Cy Bradley – St. Joseph High School (Farmington), Potosi High School

Coach Bradley coached varsity basketball for 23 seasons amassing a 433-179 record while averaging 19 wins per year and a .707 winning percentage.  During his career, Coach Bradley won 8 conference titles, 4 district titles, and led his St. Joseph’s team to the 1966 final four.  Coach Bradley produced many all-state players and won numerous coach of the year honors.

Randy Carter – Jennings High School

Coach Carter is currently coaching at Jennings High School and has a current career record of 441-334.  In 1998 Coach Carter was awarded with the prestigious James S. McDonnell Coaching for Character Award at the National Character in Education Convention.  Coach Carter was the 2000 Missouri 3A Coach of the Year and has been the Suburban East Coach of the Year 5 times.  During his impressive career, Jennings has won 8 conference championships, including a conference record 38 consecutive conference games from 1996 through 2002. Jennings has won 10 district titles and been to the Final Four 4 times in Coach Carter’s tenure.

Danny Farmer – Charleston High School

Coach Farmer has amassed a career record of 515-149 at Scott County Central and Charleston High School where he currently serves as the boy’s basketball coach.  Coach Farmer won state championships in 1985, 1987, 1991, 1992, and 1993 at Scott County Central and won yet another title in 2007 with the Charleston Blue Jays.  Along the way, Coach Farmer won 14 conference championships and 17 district championships. He has been awarded numerous coach of the year awards including being named MBCA Coach of the Year 6 times and Associated Press Coach of the Year 5 times.

Tim Jermain – Jefferson High School

Coach Jermain has a current career record of 579-152 at Albany and Jefferson High Schools.  Coach Jermain has led his teams to 6 Missouri Final Fours and won 3 state championships at Jefferson.  Along the way his teams have won eleven conference championships and eleven district championships. Coach Jermain has won numerous coach of the year awards, including 4 consecutive MBCA Coach of the Year Awards in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.

David Neier – St. Francis Borgia High School

Coach Neier currently has a career record of 555-126 at BorgiaHigh School.  He has led the Knights to 8 final fours and 5 state championships, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2006, and 2009. During his tenure Borgia has won 16 district championships and Coach Neier has been named MBCA Coach of the Year 5 times.  He has also won the prestigious National Federation Sectional Coach of the Year award in 2007.  This award encompasses several states in the Midwest.

Bob Roberts – Cairo High School

Coach Roberts has compiled an amazing 803-440 record over his years of coaching at Linn County, Atlanta, and Cairo. During his career, his teams have won 17 district titles and participated in 5 Final Fours.  Coach Roberts’ 1998 Atlantateam finished the season a perfect 31-0 en route to the state title.  In 2007, Coach Roberts led Cairo back to the final four and finished 4th, then in 2008 he captured his second state title as Cairo finished the season 28-3.  Coach Roberts has won numerous Coach of the Year awards.

Steve Tappmeyer – Northwest Missouri State, University ofMissouri St. Louis

Coach Tappmeyer has established himself as one of the top collegiate coaches in the state of Missouri.  Over 22 seasons at East Central Junior College and Northwest Missouri State, Coach Tappmeyer has compiled a record of 408 wins and 208 losses for a .662 winning percentage.  He was recently named the new men’s coach at the University of Missouri St. Louis. Coach Tappmeyer won the MIAA Championship 3 times, won the MIAA tournament four times, led his team to 10 NCAA Division II Tournaments, and twice reached the Elite Eight.  He has been named MIAA Coach of the Year 4 times, was the 1989 Kodak District Coach of the Year, and was the 2001 South Central Region Coach of the Year.

Gary McDaniel – Gary played and coached at Rogersville (Logan Rogersville) High School before graduating from Southwest Missouri State University in 1963. He won letters in Basketball, Track & Softball in High School and Basketball and Track in College. His Coaching career started in Lebanon and ended at Logan Rogersville with stops at Willard and Drury in between. Gary ’s teams won 414 games, made four consecutive trips to the Class 3A State Tournament, including a State Championship in 1983, Runner Up in 1986 and Quarter-finals twice. He still coaches area youth in basketball fundamentals, works summer camps and leads Coaches in Upwards Basketball Program. Gary served on the original Board of the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association.  Gary and wife Patricia have two sons and a daughter.

Jerry Armstrong – Jerry had an outstanding high school playing career at North Harrison High School, making All Conference three years, All District two years and All State his senior year. His team played for the State Title in 1962 where they lost to Bradleyville.  In college at Texas Western he was a three year letter winner, tri-captain his senior year on the team that won the NCAA Championship by defeating Kentucky University . Jerry was featured in the movie about that game (“ Glory Road ”).  He started his coaching career at Trenton and went on to coach at King City , Richmond , back to King City and then finished at Mansfield . His teams in twenty-one years won seven Conference Championships, made the State Playoffs six times and finished Third in 1987.

Mark Scanlon – graduated from Breckenridge High School and from Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph . His first coaching job was at Bunceton before moving to Bucklin , Mexico , Raytown and this year will coach at Northeast High School in Kansas City . His teams have won 511 games in thirty years. Two of his Raytown teams finished with 27- 1 records before losing in the State Quarterfinals. Mark Coached Tyron Lue who later starred at Nebraska and now is a veteran NBA player. He will join his brother Jim, who coaches at Rock Bridge High School , in the MBCA Hall of Fame (class of 2007).

Jeff Sherman – After a great high school basketball and track career at De Beque , Colorado High School which included leading the state in scoring and winning the 100 and 200 three times, Jeff matriculated to Central Methodist University . There he started on the basketball team for two years. Coaching occupied his time for the next twenty-six years, one at North Nodaway High School and the rest at Central Methodist, where his teams have made him the all time winningest Coach in history. Jeff’s teams have nine 20 win seasons, one 30 win season, four conference championships, three seasons in the NAIA top ten, ten seasons in the top twenty-five and three National Tournament appearances. He has received six Coach of the Year awards including 2008 and 2009. His players have a 90% plus graduation rate. Jeff and wife Julee have two sons who are both athletes at Central Methodist University .

Jim McLeod – Jim McLeod passed away in 1975 which cut short his illustrious Coaching career. His Hickman teams racked up 299 wins including the large Class State Championship in 1962, runner up in 1968 and third in 1969. In all his teams compiled a 394-121 record. Jim joined Bob Vanatta and Gary Filbert to form the second summer Basketball Camp in Missouri back in 1967. Jim’s specialty was team defense and one of the things he was most proud of was sharing the stage with legendary Coach John Wooden at the national 7-UP clinic in St. Louis .  He Coached Ken Ash who later coached at Hickman, Central Methodist and Pittsburg State .  Ken is currently Executive Director of the Show-Me STATE GAMES.  Jim is survived by his wife Kaye.

Kevin Kelly – played baseball at Bayless High School in St. Louis before graduating from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.  He has been broadcasting play-by-play for thirty-two years including over 1400 events. For the past thirty-one years he has covered games for KWOS Radio in Jefferson City . Kevin has won numerous awards from the Missouri Broadcasters Association including the 2009 First Place in Sports Reporting. In 2007 the MSHSAA selected him for a Distinguished Service Award. Kevin and wife Mary have two sons and a daughter.

Steve Hunter – His teams have averaged twenty wins a season for twenty-four years. Steve’s teams have made six trips to the Final Four from three different schools and won the title in 2003. Included in that span are fourteen District and seventeen Conference titles, six championships at the Blue and Gold Tournament and posted a record of 53-15 in twenty-one years at the event. Steve was the MBCA Coach of the year in 1996 and 2003. He was an All Conference Player in basketball and baseball at Glendale High School in Springfield . He attended John Brown University and graduated from Lubbock Christian College in 1982. Steve and Wife Julie have two sons and a daughter. 

Arnie Drendel – Arnie started coaching in the Dakotas before moving to Missouri where he has coached at Calhoun, Lakeland and now at Leeton High School . Arnie has coached both girls and boys team in the past. Since arriving at Leeton he has concentrated on coaching girls teams. They made three consecutive trips to the MSHSAA State Tournament turning in two second place finishes and one fourth place. He serves on the MSHSAA Basketball Advisory Committee. His daughter Kristin played for him and now serves as his assistant coach.

Doug Smith – Coach Smith started the Hermann High School Girls Basketball Program in 1979. His teams were District Champions in 1983, 84, 86, 87, 90 and 91; Sectional Champions in 1984, 86, 90 and Class 2A MSHSAA State Champions in 1986. Doug graduated from Newburg High School and Central Methodist College . He and his wife Debra have a Daughter and two sons.

Gary Knehans – Gary has been a radio broadcaster since 1963 with KJPW. He has done play-by-play since 1983. Gary served as a writer and  editor of the “Frisco League Basketball Guide” from 1975 to 2002.  In 1999 established the “Tiger Country Basketball Guide”. This past year he won the MSTA’s top award for excellence in radio reporting of education issues. Gary is a graduate of Owensville High School and Central Missouri State

Jacky Payne   Jacky’s teams have racked up a record of 508-294 in thirty years of coaching at five different schools. He was President of MBCA in 1992 and inducted into the Trenton Junior College Hall of Fame in 1987. He graduated from Missouri Western State University .

His teams have won thirty-two tournament championships including seven District and five Conference titles while being ranked in the state nine times. They have compiled the best season record in school history at St. James (26-1) and Marshfield (31-2). He is married to Elana and their children include three girls and two boys.

