James "Jr" Phipps

An all-around athlete, James “Junior” Phipps earned nine letters at Kokomo High School in basketball, football, and track, but his skills on the hardwood stood out as he was selected as an Indiana Basketball All-Star in 1952 and went on to play for Branch McCracken at Indiana University.

In his senior year at KHS, Phipps played for Coach Joe Platt on a squad that went 25-3, losing 62-60 to eventual state champ Muncie Central in the semi-state finals. The team’s record was the best in KHS history at the time.

Kokomo was also North Central Conference champs during Phipps’ senior year, and he was named to the All-NCC squad.

In that year’s Indiana All-Star game, Phipps came off the bench to lead an Indiana rally in the fourth quarter. He finished with four points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists, but his most important contribution was the first basket of the overtime, which put the Indiana team ahead for good. Indiana won 86-82.

Phipps lettered in men’s basketball with the 1954 Big Ten champion Hoosiers as well as in 1955 and 1956. After college graduation, Phipps returned to Howard County as an assistant football coach at Eastern High School in 1956 and head coach of the Comets boys varsity basketball team for the 1956-1957 season.