1988 championship team reunited at Carlisle Classic
The 1988 State Championship team pose for a picture during the Carlisle Classic.
January 8, 2014
After 25 years, the 1988 Carlisle boys’ basketball team returned to the Gene Evans Gymnasium for a reunion during the annual Carlisle Classic basketball tournament.
Carlisle went 33-0 that 1988 season as well being Mid- Penn Champions, District 3 Champions and adding another state championship to their record after also winning the state championship in 1985, 1986, and 1987. They were ranked 4th in the country.
Former Athletic Director Dave Eavenson said, “Being 20-0 in State Playoffs of 4 years is unheard of.”
Coming in from Las Vegas, Rhode Island, and local areas it was the team’s first time seeing each other in 25 years. The reunion started out with hugs and hand shakes. They signed programs and basketballs and then shared many stories that brought out smiles and laughter.
Coach Dave Lebo was named High School Coach of the Year in the country during this season. He described his team as “a team that accomplished so much in the face of extreme pressure.”
Being MVP of the McDonald’s All-Star Classic and earning the reward of High School Player in the country, Billy Owens was a huge contributor to this team. Owens scored over 3,000 points during his high school career averaging 25 points per game in all 4 years. Owens scored a state-record of 58 points in the 1988 State Championship game. He is one of the few best athletes that have been inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame.
Owens described the moment of seeing his teammates again like “seeing his first son being born” and also jokingly said, “Nothing had changed besides the shapes of our bodies.”
Eavenson recalls that season as “electrifying.” Tickets were sold days in advanced, they had season tickets, and every game was sold out or it would over-sell. By 6:30 the stands were full and they would have to bring risers for people to stand on in the corners of the gym. Against Steel High, people had to sit Indian style around the court.
Not only did they have to fit over 2,000 people in Gene Evans gymnasium but also had to find room for TV stations, radios, and even ESPN. Carlisle would only receive a specific amount of tickets for the championship that were given out by a lottery.
“They worked hard at practice, they enjoyed being a part of the team, and they sacrificed themselves to be a part of the team,” said Lebo.
While no plans have been made yet, there have been talks about getting all four championship years together in the future.
Paul Hoffman • Apr 23, 2023 at 4:51 pm
I m 65 now but it sure was a joy ride me n my dad n brother would travel all over just to see them play saw every play off game they played such a run probably will not happen again my dad n brother been gone i still remember all the games ex specially against meadville they had a hell of a team thanks
Daniel Munck • Jan 20, 2014 at 11:44 pm
This is a great story. It is amazing that the members of the team had not seen each other for 25 years, and it is great that they were reunited at the Carlisle Classic.
Tyler Galaskas • Jan 20, 2014 at 2:15 pm
I was at this game, and the atmosphere in Gene Evans gym during this reunion was spectacular. It really was special getting to see the team that put Carlisle on the map in the same gym as I was.
Zach Mitchiner • Jan 15, 2014 at 2:04 pm
I think it is pretty cool that the team was able to be rounded up after they won the state championship 25 years ago. My Dad went to school at Carlisle High School, and he always recalls how great the basketball team was during his time period. I see potential in our current basketball team that could possibly get us into states for the second time in a row, therefore I hope to see a reunion of the current players 25 years from now!