Scott Stallcup – He is being honored as the 2009 Kevin “Cub” Martin Memorial Assistant Coach of the Year. Scott joined the staff of Jay Blossom at Webster Groves High School in 2005 after working at Centralia and Rolla. He has been part of the winning tradition that includes the Class 5 MSHSAA Championship in 2008, eight straight undefeated Suburban South Championships, three District titles and two state Quarterfinals. He is a graduate of Van-Far High School and Westminster College . Scott and wife, Terrah have a daughter and son.

Randy Bishop – Branson High School – Randy started his coaching career at Eminence in 1977, moved to Mt. View – Birch Tree, then on to Illinois before returning to Missouri and Branson. Coach Bishop’s teams have won twenty-six (26) tournaments in the past thirty (30) years, eight (8) District Championships, nine (9) Conference Tournament Championships, nine (9) Holiday Tournament Championships and two(2) Blue and Gold Titles in 2003 and 2007.

Randy has won twelve (12) Coach of the Year awards and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association District Coach of the Year twice. His teams overall record is 516-272.

He and his wife Terri have two daughters Brooke & Ali.

Mel Clark – St. Joseph Lafayette (Retired) – Mel’s teams dominated Northwest Missouri during the 1970’s and early 80’s. His teams won eight (8) Midland Empire Conference titles, a Platte Valley Conference title, seven (7) District championships, a 3A quarterfinal, a 4A quarterfinal, a 3A runner-up in the State Championships ( 1975), and a 3A State Championship (1976)

Mel retired from Coaching in 1986 to become the St. Joseph School District Supervisor of Health, Physical Education, Athletics and Safety. He held this position until his retirement in 1996, but worked half-time as Director of Athletics for the St. Joseph School District until 2003.

Mel and his wife Pat enjoy retirement in Easton , Missouri his home town. Easton is also the Home town of Henry “Hank” Iba the great Oklahoma State Coach. They have three children Julie, Janet and Jon who have provided them with six (6) grand children... Daughter Janet was the first Miss Show-Me Basketball in 1985

Rick Lin – Gallatin – Rick played his High School Basketball at Winston where he was a two time All-Conference and All-District player. He started his coaching career in Jameson and moved to Gallatin two years later and has remained there. His teams have racked up a record of 515-223. For nine (9) years Rick coached both Girls and Boys teams.

Gallatin finished second in the state Class 1 in 1996. They have won six (6) District Championships. Rick has received five (5) Coach of the Year awards including the Northwest District class 2 in 2006. In addition his Boys teams have won four (4) District and three (3) Conference championships.

Rick and his wife Lesli have two children son Derrick and daughter Sara

Terry Hollander – St. Charles West – Terry played at Duchesne High School in St. Charles on the 68-69 and 69-70 teams that won the District Title for the first time in 36 years. He has been the Head Boys Coach at West for twenty-eight (28) years. During that period his teams have played in four Final Fours and won 508 games while losing only 281. The Final Four record includes the State Championship in 94-95, runner up this past year, and 3rd in 93-94 and 03-04.

In 1995 Terry was selected by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association as the 4A Coach of the Year.

Terry and his wife Brenda have two sons Blake & Kirk and daughter Leigh.

Eric Johnson – Webb City – Eric played his High School Basketball at Pittsburgh , Kansas where he was Honorable Mention All-State. At Highland Junior College he was an All-Conference selection and at Pittsburgh State University he was Honorable Mention All-Conference.

He got his Coaching start at Horton , Kansas , moved to Columbus , Kansas and then to Webb City in 1984. His teams have posted a record of 516-366. This includes the 1997 Class 3A Missouri State Championship and two third place finishes in 1998 and 2008. In addition they have won ten(10) Conference titles and eleven (11) District titles.

Eric has been the District Coach of the Year in 1986-1992-1997. The Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) honored him as Coach of the Year in 1997.

His father Bob coached High School and College for thirty (30) years including fourteen (14) years at Pittsburgh State . Eric is married to Mary Sue (Culbertson) Johnson.

Mike Pratte – Parkway West – Mike had an outstanding High School playing career at Bonne Terre High School making All-State and averaging 28.4 points per game. He continued that success at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale winning five (5) Varsity letters in Basketball & Baseball including being named Baseball Team Captain. He carried that success into his coaching career at Bonne Terre and North County-Bonne Terre-Desloge before starting the Boys program at Parkway West.

 His teams compiled a 423-250 record which included five (5) Suburban West Conference titles, a third place finish in the 4A State Championships in 1986 and a quarter final in 1987. Mike was the MBCA Coach of the Year in 1986. As a Varsity Assistant in 1991 Parkway West won the State Title.

Mike and his wife Dee have a son Evan and daughter Krista.

Rich Grawer – St. Louis U & DeSmet – Rich’s championship ways started in High School as a guard on the 1961 Class L State Championship team at St. Louis High.. In college he played on the 1964 NAIA National Championship at Rockhurst College .

 This winning tradition continued when he coached DeSmet to three Missouri State Championships including a sixty-three (63) game winning streak. In addition his teams won a second place, a third place and fourth place in the State Tournaments.

After a year on Norm Stewart’s staff at the University of Missouri , Rich took over the Head Coaches position at St, Louis University . His teams played in three (3) National Invitation Tournaments (NIT) and played for the title twice.

Rich has been a clinic and seminar speaker in our country but also in Korea & Japan . He is a member of three Hall’s of Fame including the St. Louis Amateur Baseball, St. Louis University and DeSmet.

Rich and his wife Theresa have six (6) Children and sixteen (16) Grand Children.

Brent Colley – Willow Springs – Brent played his High School Basketball at Mt. Vernon where he was an All-Conference performer. He graduated from the University of Missouri before starting his coaching career at Willow Springs.

His teams at the Springs posted a 412-304 record. Included were eight (8) Conference Championships, nine (9) District Championships, a Final Four appearance and six (6) Conference Coach of the Year awards. Brent is the winningest Coach in Willow Springs history. Prior to his twenty-seven years as a Head Coach, he served seven (7) years as the Middle School and Varsity Assistant Coach.

Brent and his wife Pam have three daughters, Shelley, Courtney and Quencie. They have 2 Grand Children.

Bob Burchard – Columbia College – Bob got his start in Basketball at McLean High School in the state of Virginia , where he was a three (3) year letter winner. At Catawba College in North Carolina he picked up four (4) letters.

His Coaching career got started with a one year stay at Jameson Missouri High School and then on to Missouri Western State College as a seven year Assistant.. Columbia College was the next stop, where his teams have posted a tremendous record of 501-185. Included are thirteen (13) NAIA National Tournament appearances, sixteen (16) NAIA All-American players and seven (7) NAIA All-American Scholar Athletes.

Bob has been selected as Conference Coach of the Year five (5) times and NAIA District Coach of the Year once. He has received the Don Faurot Kiwanis Award and the Kent Heitholt Memorial Award and served on the USA Basketball Collegiate Committee. Bob has recently completed a term as President of the NAIA National Coaches Association.

His wife Faye, who serves as Dean of Students at Columbia College , have two children Jennifer and Bret.

Gary Murphy – Marshfield – Gary played his High School Basketball at Wheaton and graduated from Central Missouri State University . He got his coaching start at Exeter followed by stops at Jasper and Morrisville before spending the past eighteen (18) years at Marshfield . His teams there have recorded a 427-111 mark. When you add his teams wins at his other stops it comes out to 537-153.

Gary has been honored with the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) Coach of the Year designation in 1991 – 1996 – 1997 – 1999.. In addition Gary was the Marshfieldian of the Year in 1999.

He is married to wife Terrill.

Dan Miller – Hickman Mills – Dan spent twenty-one (21) years as the Head Coach at Hickman Mills before moving to Kansas for a year at Shawnee Mission North then back to Hickman Mills as an Assistant. He is still coaching at Raymore-Peculiar as Assistant to Scott Jermain.

During his time as Head Coach at Hickman Mills his teams posted 350 wins which included two second place finishes in the Missouri State Tournament. They also won seven (7) District titles and eight Conference Championships. He was awarded the Conference Coach of the Year eight (8) times and received the Lambert Award from William Jewell College as the Kansas City area Outstanding Coach.

Bill Kimminau – St. Francis Borgia – Bill was selected as theKevin “Cub” Martin Memorial Missouri Assistant Coach of the Year for 2008. He played his High School Basketball at Borgia in the early 70’s and was the team Most Valuable Player his senior year.

Bill was nominated by David Neier, Head Coach at St. Francis Borgia for his twenty (20) years as an Assistant. During that period the team has posted a 472-110 record and David gives Bill a lot of credit for the outstanding record. His Junior Varsity teams have a 304-106 mark.

Bill and his wife Pam have three children Crystal, Brandy and Eric.

JERRY BOECKMAN  VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL

Jerry coached from 1966 to 1995 at Vianney. His teams won 385 games during his tenure. They were District Champs four times and Conference champs five times. The 1992 team were State Quarterfinalist. His Golden Griffin teams posted the most wins in Vianney High School history. In addition to Basketball he coached baseball from 1967 to 1986. Jerry passed away in January 2007 at the age of 67. He had just finished officiating a Basketball game. He is survived by his wife Diana, daughter Kerrie and sons Ryan and Joe. Both sons coach Basketball in the St. Louis area.

Jerry was nominated by Kevin Walsh Head Basketball Coach at Vianney High School .

KEVIN NICHOLS CAMERON HIGH SCHOOL

Kevin has coached twenty-six years at four schools, two in Iowa and two in Missouri . His teams overall record now stands at 584 “ 225. Fourteen of those teams have been at Cameron High School . During that period his teams have won 14 Conference, 12 District and 21 regular season tournament championships. In 2005-2006 Cameron finished third in the MSHSAA State Tournament. Kevin was honored with the Eddie Ryan Award by the Kansas City Basketball Coaches Association and the Lambert Award as Coach of the Year for the Kansas City area.

