Remembering the 1984 Railroaders

Written by: Kenneth Cutler

The 1984 Garrett Railroaders basketball team was one of the best in GHS history, finishing with a 21-5 record, capturing both the NECC Regular Season title and a Sectional crown. Coach Dennis Feagler, who played with relentless intensity, instilled that same fire in his players, resulting in a squad that played fierce defense and an up-tempo style to overwhelm opponents.

The season was packed with drama. Four games were decided by just one point, with Garrett winning three of them—one of those games went to double overtime! They also won two nail-biting two-point games and two more by four points. The atmosphere in Paul Bateman gym was electric, with massive crowds filling the stands, especially for home games against DeKalb and Eastside.

One of the season’s most unforgettable moments came on December 10, 1983, when Garrett, then 3-1, faced off against undefeated DeKalb (ranked 16th in the state). Despite having not beaten the Barons since 1975, the Railroaders shocked the crowd with a dominant 60-45 victory, leading 59-37 at one point.

The Railroaders met Eastside twice, with the first encounter in the NECC Tournament final, where Eastside won 77-67. But Garrett got revenge on February 3, 1984, when senior Doug Shippy hit a game-winning basket with 4 seconds left for a thrilling 60-59 win.

Key players included Shippy, who led the team with 21.6 points per game, and John Bodey, both All-Conference selections the previous season. They were joined by seniors Darren Peters, Doug Kelham, Wesley Warstler, Brad Johnson, and Todd Gibson, and boosted by the arrival of transfer Jay Lapsley.

With a unique starting lineup—four left-handed players (Bodey, Lapsley, Shippy, and Warstler), and the 6’1” right-handed center, Peters—the team was built for both offense and defense. Shippy, with his clutch play, made a 50-foot shot against South Adams to force overtime, and Kelham hit the game-winner in double overtime for a 69-68 victory that same night.

The 1984 Railroaders were a team of heart, skill, and unforgettable moments that still resonate today.