The 1956 Douglass Demons Basketball Team was National Runner-Up in the 48-team National Negro High School Basketball (NNHSB) Tournament in Nashville, TN, at what is now known as Tennessee State University (HBCU). The Demons lost to perennial power Louisville Central in the national championship game. Douglass also lost to Central in the championship game of the 69-member Kentucky High School Athletic League (KHSAL). Both of these high school sports leagues and championships were created during the segregated era when all-black schools were not allowed to compete against all-white schools in leagues such as the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA). Coached by Mr. Charles H. Livisay, this 1956 team was Douglass’ final team before Lexington’s school system was desegregated in 1957.
Head Coach: Charles H. Livisay
Assistant Coach: Elmer Clark
Team Manager: Leroy Byrd Jr.
Players: George Bell, Henry Bell, John Benton, John Henry Burdette, Waller Edwards, Andrew Fisher, Lymon Jones, James Miller, Walter Miller, Price Mitchell, Paul Price, Kenneth Spotts, and Ronald Taylor
Cheerleaders: Jean Turley Beatty, Betty Gilbert, Betty Smith Malone, Anna Fishback Tatman, Ann Crutchfield Tilford, Joan Miller Wallace, and Betty Buckner (Mascot)
