The game most remembered by Charles Nelson of Fort Wayne Southside was touted as epic before it was even played. Fort Wayne Southside and Fort Wayne Central were two outstanding teams in 1967 both with an eye on a state championship. Central had beat South 60-58 eleven days before their sectional opening rematch. And to add more drama, hours before the big game it was leaked that South’s coach of 16 years, Don Reichert was going to resign after the team’s last game.
Chuck Nelson told TGR that the team had heard that it might happen a couple of days before the game but it had really no bearing on the team’s mind set. “We didn’t want the season to end for the team or for him,” said Nelson, “we went on about our business.” That business was to go as far as they could go in the tourney.
It was a hard-fought game, tight all the way, living up to all the pre-game hype. Southside beat Central 66-65 in overtime. Chuck Nelson led all scorers with 23 points.
Fort Wayne Southside made it to the State Finals where they lost in the afternoon game to Lafayette Jefferson. Chuck Nelson was the Trester Award recipient for citizenship, mental attitude, and scholarship. He played his college basketball at Rice University.