Perryville state champs honored

The Perryville High School senior girls’ basketball teams from 1965, 1966 and 1967 were recently honored for winning three consecutive state championships. PHS is one of only eight schools in Arkansas to hold three consecutive state titles in girls basketball.

Local businesses showed support by posting signs and displaying maroon and gray balloons and bows.

The event included a 50th anniversary reception held in the high school cafeteria. Teammates looked through newspaper articles and clippings. Current PHS students Jacob Hill, Nickoles Strecker, Sydney McCallister, Lauren Brewer and Adian Shamburger scanned memorabilia that the late Coach Bob Fallen had saved and produced a DVD presentation to close out the reception.  

The teams were honored at halftime of the senior girls’ basketball game against Little Rock Episcopal. Principal Kevin Campbell introduced the team by sharing a few of their many honors that the teams won throughout the three years. These honors included not only the three championships, but also the State Scholarship Team, Sportsmanship Award and five consecutive district titles.

Each team member was introduced by Kim Watts, who also shared their stories of determination and perseverance. As they were introduced, current PHS basketball players presented each with a rose.

After the team members were introduced, assistant principal Don Watts and Terry Smith honored the family members of those teammates who have passed away. Those honored were Kathy Wear Phillips, Nancy Moore Jackson, Judy Tolley and Coach Fallen.  

The event ended with a few words from the 1967 coach, Ancel Carlon, and the reading of a proclamation by Mayor John Roland declaring Jan. 26 as the “1965, 1966 and 1967 PHS Sr. Girls Champion Day.”