Bishop McDevitt’s 1966 basketball team reunites to honor historic season, memorable class

Eight seasons before the Pennsylvania Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association officially dissolved, Bishop McDevitt’s boys basketball program wrote one hell of a story. The Crusaders, led by their blue-collar coach Marino DeFilippo, were something new to behold, a collection of “ragtag city kids,” as star guard Tony Kinn recalled. The team was certainly undersized but quick, encouraged to play wide open and without fear no matter the record or reputation of the opposition. Those city kids, representing Bishop McDevitt’s Class of 1966, made scoreboard operators throughout the eastern half of the state really dig in, all the way to the PCIAA final. It’s what brought Kinn and members of McD’s supporting cast former teammates, cheerleaders, friends, classmates to last week’s reunion of sorts along the Carlisle Pike. In reality, it was a chance to remember those perfect, passionate days on and off the court and remember those lost between then and now, including the late John M. Travers and Bob Klinger. It’s always been a special group. “We didn’t know each other when we got to McDevitt, but all of a sudden you’ve got a class that takes 21 buses to Shamokin or 33 buses to Allentown in a blizzard,” said Kinn, one of two All-State selections following the historic 1965-66 season, the ending an 88-83 loss to Bishop McCort in the championship round. Travers also earned All-State honors. A PCIAA-record 5, 896 fans were in attendance at the Farm Show Arena. “We took 38 buses to Scranton on a Friday. How could we lose? We never played an away game. We didn’t have to because the entire school was always there.” Dinner and wine at the Black and Bleu Restaurant set the stage for speeches and dozens of interesting stories from members of the team. DeFilippo’s distinct “waddle” was mentioned a time or two, so was the coach’s strict set of rules that carried beyond the court. Of course, there were different interpretations from the players from time to time. “RJ Klinger knew all the scams,” joked power forward Jim Hamilton, who has his own unique story in this successful chapter. Hamilton was cut from the basketball team three times before becoming an integral part of the 22-4 surge as a senior. He even posted the first points vs. McCort in the finale. “Hamilton knew how to sneak out and run over for lunch to Kline Village. And he and Travers faked a murder. True Story,” Hamilton said. “The genius that Travers was, he stole some ketchup from the cafeteria. During class, Klinger yells at him ‘don’t you mess with my girl,’ then stands up and shoots Travers. I can’t remember what the sister’s name was, but she ran to get the principal thinking John was dead. He ran to the bathroom to change his shirt, so when sister and the principal returned to the Physics Lab, John was sitting in his chair.” Kinn stressed that despite a mischievous move or two, the school was filled with wonderful and supportive teachers and staff. He told the story of Sister Myra, who knew nothing about basketball. “She didn’t know a basketball was round,” Kinn said. “But one day she corners John Travers and I and gave us Saint Christopher medals. She said when it really gets tough, where this. I still have that medal.” Longtime coach and educator Mike Fry laid out the nuts and bolts behind McD’s entertaining brand of basketball. “Tony was the Caitlin Clark of the league,” Fry said. “We had great tradition at McD and this team was a great part of that. You know Marino had a rule that if you got within the foul line, you either shot the ball or passed it if the open guy had a layup. One time, Travers dribbled down the lane and passed it back out to Tony. Marino was a little ticked off with John, who said ‘coach, for Tony that is a layup.’” Playing without a 3-point line, the Crusaders averaged 85. 6 points during the regular season, twice scoring more than 100 points in victories over Lower Dauphin and Chambersburg. McD would take out Bethlehem Catholic (77-73) and Scranton Prep (92-70) in the playoffs before lining up vs. Bishop McCort. Kinn and Travers combined for 65 points in the final, which also featured regular starters Fred Parise, Lew Billet and Don Polly. Travers brought down 16 of McD’s 27 rebounds. The team finished the season with 2, 220 total points. Parise, the teams’ sure-handed point guard, and teammates Steve Sukniac, Jim McCarthy and Mike Messick all attended the reunion. Marino DeFilippo Jr. helped pass out three signed basketballs, with two handed to Kathy Tochia Travers, John’s wife, and daughter Terri Travers. Longtime CYO coach, classmate, and voice of the Crusaders, Saverio Ametrano, also was honored. Kinn vowed to schedule another get together soon. “The folks around us created an atmosphere that we just couldn’t fail,” Kinn said. “It’s not just about shooting hoops, it’s about the whole class.” — @threejacker.
https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/2025/11/bishop-mcdevitts-1966-basketball-team-reunites-to-honor-historic-season-memorable-class.html