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

Eddie Booth coached two seasons at Virginia City High School, 1977 and 1978, and helped return the Muckers to glory, capturing the state championship both years.  He would leave the Comstock for Winnemucca, where he would have a very successful career in the Humboldt County School District as a coach, teacher, athletic director, and administrator.  Eddie is also a member of the NIAA Hall of Fame. ...

Gary Adams, Virginia City class of 1978, was a member of two state championship teams, 1977 and 1978.  He also had the distinction of playing on the worst team in Mucker history.  Here is our conversation with Gary Adams.

John Seymour, class of 1973, was a member of the 1972 state championship team at Virginia City High School.  He finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in Mucker hoops history.  Here is our conversation with John Seymour.  

Dan Nevin, class of 1971, was a member of the 1969 state championship team at Virginia City High School.  Here is our conversation with Dan Nevin.

Bob Rudnick, class of 1972, would be part of two state championship teams at Virginia City High School, 1969 and 1972.   Bob would have a distinguished 30-year career in law enforcement, retiring as Douglas County Undersheriff in 2005.  Here is our conversation with Bob Rudnick.

Bobby Gallagher, class of 1972, is the younger son of Hugh Gallagher Sr.  Bobby won two state championships at Virginia City High School, 1969 and 1972.  He would go on to a distinguished career in education in Elko County, serving as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and administrator.  Bobby, along with his father and brother, is a member of the NIAA Hall of Fame.  We visited with Bobby at hi...

Jim Miller arrived on the Comstock from Southern California in 1965, as he began his freshman year at Virginia City High School.  He would be part of three state championship teams and later become Storey County Sheriff.  Here is our conversation with Jim Miller.

The Virginia City Muckers had captured three consecutive state championships and entered the 1985 season on a 51-game win streak.  Many new faces were now on the roster as Coach Fred Gladding worked to continue the run of success.

The Muckers captured the 1982 B-League State Championship and entered 1983 with a roster ten deep.  The team’s style of play led to a season of domination and a whole lot of wins.  

The conclusion of the 1981 season brought another coaching change to Virginia City High School.  Former Mucker star Fred Gladding, a winner of three state titles as a player, was named the new head coach. His hiring would trigger a run of success that would rewrite the record books.

The Virginia City Muckers entered the 1978 season as the defending B-League State Champions.  With four starters returning from the 1977 title team the Muckers were primed for a repeat, but one challenger was not going to go down without a fight.

After four years in the wilderness the 1977 Virginia City Muckers are back in the hunt for another Nevada state basketball championship, this time led by the disciple of a VC coaching legend.

1972 would mark the end of an era for Virginia City Basketball and usher in a period of disappointment.  Legends would leave the Comstock, while another generation looked to put its stamp on the Mucker program.

The 1970 season ended in heartbreak for the Virginia City Muckers with a loss in the state championship game.  1971 offered great promise, but a new rival, this one from the south, was looking to stand in their way.

Virginia City captured their 8th state championship in 1969.  In 1970 Hugh Gallagher Sr. turned to a legendary Mucker player to take over as head coach of the Virginia City basketball program.   Tom Andreasen had won two state championships as a player and two as an assistant coach.   Could he now guide the Muckers a ninth state title?

The 1968 season ended in defeat for the the Virginia City Muckers in the state championship game, ending their streak of six consecutive titles.  The 1969 team would add a pair of freshman, Bob Gallagher and Bob Rudnick, and they would leave an indelible mark on the program.

Premiering January 28th!

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...

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.

Greg Hess played on two state championship teams at Virginia City High School and would later see his two sons play on five title winning teams.  Greg has spent a lifetime dedicated to Storey County and the preservation of its rich history.   We visited with Greg at his home in Virginia City.  Here is our conversation with Greg Hess.  

Lyle Damon is one of the most successful coaches in the history of Nevada High School Basketball.  In six seasons at Virginia City High School he captured five state championships, losing only five games in those six years.  He is a member of NIAA Hall of Fame.  We visited with Coach Damon at his home in Reno.  Here is our conversation with Lyle Damon.