Another year conversing with the CANUSA fellas is always a reason to cheer! In its 67th year, it's the last of its kind in the country, this international Olympic-style rivalry between two cities: Flint, Michigan, USA and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

​Let the games begin!

You can also visit this episode at Fish's website: https://www.flintchronicles.com/

The Flint Central Indian basketball team posted eye popping numbers between 1980 and 1983 with Coach Stan Gooch leading his squad to three straight Class A state titles, and a 100-9 record. Along with that were multiple all-star performances, including a parade of Division 1 talent. The 1983 team capped off that run with the 100th win coming against Detroit Southwestern in the state finals at Crisler Arena.

Talent was ubiquitous in the halls of Flint Central during that period led by perhaps the greatest of all time in area high school hoops, Eric Turner. Alongside him was Mark Harris, possibly the best shooter in area hoops history. Then you had Marty Embry, who just might be the best rebounder in area hoops lore. Add to that Marvin Wells, Chris Williams, Chris Levels, Rod Milhouse, and you have the nucleus of the first two title teams.
​
The one consistent factor on all three title teams was Darryl “D.J.” Johnson. Called up from the J.V. for the title run in 81, he was a key player on the 82 squad, and the star of the ’83 title team. The only player in Michigan high school hoops history to play on three Class A state title teams.

His senior year D.J. led a team that included Ervin Leavy, Ed Greer, Ken Bowie, rookie Terrence ‘T’ Greene, and Tyrone Williams. That squad wrapped up the last state title the Indians would ever record as the school would lose enrollment shortly thereafter and be closed down by 2009. Johnson would go on to a legendary career at Michigan State, and get a shot in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Leavy was part of the “Thunder and Lightning” duo with Dan Majerle at Central Michigan University, leading the Chippewas to the March Madness Tourney, Greene went on to star at Depaul and coach at Michigan briefly, while Greer remains one of the most underrated athletic talents in Flint history. He was part of a state title track and field team at Central, rushed for nearly 1200 yards in an All State senior football season, and played center on the 83 team – at only 6 foot tall. Together they formed the final capstone to the Flint Central champion triumvirate.

The foursome are all on hand in the Aquarium to tell the tale of that last title team, and the incredible Indian run are four of the starters: D.J., Erv, Ed Greer, and ‘T’. The stories, the camaraderie, the old school vibe, and four of the best to ever do it. It’s pure Flint and a hearty romp down memory lane with the champions of the state in 1983 The Flint Central Indians.

You can also visit this episode at Fish's website: https://www.flintchronicles.com/

When Flintstone Javale McGee won his first of three NBA World Championships one of his first acts was to bring the trophy home to Flint, the city in which he spent the first 13 years or so of his life growing up. With “Flint” tattooed on his torso this native son has proven his mettle as the most accomplished basketball player to ever hail from The Vehicle City.

He finished second place in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, and was the first player to use three balls at one time in a dunk contest, which was later cited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most basketballs dunked in a single jump.

A sturdy 7 footer, Mcgee was a first round pick in the 2008 NBA draft, and in addition to his 3 NBA titles, he also won a Gold Medal in the 2021 Olympics. With the medal, he and his mother Flint lady hoops legend Pamela Mcgee became the first mother and son duo to win gold medals in Olympic history.

That’s a lot of hoops history to pack in to a session in The Aquarium! But Javale and Fish pull it off and it’s another superb Chronicles-Worthy tale to tell on this episode of “Fish and The Flint Chronicles”.

You can also visit this episode at Fish's website: https://www.flintchronicles.com/