In his playing days, Nevada High School standout Kevin Williams was a shot-blocking machine. In fact, his name is still atop one, all-time defensive category in the documented history of the Missouri State High School Activities Association.
Now his career will soon be recognized by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame during its upcoming Basketball Tipoff Luncheon presented by Mercy. Williams has been named to the Hall’s Filbert Five, a group of former high school, college and professional basketball players. The Filbert Five is named in honor of the late Gary Filbert, who coached high school and college basketball teams and, in 2011, was bestowed the Hall’s highest honor, the Missouri Sports Legend award.
The luncheon is at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10 at the University Plaza Convention Center in Springfield. For tickets, call 417-889-3100.
“I would like to thank my high school coaches, Jack Netherton and Jim Snyder, for all the hours they spent with me in the gym, and the patience for my coordination to catch up after growing from 5-foot-10 to 6-foot-7 between the end of my eighth-grade year and the beginning of my 10th grade year,” Williams said. “I also would like to thank Bill Wynn, my high school principal for all the sound advice he provided me while attending high school. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my good friend and previous coach, Norm Stewart, for not only the coaching but for the continued friendship.”
Williams is a 1977 Nevada High School graduate who was a McDonald’s High School All-American as a senior, plus All-State as a junior and senior. In addition, he was an All-Big 8 Conference selection in southwest Missouri, all-district and still holds the state high school record for most blocked shots in a single game, with 20, set against Mount Vernon on Feb. 15, 1977. Williams went on to play at Mizzou from 1977 to 1979.
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Want to go?
What: Basketball Tipoff Luncheon presented by Mercy
When: 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10
Where: University Plaza Convention Center, Springfield
Inductees: Parkview High School’s “Jolly Green Giants” of 1964-1966; Missouri State’s 1952 and 1953 NAIA national championship men’s basketball teams; Jefferson City and Lady Bears standout Karen Rapier; and high school and college coach Gary Stanfield.
Filbert Five men’s team: Chris Harville (Rogersville/Missouri State), Steven Hill (Branson/Arkansas), Sam Singh (Ozark/Bradley), Mark Sparks (Neosho/Mizzou/Drury) and Kevin Williams (Nevada/Mizzou).
Filbert Five women’s team: Sara Bos Barnhart (Billings/Drury),Terianne Wolford Brown (Nixa/Mizzou), Laura Granzow Buetow (Kickapoo/Denver/Canisius), Alyson Young Hooten (Rogersville/Avila) and Anita Rank Oplotnik (Lincoln/Missouri Southern).
Tickets: Individual tickets are $40. Tables of eight are $400 and include associate sponsor recognition in the printed program. Call the Hall of Fame at 317-889-3100.