Continuing our high school basketball history series this week, Record sports editor Kevin Moran caught up with Rod Owens, who played at Berlin, Catholic Central, Davidson and Siena College.

The 6-foot-6 power forward’s highlight-reel dunk came while playing at Syracuse in Manley Field House, several years before the Carrier Dome opened. Siena, in its infant days as a Division I program, traveled west to take on a Syracuse team that featured Louis Orr, Roosevelt Bouie, Jay Cohen and Marty Head.

Late in the second half, Owens blocked a shot by Orr, who eventually became head coach at Siena. The Saints sprinted upcourt on a fast break, with Siena guard Mike Catino handling the ball.

"I though Mike was going to pull up for one of his patented 15- to 18-foot jump shots," Owens said. "I was going hard to the basket, filling one of the lanes. Mike said he saw me frothing at the mouth, so he passed me the ball."

Owens took two power steps, elevated and slammed the ball home over Bouie, Syracuse’s 6-foot-11 All-Big East center who in 1980 was a second-round selection of the Dallas Mavericks, but opted for a 13-year pro career in Italy.

"I went up hard and pushed Bouie’s arms out of the way and was able to score," Owens said. "They ref blew the whistle and called a foul on Bouie. He couldn’t believe it."

Syracuse, paced by the Louis & Bouie show, won the game, 99-64, but Siena had its moment as a fledgling Division I program.

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For the full story, check out Sunday's edition of The Record, which will also feature our All-Area baseball and softball teams, local reaction to the World Cup, coverage of the Country Club of Troy Invitational and the ValleyCats game story from Saturday night.

Here is a list of the people who will be inducted into the Capital Region Basketball Hall of Fame's second annual class.

WOMEN
Debbie Barnes...Laura Barnes
Val Higgins...Katrina Springer
Jane Meade...Mary Fuchs
Robin Reed...Maureen Holohan
Julie McBride...Tonya Hansen
Anita Kaplan...Nikki Hilton
Nancy Egerton...Cathy Rousseau
Jen Scanlon...Michelle Collins
Katelyn Dooley...Kelly Scanlon
Becky Gottstein...Jolene Johnston
Carolyn Gottstein...Stacey Hurd
Heidi Harkins...Brenna Doty
Kim Corbitt...Heather Fiore
Marcell Harrison...Tahnee Heins

MEN
Lucious Jordan...Jeff Robinson
Jason Graber...John Leonard
Freddie Daniels...Rod Owens
Fred Shear...Kasheef Hameed
Steve Dagostino...Randy Cross
Corey Osinski...Tom Backer
Billy Harrell

COACHES
Don Bassett...Ron Sontz
Walt Pryzyblo...Mike Long
Ken Strube...Richard "Doc’ Sauers

REFREES
Tom Brennan...Bill Varno
John Cahill Sr.

We plan to have coverage of Sunday's ceremonies, so look for that story in Monday's edition of The Record.

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