His family includes wife Jackie and daughter Heather.

JERRY GRIM NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL

Jerry started Coaching the Notre Dame freshman boys in 1976 and in 1982 took over as the Head Girls Coach. His Girl's teams have won 441 games during that 25 year period. Those teams have won 11 District titles, 5 Final Four appearances, 4 second place finishes and the State Title once. He has been honored as the 2A Coach of the Year 4 times. In 2002 the National Federation of High School Athletic Association named Jerry as the Sectional Coach of the Year. In 2001 he was inducted into the Notre Dame High School Hall of Fame. The court at Notre Dame is to be named in his honor.

His family includes wife Jody and 4 children.

Jerry was nominated by MBCA Hall of Fame member Don Maurer.

GARY WACKER  ST. CHARLES HIGH SCHOOL

Gary started Coaching as an Assistant at Bowling Green High School in 1963. He became the Head Boys Coach in 1966. In 1968 he accepted the Head Boys Coaching position at St. Charles High School . He coached there for 11  years. His Coaching career was put on hold until 1996, while in private business. He then returned to St. Charles for another 11years as the Head Boys Coach, before retiring at the end of the 2007 season. During the 24 years his teams won 412 games, which included 8 District titles, 5 Conference titles and numerous tournament titles. Included in those titles were 16 consecutive victories at the Normandy Tournament for 4 straight titles. His 1975-76 Bowling Green team finished 3rd and his 2006-07 team finished 4th in the MSHSAA State Championships.

Gary and his wife Janie have two daughters Stacey and Christine.

He was nominated by two MBCA Hall of Fame members John Masterson and Dennis Kruse.

JIM SCANLON  ROCK BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

Jim played his High School Basketball at Breckenridge , MO gaining All Conference and All District honors during his junior and senior years. He started his Coaching career at North Harrison High School in Eagleville , MO , upon graduation from the University of Missouri . His teams have had winning records at each school where he has served. This includes J. C. Penney High School in Hamilton , MO , St. Joseph Benton High School and for nineteen years at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia , MO. On December 4, 2006 his teams posted their 500th win. Included in the list of victories are 12 District titles, 3 3rd place finishes in the MSHSAA State Tournaments and several top five state rankings. The 2006 & 2007 teams were both ranked Number #1in the state for several weeks. In 1981 Jim was selected the 2A Missouri State Coach of the Year.

Jim is married to wife Lori. He has three sons, Brennan, Blair, Stewart and daughter Sarah.  

DAVE LOOS “ AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY

Dave graduated from Mehlville High School in 1965 where he was an All-State Basketball player. He attended the University of Memphis (formerly Memphis State University ), graduating in 1969. Dave was the starting Point Guard for the Tigers. His Coaching career started in 1970 as an Assistant at Christian Brothers College in Memphis . The next stop was as Head Boys Coach at Mehlville High School from 1975 to 1981, where his team won 109 games. He went back to Christian Brothers as Head Men's€™s Coach in 1981. After two years as an Assistant at Major Universities, he was hired as the Head Men's€™s Coach at Austin Peay State University . For the past nine years Dave has also served as Director of Athletics, which is almost unheard of in NCAA Division I programs. His teams have won 271 games at Austin Peay, which include 168 Ohio Valley Conference wins. Dave has been the OVC Coach of the Year 5 times and Tennessee State Sportswriters Association College Coach of the Year twice. His teams have appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament 2 times and the NIT twice.

He and his wife Phyllis have four children, David, Todd, Brad and Nicole.

David was nominated by Ken Libby former MBCA President.

Jim Bidewell - Jim graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1978 where he competed in Basketball, Football and Baseball. He went on to Arkansas State University receiving his degree in 1982. He has been the Head Basketball Coach at Portageville ever since. His teams have won 4 state titles, 2 undefeated seasons (91 & 93), 6 Final Four appearances, 11 District titles and 13-time Bootheel Conference Champions. Both of those undefeated teams are in the MBCA/Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. His teams have compiled a 483-150 record in 23 years which gives them an average of 21 wins per year.
 
Jim Byland - is a founding member of the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association and served as president during the 1980's. He was the committee co-chair who set up the MBCA Academic All State Team criteria. During his high school playing days Jim scored over 1,000 points while playing at Knox County his first two years and at Moberly High School as a junior and senior. This was followed by two years at Moberly Junior College where he played on two straight National Junior College Championship teams. He started his Coaching career at Cairo in 1969, followed by a year as Graduate Assistant at Northeast Missouri State University. Jim Coached at Salisbury, Eldon and Jefferson City where his 1993 team won the Class 4A State Championship.
 
Bill Carter - has Coached and Administered at a lot of schools along the way. And this year his girls team won number 500 in his career. Bill coached football early in his career and then since 1971 has concentrated on Basketball. He is a 1957 Davenport High School graduate and a University of Dubuque 1962 graduate. He has coached in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and now Missouri. This includes Davenport West, Griswold, Riverdale Port Byron, Wichita Collegiate (twice), Capaun Mt. Carmel, Caproock, Lewisville and Thomas Jefferson on the High School level. In addition he has Coached at Friends University, Cameron University and Texas A& I University. At Capaun his teams won back to back 5A State titles in 80 & 81 with former KU & NBA player Greg Dreiling. At Friends he coached R. C. Buford an NBA player who is now the General Manager of the San Antonio Spurs. He joins Cleo Elbert at what is believed to be the only time in Missouri Basketball history that two Coaches have achieved 500 wins at the same school in the same year.
 
Cleo Elbert - saw his Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School Boys team win game number 500 in his career this past season. He graduated from Pierce City High School and received his Bachelors Degree from SMS/Missouri State and a Masters from Pittsburg State. Cleo has coached both boys and girls teams but not at the same time. He has spent 29 years as a Head Coach and has been in education for 35 years. His teams have won 7 District titles, 3 final fours and 7 undefeated Conference championships. He has coached in the Lions All Star game 5 times and been the Big Eight Conference Coach of the Year 5 times. He joins Bill Carter at what is believed to be the only time in Missouri Basketball histroy that two Coaches have achieved 500 wins at the same school in the same year.
 
Jim Enlow - Jim's teams won 756 games over a twenty-nine year Coaching career at Unionville and primarily at Centralia. He coached both boys and girls at different times and sometimes at the same time. He played at Hannibal High School for Dr. James Ballenger and at Culver Stockton College for W. A. Bill Herington. Both Ballenger and Herington were legends in Northeast Missouri Basketball history.  Jim is in the Culver Stockton Hall of Fame and received the MSHSAA Distinguished Service Award in 2001. MBCA honored him as the 1986-87 Coach of the Year.
 
Larry Buddy Graham - this Indiana native attended Odon High School where he is the all time leading scorer in Basketball. He was an all conference selection at Vincennes University Junior College and at Texas Wesleyan University. His Coaching career has seen his teams win two state titles at Madison, Illinois in 1977 and 1981. He had a four year stop at Oakville before spending 7 years at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where his teams have the record for wins. He coached at Parks College and his team was ranked #1 in the nation for Small College Association. He next spent 9 years at Florissant Valley Community College where his teams averaged 20 wins a season. He is currently Director of Basketball Operations at Lindenwood College in St. Charles.
 
 
Marlin Hammond - graduated from Weaubleau High School in 1970. While there he was an All Conference Basketball player during his Junior and Senior Year. He graduated from Lincoln University in 1974. After stops at Raymore-Peculiar, Pleasant Hope, and Bolivar he became the Head Girls Coach at Lincoln High School. 499 victories later he is still the Head Coach. Along the way his teams have won District Titles 14 times, been in the State Tournament Final Four twice and won 11 Conference Championships. He has been honored as Kaysinger Conference Coach of the Year and All Area Coach of the Year several times. Marlin currently serves as President of the Missouri State Athletic Directors Association.
 
Edward H. Heller - this native of Nebraska started officiating Basketball in 1962 and did not stop until 1993. He graduated Clatonia Nebraska High School and the University of Nebraska. He officiated over 5150 High School and College games primarily in the Northeast part of the state. He called 11 girls state tournaments and many regionals. Ed started calling girls Basketball when they still played 6 on 6 until they converted to 5 on 5. In addition to basketball and his job of 33 years with the Soil Conservation Service he officiated Baseball and Softball. He still coaches softball at Culver Stockton College and has been doing it for 13 years.
 
Andy Jackson - a Louisiana native who graduated from Charles Brown High School then played and graduated from Southwest Baptist University where he was an All District 16 player.    He has seen his team rack up a 623 - 199 record an average of more than 18 wins per season. Andy got his start coaching freshman at St. Joseph Central High School before moving on as a head coach at Hogan Prep in Kansas City, then to West Port and now at Lincoln Prep. Along the way his team have been in the Show-Me Showdown six times, finished 2nd twice, 3rd three times and 4th once. 
 
Ed Lindsay - after attending Silex High School and the University of Missouri,  Ed began his coaching career at Bunceton. His teams record there in 1975-77 did not foretell of his great success at Clopton High School where his teams have won 485 games which include a State Championship in 2005, 15 District titles and 6 Final Four appearances (4 consecutive). He is an 8 time Northeast District Coach of the Year, 3 time MBCA State Coach of the Year and a National Federation of State High School Association Midwest Sectional Coach of the Year.
 
