Historical marker recognizes Milan 1954 team in Pierceville

(PIERCEVILLE, Ind.) – A historical marker honoring the 1954 Milan basketball team was recently unveiled in the Pierceville community. 

Shortly after the team won the state championship, four players were photographed playing basketball in an alley near team member Roger Schroder’s parents' store in Pierceville.

The photo was taken by Indianapolis News photographer Bob Doeppers and it featured Bobby Plump dribbling with Glen Butte, Gene White and Schroder in a defensive stance. 

The four players were nicknamed the Pierceville Alleycats and the photo became famous and was used in books, newspapers and magazines.

“Much more than any posed team photo, the image captured the quintessential scenery of teens in basketball crazed rural Indiana in the 1950s… which is to politely say that these 18-year-old already crowned Hoosier heroes were kids who loved the game so much they’d dribble to closely avoid the stench and mess of manure piled not far from the goal,” stated the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. 

The Ripley County Basketball Hall of Fame unveiled a historical marker at that location on August 8. Its on North County Road 450 East near Monroe Street in Pierceville.