John played for the Rockets around 63-66 just prior to the Steve Mix era. He was all city at Devilbiss in High School averaging 25 points a game.

(03-28-2024 12:50 PM)WHRocket Wrote:  John played for the Rockets around 63-66 just prior to the Steve Mix era. He was all city at Devilbiss in High School averaging 25 points a game.

I was at DeVilbiss when he was playing. RIP

I was just a kid in the 60s when my Dad would take me to the Field House to watch the Rockets practice and play. I marveled at how tall Bob Aston stood and at the way Larry Jones seemed to fly when he took off for one of his acrobatic dunks. Ayling was fun to watch, a 6'4 power forward who managed to outplay taller players down low. He played on some legendary teams with all time Rocket greats Wolford, Backensto, Jones, Aston, Babione...

(03-29-2024 08:53 AM)MotoRocket Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 03:50 PM)Sleepy Wrote:  I was just a kid in the 60s when my Dad would take me to the Field House to watch the Rockets practice and play. I marveled at how tall Bob Aston stood and at the way Larry Jones seemed to fly when he took off for one of his acrobatic dunks. Ayling was fun to watch, a 6'4 power forward who managed to outplay taller players down low. He played on some legendary teams with all time Rocket greats Wolford, Backensto, Jones, Aston, Babione...

His worse year statistically was his senior year when he only played in about half the games. I don't know if he was hurt, but I remember the name when Aston (Globetrotters) and Jones (ABA) played with him (or he with them). I know him from playing at the downtown YMCA around 1974-77 time frame. Seemed to have some shaky knees by then.

Remembering him at the YMCA and this being Good Friday today - it also reminded me of the most fun I ever had playing recreational basketball. It was on Good Friday around 1977 or '78. It seems every athlete in Toledo was there that day to play some basketball - including some football stars. From my recollection - the guys I know were there: Marvin Crenshaw (Nebraska football) Jerry Blanton (KC Chiefs LB), Truman Claytor (Scott/Kentucky BB - after the NCAA tourney that year), Bill Brown (Ohio U) Bob Mix (Steve's older brother), Lenny Backus (Libby/All City), Marcus Newbern (Scott/BGSU), and a number of other guys - most of which I have forgotten their names (Ron ? - former DE at Illinois), McGill - played at Woodward, Chico Vaughn (football and baseball at Ohio State) et al.

The best player that day was Bill Brown. I was fortunate enough to be on his team. Played to 16 (by 1's) and it was full court. I'm thinking we won 4 straight games and he must have scored about 12-13 of our points in every game. I don't know if he missed a shot. Never made it to the pros because of a drug problem he had - but he was so smooth dribbling, the pulling up and hitting the softest jump shot from +18 feet. He was 6'5" and there was nobody there that could contest his shot. I also remembered being next to Crenshaw when he came down with a rebound and hit me on the top of my head with an elbow. Nice lump and a little bit of blood, but no way was I going to stop playing that day. Too much fun, and I was only 21/22.

Man, that was so much fun. I still think of that every Good Friday, every single year.

Sorry for the uninteresting note for everyone else. Just had to write it out as I was reminiscing. And this all started with a note about John Ayling passing. Never really talked to him and I think he was in business or worked at a brokerage house for some time. Seemed to be a good guy. RIP

Lived in the old Nash Hall in 1961. Ayling and a lot of other BB players lived on the 2nd. Floor. Nice guy. My room was next to Jim Cox. Wild guy.