Cape caravan travels 40 years back to honor basketball legend Purnell Ayers

The Cape caravan traveled 75 miles and 40 years back Jan. 27 to support the induction of Purnell Ayers into the Delaware Basketball Hall of Fame. The “we be luncheon,” slang for talking major noise on the basketball court, took place at the Embassy Suites just across College Avenue from the Delaware Field House, where Ayers and his teammates, under the direction of Ralph Baird, won state titles in 1975 and 1976.   

Purnell showed for the banquet anxious to get his trip to the microphone over with. The player of the ’70s decade is an action alpha player, but not much into giving speeches.

“I’d like to thank my family and friends for coming here to support me today,” he said. And then he was gone, back to the instant Cape neighborhood of three tables constructed in the corner of the room.

Coaches Ralph Baird and Bud Hitchens, along with teammates Ronson Burton, Billy Allen, Jimmy Allen and Bill McGinness were there. Running mate John Bishop had to work. Cape athletes past like Randy Johnson, Eric Gooch and Marcus Hall were also there to support Cape history.

Purnell Ayers played three years and led Cape to a 59-1 regular-season record. Ayers could shoot, rebound and see the court – he was an efficient and unselfish player. He became the state’s all-time leading scorer.

Seven players were inducted into the class of 2018. In addition to Ayers, there were Jermaine Medley, Sarah Cashman, Steve Johnson, Mort Kimmel, Kate Mills and the late James Webster.

The hall was founded in 2007 by the Delaware Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association. There have now been 53 players and 26 coaches, officials and contributors honored.

Cape players Jimmy Allen and John Bishop and coach Ralph Baird were previously inducted into the Delaware Basketball Hall of Fame.  

The talk inside the big room was which team was the best of all time in Delaware high school basketball. Cape Henlopen 1975 led off every conversation.