By Richard Kellam

Long-time followers of Crisfield High School basketball are familiar with the names of Collins, Carter, Ward, Whittington, Brown, Laird, Sterling —former Crabber standouts who propelled CHS to numerous State championships.

Crisfield obviously didn’t win a title every season but there has been no shortage of outstanding talent, even during the lean years where many amazing Crisfield High athletes missed out on the glorious celebration of winning a State crown, and that unforgettable experience of jubilant fans meeting the team bus at Westover, for the ride home that you wished would never end.

It all started back in 1957, local fans rejoiced with the long sought after victory, they just missed out the year before. Everyone recognizes the champions who brought fame to the Crabbers program through the decades, in this story we will examine some of the great players who although highly respected and acclaimed during their playing days were not fortunate enough to claim a championship ring.

Donnie Clayton played for the Crabbers from 1966 to 1968. He averaged 8.7 points per game as a sophomore starter, 19.3 points per game for a Crabbers squad that finished 8-12, losing their final 6 games.

CHS unfortunately repeated the season, ending in a losing streak in 1968 when Clayton averaged 18.3 points per game. Clayton would certainly have been a candidate for All South if the Bayside Conference was in existence.

Crisfield didn’t make the playoffs during Clayton’s career, schools had to win county titles to reach the “District” tournament. Somerset High, State crowns in 1965 and ’66 ruled the local scene along with Woodson. Clayton hit the 30-point level on five occasions and held the single game scoring record of 46 until Andre Collins surpassed the mark in 2000.

Willis White came over to Crisfield High in 1970, he started his scholastic career at Woodson. He averaged 17.9 points per game his junior season, reaching the 30-point plateau twice including a 39 point effort in the District semi-finals, the Crabbers 12-9 overall made it to the State Class C semis.

In 1971 White increased his scoring average to 20.1 and posted another 30 point game. CHS lost in the District final to eventual State champ Pocomoke.

Casey Todd averaged 19.4 points per game and 12.5 rebounds in 1972 for the Crabbers who finished 13-7 in the inaugural season of the Bayside Conference. CHS had a huge victory over Washington at UMES and the Crabbers appeared headed to College Park but the loss of a key player ended Crisfield’s hopes, they fell to Pocomoke once again in the District finals.

Todd put up 12.3 ppg in his junior campaign in 1971. CHS was 14-7 but the Crabbers lost out in the playoffs.

Jamie Jackson was a member of a State title team in 1978 but did not start, the Crabbers were loaded that year putting together a 27-0 record. Many locals stated that Crisfield’s second team could have claimed South Division honors.

Jackson is mentioned here because his 1979 team, unbeaten until the ill-fated State semifinal at College Park, brought a close to his State title hopes.

Jackson was phenomenal in 1979, with his thunderous slam dunks and dominate play in the paint. “Jackson you’re awesome,” said one young Parkside fan upon viewing one of his characteristic dominating efforts against the Rams.

Jackson and the Crabbers were victims of suspicious officiating in the semifinal loss. Jamie was named First Team All South along with fellow teammates Curt Whittington, Mike Ward and Denny Laird, with Robin Banks named to the Second Team.

Jackson was declared ineligible age wise in 1980 but was allowed to play in the Bayside vs. Delaware challenge, where he turned in two more awesome performances leading the Bayside to a pair of victories.

Andy Collins, the Crabbers' current varsity head coach, was an outstanding player for CHS in the mid ’70s, averaging 19.6 during the 1996 season scoring 39 points in the Crabbers triple overtime loss to Col. Richardson in the Regional semis.
Collins put up 15.0 points per game on average the following year for the 23-4 Crabbers who advanced to College Park but fell in the semifinals.

Collins nailed a key three-pointer in the Regional Final against Easton.