When one examines Marsh’s path in basketball, it seems virtually miraculous he would have any degree of success at all. But the input of his parents, Veora and Pearlie Marsh, who still live in Ashtabula, probably was as important as anything he learned on or off the court.

“I didn’t play in elementary school or junior high,” he said. “In fact, I didn’t play until my junior year (at Ashtabula).

“The only playing I did was up on the outdoor courts at West,” Marsh said. “I played with and against guys like ACBF Hall of Famers) Jim Hood and John Coleman and (the late) Larry Wells.”

His parents’ instruction was as important as anything.

“Growing up playing basketball has made me a better person on and off the court,” Marsh said. “I want to thank my mom and dad for keeping me on the right track while I was growing up, making sure I had respect for my elders and being the person I am today.

“I remember my dad would bring me in when a game was on TV and say to me, ‘Son, that’s how you rebound and box out to get rebounds.’ He would go through every aspect of the game with me sitting there watching.”

There were even more important lessons.

“The biggest thing I appreciate is my upbringing,” he said. “I was disciplined to be on my own by the time I was 17. My mom taught me to cook, to wash clothes and to sew.

“I think there are a lot of people who don’t appreciate what they got from their parents.”

Others factored into his basketball education.

“I would like to give special thanks to some of the guys who helped me like (ACBF Hall of Famer) Jim Hood, who always was hard on me when playing at West Street,” Marsh said. “He taught me what it took to play in a team.

“(The late) James Goodwin, Demas Moore and all the guys from the West Street Courts really helped me. I owe a special thanks to my good buddy Larry “Hollywood” Wells, who jogged and always worked with me. I could always go to his house and sit and talk about anything.”

He also had a chance to get acquainted with the games of future Panther teammates Hill, Benton, Stanley Ball and Roger Ball, Harrison “Scooby” Brown, Powell, Jewell Hanna and Robin Thomas. They are the ones he was able to measure himself with and convinced him to finally come out for the Ashtabula varsity.

“I especially knew Tom and David from playing at West Street,” Marsh said.

Understandably, Marsh was rough when he showed up for Bob Walters’ team for the 1976-77 season.

“He still had a lot to learn about the game,” Walters, still the boys tennis coach at Lakeside High School, said.

“I had some jumping and rebounding ability,” Marsh said. “I could shoot a little bit. I think my first step was pretty quick. I was mostly playing a three or four spot.”

There were elements of Marsh’s personality that set him apart.

“I think Deora’s development was a tribute to his work ethic,” Walters said. “I remember him as a very nice person, a very hard worker and a person who was very receptive to everything we asked of him.

“Deora was a very likable kid,” he said. “It was a joy to work with him.”