Basketball Champions of Southwest Missouri 1984

Springfield Catholic Nixa Eagles Monett Lady Cubs Ozark Tigers Central Lady Bulldogs Hillcrest Hornets

Missouri Tigers
My congratulations to the state champions, the schools, coaching staffs, and players. The schools have provided a wholesome atmosphere and educational opportunity; the coaching staffs have supplied leadership and spent many hours of hard work in molding a championship team; the players have made the necessary sacrifices and demonstrated team cohesiveness. On any team there are stars, but when a team reaches the ultimate goal every player is a star. Congratulations and best wishes in the future.

2744,, NORM STEWART Head Basketball Coach University of Missouri Columbia, Missouri

Springfield Catholic Fightin' Irish

State lA

1st Place

Left to right, first row: Mike Vienhage; Jeremy Coatney; Bryan Haik; Jim Gray; Sean Crayton. Second row: Rocky Gambon, Manager; Thomas Bramer; Pat Quinn; Scott Perkins; Chris Marsh; Monte Canfield, Manager. Third row: Coach Jerry Buescher; Jason Coatney, Bob Schroeder, Carl Wade, Jim Kutz, Assistant Coach George Abramovitz.

The Springfield Catholic Fightin' Irish began their long road to the State Championship by beating a good Billings team on November 22 65-39. The victory began a streak of seven victories before they lost a game. The Irish went into their Christmas break with an 8-1 record and finished their championship season at 28-4. Catholic had a set line-up all year of 6'3" senior Robert Schroeder, 6' 2" senior Carl Wade, 6' junior Pat Quinn, 6' junior Scott Perkins, and 6' 2" sophomore Jim Kutz. A pair of 5' 10" seniors, Thomas Bramer and Matt Vienhage rounded out the varsity squad. Although not blessed with a lot of height, the team played, as one area coach stated, "bigger than they really were." The Irish were coached by Jerry Buescher with assistant George Abramovitz. The Springfield team played one of the strongest schedules they have ever played. The coaches credit this "tough" schedule as a major factor for their post season success. Included in the schedule were several class AAA schools and a majority of class AA schools. The team also played state-ranked 1A schools during the regular schedule. The team featured a group of dedicated, extremely hard working young men. It executed a very effective full court press defense and a quick, fast breaking offense into an exciting team to watch. Schroeder, Kutz and Quinn were premier shooters while Wade, Perkins and Bramer excelled on the defensive end. The team scored 65 points per game while giving up only 47 points per game. It also went over the century mark one time with 110 points against Joplin McAuley. The highlight of the year, other than the state championship game, was the quarter final game against the defending state champion, Scott County Central. Although Scott County was 29-1, the Irish played one of the most exciting games ever witnessed by Catholic fans and won 61-59 in overtime. The State Championship was only the second trip ever to the Final Four for Springfield Catholic boys and marked the first time in 25 years they had advanced that far. The Irish had truly a remarkable season and left an impression on the players, parents, fans and coaches that they will never forget.

Nixa Eagles State 2A 3rd Place

Left to right, first row: Chad Girard, Manager; Gene Pyle; Craig Patterson; Russell Jackson; Brandon Bass; Greg Gilley; Sean Williams; Bryan Martin; Paul Cox, Manager; Delbert Elkins, Manager. Second row: Don Gray, Head Coach; Jim Millsap, Statistician; Russ Wynn; Russ Henderson; Kevin Cheffey; Bob Collier; Pat Sanders; Darrin Yeary; Scott Smith, Assistant Coach; Larry Ewing, Assistant Coach.

Nixa finished the season with a 26-7 record. The following are the honors that the team and individuals accomplished during the year: Co-Champs Greene County League (with Catholic) Greene County League Tournament Champs Final 4 Blue & Gold Blue Division Sportsmanship Award District 11 Champs State 2A 3rd Place KY 3 Athletes of the Week All Conference Patrick Sanders, Kevin Cheffey Honorable Mention Brandon Bass, Russ Wynn 2A All District Kevin Cheffey 2A 2nd Team All State Kevin Cheffey

Monett Lady Cubs State 3A 4th Place

Left to right: Head Coach Cleo Elbert; Jennifer Arnaud; Kim McCaffrey; Lisa Stout; Jodi Conway; Melinda Stanford; Lori Johnson; Bernadette Bauer; Becky Eggleston; Kristen Dierker; Bekki Turner; Kariann Kennedy; Assistant Coach Jackie Bolton. (Not pictured: Angela Beckett.)

1983-84 Team Accomplishments: 3rd Place Aurora Tournament 1st Place Wheaton Tournament (1st in history of girls basketball) 2nd Place Southwest Washburn Tournament Big Eight Undefeated Conference Champions (7-0) (1st in history of girls basketball) District 12 Regional Champs (1st ever girls basketball) 4th in State Girls Class 3-A 26-5 won-loss record Best record of any basketball in history of Monett High School (including boys) 1st Team to advance to Final Four in Columbia since 1940-41 boys team which finished 3rd It was an outstanding season for Monett girls basketball. The Lady Cubs were a class act both on and off the floor. The coaching staff and many loyal fans are very proud of their accomplishments.
Coach Elbert

Ozark Tigers

State 3A 2nd Place

Left to right, front row: Anthony Hampton; Frank Gideon; Robbie Sherwood; David Kronholm; Darin Morrison; Henry Detherow; Jeff Hulse; Brent Hanks; Jeff Hyatt; Chuck Murfin. Second row: Mark Wheeler; Phil Montgomery; Tom Seboldt; Art Forgey; Jim Ripple; Jeff Applegate; Wesley Melton; Charley Hall; Keith Gimlin; Terry Writer.

