Signing off: Middlebrooks likely ending 33 years as Dothan scorekeeper

Johnny Middlebrooks has been a fixture at the Dothan High scorer’s table for the past 33 years.

He began keeping the scorebook for the Dothan boys basketball team for home games when his son, Marty, was playing in the late 1970s. He’s continued the duties through this season as his grandson, Matthew, plays his senior year for the Tigers.

Tonight, Middlebrooks will likely be keeping the stats for the final time as Dothan closes out its regular-season schedule against Charles Henderson.

“I had somebody ask me last Friday if I was going to come back another year,” Middlebrooks said earlier this week. “I don’t think so, but I won’t guarantee it.

“To know this might be my last one is sort of bittersweet. But I think I’m ready to give it up, and give somebody else a chance.”

Middlebrooks was a standout basketball player during his playing days at Cordele (Ga.) High School.

He was offered scholarships to attend several junior colleges and continue playing the sport, but instead married his high school sweetheart, Gordene, and went to work.

“I was in love,” Middlebrooks said. “We’ve been married 55 years.”

His wife often sits off to the side while Middlebrooks keeps the statistics, sometimes reading a book while the action takes place on the court.

Through it all, Middlebrooks’ wife has been supportive of the many hours he spends at Dothan basketball games.

“If Matthew’s playing, she enjoys watching more,” Middlebrooks said. “I wouldn’t do it if she didn’t want me to.”

Middlebrooks moved to Dothan in the summer of 1965 to become manager of a Colonial bread store.
It was then he started attending Dothan High basketball games.

“I always loved sports,” Middlebrooks said. “I was coming to the basketball games and one day the coach asked if I could help out taking up tickets.

“I did that for eight years. When Northview originated, the guy doing the scorebook for Dothan went over there.

“Coach (Wade) Morrison asked me if I wanted to keep the scorebook.”

He’s been doing it ever since.

“I may have missed four games,” Middlebrooks said. “I can only think of missing if I had to go out of town.”

His son, Marty, played on the B-team as a sophomore the first year Johnny kept the book.

Middlebrooks says he rarely gets caught up in the action of the game while tallying the numbers. On one occasion, however, it was a bit different during Marty’s senior season.

“Dothan was playing Northview and Marty was fouled as the buzzer went off,” Middlebrooks said. “The game was tied and he hit both free throws.

“I was sweating bullets.”

Middlebrooks has seen five coaches lead the Tigers over the years and numerous basketball players grace the court.

“I figure I’ve seen over 400 or more games at least,” he said.

Middlebrooks says Otis Durry was the best high school player he’s ever seen. Durry graduated from Dothan in 1994 and signed with Auburn University, but didn’t qualify academically. Sadly several years later, Durry died after battling numerous health issues.

“He put on a show for you,” Middlebrooks said. “We’ve had a lot of good ones, but he is the best.”

Besides his interest in basketball, Middlebrooks oversees the chain crew for Dothan football games, umpired softball for 17 years and is the chairman of the Dothan Recreation Board.

Even if he gives up his duties as a scorekeeper, Middlebrooks plans to continue supporting Dothan athletics.

“I’m 73 and it keeps you young,” Middlebrooks said. “I might not come to games as often, but I can’t leave it alone.

“I like to support them with my red and black colors. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”