2013 Inductee The 1944-1945 Basketball Team

Seated Left: William Serraino, Assist. Student Manager, Seated Right: Robert Todd, Student Manager
Row 1: Elvie Ferris, Charles Hickman, Gene Dudley (C), Bob Green (C) Fred Friend, Vince Schlicht, Robert Smetzer
Row 2: F.D. Swigart, Sup’t of Schools, E.S. Glasgo, Principal, Dale Campbell, Coach Harry L. Strobel, Joe Disandis, Norman Eger, Russell M. Williams, Faculty Manager, Assist. Coach Al Alvarez


Congratulations to the 1944-45 Bellevue Redmen Boys’ Basketball Team know as the "Whiz Kids." Their State Basketball Championship excited the city in 1945, and is still talked about today in the highest regards. On this Day, September 28, 2013, they are the first team being inducted in the Bellevue H.S. Athletic Hall of Fame. Congratulations to all the team members for your contributions to this great accomplishment.

  • They were the 1944-45 Class A State Champions.
  • They were the smallest school to win Class A.
  • They were the first Bellevue H.S. State Champion.
  • They had a 25-0 record in 1944-45.
  • The state final was Bellevue 36, Middletown 34.
  • Each member of the team graduated from college.
Regular Season
Bowling Green 55 - 13  (W)
Lorain 61 - 28  (W)
Tiffin Col. 53 - 34 (W)
St. Wendelin 57 - 29  (W)
Norwalk 44 - 28  (W)
Port Clinton 46 - 44  (W)
Sandusky 44 - 26  (W)
Willard 59 - 22  (W)
Crestline 70 - 29  (W)
Mansfield 41 - 34  (W)
Fremont 43 - 34  (W)
Norwalk 52 - 27  (W)
Bucyrus 45 - 29  (W)
Port Clinton 54 - 33  (W)
Shelby 54 - 33  (W)
Willard 77 - 18  (W)
Elyria 52 - 50  (W)
Sandusky 66 - 26  (W)
District
Willard 59 - 17  (W)
Norwalk 37 - 31  (W)
Port Clinton 43 - 33   (W)

Regional
Van Wert 31 - 13  (W)
Tol. Macomber 28 - 26  (W)

State
Massillon 47 - 44  (W)
Middletown 36 - 34  (W)