Web Page Last Updated: 04/03/2013
| The below poem was presented by the 1963 Basketball Team and Cheerleaders at their Sisseton, SD team reunion on February 7, 2003 . |
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WE REMEMBER 1963
You honored us that day in March as champions of the state.
A team, a coach, a town so proud…Sisseton…you were great!
A three-mile long car caravan that grew along the way.
We still hear the honks and cheers as we came home that day…
We remember…
It started in December…Our goals were very clear.
Our town was small, our dreams were big as we kicked off the year.
We started “on a roll” that year, leading the NEC.
Clear Lake, Britton and Redfield fell with offense and solid “D”.
Game five was a grudge match and thousands came to see
As we once again met Watertown to take on the ESD.
Sisseton fans were there for us…You came in droves that night.
We toppled the Watertown Arrows with a 55-49 fight…
We remember…
Then we headed for the West for the Holiday Basketball scene.
Sisseton and Custer were matched up as two unbeaten teams.
Number two Sisseton Redmen did what hadn’t been done…
Knocking off number one Custer forty to forty-one!
Next was Rapid City, the giant school out west…
The Redmen beat the Cobblers, passing the Black Hills test.
The Redmen, now ranked number one, returned to the NEC,
Topping our conference rivals with convincing victories.
We traveled out of state to play…to Fargo and Minnesota,
Wrapping up our season back in South Dakota.
Now the winning streak was on…(with hard work as the reason),
Heading, though we didn’t know, for an undefeated season.
We remember…
Our final game that season (a “set-up”, you might say),
Was between two undefeated teams, the only two in Class A.
The Mobridge Tigers came to town hoping just as we
To finish up their season with a final victory.
Two were undefeated…but after that…just one.
Sure, we were elated, but our mission wasn’t done.
We headed for the Sectional…and we remember well…
The final game with Watertown…a squeaker at the bell.
Robert Hull, our hero, put the lay-up in…
Clinching a State A tourney berth with a thrilling Sectional win!
We can see the headline yet…“Sisseton Going Back”…
To the ’63 State Tournament with a reason to attack.
Disappointed in ’62, our goal this time around
Was winning the State A title and a trophy for our town.
We remember…
“Redmen Romp Past Gregory” on the tournament starting day.
“Redmen to Meet the Warriors” in semi-final play.
“The Sisseton triumph…sweet revenge,” the Argus Leader said,
“A crusher for the Warriors…” for now their dreams were dead.
“Redmen Dump the Warriors” with handy ball control…
Now just one more game was left to reach our lofty goal.
The Sisseton-Brookings match-up was sold out finals night.
ESD vs NEC…a “Hoosier-like” delight.
The Argus Leader called it a “perfect shooting show”,
“Guarding the ball like Mother Hen…”, the Redmen took control.
“Redmen Win the Championship”…“Dethrone the Reigning Cats”…
“Unbeaten Sisseton Wins the Crown”…Headlines looked like that!
We remember…
Sisseton…hats off to you…Thank you, one and all…
For all you did to make it seem like more than basketball.
Forty years have passed since then…Our pride just doesn’t fade.
A little town…a feat so big…and memories are made.
A lifelong dream came true that night…go figure what it’s worth…
It’s priceless being number one and the proudest town on earth!
We remember…
1963 REDMEN TEAM AND CHEERLEADERS
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