Longtime broadcaster, Joe Gould, a former Bangor High School sports star, will probably be best remembered for his years of doing play-by-play high school basketball for the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.

A recent meeting with the likeable Gould turned up an interesting piece of trivia about the lanky man: He’s writing a book about the history of the New England Basketball Tournament, called, “It Was The Best of Times.”

I first met Joe at the Bangor YMCA when we were both coaching in the Middlers League in 1971.

Gould and his sidekick Dave Mansfield were veteran coaches in the established program, and under the direction of the late John Coombs, it was quite a learning experience for a young coach.

I spent a lot of time hanging out with Dave and Joe, and my association with the two veterans played a large role in my coaching career.

Gould’s latest foray into the world of organized sports is a publication about one of his favorite topics, the old New England basketball tournament, which ran from 1921-1964.

Joe’s eyes light up when he discusses the tournament. After all, he participated in the thing, and his memory is a steel trap for dates, games, names of participating schools, and even for those who officiated.

The book is divided into two segments, according to the author. The first section covers the years from 1921-1944. During those early years the tourney was played in different states. After that, the second part of the treatise covers the play from 1945-1964 when the tournament had stabilized itself, and all games were played at the old Boston Garden.

Readers will be in for a real treat because of the detail Gould is putting in to the manuscript’s production. Joe is currently working on providing period photographs to enhance the book, and I can speak firsthand about this guy’s penchant for detail.

I had the good fortune several years ago to work side-by-side with Joe in the MPBN broadcast booth at the Bangor Auditorium, covering high school boys tournament basketball as a color analyst.

To my left, sat Joe Gould, doing play-by-play. To my right, sat longtime program director, Ed Fowler.

Gould was Johnny-on-the-spot with facts and information, regarding each team and each participant. Fowler was sharp as a director, keeping cameramen on their toes for just the right angle on a shot.

Me? I sat eagerly, awaiting a nod to discuss the action out on the floor. It was fun, and I thought we made a good team.

For Joe, all the tourney hoopla was just another notch in his gun to continue to establish himself as a hall-of-fame-broadcaster in Maine.

I’d rank Joe right up there with George Hale as one of the all-time greats in the broadcasting booth.

And now, he’s about to join the ranks of the writing field.

Best wishes on this project for such a worthwhile fan of the game.

30-Second Time Out

Our thoughts and our prayers go out today to the Bob White family of Old Town.

Bob passed away recently from complications of kidney disease. I first met Bob on the softball diamond. He was an outstanding umpire. He was also an ardent Red Sox fan, and he and his lovely wife Theresa were always kind to my family and me.

Rest in peace, old friend. You always called them like you saw them.

bdnsports@bangordailynews.net