1970

Born to Play

The Girls State Basketball Tournament was held in Salem, Arkansas in 1970. For the most part, the 1970 graduating class had grown up together and played basketball since we were in the 3rd grade. We had lived most of our lives for this event. The younger rookies were good and they had embraced the "rhythm of the team" with eager abandon and a hunger to learn. We were a TEAM of role players.

Bottom Row L-R: Candace Cates - Carol Tester

2nd Row Up L-R: Brenda (Bo) Jolly - Peggy Gibbs - Laverne Russell - Shirley Noble

3rd Row Up L-R: Yvonne Russell - Linda Jolly - Yvonne Fendley - Sharon Myers

4th Row Up : Keri Bostwick - (Not pictued - Jo Dee Mc Bride)

Photo by Marti Jones Shannon

 

Coach Passmore

1970 was Jerry Passmore's last year to coach. His thriving real estate business and a growing farm required his attention, but he hung out until 1970 to guide us through this last tournament.

Coach asked us to "play like boys", but "act like ladies". He encouraged pride in ourselves, our town, and our accomplishments. -- We sported a tailored gray suit as a team dress uniform. We were one of the only teams in the state to come to tournaments dress like professional players. Coach with the help of Doris McEntire and Edna McSherry tailored a enhanced team appearance. --- Dressing for battle is always important. I've carried this lesson with me throughout life and it has served me well.

Thank you, Coach. --- Laverne Russell Crouch

 

Bottom Row L-R: Coach Passmore - Candace Cates - Carol Tester

2nd Row Up L-R: Jo Dee McBride - Brenda (Bo) Jolly - Peggy Gibbs - Laverne Russell - Shirley Noble

3rd Row Up L-R: Yvonne Russell - Linda Jolly - Yvonne Fendley - Sharon Myers

4th Row Up : Keri Bostwick - (and Carol's father, Matt Tester in the background)

Photo by: Marti Jones Shannon

 

Rotating Motels

Greenwood's girls team had spent the previous night in the motel rooms booked for us and even though they had lost, they refused to leave. Never daunted, Coach moved us to a "better" motel for the night, just to find trains ran through the area between midnight and dawn. Packing our bags, we moved one last time to "The Riverview Motel" in Mammoth Springs.

The Riverview Motel

Mammoth Springs was a short trip from Salem and the state tournament, but we were very pleased with our accommodations. --- That is until our last night when vapors began to rise out of the "hollers" and a cold chill crept into the night air. It was then we began to fear for the "Rookies". --- Furniture disappeared, clothes vanished, soap evaporated, and towels floated off into the abyss. --- No one except Jo Dee McBride saw a thing and she didn't remember it the next morning. ... Hu mm mm..

(memories of Yvonne Russell Burns)

Homer Oscar

We carried a small, stuffed bulldog ( Homer Oscar), with us the whole year for good luck. Later his family grew and we also carried his mate, Matilda Marcebell. (I believe Brenda Tester donated Homer to the cause and Matilda appeared as Homer grew in popularity).

It should be noted, that Homer's charm grew over time and he overcame everyone's skepticism as we continued to win. (Coach Passmore was seen [more than once] picking the little dog up and putting him on the bench as the year progressed).

Photo by: Marti Jones Shannon