Even though it was more than 25 years ago, Clark Sports Center Director Brad Feik remembers the last time Cooperstown made a run at an undefeated season like it was only yesterday.

The year was 1977, and he was a junior on a team which swept through the regular season undefeated, won sectionals, and advanced all the way to the final inter-sectional game before losing to Lansing at Onondaga High School.

"That was going to be our last game, but we stayed overnight and stayed up all night, and the game was at 10 in the morning, and we didn't show up ready to play," Feik said. "We deserved to lose that game."

This year's CCS boys team is also making a run at an undefeated season, winning their 15th straight game Tuesday night at Canastota in one the hardest fought games of the season. (See story on page 8).

Bim Ashford was a sophomore starter on the '77 team.

"I give a lot of credit for that season to Charlie Campbell," Ashford said. "He was a senior and he transferred from Clinton where they had had two undefeated seasons. We lost a preseason scrimmage to Oneonta, and Charlie ripped the locker room apart after the game and let us know we weren't going to play like that. He set the tone for us."

The only game Campbell lost in his entire high school career was that final one to Lansing.

"If I could go back and change one thing that would be it," Ashford said.

Feik said he believes 1977 is the year that turned the Cooperstown basketball program, led by legendary head coach Dick White, into a Section III powerhouse.

"In my opinion, that set the stage for the year's to come," Feik said. "The gym was always packed, there was never an empty seat. It was just a great atmosphere."

"Nobody expected anything out of us," Ashford said. "I think we snuck up on a few people. This year's team is probably feeling a little more pressure."

Feik said that 1977 team reminds him of this year's team.

"Outside shooting, height, speed, we had it all, and so does this year's team," Feik said.

"We were tops in the league in scoring and we also allowed the least amount of points," Ashford said. "We played ferocious defense and we ran the ball well."

Current Cooperstown head coach Dave Bertram said while he doesn't want his team to focus on an undefeated season, he knows if it happens it's something his players and the community will remember for a long time.

"It's something that won't go away, it will be with them forever," Bertram said.

Ashford said he hasn't seen this year's team play yet this season, but plans to bring his son, Brad, a sixth grader, to see them play.

"I want him to see what a real team that plays both offense and defense looks like," he said. "I hope they break our record."