Basketball was invented in 1891 by a Canadian clergyman, educator, and physician, James Naismith. He was an instructor at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) school in Springfield, Massachusetts, now Springfield College. The idea was to organize a vigorous form of competitive recreation suitable for winters when weather forced exercise indoors. The game involved elements of football, soccer, and hockey. The first ball they used was a soccer ball. Originally teams had nine players, with goals comprised of wooden peach baskets affixed to the walls. Within a decade, five-person teams became standard.
This is the concluding photo of a three-part series featuring Black Diamond basketball teams. This 1952-53 team was comprised of boys ages 9 and 10. Back row: Willis (Bud) Kirk, Tom Maks, Don Lloyd, Roderick (Rod) Eddy. Front row: Louis Draghi, Frank (Butch) Zumek, Jimmy Parkins. This photo #2003.122.01 comes courtesy of the Black Diamond Historical Society and was donated by Louis Draghi, one of the team’s players.
This photo was taken at the Black Diamond School, then used for grades one through eight. This two-story brick building formerly served all grades until 1943, when Black Diamond’s final senior class graduated. After that, high school students went to Enumclaw. The building was torn down in 1963, replaced by a new elementary school. That too was demolished in 2016, with the current Black Diamond Elementary School built the following year.
