Haworth’s 1975 heist avenged by Kokomo’s win in basketball sectional
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On a cold and cloudy winter’s day, January 30, 1975, the Kokomo Wildkat mascot that was securely kept at Memorial Gym went missing. A group of Haworth High School students had a very well thought out plan that went off without a hitch.
“Rip off the Kat,” or ROTC.
Wearing “K” sweaters, they somehow acquired, the Haworth men of the ROTC went to one of the janitorial staff with a forged note from assistant principal Red Craig, stating that the Wildkat mascot was to be taken to the art department for much-needed refurbishing of the case.
At first, the janitor was unsure. However, the case did need repairs, and the big crosstown game with Haworth was upcoming. Finally relenting, the poor janitor even helped assist the ROTC in taking the Wildkat mascot out the door. Only hours later was the truth discovered. No repairs had been ordered. It was all a ruse. KHS had been duped! And the Wildkat mascot was gone!
Eventually, the Wildkat mascot was located and returned. KHS principal Frank Moore was furious. All the while, HHS principal Harry McCool loved it.
During the time the mascot was missing, unconfirmed reports at KHS circulated that HHS students and cheerleaders had their pictures taken with the Wildkat and even had a party, called “Party with the Kat.” Who knows if it actually happened?
During the crosstown game, from the HHS section, continuous chants of “We stole the Kat. We gave it back” lasted most of the game. Haworth took this one over Kokomo, 67-61. The Wildkats never forgot the insult.
During the sectional, the Kats had the rematch they wanted. With starters Tim McFarland, Phil Thatcher, Tim James, Tico Brown, and Kevin Abney, the Kats demolished Haworth, 93-62. Towards the end of this game, the Northwestern cheer block stood up and cheered out, “Huskies, Huskies, don’t be blue. We’re going to get those Kats for you!”
Northwestern, coached by Steve David, was 21-0, state ranked, and had defeated Haworth in the regular season. Going into the sectional final against the 15-7 Kats, Northwestern had an amazing outside shooter in Randy Crowe. Years before, Crowe had also won the city’s free throw shooting contest. Crowe also had a great supporting cast of Rick Crawford, Craig Sutherland, Tom Orem, Steve Sewell.
The first half of this game was a disaster for the Tigers. Trailing Kokomo 39-20 at halftime. Northwestern tried to make a run, starting late in the third quarter and cutting the Kokomo lead to seven midway through the fourth quarter. But the Wildkats had just too much talent for Northwestern to close the gap. Final score: Kokomo 68, Northwestern 56.