Don Maurer - was an All State Honorable Mention player at Notre Dame - Cape Girardeau and later played two years at Southeast Missouri State University. His coaching stops include Saint Vincent- Perryville, Notre Dame - Cape Girardeau, a 2 year stint as Assistant at the University of Illinois - St. Louis University High and MICDS where his 2002 team won the Missouri State Title. In 1984 he was the District Coach of the Year and in 1999 the Metro Catholic Conference Coach of the Year. In 2002 Don was the St. Louis Post Dispatch Metro, Missouri Basketball Coaches Association and National Federation - State Coach of the Year
 
Rick Mills - attended LaMonte High School where he was the Outstanding Athlete in 1966-67. He graduated from Central Missouri State University and began his Coaching career in 1971 at Lincoln. From there he has coached at Adrian, LaMonte, Bolivar, Warrensburg, Green Ridge and now at Leeton. Along the way his teams have won 501 games which include Final Four State Tournament appearances in 1979-80 at LaMonte and Warrensburg in 1988-89. His 1980-81 LaMonte team went 27-1 and was a Quarter Finalist. His son Jason was an All State player at Warrensburg.
 
Fred Turner - started out as a High School (Bishop Lillis) All-Conference Football Player and then played that sport at Colorado State University. With that kind of a background it is surprising that Fred’s Basketball teams have won 498 games since he began 31 years ago. Fred has coached at West Platte, Bishop O’Hara, Lee’s Summit, Fort Scott Community College, Avila University, Warrensburg and most recently at Oak Park. He has received Coach of the Year honors several times in High School and twice during his College stops. This includes being NAIA District Coach of the Year in 1999.
 
Dale Gene Williams - long time Girls Basketball Coach at For Osage High School where his teams posted 309 wins since 1987. Dale’s Coaching career saw him start in 1967 at Piper, Kansas and then had stops at Hanover, Kansas, North Kansas City, Simpson College in Iowa and then to Fort Osage. Altogether his teams have compiled 562 victories. At Piper and Hanover Dale coached boys. He is a member of the Baker University Hall of Fame where he earned his Bachelors Degree. He lettered four years in Football at Baker. He was inducted in the Greater Kansas City Area Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006. Twelve Suburban Conference Coach of the Year have been claimed by Dale. Dale has three children, Bob, Karie and Sheri.

Don Buffington, currently at School of the Osage, he has coached at Hannibal La Grange College and Blair Oaks High School;

Roy Green, long time Coach at Kickapoo High School in Springfield. Roy started his Coaching career at Miller, MO High School, spent a year at Willow Springs and twelve years as an Assistant at Glendale High School before going to Kickapoo twenty-two years ago;

Paul Hale of Cape Girardeau Notre Dame has been a  Head Coach for twenty-seven years and his teams have won five hundred games. Paul coached at Stoutland, Delta, Bernie and Dexter prior to joining Notre Dame;

Kirk Hanson has been at Central Bible College in Springfield for twenty-six years and his teams have played in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) twenty-four times. They have amassed five hundred and ninety-one wins, three NCCAA titles and helped Coach Hanson win four NCCAA National Coach of the Year Awards;

Gary Keeling got his Coaching start at Pleasant Hope, moved to Jasper, then to Gravette, Arkansas, before settling in Bolivar. His Bolivar team presented him with win number five hundred on January 25, 2005;

John Masterson the long time Coach at Normandy High School in the St. Louis area moved into the Assistant's role at Hazelwood East and most recently at St. Charles High School;

Tim Moore's 1995-96 Webster Groves High School team won the Missouri State High School Activites (MSHSAA) Class 4A State Title. He now serves as Director of Athletics at Webster Groves. His teams won Regional titles in Illinois and District and Sectional titles in Missouri;

Lynn Nance Coached a National Championship team at Central Missouri State University before moving into Division I jobs at St. Mary's in California, University of Washington and Iowa State. He returned to the Show-Me State to take the job at Southwest Baptist College;

Kenneth Roberts coached at Novinger, Marceline, Cairo, Knox County, Lebanon, LaBelle, Canton, Linn County, Fairfax and St. Clair. His teams won over six hundred and eighty games in both Boys and Girls competition.

Greg "Denzil" Morris nominated and selected as a contributor to the game, Morris has been keeping the clock at Nixa basketball games since 1974.  Entering his 42nd year managing the clock for the Eagles, Morris has not missed a game during that time period.

RANDY ALBRECHT - Meramec Community College - Randy is a native of Sparta,  Illinois where he was an Illinois All State selection in 1962. He was a three year  letter winner at St. Louis University where he later coached both the Freshman team and then the Varsity. In 1977 he took over the head coaching position  at Meramec Community College and the rest is history. His teams have won eight Region 16 Championships, seven National Tournament appearances, Runner Up in the Nationals in 1989 and 530 wins. His wife Linda of thirty-eight years have two children and three grand children. 

DON EDWARDS - Lawson High School - Don currently serves as principal at  Lawson. In addition he serves on the board of the Missouri State High School Activities Association.. He got his start in basketball at North Harrison 
High School in Eagleville, MO and was a 1974 all-state selection. He graduated  from Northwest Missouri State University where he lettered in basketball. His coaching success was at Jefferson High School in Conception Junction, MO. His teams, both girls and boys, racked up 824 wins over a twenty year period. They appeared in six Final Fours, won three state titles, eighteen Conference Championships, sixteen MSHSAA district titles and Don was a three time Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year. His 1989 girls state championship team was undefeated. He and his wife Susan have two boys. 

DAVID GILL - Southern Boone High School - David retired following the 2002-2003 school year after coaching for twenty-five years at the Ashland, MO school.  He is a graduate of Hickman High School in Columbia and Lincoln University in  Jefferson City. He was an outstanding track and field athlete at both  schools. His first job was at Hatton, MO and in 1977 he moved to Southern Boone. His basketball teams won 537 games. He won Coach of the Year honors at both the Conference and District level. David is a past President of MBCA and also served as treasurer and vice-president. He was active in the Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and received their certificate of merit along with the  Northeast Athletic Director of the Year award. He currently serves as Director of Competition for the Show-Me state games. David and his wife Jeanne have three daughters and two grandchildren. 

LARRY LITTRELL - Glasgow High School - Larry started his coaching and teaching career at the elementary level. He was teacher and athletic director of St. Mary's elementary from 1965 to 1972. He jumped to Central Methodist College from 1972 to 1974 as Assistant Basketball Coach. His next stop was Glasgow High School where his record was outstanding. His Boys and Girls teams over a twenty -three year period won 23 Conference Titles, 18 District Championships, 2 State Titles and one third place finish. For thirty-three years organized and worked in the Glasgow Youth Program. The Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters named him Coach of the Year in 1978. He received the Basketball Coaches of the United States Achievement Award in both 1978 and 1980. Five times he was named Coach of the Year for Missouri by Radio Station KRES of Moberly. In 2003 the Howard County R-II Schools honored Larry by placing his name on the Glasgow High School Court. 

TOM SMITH - Missouri Western State College - Tom is native of Gary, Indiana where he played Basketball at Horace Mann High School and gained All-Conference and Honorable Mention All State honors. He attended Valparaiso University and played for Missouri Sports Hall of Fame member Gene Bartow. Again he was selected All-Conference and Honorable Mention All American. Tom=s Head Coaching career started at Central Missouri State University in 1976, where his teams won 86 games. He moved to his alma mater Valparaiso in 1981 where his teams won 84 times. In 1989 he was selected to take over the head coaching position at Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph. Since that time his teams have won 334 games and Tom has been honored numerous times. The MIAA has selected him as their Coach of the Year 5 times. His teams have won the Conference Title 6 times and the Post Season Tournament 4 times. Including one year at CMSU Tom's teams have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 11 times. 

BILL HOGUE - Kickapoo High School - Bill started his Basketball career as a High School player in Southwest City. Not only was he an All Stater but he set the single game scoring record at 65 points while averaging 24 points per 
game.  He was a three year letter winner at Tulsa University where he played for Missouri Sports hall of Fame member Clarence Iba. Bill has coached Basketball at nine different High Schools in Missouri. He has coached at all levels including his latest stint as Freshman Coach at Kickapoo High School, where his teams have won 165 times in nine years. His varsity high school teams won 4 conference titles at three different schools and finish second in the state while at Rogersville High School. While at Central High School in Springfield, his teams won the Blue and Gold Tournament twice and finished runner-up once. Bill received the Eddie Mathews Sportsmanship Award at both Sparta High School and St. Agnes High School. 

JIM PHILLIPS - Platte City High School - Jim Phillips played his High School Basketball at Marceline where he was an All-State selection. He attended Truman State University (Northeast Missouri State University) and earned three letters and was Co-Captain his senior year. His High School Basketball Coaching and Teaching career started at Breckenridge and continued for twenty-nine years at ten schools. His teams racked up 504 wins. Included were 10 District Championships and two Third place State Tournament Titles. Jim coached at Callao, Brashear, Glasgow, Knox County, Princeton, Marceline, Bevier, Higbee and Platte City. 

TOM ROBERTS - Schuyler County R-1 High School - Tom spent most of his thirty-seven year coaching and teaching career promoting girls basketball in the state of Missouri and across the country. During the course of that career his teams racked up 507 wins. He served on the committee that started the Girls State Basketball Tournament in our state. He held the first Girls Basketball Clinic in the state in 1971 and started the first Girls Basketball Camp at Tarkio College in 1974. He directed the Mississippi Hills Girls Basketball Camps and the Culver Stockton College Girls Camps in the 70's and 80's. Tom was the third President of the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) and served on the MSHSAA Basketball Advisory Committee. He coached four different high schools to the state tournament finishing second, third and fourth. In 1982, Tom was the Class 1A coach of the year for Missouri. 

