The Flint Central Indian basketball team posted eye popping numbers between 1980 and 1983 with Coach Stan Gooch leading his squad to three straight Class A state titles, and a 100-9 record. Along with that were multiple all-star performances, including a parade of Division 1 talent. The 1983 team capped off that run with the 100th win coming against Detroit Southwestern in the state finals at Crisler Arena.

Talent was ubiquitous in the halls of Flint Central during that period led by perhaps the greatest of all time in area high school hoops, Eric Turner. Alongside him was Mark Harris, possibly the best shooter in area hoops history. Then you had Marty Embry, who just might be the best rebounder in area hoops lore. Add to that Marvin Wells, Chris Williams, Chris Levels, Rod Milhouse, and you have the nucleus of the first two title teams.
​
The one consistent factor on all three title teams was Darryl “D.J.” Johnson. Called up from the J.V. for the title run in 81, he was a key player on the 82 squad, and the star of the ’83 title team. The only player in Michigan high school hoops history to play on three Class A state title teams.

His senior year D.J. led a team that included Ervin Leavy, Ed Greer, Ken Bowie, rookie Terrence ‘T’ Greene, and Tyrone Williams. That squad wrapped up the last state title the Indians would ever record as the school would lose enrollment shortly thereafter and be closed down by 2009. Johnson would go on to a legendary career at Michigan State, and get a shot in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Leavy was part of the “Thunder and Lightning” duo with Dan Majerle at Central Michigan University, leading the Chippewas to the March Madness Tourney, Greene went on to star at Depaul and coach at Michigan briefly, while Greer remains one of the most underrated athletic talents in Flint history. He was part of a state title track and field team at Central, rushed for nearly 1200 yards in an All State senior football season, and played center on the 83 team – at only 6 foot tall. Together they formed the final capstone to the Flint Central champion triumvirate.

The foursome are all on hand in the Aquarium to tell the tale of that last title team, and the incredible Indian run are four of the starters: D.J., Erv, Ed Greer, and ‘T’. The stories, the camaraderie, the old school vibe, and four of the best to ever do it. It’s pure Flint and a hearty romp down memory lane with the champions of the state in 1983 The Flint Central Indians.

You can also visit this episode at Fish's website: https://www.flintchronicles.com/

When Flintstone Javale McGee won his first of three NBA World Championships one of his first acts was to bring the trophy home to Flint, the city in which he spent the first 13 years or so of his life growing up. With “Flint” tattooed on his torso this native son has proven his mettle as the most accomplished basketball player to ever hail from The Vehicle City.

He finished second place in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, and was the first player to use three balls at one time in a dunk contest, which was later cited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most basketballs dunked in a single jump.

A sturdy 7 footer, Mcgee was a first round pick in the 2008 NBA draft, and in addition to his 3 NBA titles, he also won a Gold Medal in the 2021 Olympics. With the medal, he and his mother Flint lady hoops legend Pamela Mcgee became the first mother and son duo to win gold medals in Olympic history.

That’s a lot of hoops history to pack in to a session in The Aquarium! But Javale and Fish pull it off and it’s another superb Chronicles-Worthy tale to tell on this episode of “Fish and The Flint Chronicles”.

You can also visit this episode at Fish's website: https://www.flintchronicles.com/

Without question one of the most interesting guests we have ever had in The Aquarium is Eddie Robinson. In a city with the athletic tradition of Flint, it’s hard to pinpoint who the best athletes were. There are just so many to pick from it often settles into people picking folks from their sport, generation, or neighborhood. Nothing particularly wrong with that except it usually negates a truly analytic dive into the details.

When it comes to basketball it’s even tougher. There have been some truly stellar stars to come out of Flint and Genesee County. But one name that is often left out of that conversation is Robinson.

That’s primarily because of the non-traditional route he took to the National Basketball Association. Robinson’s upbringing left much to be desired, and he essentially raised himself. Growing up in Flint’s north end he was exposed to every possible kind of trauma and opportunity to derail his life. He wasn’t much of a student. He never played organized ball, and at Flint Northern, when the Vikings won the state championship with Mateen Cleaves, and Antonio Smith, Robinson was nowhere to be found on the Northern roster. Cleaves once opinied that as good at that team was, the best player in the school wasn’t even on the roster. That player was Robinson. If he had played, we might be talking about that Viking team as the greatest in state history.

Instead, Robinson was playing rec ball at Berston Field House. From that position he managed to capture enough attention to land a spot on the roster at Trinity Valley Junior College, and then the Brown Mackie School of Business, a business owned by American Education Centers. Robinson remembers it as being barely recognizable as a real school, and in fact was shut down for committing consumer fraud.

Robinson eventually landed at Division 2 University of Central Oklahoma, in Edmond. Playing in the Lone Star League, Robinson’s skills were so obviously extraordinary he made the completely unlikely leap from D2 to NBA. At 6-9, with speed, length, hops, and incredible energy and ball skills, Robinson was a freak on the court, and his potential seemed unlimited. The YouTube videos you can still see of him in action are eye-popping.

But much like the circuitous route Robinson followed to the world pinnacle of his profession, his time in the league would be equally non-conforming, just like Robinson himself. It’s our considered opinion that Robinson's personal theme song should be Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” because that is certainly how he lived his life.

It’s a one of a kind interview with a one of a kind individual. This is an interview that could never be played on the radio in it’s NSFW, but it’s one you won’t want to miss if you have an interest in a helluva story, and the spectacularly circuitous tale of one of the greatest to ever come from the greatest sports town in American history per capita. That’s Eddie Robinson, and his story is unforgettable.

You can also visit this episode at Fish's website: https://www.flintchronicles.com/