Moment: Wilburn Becomes Legend in '62
April 13, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Ken Wilburn solidified his legend status in leading River Rouge to a repeat Class B boys basketball championship in 1962, playing what legendary coach Lofton Greene called after Wilburn's "best game ever today."
The 6-foot-5 senior forward had 26 points, 15 rebounds and 11 steals in the 69-36 win over East Grand Rapids, scoring 13 points during the third quarter as the Panthers broke away.
He was joined by 5-6 Napoleon Hudson, a defensive standout who added 16 points.
River Rouge finished 1961-62 with a 25-1 record. Wilburn went on to play at Central State University and for four franchises in the NBA and ABA.
MHSAA Moments is looking at Rouge's six 1960s boys basketball championships throughout this week.
State Champs! Michigan: Hangtime 3-3-23
March 3, 2023
Join Lorne Plant, TJ Kelley and Scott Burnstein for the ninth episode this season of STATE CHAMPS! Hangtime.
0:00 – Open
0:42 – Farmington’s Greg Grays ‘26
2:58 – Mr. Basketball predictions
7:22 – Games on SC! recaps
8:48 – CHSL Bishop Championship, #3 Brother Rice vs #5 UofD Jesuit
13:15 – CHSL Cardinal Championship, Detroit Loyola vs Riverview Gabriel Richard
15:24 – North Farmington clinches OAA Red vs Ferndale
19:16 – BCAM Chalk Talk clip with Brother Rice Head Coach, Rick Palmer
21:54 – Scott and TJ explain the impact of Coach Palmer at Brother Rice
26:22 – Top 20 rankings
29:09 – Weekend preview
33:27 – TJ on Division 2 Districts
36:30 – Scott on Division 1 Districts
41:04 - Close