1-2-3 Wildcats

“We played together almost every day of the year,” Brad Woolley says of the era when he and teammates Paul Kindem and Brian FitzGerald developed the bonds that made those three the nucleus of the first team at East Chapel Hill. Different players for sure, but all effective. Take a trip back, a Carolina Flashback if you will, to the days of beepers, the University Mall arcade, the Pizza Hut on Estes Drive, and of course the courts at the Chapel Hill Community Center. Come for the '90s memories, stay for a story about N.C. State legend David Thompson.

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Need to get caught up on the story from the start? Here’s Episode 1.

Want to talk East Chapel Hill hoops, answer our trivia questions, or share your memories of the Wildcats? Call our Wildcats Hotline at (919) 867-1319, or find us on Twitter at ECH Hoops Pod.
Broadcast credits: WNNC, YouTube, BK productions
Executive producer: Brian FitzGerald
Email the host: [email protected]
Search Keywords: 123 Wildcats 1-2-3 Wildcats East Chapel Hill Wildcats Basketball Podcast High School Hoops

Chris Hobbs was an immediate starter at East Chapel Hill, taking the court as the Wildcats’ center before he turned 15 years old. People remember his size, strength, footwork and soft touch on the court. They also remember him being approachable, a guy who was friends with everyone. Teammates, coaches and others reflect on the life of Chris Hobbs: tea parties, dance moves, dessert deliveries, memorable games and more.
Need to get caught up on the story from the start? Here’s Episode 1.
Want to talk East Chapel Hill hoops, answer trivia questions, or share memories of the Wildcats? Call our Wildcats Hotline at (919) 867-1319, or find us on Twitter at ECH Hoops Pod.
Broadcast and music credits: WNNC, WTVD, Clemson Tigers Network, Nikki Meets the Hibachi
Executive producer: Brian FitzGerald.
Email the host: [email protected].
Search Keywords: 123 Wildcats 1-2-3 Wildcats East Chapel Hill Wildcats Basketball Podcast High School Hoops

East Chapel Hill played in many tight games in 1996-97. Their first four wins were close, and so were just about all their postseason victories. They survived a six-overtime game that clinched the conference title, overcame a deficit in the first playoff game in school history, and then found ways to eke out wins when they played on a neutral court in the 3-A Eastern Regional. Go on the road with the Wildcats, and on the bus, as they continue their run back to Chapel Hill.
Just hearing about 1-2-3 Wildcats? Here’s Episode 1.
Want to talk East Chapel Hill hoops, answer trivia questions, or share memories of the Wildcats? Wildcats Hotline: (919) 867-1319; Twitter: ECH Hoops Pod
Broadcast credits: WNNC, YouTube
Executive producer: Brian FitzGerald
Email the host: [email protected]
Thank you for listening!
Search Keywords: 123 Wildcats 1-2-3 Wildcats East Chapel Hill Wildcats Basketball Podcast High School Hoops

Is there another East Chapel Hill out there? Well, not that we could find. The research can't be classified as exhaustive, but it was exhausting (not a stretch).
Most new schools have nowhere near the success East Chapel Hill had in its first season of boys basketball. In fact, it can take years to build a strong program. That first championship set an early standard at the school, which won state titles in multiple sports the following year.
How unusual was the Wildcats' run as a first-year team? As hall-of-fame sportswriter Tim Stevens said, "It was almost like out of a movie."
It was indeed movie-like, so this episode includes insight from the creator of Hoosiers, a classic film about high school basketball.
Just hearing about 1-2-3 Wildcats? Here’s Episode 1.
Want to talk East Chapel Hill hoops, answer trivia questions, or share memories of the Wildcats? Wildcats Hotline: (919) 867-1319; Twitter: ECH Hoops Pod.
Broadcast credits: WNNC, YouTube
Executive producer: Brian FitzGerald
Email the host: [email protected]
Thank you for listening!
Search Keywords: 123 Wildcats 1-2-3 Wildcats East Chapel Hill Wildcats Basketball Podcast High School Hoops

Hickory High School's basketball team had good reason to be confident heading into the 1997 state championship game against East Chapel Hill. The Red Tornadoes had experience, talent and championship appearances on their side. Eight players were part of the 16-0 football team that rolled to the 3A title just a few months earlier, and Hickory felt it wouldn't be wowed by playing in the Dean Smith Center, where it was walloped in the 1996 final by Burlington Williams. Ty Hunt, Daniel Willis, Will Johnson and coach John Worley share memories and discuss the team's mindset as it prepared to face the Wildcats.

New to the show and want to get caught up? Here’s Episode 1.
Want to talk East Chapel Hill hoops, answer trivia questions, or share memories of the 1997 championship game? Leave a voicemail at (919) 867-1319 or find us on Twitter: ECH Hoops Pod.
Broadcast and music credits: WNNC, YouTube, ESPN, Hobex ("Back in the 90s" used with permission).

Executive producer: Brian FitzGerald.
Email the host: [email protected].
Thank you for listening!
Search Keywords: 123 Wildcats 1-2-3 Wildcats East Chapel Hill Wildcats Basketball Podcast High School Hoops