THAD J. STROBACH - Kirkwood High School - Thad got his start at winning championships by serving as manager of the St. Louis University High School during their state championship in 1958. He graduated from St. Louis University in 1963 and followed that up with a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1965. After serving as a High School Assistant at The Priory, Thad started the Women's Basketball Program at St. Louis University and in four years his teams were 43 and 11. In 1973 he took over the Head Coaching Position at Visitation Academy in St. Louis. 485 wins later he moved to Kirkwood High School where his girls teams won 80 more games. During his stay at Visitation Thad's teams won 5 state championships, finished second 4 times and third once. This phenomenal record included 43 straight wins, 15 District titles, 28 preseason and regular season tournaments and 12 league titles. In addition to all of the above he has organized and directed Basketball Camps and Clinics for over 25 years. Thad served on the MSHSAA Basketball Advisory Committee for seven years. 

KENNETH R WALKER - El Dorado Springs High School - Ken played his High School Basketball at Bernie and was selected to the All-State team in 1962-63. He graduated from Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar. He has coached both Girls and Boys Basketball at several schools during his career. His Boys teams at Stoutland, Bronaugh, Wheeling, Koshkonong and Strafford racked up 109 wins. His Girls Teams at the above schools plus Harrisburg, New Bloomfield and El Dorado Springs won 493 games. Ken has been the Associated Press and MBCA Coach of Year. 

DENNIS J. KRUSE - Hazelwood Central High School - Dennis Kruse started  long involvement with Basketball as a player at St. George of Hermann High School. He lettered three years and was Honorable Mention All State. During his college days at Quincy College he won seven letters, three in basketball, 3 in baseball and on in cross country. He was voted into Who's Who at Quincy College in 1966. He returned to St. George of Herman High School as basketball coach in the fall of 1966. After a stint in the Army where he coached a post team he returned to Missouri and coached and taught as North Callaway, Rock Bridge, Webster Groves High Schools. He switched to College and assisted at Washington University and served as head coach at Maryville University. A short retirement ended in 2003 went he assumed the head coaching position at Hazelwood Central. Along the way his teams won 14 Conference Championships, 12 District Championships, won a State Championship in 1969, finished 4th and 3rd and was named 
Coach of the Year 13 times. All told his teams won 516 times in 36 years and he is still going. 

RICHARD MARTI - Lamar High School - Richard got his athletic start at Mt Vernon High School. He was an All Conference selection in both football and basketball. He attended Ft Scott Junior College and led the nation in scoring as a freshman halfback in football by scoring 117 points. This led to Pittsburg State College where he was a squad member of the 1961 National Championship Team. After five years at Broken Arrow, to Oklahoma Junior High School where he coached football and basketball, Richard moved to Lamar and as the saying goes "the rest is history." He coached the boys basketball teams for fifteen years 1973-1988 then switched to the Girls teams and is still turning out Conference and District Championships.. His boys teams won two district titles and his girls teams have won three.. In addition they have racked up three conference trophies. Six of his players have been named to the All State Team. In 2000 he was named Conference Coach of the Year. In thirty-one years Marti coached basketball teams have won 495 games at Lamar. 

JOHN AUSTIN: John coached at Wyaconda C-1 High School for 30 years, winning over 830 games as a High School, Junior High Boys, and Girls Coach.  His teams won 13 boys tournament championships and 12 girls tournament championships.  In addition his junior high teams won 12 tournament championships.  Awards include the 1985 District 1A Coach of the Year, 1991 NMOA All-Star Coach, 1994 MAPHERD Teacher of the Year for Secondary Physical Education and 1998 MIAAA 25 Year Service Award for Administration and Coaching.

KIRK CHRONISTER: He started as the first girls basketball coach at Poplar Bluff Senior High School in 1976.  He is still at the job and along the way his teams have won 544 games.  In addition his teams have won 8 district titles, and advanced to the Show Me Showdown 6 times.  Chronister, a graduate of Poplar Bluff, has aided 38 Lady Mules who have been named all-district, 9 named All-State, and 44 who have advanced to play college basketball.

SAM POTTER: Potter started his long coaching career at Wright City High School in 1977, where his teams won conference titles in each of the three years he coached there.  Two years later he began a lengthy stay at Santa Fe High School, in Alma where his teams won 5 conference titles, 5 district crowns, and finished 3rd in the state tournament twice.  At Rolla High School, Potter guided the Lady Bulldogs for eight seasons, winning 6 conference titles and were ranked in the top 10 in the state 6 times.  Sam's winning percentage at the three schools is a remarkable .719%.

TERRY WRITER: In 26 seasons as a varsity basketball coach his teams have won 503 games(503-187).  Terry began his career at Norwood High School in 1971.  In 1974, he moved to Wheaton High School for a four-year stint as both boys and girls head coach.  Writer later spent 4 years at Clever and 10 years at Ozark serving as the boys head basketball coach.  This past season found him at New Covenant Academy in Springfield.  Terry has been named Coach of the Year several times and was runner-up Coach of the Decade for the Springfield Area in 1990.  His girls team at Wheaton was the 1A state runner-up in 1978 and the Ozark boys team of 1984 was also a runner-up.  In addition his teams have won 32 tournament championships and finished second 16 times.

CHARLIE WILLIAMS: Williams spent his entire twenty-seven year coaching career at Christian Colleges, starting in 1976 at Midwest Christian College in Oklahoma City before moving to Ozark Christian College in Joplin in 1985. During that period his teams have amassed 650 wins coaching both men's and women's programs.  Included in that record are 4 National Bible College Athletic Association Championships.  In addition, his teams have won 13 conference titles and appeared in 12 national tournaments.  Charlie continues to coach at OCC in Joplin.

AL WALLER: Waller was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in February 2003.  He spent six years coaching high school basketball before becoming the College of the Ozarks mentor in 1977.  Upon his retirement from coaching in 2002, his teams has won 562 games with a winning percentage of 69%.  His high school team at Bishop Hogan in Kansas City played in the state tournament two out of four years.  At the College of the Ozarks his teams won 12 conference titles and 6 times advanced to the NAIA Division II National Tournament including a runner-up finish in 2000.  Al was named NAIA Administrator of the Year in 1999 and still serves as athletic director.

MITCH WILKINS: Wilkins has seen his teams win 557 times.  This includes 13 district titles, 12 conference championships, and 18 seasons with 20 or more victories.  Mitch started coaching at Parma High School, moved to Benton Kelly, and has spent the rest of his career at Troy Buchanan where his teams have amassed a record of 433-129.    Included in that record is 4 appearances in the KMOX Shootout in St. Louis, 4 trips to the MSHSAA Show Me Showdown where they placed 4th each time.  Eight of his players have been named to the Missouri High School All-State Team.

JIM HALL: Hall not only played in the state tournament twice as a player at Dexter High School, but has seen five of his teams compete in the Show Me Showdown.  He had 2 stints as coach of the Dexter High School Boys team.  He served from 1964 - 1976 and 1981 - 1996.  While there his teams won 415 games.  He came out of retirement to take over at Advance High School in 1998 and his teams played in the finals of the Stoddard County Tournament 18 of 27 times, winning first nine of those contests.  Jim is the only coach to have his teams win both the prestigious Bloomfield and Cape Girardeau Christmas Tournaments.

DAVID PORTER: David Porter first suggested that the MBCA start a basketball Hall of Fame, so after a long career of coaching winning basketball it is appropriate that he be inducted.  With stints at Sedalia Smith-Cotton, Poplar Bluff, and now Lafayette in St. Louis County, he is still winning.  His teams have won 9 district titles, been to the "Elite 8" six times and finished second in the state in 1998.  However, his most important work may have been his efforts to fight testicular cancer which claimed the life of Jason Struble, who played for Coach Porter.  An informational video and presentation shown to thousands of high school students has saved 9 lives that have been confirmed and maybe more.  Porter is a two-time former President of the MBCA.

BOB CAMBELL: After coaching at Ballard, Tipton, and New Madrid County Central, Cambell found a coaching home in Montrose.  His teams ran up 16 winning seasons in a row, which included 11 Golden Valley Conference titles, three district titles and 2 "Elite Eight" finishes.  Bob was named Truman Lake Area Coach of the Year three times during his stay at Montrose.  He coached 5 All-State players and the 7th leading scorer in Missouri High School history.  Montrose during the last 5 years of his stay was the fifth smallest high school in the state.

JIM SUTHERLAND: Sutherland started his coaching in 1966 in South Dakota.  He has spent all of that time as a head coach both at the high school and the college level.  Sutherland has guided his teams to 544 victories.  Since moving to Missouri ten years ago, coaching at Moberly and Columbia Hickman his teams have won three district titles.  In addition, he has produced several Division I players including Lance Harris who will play for Kansas State University.

HAL MOORE: Moore coached at Fairview High School until it consolidated with Jennings high School in 1969. He was a Head Coach for thirty-seven (37) years at those two schools. His teams won five hundred and thirty-seven (537) games at the Varsity level. Hal was the recipient of the "Denver Miller" award for all the St. Louis Suburban Conferences "Coach of the Year" in 1986. He was a four time winner of the St. Louis Suburban East "Coach of the Year" award. His teams were Conference champions six (6) times and District champions six (6) times. Jennings High School finished fourth in the State Tournament in 1984. Coach Moore passed away in April 2003. He was represented by current Jennings High School coach Randy Carter, who is serving as President of MBCA for 2002-2003.

