When she was a senior at Montgomery County High School in 1972, Terri Walton was a big fan of the school’s boys basketball team that won its first and only state championship.

“I love basketball,” Walton said.

So when the high school wanted to replace the old 1972 state championship banner that was hanging on the wall at Ballew & Snell Court, Walton wanted to help out. She made a $1,000 donation to help the school put together a new championship banner that was unveiled during halftime of the boys championship game between Mexico and Fulton in the Montgomery County Invitational on Dec. 3.

“I donate money every year for the Hudl camera,” Walton said. “This year, it came up at our class reunion that we needed a new banner. So rather than the Hudl camera, I donated money to the banner because it was my senior year that we won.”

The unveiling of the new banner was part of the recognition ceremony of the 1971-72 boys basketball team, which finished 29-4 and captured the Class M state championship title in Columbia. MCHS activities director Adam Falloon was the emcee of the five-minute ceremony.

“I’m thrilled to be able to help honor your request and present to each of you your new championship banner for the next 50-plus years,” Falloon said.

Falloon was approached by the members of the team about replacing the banner for several years.

“After several attempts and a two-year COVID clause, it was concluded that removing and attempting restoration could do more harm than good,” Falloon said.

During the MCHS Class of 1972 50th year reunion on Sept. 10, members of the championship team decided that the banner should be replaced.

Six of the players on that team were in attendance at the ceremony. They were Rob Boehmler, Dan Green, Sterling Green, Sterling Oliver, Bob River and Frank Schlanker. Several students who graduated from MCHS in 1972 also joined the ceremony.

The new banner includes names of all the players, coaches and managers.

“We were glad to be able to see it get replaced for something more sharp,” Sterling Green said. “It’s a good looking banner.”

Outside the gymnasium, there was a display of newspaper articles of the Wildcats’ state championship win as well as black and white footage of the 1972 championship game against St. Pius X of Kansas City that was shown on DVD.
River said he was thrilled to be part of a championship team 50 years ago.

“It brings back so many memories,” River said.

John Cunningham, brothers Gerry and Tony Marteen, Jeff Hadfield, Michael Bradford, Steve Deering, Neil Wehrman, Steve Steffan, Jim Niedergerke and Bruce Brown were the other players on the squad, which was coached by Bill Ballew and Jim Snell.

Oliver credits Snell – who died in 2021 – for preparing his team to an outstanding season.

“He prepared us for competition,” Oliver said. “He told us how to win, he had us in good shape and he was a gentleman.”

The Wildcats defeated Palmyra in the Elite Eight to advance to the Final Four. They beat Willard in the semifinals to advance to the championship game, where they won 68-48 over St. Pius.

“1972 was a good year,” Walton said. “Our boys brought the championship home.”

But it was too bad Walton didn’t go to the championship game.

“My mom wouldn’t let us go to the game,” Walton said. “It was too far.”

Now, Walton is watching her great nephews Carson, Collin and Clayton Parker play basketball. Carson and Collin play at Columbia College, while Clayton plays for the MCHS boys basketball team.

“You gotta love them,” Walton said.