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Blue Jays, Porter Sr. headline 2024 Hall of Fame inductees
SIKESTON — The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is set to welcome a new class of legends, and among them is a powerhouse basketball program that has dominated the hardwood for decades.
The Charleston Boys Basketball Program, a perennial contender with a storied history, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Tuesday, September 17, at the Cape Girardeau Drury Plaza Hotel & Convention Center.
The Blue Jays have become synonymous with basketball excellence, racking up an impressive 24 Final Four appearances since 1975, the third-most in state history.
They’ve also secured 12 state championships, a feat only matched by two other programs in the Show-Me State’s storied hoops legacy.
Charleston’s championship years span several decades, including 1975, 1980, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2007, 2012, and most recently, 2022.
"It's a significant milestone," said former standout Rico Coleman. "It signifies recognition of excellence and achievement for the program. For the program as a whole, it can boost morale, inspire current and future players, and enhance the program's reputation and credibility."
The Blue Jays have also been state runners-up six times and brought home third-place trophies on four occasions.
The program’s success has been shaped by several legendary coaches, including Mitch Haskins, Lennis McFerren (a 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee), Bobby Spencer, Danny Farmer, and Jamarcus Williams.
This induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame solidifies the Blue Jays’ place as one of the state’s most accomplished and enduring basketball programs.
But Charleston isn’t the only basketball powerhouse making its mark on the Hall of Fame this year. Otto Porter Sr. is also set to be enshrined, adding another chapter to the region’s rich hardwood legacy.
The Show-Me State’s hardwood legacy wouldn’t be complete without the Porter family, and Porter Sr. stands as the patriarch of a basketball dynasty. A 1976 graduate of Scott County Central High School, Porter Sr. spearheaded the Braves to their first state championship with a dominant 32-1 record.
A 6-foot-4 sharpshooter with a knack for the baseline, Porter Sr. etched his name in the record books during the state tournament series. His 143 points and 45 rebounds remain unmatched in Missouri high school history, including a then-record 25 rebounds in the championship game. He graduated as the school’s all-time leading rebounder with 1,733 boards.
“The Scott County Central School District administration, staff and students are very proud,” said SCC Athletic Director Tim Carlisle. “
Porter Sr.’s collegiate journey included stints at Southern Baptist University, Three Rivers Community College, and Southeast Missouri State University.
At SEMO, he averaged a blistering 27 points per game as a junior and 25 points per game as a senior, earning second-team All-American honors from the National Basketball Coaches Association in 1981. His career scoring average of 25.9 points remains the gold standard in MIAA and SEMO history, more than four decades later.
From the hardwood to the volleyball court, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is also recognizing a dominant era in Bernie High School girls’ volleyball. The 1994-1999 Mules teams, under the guidance of coach Bill Zoll, captured five state championships and a state runner-up finish.
The 1995 team achieved perfection with an undefeated 38-0 season, and the Mules set a state record with 76 consecutive match victories. Their reign produced 26 All-State selections, a testament to the team’s depth and talent.
Zoll’s demanding coaching style, supported by parents and embraced by players, fostered a culture of excellence. Stephanie Beacham’s remarkable 635 consecutive serves without touching the net and Dawn Robinson’s record-setting career at Maryville University are just a few examples of the individual brilliance that contributed to the Mules’ collective success.
The Hall of Fame class also includes Jeff Graviett (Baseball and softball coach at Notre Dame Regional High School), Christine Ridenour Boothby (Southeast Missouri State track and field standout), Brian Jett (Ste. Genevieve High School cross country and track and field coach), Frank Kirchmer (Valle Catholic High School radio broadcaster), Kerry Robinson (Southeast Missouri State and St. Louis Cardinals), Suzanne Beth Scott (Paralympian swimmer), Jack Connell (Golf teaching professional), Bill Zoll (Bernie High School volleyball coach) and 1996 to 2004 Farmington High School wrestling.