1962-1963 Alba High School basketball A team – Ronnie King (holding the Little 8 Conference Tournament Championship trophy), Danny Roy, Ed Henson, Lenny Boyer, Phil Cook, Stanley Woodmansee, Bill Roy, David Betebenner, Jim Black and Larry Purcell. – Courtesy of Janet Munson, Alba High School Class of 1964.

From the 3rd floor
of the Webb City Public Library

Old News

Basketball glory days flashback

Webb City Area Genealogical Society

As the basketball season comes to an end, we’re reminded of earlier basketball teams that also made us proud – back when going to state was unheard of.

They didn’t make it to state, but 50 years ago, Alba High School’s 1963 Wildcats were especially proud to claim the Little Eight Conference title.

It was 53 years ago when many fans followed Webb City High School’s 1973 team to the state playoffs.

Support for the team swelled as the Cardinals won the Carthage Invitational, defeating Joplin Parkwood 54-53. It was the first time in 20 years that Webb City had won the tournament.

Ron Ellis and his assistant, Rick Utter, topped that by coaching the team to an undefeated (9-0) record in the Big Ten Conference. Webb City hadn’t won a conference championship in basketball since 1953.

The ’73 Cardinals returned from the playoffs in Columbia with a respectable fourth place and were remembered as Webb City’s best-ever team until the 1997 team won the state championship.

1972-73 Webb City Cardinals – (FRONT) Mike Elrod, Dan Restivo, Terry Brake, Tim Woffard, Don Smith, Dan Campbell. (BACK) Rusty Schell, Bob McAfee, Steve Mesplay, Tom Maxwell, Mitch Severn, John Hoffmann and Steve Myers. – Photo and information courtesy of Mary M. Smith.

Webb City Area Genealogical Society

WCAGS members staff the Genealogy Room on the third floor of the Webb City Public Library. Current hours are noon to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in the Genealogy Room.

Everything you want to know about Jasper County Missouri Schools is available at a site compiled by Webb City Area Genealogical Society member Kathy Sidenstricker.

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