BOB CARTER: Carter severed as chairman of the Missouri Sports Writers Committee for All-State selection for many years.  He was the sports editor of the Chillicothe newspaper until his untimely death due to an automobile accident in 2001.  Bob worked with the MBCA for years in the selection of all-star games participants.  His untiring efforts to promote basketball in the state qualified him for inclusion in the 2003 MBCA Hall of Fame.

Bill Ballew

A longtime basketball coach at Montgomery County, Ballew passed away on January 13, 2003.  Ballew coached at New Franklin High School for six years before spending 17 seasons at Montgomery County R-II where his team earned the 1972 Class M State Championship and finished third in 1974.  Ballew was a graduate of New Franklin High School and Central Methodist.

Floyd Irons

James Perrine

Gerald Thomas Parrack

Bill Blanton started his coaching career at Tarkio College as Assistant Men's Basketball Coach and Assistant Baseball Coach in 1972. He then had his head coaching debut atOsborn High School in 1973; he coached there for three seasons, winning as both boys and girls coach. He then sent five years as a head basketball coach at Louisiana, MO. Bill spent one year at South Iron County and a year at Jefferson City Public. He went to Fulton High School for six years, where for the next 26 seasons, he accrued an average of over 20 wins per season; he took Fulton to its first Final Four, in 1987. He then moved on to Jefferson City Helias for the next eleven seasons; his record there was 215 & 90. He lead Helias to two Final Four seasons in 1993 and 1994. Blanton moved on to Russellville for the next four seasons where his teams went undefeated in conference play  during the 2002 and 2003 seasons and made a trip to the Elite 8. His next five years were spent at Laquey High School in South Central Missouri. While at Laquey, many school records were set including two district championships, three consecutive undefeated conference seasons (24-0), two district titles and another trip to the Final Four in 2009. Blanton has led four teams to the Final Four, accrued 13 District Titles, numerous District Coach of the Year Awards, and boasts a career record of 735-342. He is currently ranked 7th in all time wins in Missouri Basketball history.

Gary Blevins has been an institution in the Branson and Forsyth areas where he has coached a number of high school basketball teams for many years.  His accumulation of 500 career victories places him in an elite class among his peers.   Blevins ended up coaching at Branson High School by way of Hollister, Seymour, Forsyth, and Mountain Grove High School.  His overall win/loss record is 503-323.   During his career, Blevins has been named Conference Coach of the Year, Tri-Lakes Coach of the Year, and had the honor of coaching for the Lions All-Star Basketball Classic in 1991.  Gary's teams have won 13 district championship games, four state play off appearances, and two final four appearances, taking third and fourth place honors.   One of his final four teams was honored with the Sportsmanship Award.

Bob Farrington The recently retired Cole Camp coaching veteran has coached boy's basketball for 35 years.  He began his career in Russellville where he coached one year of junior high, and one year of High School.  From there, Bob began coaching at Cole Camp where he also took on the role of Athletic Director.  Coach Farrington remained at Cole Camp for the next 33 years until his retirement in 1999.   During his tenure at Cole Camp, Coach Farrington accumulated 620 victories, 17 conference championships, 18 conference tournament victories, 2 district titles, and a final four appearance in 1994.

Larry Holley began his coaching career at Harrisburg(MO) High School in 1968.  From there he moved to Central Methodist College (1969-1975), Northwest Missouri State University (1975-1979), and finally to William Jewell College where he has just completed his 21st. season.  He has received 12 Coach of the Year awards, including the Sears/NABC Award as the NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1996.  At Jewell, he has guided teams to the post season 15 times with seven trips to the NAIA National Tournament.  Holley's 21 year record at Jewell is 473-219.  This ranks his basketball program #1 in all time victories for NAIA II with 1,295.  He is the career leader in wins among Heart of America Athletic Conference basketball coaches and is ranked #3 among all NAIA II coaches with 560 wins in 29 years.

Dennis Humphrey has been the Varsity Girls basketball coach at Salisbury High School for the past 22 seasons.  During this time, Humphrey has accrued a 441-151 career record winning 75% of his games and maintaining a 20-7 win/loss average throughout the duration of his service.  His teams own eight conference championships, six district titles, and a state quarter-finalist finish.  Humphrey has coached teams to the state tournament on a number of occasions and was the runner up in 1982.  In the 1988-89 season, Humphrey led his team to the 2A State Championship with a record of 32-0.

Lennies McFerren coached at Charleston for 17 years where he acquired a 418-98 record.  McFerren guided teams to 9 state championships including sis 86-87, 88-89, and 89-90 Charleston teams who won consecutive 3A State Championships with the 89-90 team going 33-0.  He won two more titles at New Madrid County Central (2000, 2001) and has come out of retirement twice – at New Madrid Central in 2005 and Kennett High School in November 2016. Overall, he has a 547-184 record in 24 seasons.  He has won a number of Missouri Coach of the Year awards throughout his career and he has accumulated 500 wins and was the Missouri State Nominee for National Coach of the Year for both the 1995-96 and 1992-93 seasons.

Jim Peters coached for 10 years ending with a career record of 257-56.   That translates into a .82 winning percentage.  Jim began his coaching career in 1951 at Halfway where he finished with a 23-10 record.  From there, Jim moved to West Plains where he coached for the next nine years.   During his tenure at West Plains, he went to five consecutive state tournaments (1955-60), where his best finish was 3rd in 1960.  Between the years of 1957-61, Peters maintained a five year 72 game winning streak at home, and between the years of 1959-61 he won 52 out of 53 games.  Jim coached seven players to all state honors and thirteen of his players went on to college careers.

Robert Taylor has accumulated a 619-284 record during his 33 year coaching career which included coaching stints at Conway, Marshfield, and St. Agnes.   Coach Taylor led his 1942-43 Conway team to a 2nd place finish and his 194-45 team finished 42-3 on their way to a State Championship.  In 1958-59 his St. Agnes team won the Class M State Championship with a 30-1 record.  Coach Taylor began and ended his career at Conway High School, beginning in 1939 and  ending in 1972.

James Thomas has been coaching for 28 years.  He began coaching at Slater High School in 1972 where he left behind a 147-51 record, five district titles, three state quarterfinal finishes and a second place finish in Class 2A.  While at Slater, James coached Joe Kleine who is currently completing his 15th season in the NBA.   From there, he moved to Lexington in 1982 where he was able to coach at his alma mater.  Thomas inherited an unsuccessful team in Lexington but had little trouble turning the program around.  In a seven year period beginning in 1989, his teams won four District Titles, two Conference Championships, and made it to the 2A State Quarterfinals.

Herb Webster began coaching in 1967 at Jamesport where he coached both boys and girls teams.  In 1974, Herb began coaching in Hamilton where over a 5 year period he led the girls team to a 119-10 record.  He also led his team to win 1st. in State in 1976, 3rd. in State in 1977, and 4th in State in 1978.  From Hamilton, Webster moved to Kearney, where he has coached for over 20 years now.  Here he has led his teams to a second place finish at the State Tournament in 1985.  Over his career, Coach Webster has four top five state finishes, 23 straight winning seasons, 11 conference titles, 8 district titles, and fourteen 20 game winning seasons.  His overall record is 722-403

Fred Pohlman Jr. , Penn Valley

Born in Natoma Kansas, graduated from Fort Hays State College in 1950. From there he moved on to the University of Missouri, where he received his master's degree in 1956, interrupted by four years in the United States Navy. Pohlman’s coaching career began in Vandalia, Missouri in September of 1956, where he coached baseball, basketball and track. From Vandalia, he moved to coaching at various high schools in Kansas City Missouri, and in 1967 he was hired to start the Penn Valley Community College basketball program. Thirty-two years later, Pohlman has established an impressive record with over 600 wins and no sign of stopping. When asked about retirement by a Kansas City reporter, Pohlman responded, “Why would I retire? I have the greatest job there is. I get to coach the game I love.” Coach Pohlman’s teams have won 6 Regional titles out of the last seven years, placing 2nd, 3rd and 5th in the nation. After two personal wins over cancer, a 67-year-old Pohlman took his underdog team to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II tournament and won the title in 1996. His team’s have been to the national tournament five out of the last seven years. Although  no longer coaching, his current wins total over 600.  Fred was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.

John Earl Chase, Branson

Sue Schuble, Kickapoo

Carroll Cookson, Advance

Carroll Cookson’s basketball career began when a young coach by the name of Arnold Ryan moved to the community of Puxico where Carroll was born and introduced the Cookson boys to the game. A love for this game was instilled in Carroll, and with his teammates, brought two state championships to Puxico in 1951 and 1952.

He has coached in Arkansas and Missouri and accumulated an impressive record of success, which includes state championships at Advance, Missouri in 1972 and 1975, a state runner-up in 1973, a state fourth-place finish in 1974, seven sectional championships and many district championships.

Throughout his years of coaching, he has received regional, district and conference Coach of the Year many times. His career record is 524-128.

Larry Jansen, Lee's Summit

Larry Jansen began his successful career in basketball by playing for National College in the early 1960’s. After graduation from Central Missouri State University, he began his career in education as a teacher in Lee’s Summit, Missouri in 1969, serving as head coach of the girl’s basketball team from 1975-1996. His coaching record over 21 years was 446-123, including the following: 20 winning seasons in a row, two state championships, one undefeated season, 20 or more games won in a season 15 times, district champion 17 times, conference champions 12 times and seven final four appearances. His career record average was 22 wins per season.

