March 16, 1944: Doniphan Falls In State Tournament

1943-1944 Southeast Missouri Champions Doniphan Dons (18-2) Displayed in The Current River Heritage Museum courtesy of Bill and Louise Wright identifies the Doniphan Dons 1943-44 basketball team. Pictured are Walter Ederer, Dwain Cronin, Dewey McDowell, Wilfred Bollenbacher, Bill Redus, Liman Hudson, Harold Crowell, Jack Benton, Charles Ponder, “Scoop” Lee, O.J. Dunn, Coach. Coach, O.J. Dunn was Principal and Coach. During World War II Coach Tom Burcham was called into the service and O.J. Dunn assumed coach duties. Location of the state tournament was in Springfield, Mo. Doniphan vs. Jefferson City 21-37; Doniphan vs. Union (Consolation bracket) 27-52. The Dons had an undefeated regular season. See related story on Page 14.

(Photo and information courtesy of The Current River Heritage Museum and DHS Sports Records Book)

Editor’s note: From the March 16, 1944 The Prospect-News, story coverage of the state tournament of the undefeated Dons team.

The Dons, who last Thursday journeyed to Springfield to enter the State tournament after winning the regional contest at Kennett, went into their first state tournament game seeking their 19 win in as many starts, but were back 21 to 37.

The Dons were trailing by only three points at the half, but in the last two periods Jefferson City pulled away and the Dons were never able to threaten seriously.

In the games Thursday afternoon, Cleveland, of St. Louis, which had not lost a game in 25, was defeated by the fast Bismark team, 37 to 34. Bismark was led by Reagan, who proved to be the outstanding player of the tournament.

In an afternoon game, Lebanon won over Union by 34 to 25. In the other night game Ozark swamped Hopkins 61 to 22.

Friday night, in the winner’s bracket, Bismark advanced to the finals by breaking Ozark’s 34-game winning streak, which was the longest in the state. They had to come from behind however and the final score was 34 to 31. Lebanon also advanced to the finals by winning over Jefferson City by 38 to 28.

Saturday night Union won the consolation finals from Cleveland 33 to 24, and Ozark overwhelmed Jefferson City 45 to 29. In the finals Saturday night between Bismark and Lebanon, Bismark jumped into a 14 to 4 lead at the end of the first quarter, thanks to Reagan’s fine play, but Lebanon, with their star, the six-foot, three-inch Gene Ruble, doing most of the scoring, began to cut this margin down. The score at the half was 26 to 20, Bismark.

In the third quarter Lebanon continued its gain and trailed by 29 to 32 going into the final period. Then late in the period they finally knotted the score at 38 all. However, Reagan then passed the ball to Edwards who dropped in the basket that won the tournament and the Missouri basketball championship for Bismark.

The Dons were the first Doniphan team to go to the state tournament in about 10 years.

They wound up the season with a record of 18 games won and only two lost. Their coach during the successful season was O. J. Dunn, principal of the high school, who took over coaching duties when T. R. Burcham went into the army air force last summer.