It felt like old times to Albert Gilliam.

For six years, Gilliam was the girls’ basketball coach at Hogansville High, and in 1981, he led the Lady Greenwave to the Class A state-championship game.

Gilliam returned to Hogansville Friday night, this time as the girls’ coach at Callaway High.

As part of the school’s effort to connect with the Hogansville community, Friday’s games against Lamar County were played at Hogansille Elementary School, which used to be Hogansville High.

Friday’s games were played in the gym that was the home base for so many outstanding Hogansville teams, including numerous boys’ teams that won state titles.

After the Lady Cavaliers beat Lamar County, many of Gilliam’s former players – including almost every player from the 1980-1981 team – were introduced during a ceremony on the court.

It was, Gilliam said, a “special” moment.

"I can’t even put it into words what it means to see so many of my ballplayers,” Gilliam said. “It brings back so many memories. It’s almost like it was yesterday.”

Gilliam left Hogansville to become the girls’ coach at Greenville High, and he remained there for more than 20 years until he retired a few years ago.

Or he thought he was retired.

Gilliam returned to the court last season, and he’s now in his second season as Callaway’s head coach.

Gilliam is glad to see the effort being made to include Hogansville in so many activities.

During football season, the Cavaliers played a scrimmage game against Greenville in Hogansville, and the school’s homecoming parade was held in Hogansville.

In February, the basketball teams will return to Hogansville to play Greenville.

“When we saw (the community response) when we did the homecoming here, I was overwhelmed,” Gilliam said. “This small town has more pride than any small town in the state of Georgia. There were so many big games that have gone on at that gymnasium, and at that football field.”

A feeling of nostalgia was definitely flowing Friday night as former Hogansville players and coaches reminisced about the old days.

The current Callaway players are aware of the Hogansville link as well.

Quantavius Leslie is one of the players whose parents played at Hogansville High before it closed its doors in 1996.

Leslie’s father is a former Greenwave.

“It was great to bring it back here,” Leslie said.

Callaway boys’ coach Terry Hayes said the atmosphere Friday night was “great,” and he knows how much it meant to have the game in Hogansville.

“It means a lot to these players, because a lot of their moms, dads, aunts, uncles or cousins played here,” Hayes said.

Callaway High athletics director Mark Murphy, who has pushed the Hogansville connection, said it’s important to not lose sight of the community’s traditions.

“That’s the whole point is to keep that tradition,” Murphy said. “We don't have much history, so we’re borrowing some of their’s.”



that when we did the homecoming here. I was overwhelmed. Dr. Murphy, he came to us and said we cwant to make a conscientious effort to connect back with Hogansville. When I saw what went on during those homecoming activities