During the Tom Cuppett era of Chillicothe basketball, fans new of only one place to be on game night, Hatton Memorial Gymnasium.

Through the 1970s, Cuppett led teams won numerous District titles and had teams that were going beyond the Southeast District in tournament play.

The one team which stood out was 1980-81. That season the Cavaliers were undefeated marching into a meeting with Canton McKinley with a 22-0 mark. It was the most successful season in Chillicothe basketball prior to the Cavs 2008 state title.

Friday night, members of the 1980-81 Chillicothe Boys Basketball team will gather on the same floor they dazzled fans and frustrated opponents.

Organizers say as many as 16 individuals associated with the team will return to Hatton, led by CHS Athletic Hall of Fame members Coach Cuppett (2001) and Garin Veris (1993).

Chillicothe City Schools Superintendent Roger Crago was an Assistant Principal at CHS at the time. Crago said it was electrifying anytime the Cavs took the floor, home and away.

"I remember at Groveport, there was a breakaway and Garin was at half-court you
knew he was going to dunk it... you had the support of the community... even at the away games because we always filled the gyms."

Chillicothe was ranked 3rd in the then Ohio Associated Press Class AAA poll and Canton McKinley was the number 1 team heading into the Regional matchup, a team with the future Ohio State backcourt mates in Ronnie Stokes and Troy Taylor.

CHS Principal Jeff Fisher says Friday's event will link up yesterday with today.

"We're striving for that same accomplishment that this team earned and the '08 team earned. It's kind of a past meeting the present..."

The team will be recognized between the Junior Varsity and Varsity games with

Gallia Academy (approximately 7:15pm).

Crago adds the memories of that team are still alive, even when he sees some of the players around town today.

"It was a group of hard working young gentlemen, even nowadays when I see some of them today, like Jeff Doles and Rob Hitchens, and think about watching them play... they worked hard at it."

The ceremony has been orchestrated by Dustin Cousins, who's tireless efforts have helped some former Cavaliers find their way back home.

"It's an important day," said Fisher "we feel this is a way to not only honor the team but to bring the community back inside Hatton Gym and make sure they understand that we didn't have a great team just in 1981, we have a great team right now."

A private reception for the team, cheerleaders and families will be held after the varsity game.

Tickets for Saturday's Chillicothe-Gahanna game at Capital University are available at the CHS Athletic Office, $12 cash only.

Tickets may be purchased until 3pm Wednesday and 8:30am to 3pm Thursday. (There's no school Friday).

Directions to The Capital Center:

  -- Travel on I-71 to I-70 East.
  -- Exit I-70 at the Main Street/Bexley exit.
  -- Exit ramp will merge onto Alum Creek Drive then dead end at Main Street (Kroger store will be in front of you).
  -- Turn right onto Main Street
  -- Proceed East on Main Street to fourth traffic light - Pleasant Ridge Drive.
  -- Turn right on Pleasant Ridge (The Capital Center will be on your left).
  -- Proceed to Mound Street and park in the large parking lot south of Mound Street and the main entrance to the building and stadium is on Mound Street.