Pride of the Comstock: An Oral History of Virginia City Basketball Patrick Beckwith

George Del Carlo, class of 1968,  was the last of the eight Del Carlo brothers to graduate from Virginia City High School. He was part of three state championship teams, 1965, 1966, 1967.  We visited with George in the library at Virginia City HS.

Nick Bowler, Gary Batchelor, and Gary Hickman all played significant roles in the storied success of Moapa Valley High School athletics.   They were all also in the Las Vegas Convention Center the night the Pirates defeated Virginia City with a buzzer beater in 1968 Nevada State Basketball Championship.  We spoke by phone with all three about their careers at Moapa Valley as well as that historic title game.  Here is our conversation with the three Moapa Valley legends. 

Hugh Gallagher Jr. captured four Nevada State Basketball  Championships from 1962 to 1965, losing just one game in that four year span.  He is a member of the NIAA Hall of Fame, as is his father, Hugh Sr., and his younger brother Bobby.  We visited with Hugh at his home in Virginia City.   

Ed Gladding was a member of the historic class of 1965 at Virginia City High School, capturing four Nevada state basketball championships during his time as a Mucker.  He is the older brother of Fred Gladding, who won titles as both a player and coach at Virginia City.   Here is our conversation with Ed Gladding.  

Doug Bacus played on three state championship teams at Virginia City High School.  He led the Muckers in both scoring and rebounding his senior year.  We spoke to Doug by phone from his home in California.  Here is our conversation with Doug Bacus. 

Rollie Hess played on three state championship teams at Virginia City High School and was one of the most prolific scorers in Mucker history.  Along with his brother Greg, he brought a toughness that would be a signature trait of VC hoops for generations.   Here is our conversation with Rollie Hess.