Ernie D!

[Vinny Natale]

[david Pontrelli]

I know Ive told this story, but my mother  and his dad, lived next door to each other (they had a crush on each other) as kids.

I grew up in NP and he was legendary. Dribbled a ball too and from school every day. 

I met him at the local Boys Club and he asked if I'd join him in a scrimmage game. I got to play on his team and was the recipient of some nice passes. Greatest thrill of my life as a kid. This was his senior year at PC, as I was a freshman.

Cousy many years ago ranked him among the top 3 pure ball handlers, with Marcus Haynes and Pete Maravich the other two.

Sure, he was no defender, but he was a superb "dribbler" and certainly one of the best passers I had seen. Great free throws shooter.

On Thu, 15 Jan 2026, 10:22 am Vinny Natale, <c...@vnatale.com> wrote:

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[Vinny Natale]

Do NOT remember that story!  GREAT story!

My Ernie D story was when I was going to college in Worcester and his Thomas More Prep team played against the Providence College Freshmen.

All I remember about that game 57 years later is him being on his back in one corner of the court and throwing a full-court pinpoint pass to his teammate!

If not for that Marvin Barnes injury in the 1973 Final Four game they would have gone to the finals against Walton and UCLA.  At the point of the injury Providence was ahead 25-16 and putting on a basketball clinic.  Absent that injury Memphis State's coach, Bartow, would have never gone on to coach UCLA.  Same as a player on another team missing a free throw with no time left in a 1987 NCAA's game which Providence then ended up winning ... led to Pitino raising to national prominence.  That play makes that free throw and Providence loses and there is no Cinderella story.  Show knows what would have become of Pitino after that?

[david Pontrelli]

The guy was magical with the rock. Mini Pistol.

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[Vinny Natale]

Apt title for him!