The News Herald, Panama City, Fla., Sports Beat column.(Column)

Byline: Pat McCann

June 06--Howard "Red" Gray averaged 17 points per game as a senior in high school, which is exemplary for any era unless the sport is bowling. Gray was a basketball standout at tiny Havana High School, a post-World War II juggernaut in Florida's Class C. It was a bygone time in statewide prep sports, but nonetheless there is merit in looking back now and then to understand the path that has led us here. Gray participated in the inaugural state all-star basketball game for high school seniors that was held in Miami. The event, Gray said, was played there to coincide with a basketball clinic staged by legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp. Rupp brought along some players, …