They are both baseball guys at heart, but when the ground stiffens and the days of summer shorten, gloves and bats are put away and they turn their attention to basketball, especially high school.
Leo Hovey, 81, and Hugh Libby, 96, both residents of Madigan Healthcare Facility are either sitting on the sidelines or they are absorbed listening to the radio announcers, as they follow Houlton and Hodgdon teams.
“I really got interested in basketball when I got into high school,” recalled Hovey. “I played four years at Houlton High School.”
Hovey, a right-handed forward, played for coaches Bill Terry and Dick Michelson, from 1948-51.
“They got me interested in the game. It was something to do for one thing instead of hanging around the street corners or the pool room, which I did that too,” he laughed. “They took enough time out to help me on a one-on-one basis. I thought that was pretty darn good.”
In his playing days, the Shiretowners stayed with a motion offense.
“We used a double post, which worked well for awhile until the other team caught on,” said Hovey with a smile.
And, he remembers many of his teammates like Bob Fields and Breen Bernard — and the fun they had together.
“I had a great high school career,” Hovey said. “I didn’t play much.”
The Shiretowners played pretty much the same schedule as they do today and traveled by bus to their destinations. But, the one thing that Hovey recounts as a great memory was the tournament.
“We got eliminated, but we stayed in a motel and had fun,” he said.
Asked if they misbehaved at all, Hovey smiled and responded, “Of course not, we would not even need a chaperone.”
Through his four years on the team, Hovey took away a lesson he has always remembered, teamwork.
“If only one guy does all the shooting, you are not going to make it,” he said, “That would have to be an exceptional player who can carry the whole team. We played team ball.”
Hovey described himself as a fast player, who realized his role on the team.
“I couldn’t shoot left handed if I wanted to,” he said laughing. “I could go left, but I had to shoot right hand. I could dribble down the floor. I did not play first string. I was a good bench warmer.”
Shrugging his shoulders with a smile on his face, he added, “Someone had to do it.
“I have to be honest with you. I had a little skill. Not much. When we got far enough ahead, the coaches said ‘you can’t hurt us now Leo, go in and play’,” he smiled.
Hovey went on to play basketball in the service though he chuckled, “I was a good bench warmer there too, We had guys 6-7 and 6-6, why would they take a runt like me? I tried playing collegian basketball, but I was not good enough.”
Hovey jumps at the chance to go watch a game.
“It makes me feel like I am part of society,” he said. “A lot of people know me out there who I did not realize knew me. That gives me a warm feeling, especially at 81, your time is limited.”
But, if he cannot make it to the gymnasium, he turns the television on Channel 10 and listens to the WHOU-FM crew.
Hovey played baseball, football, basketball and softball.
“Baseball really was my main sport,” he said.
Hovey was scouted by the Boston Red Sox, but he smiled saying, “That was just a mistake.”
For now, on the local hardwood, memories are recalled and a fire rekindles in his soul.
“I enjoy the game no matter who is out there,” said Hovey. “The [feeling of being youthful] is always there. When you have been playing with a team, traveling with a team, horsing around with your teammates, it gets in your blood.
“I learned to wait my time,” Hovey added. “I was satisfied if I got a few minutes. Now, I seem to get self-satisfaction from the games. Inside, I do a lot of cheering.”
For Libby a love of basketball was rekindled through watching his granddaughter, Lynette Libby, who played for Hodgdon.
“I know basketball,” he said. “We would have to go watch the grandkids.”
At the Libbys, a basketball hoop hung in front of the garage and there were plenty of kids around.
Libby played for Ricker Classical Institute, graduating in 1937.
“We had a varsity and junior varsity. I played some junior varsity,” he said. “Each class had a basketball team and we played among ourselves, too.”
Another baseball player, Libby, who played for the Amity town team, was a catcher and pitcher. During his basketball days, he played guard.
“I watch the way they set up,” said Libby of today’s teams. “I watch the zone defenses change to man-to-man. I follow it pretty close.”
Over the years, Libby has taken in many games and since his playing days, there have been changes.
“I watch a lot of games,” he said. “Some of the rules have changed. I believe that is all for the best.”
When asked if he liked the 3-point shooting today, he shook his head and said, “I ain’t fussy about that.”
Libby said the number one thing he learned from his playing days was “cooperation.”
Today, he mostly watches the Houlton boys team and he likes what he sees.
“The game is fast and Houlton has a good team,” Libby said.” They are doing a pretty good job.”
When asked three questions at the close of the interview, Libby predicted a gold ball in Houlton’s future.
Is Houlton going to win? “Yup.” Without a doubt? “Ya.” Will you be cheering for them? “Yup.”
Go get that prize Shires.
