Letter to the Editor: Book tells story of basketball rivalry, small town living in Montana

Editor:

As a local historian, I read many books pertaining to the history of this area, Montana and the American West. Most of these books are excellent, providing useful and interesting information about the subject at hand, but sometimes some books are simply exceptional.

“Two Moments of Glory” is one of those books. Written by historian Frank Spragg, it is well researched and expertly organized and written. The book’s main focus is two Class C high school boys basketball championship tournament games in 1960 between Gildford High School and Holy Rosary High School from Bozeman and 1961, between Holy Rosary and Belgrade High School. However, this book is so much more.

Mr. Spragg’s research and interviews include histories of the communities, the schools, the politics behind decisions made and how they affected schools, Mr. Spragg’s personal experiences attending Class C basketball games and tournaments, even how some of those gymnasiums came to be and how they were constructed. Above all, and the best part, were the lives of the coaches and players and how their basketball experiences shaped their lives and future endeavors.

The way Mr. Spragg crafts the action during game time makes readers feel they were right there in the audience cheering on their favorite team.

This book is one every person who is interested in high school sports and Montana history should have in their collection, but especially those who love Hill County’s history. I learned more about Gildford, Montana, in this book than anywhere else, save John Campbell’s tour of Gildford during its centennial. Of particular interest will be a subject few remember, and that is the battle between Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Mary Condon and the communities of Kremlin, Gildford, Hingham, Rudyard and Inverness and their beloved schools.

Frank and Judith Spragg will be in Havre June 3 and 4 to discuss his book, and you are highly encouraged to attend his presentation. His 372-page book is one of the best I’ve ever read and, quite frankly, it is hard to stop reading and get busy with other tasks! Let’s show the Spraggs a warm Hill County welcome at the Havre-Hill County Library on June 3. The presentation is free, and “Two Moments of Glory” will be available for sale at a modest cost that is well-worth every cent.

Emily Mayer

High Line Heritage House Museum

Havre