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Jim Knicely, Jr.
Class of 1978 Athlete  Jim Knicely transferred to HHS at the beginning of his junior year and made an immediate impact on the Blue Streak basketball team. In his 1st game as a Streak he had 23 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists against Culpeper. For the 1976-77 season Knicely averaged nearly 16 points and over 6 assists per game as the team posted a record of 18 wins against 7 losses. Jim scored over 20 points 4 times, including a season high of 30 against Handley and 27 in the district tournament semi-finals against Turner Ashby. He was named to the All-District tournament first team. The 1977-78 season was one for the ages! Led by Ralph Sampson (HOF 2009) the Blue Streaks compiled a record of 25 wins and 2 losses, both at the hands of Robert E. Lee. The streaks won the regional championship by a single point in the 5th meeting of the season against Lee. In the state semi-finals against Blacksburg the teams were tied at halftime. Knicely opened the 2nd half by scoring 12 consecutive points and the streaks cruised to victory as Knicely finished the game with 24 points. The next day Harrisonburg defeated Bruton to win the 1st of 2 consecutive state championships. For the season Jim averaged 13.6 points per game, including a career high 31 in an 87 – 77 win over Waynesboro. He scored 20 or more points 5 times. Jim was also an outstanding baseball player in his 2 years with the Streaks he was a pitcher and shortstop as he led the team to a record of 27 wins and 13 losses over those 2 seasons. After graduation from HHS, Jim enrolled at JMU, graduating in 1973. He played baseball all 4 years as a second baseman and shortstop. In 1983 Jim batted .302 for the JMU team that became the 1st Virginia college to earn its way to the College World Series. Jim Knicely was voted co-mvp of the Eastern Regional Tournament. |