NARROWSBURG, NY — The Narrowsburg boys basketball team of 1964-65 won the first Section 9 Class D championship in school history. This magical season created an atmosphere of excitement and pride for the entire community, and not just the school. Home games saw the gym packed to capacity, with some spectators standing in the hallways, trying to get a peek at the action. Students clamored for seats on the “fan bus”, and fans followed the team to away games, especially arch rivals Jeff-Youngsville.

The sectional championship game between the two teams was played before 1,200 fans at Liberty High School, where a reported 300 spectators were turned away because the gym had reached legal capacity. Narrowsburg and Jeff faced off for the fourth time that season, the teams having split the two regular-season games, and Jeff edging Narrowsburg 68-67 to claim the Western Sullivan League title.

In the season opener at Jeff, the Trojans squeaked by the Indians, 65-64. Narrowsburg won the regular season game at home, 98-93, setting a New York State record for combined points (191) in a game. In the sectional semifinals, Jeff topped Florida, and Narrowsburg overwhelmed Tuxedo, 114-64, establishing another state record with its 114 points, setting up a fourth game between Narrowsburg and Jeff for the sectional title.

The Section 9 Championship game was just like the previous three games between the teams, a seesaw battle that saw Narrowsburg take the title with a 73-70 victory with a free throw by Don Vannatta and a rebound and basket by Jerry Allen in the final minute breaking a 70-70 tie, setting off a wild celebration of players and fans. Those who were a part of that game, from players to team managers, cheerleaders and fans, will never forget that night, 60 years ago.

These events, while not referring in any way to the current state of the town, harken back to a time when Narrowsburg was so different, and the community was much more connected, in many ways through the school. For a brief time, these events bring back memories, both happy and sad, which reach the feeling of connectedness and familiarity that we shared in that era.