In a look back at historical events through the Deseret News archives, it was revealed that on March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks. Despite this impressive feat, the game did not receive much attention in the media at the time. Instead, basketball-crazy Utahns were focused on the All-Church tournament finals that were taking place.
The All-Church tournament was sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and drew ward teams from all over the West to compete in basketball. The tournament, which took place from 1922 to 1970, was considered the real “March Madness” event and attracted teams from California, Canada, and Mexico during its peak in the 1950s and ’60s.
While Chamberlain’s 100-point game remains a standout moment in basketball history, the All-Church tournament held a special place in the hearts of Latter-day Saints and basketball enthusiasts. The tournament was described as “The World’s Largest Basketball Tournament” and showcased the talent and competitive spirit of teams from various regions.
The Deseret News coverage from March 3, 1962, highlighted the showdown between the Ogden 12th Ward and the USU 2nd Ward, with the Ogden team emerging victorious in a closely contested game. Despite the lack of coverage of Chamberlain’s milestone game, the All-Church tournament continued to captivate audiences and foster a sense of community through sports.
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