Thompson, Roy

He became one of the first high school big men in basketball who played inside and on the wing. At 6 foot, 4 inches, he gave opponents a tough time as he became known as a double threat for Rogers High School from 1950-54. He played five years on the varsity team, averaging 16.6 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots per game. He also hit more than 80 percent of his free throws. As a junior, he averaged 20.3 points per game, earning all-district honors. What made his achievements even more impressive is that if he could not hitch a ride home after practice, he walked 10-12 miles home. When it rained, he often found a parked car alongside the road and slept. His 1953 team was described by some as the best team to come out of Lauderdale County.