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 2-17-23
February 17, 2023
Join Lorne Plant, TJ Kelley and Scott Burnstein for the seventh episode this season of STATE CHAMPS! Hangtime.
0:00 – Open
1:10 – Undefeated teams across the state
1:35 – Birmingham Groves, Return of Marc West
3:55 – OAA White
4:55 – Game Recaps
5:12 – Brother Rice vs UofD Jesuit
6:27 – Detroit PSL/CHSL Operation Friendship
6:59 – Rice’s big 3
7:57 – Saginaw vs Arthur Hill, last game ever between the two programs before merger
11:21 – MAC Red
15:03 – Warren Lincoln vs Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
16:34 – Hudsonville vs Grandville
17:11 – BCAM Chalk Talks with North Farmington Head Coach Todd Negoshian
19:00 – The guys talk about North Farmington
22:06 – TJ’s Top 20 Rankings
25:01 – Weekend outlook and conference playoffs
29:44 - Close