have been a super star......

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    1. He's one of many who came back home. Chester kids don't get enough early exposure outside of Chester which is why these out of state tournaments are good for our student athletes.

      Every time I see Zane, he's teaching kids how to play basketball. At least he's giving back.

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    2. Thanks u mr. roots for doing a great job with this blog when I was told about this honor I was shocked and honored im proud to be mentioned with sum of the best to ever wear b/o im still grateful and honored so thanks to all that voted for me I would have a vote for keith wood also im very appreciative now to this mystery person u can voice ur hating opinoins but know what ur talking abt b4 u speak u dont know nothing about me u only know what u see im sorry I didnt make it to the nba for u I see u was living ur dream throu me but I played at the high graduated went on to paly D1ball went on to play overseas and when a championship im in my city giving back now which not many or doing so keep hating by the way next time spell jects right :) I train kids everyday all day thanks mr. roots agian for a great blog

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    3. Sorry to have spelled your name wrong.

      Another vote for Mr. Wood.

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  5. Im happy to see good things being ssid a bout Chester

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  6. Giving back is priceless and though Zain didn't become a "super star" he is very likely to have influence and an contribution into the future of another child that will. Unfortunately, he did not have the benefit of someone like him in his life when he needed it.

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  7. Mr. Gordy was not the first 10th grader to start on varsity. Herman Harris, Phil Mann, and Len Gordy were on the same team as 10th graders. Also Horace Walker was a 9th grade starter. But I'm curious as to how Keith Wood gets left off the list?

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    1. Blogs are great. You can correct and suggest. Thanks.

      I didn't see Keith play and another comment mentioned him, too. Maybe I should have had him on the list instead of Nasir, huh?

      How about Karon Burton? He was better than Maalik Wayns in high school, but look who's on the Sixer's bench now.

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  8. eric the drug dealer jones was good to at selling drugs to

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    1. You coward, we know who you are thief!!

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    2. Since my name was brought up, I figure I throw a comment back at the anonymous loser. I was the starting point guard on the first state championship team and received all the accolades I needed and wanted. I'm successful at whatever I do, so remember that you anonymous bum!!!

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  9. Is there any film footage at CHS of the oldtimers like Emerson Baynard or Horace Walker? Too bad many of the younger folks didn't get to see how great they were. Horace played in the NBA for a couples of years, back when there was only 8 teams and Emerson was rookie of the year in the old Eastern Basketball League. Many of us witnessed him out player many NBA all-stars in the summers leagues.

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    1. I'm not sure about film, but what you shared was just as valuable. I didn't know those facts. Thanks.

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    2. If Mr. Eugene Mitchell, or other blogger, is a contemporary of Emerson Baynard and has additional information about this former basketball star, please email me at loisjuliette@yahoo.com....thank you!

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  10. I'm proud to call Eric Jones my uncle. I love it when people hide behind "anonymous" to tear people down. Keep Shining Moe!!!

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    1. It's comments like the Eric Jones one that makes me want to shut the blog down.

      The people who can benefit most from the blog don't take advantage of it, and the Anonymous family write some good stuff, but also put up some absolutely ridiculous nonsense. Plus, the enormous volume of spam is getting out of control (which none of you see).

      I don't make a dime keeping this thing up and won't lose a dime shutting it down.

      The final decision is coming soon.

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    2. I know that's right Stefan. I like to be informed about the city and I enjoy your perspective. Who are these people to remind people of their past. No one can judge people but God. Eric Jones is a nice guy that I am proud to call my God brother. Those that insult others do so to make themselves feel good. I dare you use someone's past to hurt their future. Eric you are a winner in my book, so don't let these political bums define you. They are angry because you wont take orders and fall in line. I don't know how to work this blog so I hope my comment gets posted.

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    3. Big shout out to Dewayne Lee for doing nothing in recreation for the people in the city. Get your hand out my pocket! Chester Housing Authority called and they want their money back.

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    4. Thank You Nephew, its in our blood to help all people, no matter how ignorant, while also being successful. I don't know any other way, we've been doing it for so long, but I won't ever hide who I am, thats also who we are, strong people!!! Lol Life is great, so great!!!! :)

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  11. the fact that darrin govens not on this list just funny to me.state champ pa poy 2 times in a row.

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  12. Hello all! There was a guy they called (World)I believe his name was Cliff mixon from the William Penn Projects. He only played for the Clippers 1 year, that guy would shoot the lites out! I think he was overlooked because of the haters of his era. I saw him play at the old memorial park basketball league, I saw him make 7 3 pointers in a game against Zain Shaw and the Chester Lakers! If he could have played all four years of high school ball, I think he would have been great!

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  13. Wasn't there a player called Stephen Cooper who would have been around the time of Keith Wood. I seem to remember him hitting some hard times, but I wasn't sure if he ever actually played for the clippers. I just remember the hype. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

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  14. His nickname was Whip He might have been the best all around player to come out of Chester He never played for the Clippers He was a young legend He played Biddy league and no one could stop him A playground legend from the William Penn He should be around 41 yrs old now Everyone his age knows who he is The debate was always there about who was better Whip or Zain Whip hands down He had a jumper Could use both hands had the handle could jump etc Everyone who knows knows why he never played for The Clippers He had Champoinships elsewhere Research him Alot of young men got caught up in the trap of Chester You cant totally blame those young men for their environment It weas a "project"

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  15. Even though he didn't play for chester high Randy bam maultsby has too be mentioned pure talent that could hold his own with any of them let's not forget Darrell green either.

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  17. Ask John Chaney, former Temple coach who played against Emerson in the old EBL when there was only 8 NBA teams. Emerson Baynard is the only known Chester High product who consistently "dominated" NBA players. Those of us who are north of 60 remember all the NBA talent who visited the Cage for summer workouts. Is there a Clipper Sports Hall of Fame? if not, let's start one now.

    Chester High Basketball fans - Let's keep conversations to basketball? Love and respect to all.

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  18. You have got to be kidding. Horace Walker is the greatest player ever to play for CHS. Period. End of story. Granny Lash ahead of Horace? Really?

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  19. whip was nice and I played against him and Zain but their games are very different!!! our city has been blessed with pure talent from decade to decade many never even put on the black and gold... I myself competed in Biddy league, the park, the boys and girls club in Media and Chester, played sonny hill but never played varsity!! Zain is the best player I ever saw suit up in a Chester uniform!! the late 80's and early 90's had some ballers Keith Wood, Mike Johnson, Larry Yarbray, Keith Taylor shoot Hodge and Boo are nice also lets keep it real Chester can flat out ball.

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  20. Chester High School has such a great basketball tradition and such a long list of great players, but I feel the one player that stands out above all the rest was Emerson Baynard. He was truly a man among the boys. He definitely could have played in the NBA. Again, I don't want to slight any of the other great Clipper players, but Baynard was the man.

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  21. I remember seeing films of most all the greats mentioned at boys club courtesy of Mr. George Carter and William DeJarnette Jr. But by far Emerson Baynard is and always be the best not saying Zain wasn't awesome but Emerson was definitely great don't know if film is still available but should be looked into I nominate guys from my era Dennis (DJ) Jackson Rudy Burton Brent Hagwood and Virgil (Nasir )Young Mr. Nichols

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