BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Certain moments in high school sports become legendary. This rings true for the storied girls basketball program at Sheldon Clark, which made its fifth Sweet 16 appearance 50 years ago in 1983.
Former Lady Cardinal star Robin Harmon-Newsome led the 1983 team as a first-year coach. As a player Harmon-Newsome had led Sheldon Clark to four district and regional championships from 1975-1978. She attended Morehead State on a basketball scholarship and returned home to give back to her community.
“The job came open and I applied,” said Harmon-Newsome. “I was just 22 years old and all I knew was that I still loved the game and wanted to be involved in it. Coaching was my only option, so I went for it. I felt called to return home and work with our kids.”
Harmon-Newsome’s 1983 team played one of the hardest schedules in the state and finished with a 31-6 record.
Team members included Lori Mills, Betty Crum, Mildred Robinson, Tammy Dalton, Tammy Fannin, Debbie Scott, Gelilah Blackburn, Landi Davis, Tonya Mills, Teresa Jude, Teresa Jarrett and Sue Crum.
Big girl, 5-foot-11 junior Dalton was in the middle averaging 15 ppg. Lori Mills, a 5-6 senior guard, averaged better than 19 points per game, and Betty Crum averaged 17. Senior point guard Robinson was the captain of the team and the floor general.
This squad was gifted offensively and could put up a lot of points fast.
“I was blessed to be given a team loaded with talent,” said Harmon-Newsome. “I pretty much just stayed out of their way and tried to keep them together.”
The 1983 Lady Cardinals had a tremendous season. They won the Alice Lloyd Invitational tournament. They also defeated 13th-ranked Knott County, No. 1-ranked Belfry and star Kathy Spinks (who went on to play for Pat Head Summit at Tennessee) and 17th-ranked Clay County during the regular season. The Lady Cardinals owned a seven-point victory over Sweet 16 qualifier Boone County but lost to a top 20-ranked Whitesburg during the season.
Sheldon Clark defeated Johnson Central in the 57th District Tournament 86-66.
In the regional semifinals, the Lady Cardinals defeated a good Millard team 52-50 to advance to the championship game, where they faced off against a Betsy Layne team that had upset Belfry.
Sheldon Clark defeated Betsy Layne 68-58 to claim the 15th Region championship and advance to the Sweet 16.
Betty Crum and Lori Ann Mills combined for 50 points in the victory over Betsy Lane to keep Harmon’s win streak intact.
The Lady Cardinals fell to Mason County in the first round of the state tournament 55-45.