Charlie Spoonhour

Wayne Winstead, Northwest Missouri

Jim Ball

A native of Camdenton, Jim Ball was a three-year basketball letterman at SMS from 1941 through 1943 and he was one of the numerous Bruin athletes whose playing career was interrupted by World War II.  The SMS center, Ball led the 1942 SMS team in scoring with 222 points as the Bears won seven of 10 MIAA starts to tie for second place in the league standings.  Official league competition was suspended the following year but a series of games was played and the Bruins again wound up in the runnerup spot behind the Indians from Cape Girardeau.  Ball was to go on to a long and successful career as a high school coach in southwest Missouri, including nearly three decades with the Springfield Central Bulldogs.  His teams recorded over 500 victories and he produced many players who went on to play for SMS and other college teams."

603-326 career record

Sedalia Smith-Cotton (1947-1950)
1950 A Quarterfinalist

Senior/Central High
1951-1981
1962(28-3) & 1963(25-5) Class L 4th Place
Seven State Tournament Appearances (1956 L First Round, 1961 L Quarterfinalist, 1962 L 4th, 1963 L 4th, 1980 4A First Round, 1981 4A First Round)

Jerry Buescher

A career coach, Buescher spent 40 years in several stops leading his teams to 802 victories.  Spending his last 8 seasons at Helias (Jefferson City), Buescher compiled a 159-55 record leading the Crusaders. 

Buescher led seven different schools starting in Owensville in 1968. Including one year as the boys and girls basketball coach at Republic, Buescher compiled a varsity record of 802-323.

Jack Roberts 

Rogers played high school basketball at Buffalo High and then continued his playing career at Drury University in Springfield.  During World War II, he served in the Army earning Good Conduct Badges, a Distinguished Unit Badge, five Battle Stars, and left as a private first class.
    

He received his first coaching job at Camdenton High finishing with an overall record of 135-95 in eight years at the school. His lasting legacy will be leading the way in changing the school mascot and team colors. He asked the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBA for permission to use their name and colors.
    

In 21 years at Glendale, he never had a losing season with his teams captured five Ozark conference titles and seven regional/district championships. Rogerts built a 499-246 overall record in 29 seasons.

Bob Wilhoit

A Clopton graduate, Bob Wilhoit played college basketball at Union University, in Jackson, Tennessee.

His coaching career began in Elsberry in the mid-1950’s where he had a very successful tenure. He returned to Clopton for the 1960-61 season, in 11 years he built a 253-76 record, earning 7 conference titles, 4 regional titles, and earning third place in Class M in 1963.

Following a stint as Principal in Clopton, Wilhoit began coaching in Troy in the 1972-73 season. He guided the Trojans to a 206-99 record , leading them to 3 district championships and 4th place finishes at the MSHSAA basketball championships in 1976 and 77.

Wilhoit completed his career with a 491-198 record.

Gil Hanlin

Lee McKinney

For more than 50 years, Lee McKinney helped shaped lives on and off the basketball court. McKinney, former basketball coach and athletics director at Fontbonne University, died in 2011 after a long battle with cancer. He was 76.

McKinney began his coaching career in 1959 at Qulin High, near Poplar Bluff, then moved to Dupo and Worden high schools in Illinois. He earned his first college coaching job at Missouri Baptist in 1978, where he went 188-126. McKinney became Fontbonne's first men's basketball coach and athletics director in 1988.

His Griffins compiled a record of 330-281, making McKinney the winningest coach in the history of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. They won three regular-season league titles and five SLIAC tournaments and made four appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

At the same time, McKinney guided Fontbonne in the transition from the NAIA to NCAA and expanded the athletic department from three sports to 19.

During his first two bouts with cancer, McKinney became active in the NCAA's Coaches vs. Cancer initiative. A third round with the disease proved too much, though, and McKinney retired as coach and athletics director in February to spend time with family.

He was honored this weekend at the Final Four in Houston, receiving the National Association of Basketball Coaches Outstanding Service Award. His three children — Dennis, Dino and Dena — accepted the award on his behalf. McKinney also is survived by his wife, June, and five grandchildren.

Bob Nelson

Bob Nelson coached for 25 years at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park, 19 years with the men’s team and six years with the women. Along the way, “Mad Dog,” as his former players affectionately know him, amassed a record of 509-240.  

His men's teams won or shared four Midwest Junior College Athletic Conference championships. He sent 125 players to Division I schools in the NCAA and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. 

Nelson's coaching background has an international flavor. He coached the British national team in 1966-67. In 1968, just before coming to Forest Park, he coached a team in a summer league in Puerto Rico.

George Wilson

Wilson coached the College of the Ozarks Lady Cats for 16 years, with a record of 447 wins and 89 losses. In his final year he reached 1,000 wins with both his high school and collegiate careers combined. The 2008 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee was also named the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year 10 times.

Wilson coached high school boys’ basketball for 31 years before coming to College of the Ozarks.  At the collegiate level, his teams won 13 MCAC regular-season titles and 15 conference tournaments titles, while being the NAIA DII Women's Basketball National Championship runner-up four times

Bill Barton--Coached the SFCC men’s basketball team from 1970-2005. Under his guidance the Roadrunners won more than 600 games. He led teams to Region 16 championships and two appearances at the NJCAA tournament in 1972 and 1976 and was honored as Region 16 Coach of the Year those two seasons.

In 1991 Barton was elected to the Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame, and in April 2010 he is scheduled to be inducted into the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Former SFCC President Dr. Steve Poort, who nominated Barton, said the coach cared deeply about SFCC and the student athletes he coached.
“For 35 years Coach Barton set the standard for hard work and coaching excellence at SFCC,” said Poort. “He was not only a leader but also a friend and confidant, and he taught his team members that it takes both athletic ability and heart to become great players.”

Ronnie Cookson--registered an overall record of 660-137 during his illustrious coaching career at Scott County Central. He led his teams to 13 Final Four appearances, 14 Missouri State titles, 19 District Championships and 20 Conference Tournament Championships. Cookson was named the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year nine times. He was inducted into the Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. 

Walt Shublom- An avid athlete, he played minor league baseball and signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates Farm Organization prior to joining the Navy in 1942. After his discharge from Naval service in the Philippines during World War II, he completed his Bachelor Degree at South East Missouri State Teachers College. In 1946 he married Lillian Pulliam of Bloomfield MO and started his teaching career at Bloomfield High School. In 1952 after earning his Masters Degree from the University of Kansas, he joined the faculty of Wyandotte High School in Kansas City KS as history teacher and assistant baseball and basketball coach. He was appointed head basketball coach in 1954 and in the subsequent 15 years developed the Wyandotte basketball program to a level of national recognition with 10 State Championships, 3 runners up and a win loss record of 296-26. Leaving Wyandotte after the 1969 season, he went to the University of Missouri as Assistant Coach in charge of Freshman Basketball. He stayed there two years with a combined record of 21 wins and 2 losses, returning to Kansas City, Ks in 1972 as Basketball Coach and Athletic Director for Kansas City Kansas Community College. He retired from coaching in 1982 and as Athletic Director and Assistant to the President in 1985. During his coaching career, he was in great demand as a speaker at coaching conventions and athletic events though out the country. He authored three books on basketball coaching and for many years operated the Clinic of Champions coaching clinic. He was a member of National High School Sports Hall of Fame, the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, the Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and was the recipient of many other awards and honors. His most cherished recognition was the 2003 naming of the Wyandotte High School Gymnasium in his honor. 

Tyke Yates-- Yakes started his coaching career at Elvins High in 1945, leading that team to a 20-6 mark in his only season.

Yates then tool the head basketball coaching position at Webster Groves for 19-seasons from the 1940s through the '60s. He won nearly 70 percent of his games (331 wins, 149 losses) and had only one season with a losing record. He was named coach of the year in 1953, when his team's record was 28-1. He also coached the school's golf team, which won three state championships. Yates is a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and the WGHS Hall of Fame.

Richard Fairchild

A 28-year veteran of the coaching profession, Richard Fairchild has complied a .661 winning percentage with an overall record of 463 wins and 237 losses. He began his career in Skidmore, Missouri, then spent six years in Oregon, Missouri, where he won two conference championships, three district titles, and placed fourth in the state. After a year at Nishna Valley, Iowa, Fairchild led Treynor, Iowa, to five consecutive conference titles, four district championships, placed second in state once and fourth in state twice. He returned to Missouri in 1974 and during his 14-year tenure at Chillicothe High School the Hornets win five district championships, 11 district titles, and one state championship, and made five other state tournament appearances while coaching nine teams with 20 or more wins.

Max Hayes

While coaching for several years in the Sherman, Kansas, community schools, Max Hayes complied a record of 163 wins, 42 losses, and one undefeated Kansas State Championship in 1959. He began his stint as head basketball coach at Center High School in Kansas City in 1961, where he spent 19 years as boys' coach and doubled as girls' coach from 1982 to 1987. Hayes twice led the boys' teams to state championships; once in 1965 and again with an undefeated in 1976. He took the girls' team to the state title in 1983.

Burl "Bud" Henderson

After playing basketball at Southwest Missouri State University for Andy McDonald, Bud Henderson started an illustrious coaching career of his own beginning at Mt. Vernon, Missouri-- a school that did not even have a gymnasium. When the gym was built in 1929, the basketball program was started from scratch and his team lost all but the last game of the season during that inaugural year. Two years later they won the championship. Henderson spent two years at Monett before moving on the Bagnell High School in 1933 where the still played on a dirt court. The following year, the new facility at School of Osage was completed and Henderson spent the next 24 years compiling a winning percentage of over .700 in the past 13 years Henderson's teams had a record of 264-77.

