Yep, I was a 6th grader in Iowa City when that '89 team rolled. The City High gym was electric.
To set the record straight, the '89 team that won had Eric Washpun as a senior. He was a very good athlete, worthy of at least a lower D1 scholarship, and was part of a team that included several other division 1 athletes, including Roan, who played tight end for Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.
However, the 91/92 team was even better, in my opinion. It featured Kevin Washpun, Eric's younger brother, as a dynamic slasher and probably the best scorer in the state. The key though, was Dave Kruse, a versatile 6'7" forward who often brought the ball up the court and could shoot threes. Great, great passer. He went on to star at Mankato State and played overseas for years. A while back, I believe he was the first overall pick in the PTL.
I always wondered what he could have done in Tom Davis' system.
Talk about athletes, that team had role players like Jason House (future starting d-end for the Hawkeyes) and Chris Hamdorf (future starting Northwestern QB) coming off the bench as juniors. I believe C.J. Thieleke (future Big Ten freshman of the year in baseball and drafted by the Twins) started at point guard.
They were ranked #1, and right before the tourney started, Washpun got drunk and beat up somebody with a pipe or baseball bat. He was kicked off the team and City High lost in the opening round or two.
That team probably would have beat Licklighter's last squad.
I think there was also an Eric Washpun that graduated just a few years back. Not sure how he was related to the older Eric or Kevin.
