They all came, from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s. On and on. Every decade.

Phoenix Carl Hayden’s gym, named after coach Argie Rhymes, was filled with former players, guys who played high school basketball with him, wanting to be part of the coach’s final home game.

It wasn’t vintage Falcons, maybe emotionally wound too tight for the moment, as they got behind early 13-1, before losing to Tempe McClintock 62-47 on Friday night in a 5A basketball game.

But nobody left.

And, afterwards, people continued to come up to Rhymes, hugging him and thanking him for what he had given them. Rhymes said he is retiring from coaching after this season. He came into the game with 775 career wins and four state championships, his last coming in 1997, two years before Laveen Cesar Chavez opened and cut into Carl Hayden’s boundaries.

At halftime, Rhymes was honored for 38 years as Carl Hayden’s head coach with his son Martin “Dinkey” Rhymes offering heartfelt words as Argie held a basketball on the court:

“He’s been a great dad, and I thank him for that,” Dinkey said. “He’s also been a great coach. You learned us how to play the game, also the game of life.”

Former Phoenix Union and Carl Hayden players, even guys he played with at Phoenix Union in the 1960s, came down from the stands and the wings to be come up to Rhymes after the halftime ceremony.

“This really was a surprise,” Argie, 73, said. “It means a lot. Thank God that people appreciate you. A lot of them I haven’t seen.”

As badly as things began for the Falcons (16-6) on their coach’s night, they were able to scrape back and pull within 47-40 early in the final quarter when 6-foot-6 senior wing Terrence Green (Argie’s grandson) scored, and Zackovie Knox made a steal and a layup and hit two free throws.

But McClintock (14-9), led by the big three of 6-6 point guard Chance Garland and Armani Williams and Jaylen Wesley, went on another run, and had a 60-43 lead with 1:50 left.

“It was definitely and insane atmosphere,” Garland said. “Coach told us not to play like that. It’s hard not to when it’s such a big deal and Coach Rhymes is such a good guy.

“You hear about him everywhere. A legend. A legend everywhere.”

Knox said he felt his team was settling too much for 3-pointers.

Rhymes couldn’t believe how his team came out.

“There was no energy,” Rhymes said. “We tried a little bit of everything to get them keyed up. We didn’t run anything. They just threw up the shot too quick, instead of running the plays.”

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.

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