Former Harlem Globetrotter Dies

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) _ Clarence H. ``Cave″ Wilson, who was a player-captain and coach of the Harlem Globetrotters, is dead of a stroke. He was 70.

Wilson, who was born in Horse Cave, Ky., died Wednesday in Louisville.

Wilson began his basketball career by begging the principal of the old Horse Cave Colored High School to start a team. The team won 65 straight games and two black high school state championships, in 1944 and 1945.

All five starters attended Tennessee A&I College, now Tennessee State University, in Nashville.

Wilson signed with the Globetrotters in 1949. Although his teammates included standouts Sweetwater Clifton and Goose Tatum, ``Cave″ became player-captain and coach within two years.

After his basketball career ended, Wilson became a juvenile probation officer, where he worked 27 years.

Survivors include his wife, Yvonne Curry-Wilson; two daughters, Brenda Zanders and Stephanie Barnes; three sons, Clarence Jr., Kerry Wilson and Michael T. Jones; two stepsons, James and Lamont Curry; a stepdaughter, Lisa Curry; a sister, Shirley Ann Whitlow; a brother, Curtis H. Wilson Sr.; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The funeral will be Monday at Westwood Presbyterian Church, with burial in Calvary Cemetery.