In the Spring of 1960, the Hampton High Bulldogs shocked the experts by defeating previously unbeaten Murfreesboro Central and Union City on their way to the state title.

In this era, there were no divisions in high school basketball as there are now, so capturing a state title was far more difficult as small schools like Hampton were forced to compete with much larger schools throughout the season and into the playoffs.

“It was my best team ever and the one that I talk about the most. My 1959-60 Hampton team, we went 44-4.”

Coach Walter "Buck" VanHuss

Throughout the course of their historic run, the 1959-60 Hampton Bulldogs were dubbed the "Little Men of the Mountains" by the press since they hailed from a small school in the mountains of East Tennessee and their tallest player was only slightly over six feet.

The Bulldogs were given little chance at success in the state tournament that year by the sports media who boldly (and incorrectly) pronounced that it would be Murfreesboro vs. Union City in the state finals.

Join former players Wes Forbes, Willie Malone, Carl Roberson and Jerry White as they watch, relive and discuss the championship game against the Union City Tornadoes with special guest and nephew of Coach VanHuss, Walter VanHuss, as well as host and author of Little Men of the Mountains, Charles "C.Y." Peters.

“My Hampton team didn't set any goals. We were happy to go to Nashville. If we would have lost the first game, and we almost did, we would of come back to Hampton and thought we had a good season. But we just kept winning and we really enjoyed it.”

Coach Walter "Buck" VanHuss

“We had a job to do and we wanted to finish it until the whistle blew.”

“If we control the ball, we can control the game.”

“I just don't think anybody expected us to win it.”

“It wasn't a dream come true. We never dreamed we'd be here.”

All proceeds from the sale of this documentary go to support the Hampton Class of 1960 Scholarship Fund. Each year the Hampton Class of 1960 awards outstanding Hampton graduates with scholarships to pursue their dreams in higher education.

“You guys have superceded anything we expected. We appreciate it. Now go out there and do the best you can.”

Coach Walter "Buck" VanHuss

Special thanks go to the Hampton Class of 1960, the Scott Lusk Collection, and C.Y. Peters for their courtesy and generosity in providing their time, resources and experiences in the development of this documentary.