KNIGHTSTOWN — Tim Curry is going to Florida this winter.
It is a vacation at least 15 years in the making, and it wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for his grandson.
Usually, Tim Curry spends those frigid weeks following the career of his favorite boys basketball player: former New Palestine star Ryan Curry. But this winter, he won’t have much to watch, as Ryan Curry, his grandson, has decided to give up organized hoops.
It’s a little sad, Tim Curry admits. He can count on one hand the games he has missed Ryan play in his long career.
“I’ve been to almost all of them since he was about 4 years old,” Tim Curry said. “I broke my left femur leaving one of his games once, but I probably only missed four or five that year. I listened to the ones they broadcast, and I got to the rest of them in a wheelchair, then a walker and then my cane.”
It is with that same pride and determination that Tim Curry attended the 10th Annual Hoosiers’ Reunion All-Star Classic at The Historic Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, Ryan Curry’s final game.
“It’s a little disappointing I won’t get to watch him anymore,” Tim Curry said. “But of course I’m happy for him. This is what he wants.”
Tim Curry sat 20 feet behind the Terhune Tigers bench to watch Ryan Curry and his teammates take on the Hickory Huskers in a game featuring some of the best talent Indiana senior basketball had to offer.
What he saw wasn’t exactly vintage Curry.
The man, who is third all-time leading scorer in Dragons history with 1,106 career points, shot just 1-for-6 from the field, scoring two points while registering an assist.
However, considering everyone on the court with him Friday night is training for their collegiate careers, the ex-Dragon felt like he held his own.
“I’m not too tired,” Ryan Curry said with a smile afterwards. “But I definitely was playing with a little rust.”
Ryan Curry said the showcase game was a time for him to relax and have some fun on the court, and he was honored to be playing among some of the state’s best.
Though, he didn’t have the best night, he is satisfied with the way it all ended.
“This was a lot of fun, but I’m still happy with my decision,” said Ryan Curry, who will be attending Indiana University in the fall. “I’m content with my decision.”
As for his grandfather, Ryan said he is incredibly grateful for all the support he and the rest of his family and friends have given him.
“At least now I don’t have to be here for the cold,” Tim Curry said. “I’m just going to lay in the sun and enjoy the weather. I’m getting too old for all that snow and ice.”
In the game, Curry’s Terhune Tigers fell against the Hickory Huskers 109-94.
Leading the way for Hickory was Jaelan Sanford. The Evansville Reitz graduate and future University of Toledo guard scored 17 points, including a team-best seven in the first quarter.
Bryce Moore, who recently graduated from Park Tudor and is headed to Western Michigan University to carry on his basketball career, poured in 16 to back up Sanford and the Huskers.
On the Terhune side, Center Grove’s Michael Benkert, who is going to Belmont University in the fall, led all scorers with 20 points. Former Pendleton Heights star and future Butler guard Sean McDermott had 18.
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Boys
Hickory;18;35;25;31;—;109
Terhune;21;20;30;23;—;94
Hickory (pts): Malik Bennett 15, Devin Cannady 4, Austin Compton 2, Abe Haler 10, Bryce Moore 16, Nate Niehoff 6, Joel Okafor 8, Jaelan Sanford 17, Tahjai Teague 9, Trevor Waite 5, Ryan Welage 4, Dyaln Windler 11.
Terhune: Patrick Bacon 10, Michael Benkert 20, Ryan Cline 16, Ryan Curry 2, Brennan Gillis 5, Matt Holba 6, Jimmy King 5, Sean McDermott 18, Derrik Smits 5, Chandler Spring 6, Blake Walsman 2.
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