gary mcclure
Gary McClure played just two years of basketball at Rector High School. McClure required medical clearance due to a health issue, but teammates, coaches and especially opponents likely were unable to determine this based upon his effort on the court. Lettering in basketball as a junior and senior in 1957 and 1958, McClure is remembered to this day as one of the most dominant big men in the state.
While a powerful post presence was not uncommon, what set McClure apart was an uncanny ability to rebound the basketball. McClure, who stood 6'3", set the Arkansas record for the most rebounds in a state tournament game not once, but twice in 1958. McClure pulled down 31 rebounds in Rector's 61-48 first round win over Green Forest. Two days later he bested his own record, hauling in 33 rebounds in a loss to eventual 1958 state champion Sheridan. McClure's 33 boards is a mark which still stands as the state tournament record, 53 years later. In those two games McClure secured 64 rebounds, which average out to one board per minute of play.
McClure's all-around skills were also noteworthy. In addition to his recor rebounding numbers in the 1958 state tournament, he also notched 26 points in the win over Green Forest and scored 23 points against Sheridan.
McClure had a combination of size, quickness, agility and skills which seemed destined for the game of basketball. Perhaps the biggest difference-makers, though, were his desire and hustle.
"Gary played only two years, and he was probably the most improved player in one year that I have coached," RHS coaching great Jess Bucy said of McClure. "He became the best rebounder that played at Rector. He was a broad shouldered quick jumper who was very aggressive and seemed to have a knack of knowing where the rebounds were going. He was a terrific offensive rebounder."
McClure set RHS records for most rebounds in a season 440 in 1958. His 14.2 rebounds per game average as a senior also set a school record. In two years, McClure notched a total of 640 rebounds, the fourth most in a career at the school.
McClure was at a different level in his final three high school tournaments. He notched 29 points in Rectoy's meeting with Piggott in the Clay County Toumament. In the district tourney, McClure scored 19 against Monette and dropped 24 points against Manila as Rector finished second in the district and advanced to the state tournament. He capped this run with his aforementioned state tournament performance.
In 1958, McClure was named All-District, All-State and was chosen for the Arkansas high school All-star Game. He was the first Rector senior high player to be named All-State and was also the school's first All-Star Gamc selection.
While a powerful post presence was not uncommon, what set McClure apart was an uncanny ability to rebound the basketball. McClure, who stood 6'3", set the Arkansas record for the most rebounds in a state tournament game not once, but twice in 1958. McClure pulled down 31 rebounds in Rector's 61-48 first round win over Green Forest. Two days later he bested his own record, hauling in 33 rebounds in a loss to eventual 1958 state champion Sheridan. McClure's 33 boards is a mark which still stands as the state tournament record, 53 years later. In those two games McClure secured 64 rebounds, which average out to one board per minute of play.
McClure's all-around skills were also noteworthy. In addition to his recor rebounding numbers in the 1958 state tournament, he also notched 26 points in the win over Green Forest and scored 23 points against Sheridan.
McClure had a combination of size, quickness, agility and skills which seemed destined for the game of basketball. Perhaps the biggest difference-makers, though, were his desire and hustle.
"Gary played only two years, and he was probably the most improved player in one year that I have coached," RHS coaching great Jess Bucy said of McClure. "He became the best rebounder that played at Rector. He was a broad shouldered quick jumper who was very aggressive and seemed to have a knack of knowing where the rebounds were going. He was a terrific offensive rebounder."
McClure set RHS records for most rebounds in a season 440 in 1958. His 14.2 rebounds per game average as a senior also set a school record. In two years, McClure notched a total of 640 rebounds, the fourth most in a career at the school.
McClure was at a different level in his final three high school tournaments. He notched 29 points in Rectoy's meeting with Piggott in the Clay County Toumament. In the district tourney, McClure scored 19 against Monette and dropped 24 points against Manila as Rector finished second in the district and advanced to the state tournament. He capped this run with his aforementioned state tournament performance.
In 1958, McClure was named All-District, All-State and was chosen for the Arkansas high school All-star Game. He was the first Rector senior high player to be named All-State and was also the school's first All-Star Gamc selection.