Ercel Little

Ercel Little was born Ercel Bois Little on August 13, 1908, in Livingston County, Kentucky, the son of Dallas Hickman Little and Elizabeth Narcisis Watson Little. He grew up in Tolu, where he played four years at Tolu High School. The team went undefeated in scheduled games during his final three seasons, and Little received the school’s sportsmanship cup as a senior.

A 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard, Little began his Kentucky career on the 1928–29 freshman team, which won the state championship among freshman squads and earned him a numeral. He then played three varsity seasons, beginning under John Mauer and continuing through Adolph Rupp’s first two years as head coach. When captain Carey Spicer was sidelined by an ankle injury, Little took his place on Kentucky’s 10-man playing squad for the 1931 Southern Conference Tournament. The Wildcats defeated North Carolina State, Duke and Florida before losing a dramatic 29–27 championship game to Maryland.

As a senior in 1931–32, Little appeared in 13 games and scored 10 points as Kentucky won its first 14 contests and finished 15–2. He completed his career as part of Rupp’s first two squads, which won 30 of 35 games. Little received a varsity “K” and, as one of three graduating seniors, was presented with a gold basketball. He also played varsity baseball, served as treasurer of UK’s Block and Bridle Club and earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

Little later devoted his professional life to education in western Kentucky. He served as principal of Crittenden County High School and retired as an assistant principal at Madisonville North Hopkins High School. He died in October 1987 at age 79.