Inductees

When you speak to members of the 1981-86 Palmyra High School girls basketball program, you hear the same things. They talk about their work ethic, and about the support they received from the Palmyra community, dubbed the Sea of Orange, which appeared at every game.

And they’ll tell you about a hard-nosed, no-nonsense coach named Robert Fohey who transformed the Lady Panthers into one of the state’s best.

During those six seasons, Palmyra dominated Class 2 basketball, winning state championships in 1981, 1984, and 1986, while finishing as runner-up in ’83 and ’85.

The Lady Panthers boasted five All-State selections and 19 all-conference accolades all while winning five district titles. Terri Jo Wendt and Robin Ragar were twice named All-State for Palmyra. Jackie Thornburg and Cathy Hagenbaumer also earned All-State honors for the Lady Panthers. And that’s why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is proud to induct the 1981-86 Era of Palmyra Lady Panthers Basketball into its Class of 2024.

Like many small towns across the Show-Me state, Palmyra enjoyed outstanding support, even if it was slow to show up in the early days.

“Back in the day, before our time, people never went to the girls games,” said Jami Wood, a member of the 1981 state championship team. “But it was never that way to me. They always came out, and our support grew as we got better and better.”

Deena Parsons has similar memories.

“It didn’t matter whether it was a home game or an away game, there was a sea of orange on one side of the gym, and they were standing and clapping,” Parsons said. “It was more than just your parents. It was complete town support. They all wore our school colors. It was orange everywhere.”

As the wins became more frequent and excitement grew, the players began to expect the support.

“We probably didn’t take it all in the way we should have,” Parsons said. “They were always there.”

The 1981 team finished with a 29-3 record after defeating Scott County Central in the finals. It was the beginning of a run of dominance.

“When it was happening, you didn’t think much about and now I look back on it I realize how great it was,” Wood said. “It was even greater than I thought it was at the time.”

After a heartbreaking loss to hated rival Monroe City in the district finals in 1982, the Lady Panthers returned to the Final Four in 1983 and reached the state finals before suffering a 54-51 loss to Bishop LeBlond.

The 1984 campaign saw Palmyra back in the winner’s circle following a 67-44 shellacking of Brentwood in the championship game. But that opportunity wouldn’t have happened if not for a miracle rally in the final minute of the regional opener.

“The first game after districts in Hannibal against Van-Far, we were behind and there were 58 seconds left in the game and we scored 12 points in less than a minute to win, 69-64,” Parsons said. “Thank the Lord for Missy Keller’s free throws! And then we ended up winning state.”

“That’s a game that I will remember forever,” said Missy Keller Kizer, a member of the ’84 and ’86 state championship teams. “It was a testament for our team in general. We weren’t going to give up. That’s the game that will stick with me the most.”

Another runner-up finish followed in 1985 before the Lady Panthers claimed their third title in six seasons in 1986 with a 48-35 victory against Diamond in the state championship game.

All the while, Fohey was pulling the strings. The veteran basketball coach arrived at Palmyra High after coaching junior high boys basketball for several years. It’s been almost 40 years, and his players still give him all the credit.

“He’s the GOAT here in Palmyra,” said Wood. “He’s tough but he knows his stuff. He helped us to be more of a team and pull everything together. His record speaks for itself.”

“He expected a lot, but along with that, he was on the court with us,” Parsons said. “He scrimmaged with us, he did the drills with us. But he was tough and had high expectations. I think he knew what he had in us, and he brought that out. He got it out of us.”

He also impacted his players beyond the basketball court, and beyond high school.

“Coach Fohey had a major impact on my life,” said Kizer, “He instilled an incredible work ethic in all of us. He was an excellent fundamental coach. He wanted us to work hard, but when you got past all that, Coach Fohey truly loved his girls. We always knew how much he cared for us and wanted the best for us.”