Dec. 16, 2011

On the seventh day, he rested. 

And on the eighth day, he beat Clemson again.

Sophomore Bruce Ellington capped a memorable eight-day run December 4, scoring 9 points in a 58-55 comeback win over Clemson at Littlejohn Coliseum.  That joined his 3-catch, 71-yard, 1-touchdown night in a 34-13 victory over the Tigers at Williams-Brice Stadium in football.

Ellington may shrug his thickly-cabled shoulders at his dual-sport achievements (and based on his press conference comments, he has).  But perhaps he shouldn't be so non-chalant.  According to my research, the last Gamecock to letter in football and basketball in the same year happened 61 years ago.*

"You just figured it was part of what you did."

Before Ellington, there was another Lowcountry native, John "Lip" Latorre, who played defensive end and guard for South Carolina in 1950.  Chuck Prezioso of Columbia also played both sports in 1950.

Now 82 years old, Latorre is retired in Mt. Pleasant following a long career in the transportation industry, most recently as an East Coast sales rep for Swift Transportation.  But back in September 1948, he arrived at South Carolina on a basketball scholarship after a standout career at Bishop England HS in Charleston.  He also brought along a distinctive nickname, which still appears next to his name in the South Carolina media guide.

"I got that ['Lip'] in high school.  I think it was because I gave officials a hard time.  Also, one time I got in a fight on my way to basketball practice, and had a [speaking] impediment because my lips were split.  But mostly it was because I made noise to officials," Lattore recalls with a chuckle.

Latorre and Prezioso played freshman football and basketball in 1948 (their freshman football team went undefeated).  After a redshirt year in the fall of 1949, Latorre pulled his first varsity double-duty in 1950, playing defensive end for Rex Enright and guard for Frank Johnson.  Though he came to Carolina on a basketball scholarship, his transition on the hardwood wasn't as smooth:   

"I was a 6'1" center in high school.  When I got there, [Jim] Slaughter was 6'11."  I had a hard time adapting, because you play with your body to the back of the basket as a forward," Latorre said.

He has fond memories of battling former national champion Long Island University at Madison Square Garden, and dueling against Duke's Dick Groat, the future World Series MVP for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Like Ellington, there was the satisfaction of a 76-61 drubbing at Clemson.  Still, Latorre's re-cast role as a guard left his playing time diminished:  he only scored 6 points in 3 games in 1950.  After the season, he approached coach Frank Johnson with a proposition.

"I went to Frank Johnson and said I'm not sure I belong on the team.  I didn't feel I was accomplishing much, and I was doing well in football.  Can you let me concentrate on football?  And he said yes," Latorre said.

Dedicated full-time to football, Latorre captained Rex Enright's 1952 squad, and beat Clemson by a combined 26-0 his final two seasons.  After South Carolina, he enlisted in the service, playing two years of football with the Bainbridge Naval Training Center in Port Deposit, Md.  He took a correspondence course in Spanish to complete his degree at Carolina, then returned to Charleston to take over the head coaching position at his alma mater, Bishop England HS.  Latorre has been a Gamecock Club member for 44 consecutive seasons, still has season tickets, and follows the Gamecocks ardently.  

Back in Columbia, I asked Ellington to guess the last time a Gamecock lettered in football and basketball in the same season.

He cocked an eye to the ceiling in contemplation. 

"1997, maybe?"  he replied.

When told of his once-in-60-years athletic achievement, the normally mild-mannered Ellington let out an exaggerated "Gawwwwd!"

Ellington paused to reflect on his connection with Latorre.  "That's crazy.  I just thank God for giving me the ability to play both sports right now." 

Before he headed in for practice, Ellington added one last thought.

"But you know there are some great athletes who come out of Charleston."

Ellington and the Gamecocks battle Southeastern Louisiana Wednesday at Colonial Life Arena.  Join us beginning at 6:30 p.m. EST on the Gamecock IMG Sports Network.

* - Derek Watson played 1 game (2 minutes) for South Carolina during the '01-02 season before being declared inactive.  Thus, he is not considered a letterwinner and is not recognized as an official "dual-sport athlete" at South Carolina.