If basketball is your game, you are in for a treat! Come to the Tryon Historical Museum on Feb.14 at 5:30 p.m. to meet legendary Harthorne Wingo. Wingo is deemed one of the 50 greatest to ever play the game and is a native of Tryon.

Tryon city schools decided to integrate Tryon High even before integration, Wingo was delighted to be one who was chosen to attend Tryon High. This gave him the opportunity to play basketball with his friends from the summer basketball at the old gym. Therefore, Wingo became the first African American to play basketball at Tryon High School.

Wingo has gone from Tryon High to the NBA. Playing for the New York Knicks, winning championships and even being mentioned in a song by the Beastie Boys, “My Favorite New York Knick was Harthorne Wingo.”

A Harthorne Wingo meet and greet reception will be held at the Tryon Historical Museum’s “Tales of Tryon” event held at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 14. The Tryon Historical Museum is located at 26 Maple Street In Tryon.

– Submitted by Tryon Historical Museum