Morganton High Sports

MORGANTON HIGH SCHOOL WILDCAT'S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SPORTS THRU THE YEARS

From the opening of the new Morganton High School in 1927, sports was paramount, not only for the high school, but for the Morganton community as well.

The first baseball game was played on June 27, 1927 at the new "World War Memorial Field" as Newton defeated MHS. Dr. E.W. Phifer had taken a leading role in the promotion and building of the field.

After 1927, Morganton High School had many successes in sports including the 1931,1937,1939, 1940, 1941, 1946, and 1956 conference championships in football as well as co-champions in 1934 and 1961. Of special note was the team of 1928 which played Appalachian State and won 6-0.

The 1939 baseball team finished in the top division.

The golf teams of 1960 thru 1968 were conference champs as well as the team of 1972.

The boys basketball team of 1972 earned the conference championship, and the girls teams of 1942, 1943, 1944, 1950, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1972 were outstanding as conference champions.

The track team of 1961 was the bi-conference champion.

Tennis and swimming came late to MHS, but both were successful.

Note that until the 1930's MHS belonged to the State Athletic Association. It then joined the W.N.C.H.S.A.A.

Notable coaches over the years included: Pete Peterson, Don Hartig, Doug Simmons, Spencer Harrell, Earl Broome, Bill Greene, Flemon McIntosh, Vivian Amos, Von Ray Harris, Fred Putnam (assistant), Bill Moffit, Perk Reinhardt, James Eanes, Mary Alice Edge.

Exceptional players over the years: Winn Berry, Oval Jaynes, John Marcus, Butch Anderson, Doug Golightly, David Riggs, Dub Hord, Carla Giles, Mack Leonard, Dean Cline, George Brewer, Larry Berry, Gary Mull, Claude White, Dick Williams, Forest Fleming, Gene Tl"lomas, Ronnie England, Robert Keaton, Jerry Fox, Nancy Van Duke, Pete Patton, Peggy Patton, Johnny Giles.

There are many other outstanding athletes which can be found in the "details".