The Time Capsule | Roy Marshall

Over an extended period we’ve done three or four columns that made reference to Vivian Fleming Pickens. One article led to another, in part because several readers remember playing with or against her, others commented on seeing her games, or simply relish memories of six-on-six—and a time when there was one girls state champion instead of several, and tiny Emerson went all the way to the final game.

I’d attempted to contact Fleming, failed, but she learned of the articles and emailed me from her home in Ohio. I called, we visited, I asked if she played basketball after high school.

She had athletic scholarship offers and a chance to sign with the Atlanta Cowgirls (a semi-pro team). She loved the game and said she now wishes she had pursued opportunities to continue. Instead, she attended Community Extension Business College in Omaha for a year, then married and moved to Ohio.

I mentioned that a reader had told me she’d made the varsity team at Strahan while in junior high. She did so as a seventh grader, she said, played more while in eighth grade, then became a starter in her freshman year (she was leading scorer that year and made the all-county team). A slightly built 5-6, she needed to make the most of what she had and credits good coaches at Strahan. Then, just before her junior year, her father changed jobs and they relocated to Emerson. There she met Coach Mercer. He was tough, had a system and got the best from his players—including Ann, Vivian’s sister and starting guard. Practices, Fleming said, were intense, and always accompanied by music.

I asked if there was one game that stood out, or one she’d like to have over. Her answer might interest kids playing today. “Maynard,” she said, “we could have beaten Maynard.”

After sixty years that loss still stings.

This column has covered Emerson rolling into state, cruising through the first two in Des Moines, beating second-ranked Blakesburg in what was then the highest scoring game in tournament history. State Center fell the next night, 73-71. In that semi-final game Fleming, who set at least one state tourney record in each of the four games, hit 20 consecutive free throws. When I reminded her she laughed, telling me that as teams left the floor at halftime the PA announcer made reference to marks she’d set and others she might. Coach Mercer scoffed and said “You don’t win games with records.” On that night, Fleming topped off her consecutive free throw streak with a string of high-pressure foul shots in the final minute. Belittling records, she said, was Mercer’s way of putting her focus on the game and not the crowing of a PA announcer.

“We didn’t sleep the night before the final. No one could rest. We were supposed to take a nap the afternoon of the game, but there was so much excitement none of us could think about sleeping.”

Emerson played three games in three nights.

West Central of Maynard, an undefeated power house, was favored for good reason: they had a significant height advantage, played three consecutive years in the finals against a team that had never made it to state, they got a day off before the last game, and they had depth.

The contest, called by Jim Zabel, can be viewed on YouTube. I’ve watched it twice. Is Fleming right? Would a less-weary Emerson have won? Fun to watch, and those interested can use Mr. Google to decide for yourself.

Roy Marshall is a local historian and columnist for the Red Oak Express. He can be contacted at news@redoakexpress.com.