He was a little slump shouldered but 85-year-old Coach James Sinclair still towered over most everyone who attended his surprise birthday celebration. It was a memorable bash and many members of his 12 BHS basketball teams attended the gathering which was held in the First Methodist Church Family Life Center.

     Sinclair’s son-in-law, Rob Fisher, served as official greeter and moderator. Former standout center Bobby Shows and his brothers had conceived the surprise party. Invitations were extended two months ago and  an effort was made to keep it a secret.

     Secrets come and  secrets go. Plans were made, balloons were inflated, streamers hung and a delicious meal from Broma’s Deli was catered. Around 100 folks gathered in the Life Center. A birthday cake, decorated in blue and red naturally, provided he dessert, along with ice cream.

     Former assistant coach F.D. Moore presented Sinclair with a glass-enclosed basketball that was autographed by all the players in attendance. Two BHS greats, Lance Alworth and Ralph “Catfish” Smith, wrote letters of appreciation and admiration to their coach. The letters were sealed in a glass frame.

     For sure, Sinclair has many fond memories of those glorious days when the Panthers ruled the Big Eight Conference hardwood. He began coaching at BHS in 1953.

     Smith recalled his high school career when the Panthers won two South Big Eight championships and one overall crown. He later became an All-SEC end for the Ole Miss Rebels and played professional football with the Philadelphia Eagles.

     “You became a father image for me,” Smith wrote. “You were an important part of my life.”

     Alworth, a Pro Football Hall of Fame member who starred for the San Diego Chargers of the old AFL, signed a scholarship with Arkansas when he graduated from BHS in 1958. He became a highly successful businessman in the San Diego area after his pro career concluded.

     Alworth wrote, “Coach, you are the reason for all those great Brookhaven memories. You knew our inner strengths and made us better people. Your teaching and coaching have been instrumental in my life’s success.”

     Chuck Miner of Jackson, a standout BHS guard, spoke  eloquently about his former mentor. He was in town when the BHS gymnasium was named in Sinclair’s honor on  May 10, 1997. Miner’s family moved to Brookhaven from Elgin, Ill., when he was 14 years old. His father had taken a job at the Johnson Lawnmower plant as a supervisor.

     Miner said Sinclair looked like a giant when he first met him during the summer at Exchange Club Park.  “I was a young teenager who missed all my friends up North. Coach Sinclair was a stabilizing factor in my life.”

     Obviously, Sinclair played to win in every sport and competition. Miner remembered, “He never let me win at table tennis that first summer I was here.”

     Miner said the Panthers won over 90 games during his varsity career. However, Sinclair’s friendship and paternal guidance had the most important impact in his life.

     Sinclair used to provide scouting reports on football opponents for the late Paul Moyer who coached football and baseball at BHS in the 1950s and 60s. Miner often accompanied Sinclair on those road trips.

     “Coach loved to fish. He talked fishing more than basketball on those trips,” said Miner. “He would talk about spinnerbaits, H&H, purple worms, on and on.”

     Former BHS team member Roffie Burt provided a role call for all of Sinclair’s former teams. Players stood with their respective teammates from each year and received applause from the crowd.

    

     Fisher reviewed the coach’s early life. Sinclair was born March 22, 1927, in Rankin County. He enlisted in the Army and served during World War II. He was recruited by Ralph Blades and played for Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He transferred to Tulane and starred for the Green Wave when it was a Southeastern Conference powerhouse.

     He married his wife, Lurlene, in 1952. They had two daughters, Becky Green and Nancy Fisher. His wife passed away and he later remarried in 1987 to Martha Clark Manuel.

     He has been a resident of Brookhaven for 60 years. He taught Sunday School at First Baptist Church. In January of 1997, Sinclair suffered a severe stroke. Thankfully, he made a remarkable comeback, just like his Panther teams often did in those tough games.

     Bobby Shows, along with brothers Scotty and Glen, made a spirited effort to collect $900 in donations to purchase FCA Bibles for BHS athletes. For sure, it was a worthy cause. The check was presented to BHS soccer/golf coach Kevin Bower who leads the local FCA Huddle chapter.

     Several long tables were placed together along one wall of  the room. They were filled with yearbooks, newspaper clippings and pictures of those outstanding teams Sinclair coached.

     Most importantly, the room was filled with Sinclair’s friends, family and former players.

     This column wishes everyone a happy Easter! Remember, “He is risen.” Contact sports editor Tom Goetz by Email: tgoetz@dailyleader.com