Coaches Ed Weissenbach and Kevin Nichols reminisce about their championship teams of 1970-71 and 1991-92

Kevin Nichols

Coach Weissenbach: 1970-71 GHS team overcame obstacles in trek to Class S Elite 8

Ed Weissenbach coached the boys’ basketball Bulldogs from the 1968-69 through the 1972-73 season. The following is why he feels the 70-71 team should win the GHS Hoops Madness bracket:
“The 70-71 team was the best team I had the privilege to coach. I had those seniors from their sophomore years and we grew up together (I was 22 in ’68). Not only were they gifted physically and skilled but they were basketball smart and really good people.
The (70-71) season was very successful but somewhat disappointing at the same time. We had finished the previous season 22-7 after winning the Regional championship and losing to Northeast Nodaway in the first round of State. With four starters back and Howard Weldon and Phil Gooding as returning all-conference performers, we had high hopes and expectations going into the season.
However, Phil hurt his knee in football and struggled all season with pain and having to wear a heavy brace while getting his knee drained of fluid regularly. Howard developed Osgood-Slaughter disease in his knees and also wore a knee brace. Dennis Morrissey suffered a mowing accident after his sophomore year which caused his arm to be permanently bent and forcing him to learn to shoot and rebound while dealing with those limitations.
I say this not to make excuses, as all teams have some setbacks, but it did complicate and compromise our ability to succeed at the level we had hoped for. Richard Reynolds had an excellent year as an outside shooter and Rick McCloud rounded out the starting five and was very consistent as a scorer, rebounder and defender. Keith Morrissey showed the promise of his future as an elite athlete and sixth man and spot starter as a sophomore. Jack Daniels, John Bennett and Greg Graham wee steady contributors as senior reserves.
There were a number of memorable moments throughout the season, beginning with the opening game at the old gym in Jameson, the defending State runnerup which we lost, 72-73. We followed with a 13 game winning streak that included a 61-59 rematch victory over Jameson in the Gilman City holiday tournament. We also beat eventual State Champion Stanberry, 66-65, in the conference tournament championship.
Once again we swept through our Regional Tournament and met a talented LaPlata team in the first round, defeating them by 20 and setting up a meeting with highly ranked Cairo in the State Quarterfinals. Despite getting down to Cairo in the first half at Kirksville by double digits, we fought back in the game and had a chance to tie before the clock expired with us on the losing end of a 2 point game.
I coached for another 11 years (2 in Gallatin and 9 in Lawson) but I never felt as close to another team as I did this one, as evidenced by the close friendship with many of these men to this day, almost 50 years later.

Coach Nichols: 1991-92 GHS team paid its dues to reach sectional and a #4 state ranking
Kevin Nichols coached both GHS girls and boys from the 1988-89 to 1991-92 seasons. This why he feels the 91-92 GHS team should win the GHS Hoops Madness bracket:
“The 1991-1992 GHS boys team was a great group of players and young men. This team was an extension of the 1990-91 team. The ’91 team went 27-1 and the ’92 team went 27-2. The ’92 team was part of a 36 game regular winning streak that ended when they lost to Lawson on a last second shot.
The team won the Gallatin Tournament for the third straight year, the Gilman City Tournament and the first ever Class 2 District Tournament before losing to Hogan Prep in overtime in the Sectional. This team was ranked 4th in Class 2 until the loss to Hogan Prep. They ran through the Grand River Conference, undefeated, for the second straight year, beating opponents by an average of 23 points per game.
This team was led by many great players. Will Salmon was the leading scorer, followed by Daniel Madison, probably the smartest player I ever coached. Scott Shipers was the tough guy on the team and a very hard worker. Jesse Bird was a great point guard that made very few mistakes. Clint Pitzenberger was a smooth player and great teammate. Kelly Vanatta was a great sub and was lost too early in life (RIP).
This team had many great moments. They beat Maysville in the district final at Hamilton and the game was going great until Daniel Madison stepped on one of the Maysville player’s feet, resulting in a broken leg, and he would miss our showdown with Bishop Hogan. In the sectional, we lost in overtime and had a 5 point lead with 1:37 to go in regulation.
This team brought the town together and every playoff game or home game was packed with great fans. Everyone loved this team and players. What a great group to coach.

Anonymous online comments:

“Wow…Phil Gooding vs. Kelly Vanatta full court would be fun to watch!”

“Howard Weldon against Will Salmon? Who wouldn’t pay to see that!”