Soon to be Decatur County Sports Hall of Fame inductee Ozell “Cow” Swain, an outstanding basketball player at Attapulgus Mount Moriah and A&M High Schools from 1966-70, dominated his era.

Swain will be inducted into the Decatur County Sports Hall of Fame at the annual induction banquet Saturday, March 19 at the Bainbridge High School cafeteria.

Fans from southwest Georgia and North Florida came to watch Swain play, as he was one of the most dominant post players of his era. He was a starting power forward his sophomore year and the starting center his junior and senior years.

Decatur County Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors member Larry Ware says it is unfortunate that statistics on Swain’s outstanding basketball hall of fame career are not available.

“While we do not have official statistics, my estimated guess is that Ozell Swain averaged a triple double, and led the team in rebounding, blocked shots and points scored and had one undefeated season during his three years as a starter,” Ware said.

According to Ware, Swain and his team played their games on outside courts during his first two years of high school before getting the chance to play in a gym starting his junior year. Even the lack of facilities didn’t keep Swain from becoming a household name.

“Cow, one of the most prolific post players who has ever graced a basketball court in Decatur County,” Ware said. “He was the first and only student athlete to earn an athletic scholarship in school history.”

After graduation Swain continued his career at Middle Georgia Junior College, but he was only able to play for a year before suffering a career ending knee injury.