Bart Patey 1968

Berkner made the Final Four and is headed to the UIL Boys State Basketball Tournament this weekend in Austin, and the success of the Rams has left many in Lake Highlands nostalgic for 1968. No, for not peace signs and bellbottoms. That’s the year the Wildcats won the 3A state basketball title – their only state basketball championship in LHHS history – and this weekend marks the 45th anniversary.

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LH defeated Lubbock Dunbar 51-49 in the final, with Dallas City Councilman Jerry Allen winning the game on two free throws with ten seconds remaining. The Wildcats forced 21 turnovers in the game, and Dunbar missed a chance to tie when they were called for traveling.

The Cats defeated Conroe 61-50 in the semi-final and beat Mineral Wells and Henderson in regionals to qualify for the state tournament. Lake Highlands, coached by Bob Stamps, finished the year 26-8.

Members of the 1968 team were Jerry Allen, 5’10” Sr; Bill Brock, 5’11” Jr; Reggie Duck, 6’1” Jr; Gary Grinsfelder, 5’10” Sr; Emil Jacobs, 5’10” Sr; Robert LaFevers, 6’3” Sr; Richard Langdon, 6’8” Sr; George Parker, 6’1” Jr; Bart Patey, 5’9” Sr; Bob Schmidt, 6’5” Sr; Mike Scobee, 5’11” Sr; Wyatt Standifer, 6’1” Jr; Doug Tanck, 6’5” Sr; Eric Teter, 5’10” Jr; and Cleve Whitener, 5’11” Sr.

Langdon and Tanck were named to the All State Tournament Team.