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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2009 > November > 04 > Entry
Greatest Backcourt Ever Now Gone
The greatest backcourt in Ohio high school basketball history is now gone.
At least I think they were the best pair of guards ever to play side by side for a prep team in this state.
Back in the late 1960s and into the first few months of 1970, Phil Lumpkin was the point guard and Donald Smith the shooting guard for Roth High School. Both averaged over 20 points a game and then Lumpkin went to Miami University and Smith to the University of Dayton.
When they played Chaminade — which starred Dan Gerhardt, had a stronger inside game and would later win state — the game sold out UD Arena.
In college both ended up in their school’s Hall of Fame. Smith averaged 20.4 p.p.g. for his college career, Lumpkin 16.1.
Both were picked in the second round of the NBA draft — Lumpkin by Portland, Smith by Philadelphia.
Lumpkin, a successful high school coach in Seattle, was found dead in his apartment Monday. He was 57. Smith died five years ago at age 53.
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Comments
By mike71
November 6, 2009 9:18 AM | Link to this
I played against them that year in city league. Both were incredibly dominant and yet still complemented each others’ skills. They did whatever they wanted, were unstoppable. Games vs Chaminade were the real state championship tourney that year. Every honor more than deserved.
By Fla
November 6, 2009 12:58 AM | Link to this
how did B and Avalonmoon come to their conclusions…morons…they both did start at major institutions and they both went pro…there was no better backcourt ever in Ohio basketball history than these two…or you flat out never saw them play…this blog should be in Lump and Smitty’s honor…nothing appauling as what you wrote…neither of you ever played or followed the game
By B
November 4, 2009 8:38 PM | Link to this
they weren’t even the best backcourt to play in the City League, much less the state. I could probably make a case they weren’t even the best 2 guards to play at Roth, but I don’t want to completely snuff out the debate. And when did Archdeacon happen upon his recollection of them? He’s not from Dayton and I don’t think Roth played against Ottoville. I do love the gratuitous and unnecessary Catholic school reference though, Not.
By avalonmoon
November 4, 2009 8:17 PM | Link to this
Hey OSU Joe, what are you… ten years old??? Donald Smith would have started anywhere.
By OSU Joe
November 4, 2009 6:34 PM | Link to this
Quit toking the doja, my friend. You must be stoned out of your mind to claim that is the best back court ever in Ohio. Those two would not even start at a major program.