Erv Leimer

Erv Leimer began his 32-year coaching career at Bismark High School in 1942. He led the Indians to the Missouri Championship with a total enrollment of only 84 students when the tournament consisted of only one class. After a year at Brentwood High School, Leimer initiated the basketball program at Lutheran Central and had a five-year winning record of 97-52. He spent three years at John Burroughs High School before beginning the basketball program at Priory in St. Louis. In 1958 Leimer carried the game of basketball to Parkway Central where he guided his team to a 16-year record of 241-187 and a career coaching record of 467-286.

James Nelson

Jim Nelson served as head basketball coach at William Jewell College from 1950 to 1968 during which time his teams won 298, lost 200, and won seven conference championships, three district championships, and participated in the NAIA tournament in 1957, 1960, and 1962. His 1960 team finished fourth in the national tournament. In 1981, Nelson became the William Jewell women's basketball coach and so far has led the Lady Cardinals to three conference championships and to district competition four times. His overall record is 432-306 for a .585 winning percentage.

Arvel Popp

After graduation from Southeast Missouri State University in 1938, Arvel Popp began his coaching career with a three-year stint in Puxico, Missouri. After a year at DeSoto and six years at Dexter, Popp moved on to Crystal City High School in 1948 where he won 474 games and lost 229. Sixteen of Popp's teams went to the state tournament with one second, third, and forth place to finish credit. While at Crystal City, Popp instructed future U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, who went on to become an All-American at Princeton University and a Naismith Hall of Famer.

Claude Samson

Claude Samson's success as the boys' and girls' basketball coach at Northeast Nodaway High School is nearly unequalled. His boys' team won 15 conference championships and nine district titles. They won seven final four state tournament appearances, including three second place finishes, for a total record of 536-129. The northeast Nodaway girls had similar success with an .880 winning percentage and a 556-67 record. This unbelievable run includes 16 conference titles, 12 district championships, a 78-game winning streak, and three  undefeated seasons. In 10 Final Four state tournaments appearances the Lady Blue Jays have six state titles. Samson's combined career coaching record is 1,199 victories against 239 losses for a winning percentage of .833.

Robert Sechrest

Robert Sechrest's coaching career began with four years at Van Buren High School and a record of 8-41. After a 26-5 year at Thayer, Sachrest coached at Flat River High Schooll for six years before spending 24 years a Mineral Area College. In addition to compiling a 465-273 record, he was chosen three times as Regional Coach-of-the-Year. He served on the player selection committees for both Pan American Games and the Olympics in 1970-1980 and was assistant basketball coach for the gold medal-winning U.S. team in the World University Games in Mexico City in 1979. He also was the assistant basketball coach with the NJCAA all-star team in Brazil and Argentina.

Charles "Chuck" Smith

In 1959, Chuck Smith moved into the collegiate coaching ranks at his alma mater, Washington University, and in six years his teams complied an 84-59 record. They reached the NCAA College Division finals in 1965. For a single year at Central Missouri, Smith led the Mules to a 14-8 season and a second place finish in the MIAA. He began 13 years at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he complied a record of 171 wins and 143 losses. His 1969 team was in the NAIA finals and the 1972 team reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II tournament. Two of Smith's players at Washington University and three at UM-St. Louis were all-Americans.

Don Williams

Don Williams spent his entire 32-year coaching career at Paris, Missouri High School coaching both boys' and girls' basketball teams. In 28 years, the boys' teams complied a record of 434-261 while the girls' have a 12-year record on 177-88. Williams' boys' teams have seven conference titles, three district championships, three final four appearances and one undefeated season to their credit. The girls can claim five conference titles, three district championships, and one second place state finish. His overall combined record is 611-362, giving him a .650 winning percentage. This small school with a present enrollment of 181 produced five all-state players (including Williams' son Mitch) and eight players who have gone on to play college basketball.

Larry Atwood

Larry Atwood began his 28-year coaching career at Weoubleau High School in 1961. After a three-year stint at Clever High School he moved on to Buffalo High School for four years where he guided his team to the Class M state title in 1965. He retired from Springfield Greenwood High School following the 1988-89 season with a career record of 547-242.

Jodie Bailey

Jodie Bailey's career winning percentage of .760 makes him one of the winningest coaches in Missouri basketball. His overall record of 824 wins against 198 losses includes a stretch at his alma mater, Vashon High School, where he accumulated 400 wins and only 76 losses. He led led O'Fallon Technical High School to a 1968 state championship and a record of 128-22. Bailey finished his coaching career at Northwest High School in 1983, where his basketball teams won 296 games while only losing 100. During his high school tenure, Bailey coached several all-Americans, including Jo Jo White and Hercle Ivy.

Rex Bailey

After coaching for six years in Arkansas, Rex Bailey began his 25-year Missouri career at Caruth. After the initial season he spent three years each at Steele, Wardell, and Couch High School. Bailey then began his illustrious 18-year tenure as head coach and athletic director at Potosi High School. After 31 years of coaching, he retired with a record of 560-222.

Gene Bartow

A Missouri native and Northeast Missouri State University graduate, Gene Bartow began coaching seasons at Greentop High School and Shelbina High School. In 1955 he moved onto St. Charles High School where his team won the Class L Missouri state basketball championship in 1957. His high school record of 145-39 gives him a .788 winning percentage. His college coaching career began at Central Missouri State University in 1961, where he was 47-21 over three seasons. Six more successful years at Valparaiso University, four at Memphis State University and one at the University of Illinois led Bartow to succeed John Wooden at UCLA. After two winning seasons with the Bruins, he took on the task of initiating the basketball program at the University of Alabama- Birmingham in 1977. After 10 seasons, the UAB record stands at 210-109. Bartow's 32-season coaching record is 637 wins and 297 losses for .682 winning percentage.

Ray DeGreeff

He spent 27 years as a coach at St. Francis Borgia High School in Washington, Missouri, where he posted a record of 545-240. Prior to his time at Borgia, he coached at Browning High School, Southside Catholic High School, St. Marys High School in St. Louis, Arlington Heights High School, State Teachers College in South Dakota, Quincy College (Illinois), and Hickman High School in Columbia. After a 38-year coaching career, DeGreef's record stands at 703-349.

Gary Filbert

After playing basketball for St. Joseph Benton High School, the US marines, and the University of Missouri, Gary Filbert began his coaching career at Mexico Senior High School. In 14 years, Filberts teams complied a record of 280 wins and 110 losses. He took over coaching duties at Missouri Western State College in 1969. During his 14-year tenure, the Griffons were 210-160. Filbert was named NAIA District 16 Coach of the Year in 1972, 1974, and 1982. In 1985, Filbert initiated the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association, which now includes over 500 Missouri coaches. In 1987, he took the first steps toward the creation of the Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame.

Edgar S. Hickey

Eddie Hickey began his coaching career at Creighton Prep School where he remained for nine seasons before moving on to Creighton University, St. Louis University, and Marquette University. In 1948, Hickey's St. Louis University team, led by all-American "Easy" Ed Macauley, won the NIT championship. He was named national Coach of the Year at Marquette University in 1959. Throughout his years of coaching, Hickey's teams won seven Missouri Valley titles, participated in five NCAA tournaments and nine NIT's. Hickey, who won 436 games, received the NABC/MIBA/NIT award in 1970 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 1978.

Maruice E. John

Maurice John's illustrious coaching career began at Moberly Junior College in 1946. In his twelve years as coach of the Greyhounds, John had a 285-58 win/lose record. His tenure at Moberly included two consecutive national championships in 1954 and 1955, six consecutive regional championships, and a .784 winning percentage. He took over the helm at Dake University and in 1969 his Bulldogs finished third in the nation. John won three straight Missouri Valley titles from 1968 to 1970 and was the MCV Coach of the Year for times. John coached the Iowa State Cyclones from 1971 until his death in 1974. He was also honored by he NJCAA Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1984.

Boyd King

Boyd King's coaching career began at Pittsfield, Illinois, in 1937 and continued in Hannibal until 1946. He then returned to his alma mater, Northeast Missouri State University (previously Northeast Missouri Teachers College), where he had earned 11 varsity letters in football, baseball, and basketball. He retired in 1977 with a career record of 475-233. King was inducted into NMSU Hall of Fame in 1983 and received the Distinguished Merit Award from the National Association of Basketball Coaches in 1968.

P.B. "Pop" Springer

"Pop" Springer, as he was affectionately known, spent 34 of his 44 years of coaching at St. Joseph Benton High School. Springer's expertise extended beyond the basketball court, serving as head football and track coach as well. His basketball teams claimed seven city championships and won the Missouri Interscholastic State Tournament in 1931 and 1941. When he retired in 1959, Springer was the winningest basketball and football coach in Missouri. He collected more than 530 basketball victories during his reign at Benton High School. Springer once explained his unique philosophy by saying, "We go into a game not to win and not to lose, but to play the bet we possibly can according to the rules. Then at the end of the game we see what the score is."

Fred Biesemeyer Booneville H.S.

Bud Lathrop Raytown South H.S.

Jack Bush Kansas City Central H.S.

Tom Stanton Beaumont H.S.

Denver Miller Kirkwood H.S.

Gene Steighorst Hillsboro H.S.

Ronald Jones Eminence H.S.

Franklin Smith Van Buren H.S.

Bob Brown Parkview H.S.

D.C. Wilcutt St. Louis Christian Brothers H.S.

Russ Kaminsky Joplin Senior H.S.

Gene Bess Three Rivers Community College 

Billy Key, Wellsville, H.S.