| 2010
Inductee |
|
1964-65 BASKETBALL TEAM |
With a 33-5 overall record, the
1964-65 Rector Blackcats basketball team was reported, at the time, by
the “Arkansas Democrat” to be the best team ever seen in Northeast
Arkansas. Many think that the team was one of the best in the State of
Arkansas that year.
The five (5) losses were to four (4) different teams: Valley Springs by
one point at Valley Springs; Harrison by one point at Harrison, Trumann
by one point, Bay by two points, and Bay by 12 points. During that
season, Rector beat Trumann by 20 points and Bay by two (2) points and
also by 23 points. Brian Schisler, the Coach Of Bay, is quoted as
saying, "AT THEIR BEST, RECTOR IS BETTER THAN WE ARE AT OUR BEST"
The team that was STATE RUNNER-UP was composed of the following players:
Bill Cossey, Garvin Gatewood, Marvin Gatewood, Rick Gatewood, Ted Glaub,
Bob McKeel, Allan Pruett, Wes Stallcup, Jim Wagster, and Alan Williams.
At one point in the season, the team had 16 consecutive wins. For the
season, the team averaged 73.7 ppg (before the three-point line); shot
50% from the field; shot 72% from the free-throw line; scored 2,799
points.
The State Championship game was the only loss for the team by more than
two (2) points. Three losses were by only one (1) point. According to
the ‘Jonesboro Sun’, with reference to the State Tournament in 1965,
"Observers have termed this the best field ever assembled for a class
‘A’ event"
In the opening round of the County tournament, Rector defeated Knobel
91-74 and then won the championship game over Piggott by a score of
83-66 (at Piggott).
In the NEA tournament, Rector defeated Nettleton 62-49 in the opening
round. In the second game, Rector defeated Marianna 60-46. In their
third game Rector lost to Bay 67-69.
In the District tournament, Rector’s average margin of victory was 33
points. The team defeated Hoxie 93-44 in the first game, Osceola in the
second game 70-50 and Piggott 82-52 in the final game.
In the State tournament, Rector defeated Lavaca 84-74, Marianna 55-41,
Green Forest 60-50 and fell to Bay 69-81.
ALL-NEA: BILL COSSEY AND ALLAN PRUETT
ALL-DISTRICT: BILL COSSEY, BOB MCKEEL, ALLAN PRUETT, ALAN WILLIAMS
ALL-STATE: BILL COSSEY AND ALLAN PRUETT (Both have previously been
inducted into the Rector High School Sports Hall of Fame as
individuals.)
ARKANSAS HIGH SCHOOL ALL-STAR BILL COSSEY
HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICAN BILL COSSEY
FOUR (4) PLAYERS BECAME OUTSTANDING COLLEGE PLAYERS. ONE WAS CONFERENCE
MVP—ALLAN PRUETT IN THE SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE. TWO ARE IN THEIR COLLEGE’S
HALL OF FAME—BILL COSSEY AND BOB MCKEEL.
The “B” team included the following players: Radius Baker, Dennis Cate,
Carroll Clayton, Phil Clayton, Jerry Drope, James Ferguson, Ron Hardin,
John Mack, Tony Moseley, Tommy Pruett, Samuel O’Dell Rogers, Freddie
Smith.
The managers were: Sam Cossey, Mike Linam, Ronnie Stahl.
The team was coached by “District Coach of the Year” Jess Bucy and
assistant Robert Rudi.