After coming off of a 13-13 season in 1982-83, the Ozark Tigers were optimistic in beginning the 1983-84 season. The season opener was an impressive win over a very strong Nixa team. Progressively, the Tigers ran off seven more consecutive wins, including a thrilling last second win over Lebanon in the semi-finals of the Blue & Gold Tournament. Ozark placed 2nd in that tournament, also winning the Speedy Collins' Sportsmanship Trophy. Winning the championship of the Bolivar Tournament highlighted the beginning of the January schedule. Two backto-back losses in the Nixa Tournament were not to go unnoticed, however. In February, a string of six straight wins of Central Ozark Conference games was broken by Bolivar in the last regular season game, at home, in double over-time. The top-seeded Tigers won tough games over Bolivar and Republic to win the District Title for the first time in 34 years. A highlight of the District Tournament was a 44 point performance by Henry Detherow against Aurora. This total of 44 points tied the individual school scoring record. Entering the state play-off, the Tigers pulled off a series of three last-second thrillers to earn a berth in the Class 3A State Championship game. During the championship game, the Tigers came up short in a good effort against St. Louis Mckinely, 60-56. The success of the 1983-84 Ozark Tigers would have to be described as a total team effort. The chemistry, unity, the desire to excel, and the confidence to perform in clutch situations were some of the elements leading to a successful season. The team was built around the idea of each player having an individual role to perform. As each player accepted the responsibility to excel within this specific role in the team, the performance of the team steadily improved. Other areas of importance to the success of the team were the dedication and support of our student body, faculty, and the many Ozark fans. As coach, I want to express my deep gratitude to my assistant coaches, Mark Wheeler and Phil Montgomery, for their dedication and hard work. In closing, I hope that the many thrills of this basketball season have brought the school and community of Ozark closer together. This has been a year which can truly be remembered and cherished forever.

Central Lady Bulldogs

State 4A

1st Place

Left to right, first row: Beth Manley; Janice Johnson; Angie Marshall; Trina Osborne; Kim Johnson; Dedra Allen. Second row: Manager Bridget Donson; Manager Becky Stacye; Regina Johnson; Kim White; Thresa Cowan; Venessa Clarida; Coach Susan Alley.

We would like to thank all of our fans and friends for their loyal support throughout the state tournament. It would have been difficult, if not impossible, to pull off our "amazing" comeback in the semi-final game vs. Hazelwood Central, without those wonderful fans. It's a great thrill to be a part of the super success story of southwest Missouri teams in the state basketball championships. This is testimony to the caliber of basketball in this part of the state, and something we can all be very proud of. Congratulations to all the coaches and players. This is indeed a just reward for all the long hours of dedication and hard work throughout the season. It's satisfying to know that a goal set early in the season was indeed realized.

Sincerely, Coach Alley and the Central Lady Bulldogs Basketball Team

Hillcrest Hornets State 4A 1st Place

Left to right, first row: Brian Standfield; Mike Goggin; Tony King; Kent Meador; Jeff Dishman; John Wallace. Second row: Coach Gary Standfield; Manager James Cox; Tom Fielding; Austin Cameron; David Hazen; Ronnie Richardson; Mark Wofford; Dave Boland; David Coday; Coach Nate Quinn. Not pictured: Scott Dasal.

Nineteen eighty-four will be a year the Hillcrest players and all of Springfield will long remember. An unprecedented three state championship basketball teams in Springfield during the same year truly gives meaning to the phrase "think proud Springfield". The Hornets then promptly reeled off six consecutive victories which included their second consecutive Blue & Gold Tournament Championship and a respectable 9-4 record to begin the new year. The new year began with a "Michael Jackson type thriller," however as the Hornets dropped a 4 OT game to the Central Bulldogs. Shortly thereafter the Hornets hit what would have to be considered a high point in the season as Hillcrest claimed the title to the prestigious Coffeeville, Kansas Interstate Classic by dropping highly respected Harrison, Arkansas (finished 1st in Arkansas State Tournament) in the semifinals and Parsons, Kansas (finished 2nd in 5A Kansas State Tournament) in the championship game by 22 points. The Hornets then saw their Ozark Conference championship hopes build and then collapse as the Central Bulldogs did what no other team had been able to do for two yearsbeat Hillcrest at Hillcrest. The stage was now set for the long awaited rematch with the second ranked team in the state, Springfield Central. Not to be denied the Hornets rose to the occasion and walked into the state tournament with a 60-50 victory in the District championship game. Hillcrest's next opponent, the Glendale Falcons, gave the Hornets all they wanted but fell in the end as the "Road to Columbia" continued to clear of obstacles. The only team that now stood between Hillcrest and the final four was Kansas City Van Horn, the villian in 82-83 who defeated Hillcrest in the state quarterfinals. This one was all Hillcrest however as the Hillcrest Hornets advanced to the Missouri State 4-A finals. Traditional power St. Louis Beaumont led by All State forward Charles Bledsoe fell to the Hornets 57-48 in the semifinals as the Hillcrest boys took advantage of a solid defensive effort and accurate free throw shooting. St. Louis Vashion vs. Springfield Hillcrest for the Missouri State 4-A Championship on live state wide television. Vashion, the defending state champion was led by Antonio "Shotgun" Campbell and Raymond "Pistol" Trice and were the odds on favorite to perform an "Instant Replay" of their 82-83 championship. Somebody forgot to tell the Hornets, however, as the Springfield boys staged a 4th quarter rally to shock the Wolverines and claim Hillcrest's first ever state basketball 4-A championship much to the delight of several thousand enthusiastic basketball fans. "It was indeed a year to remember."