March 29, 2024

1962-63 Newton basketball team to be honored tomorrow

From 1962-64, the Newton Cardinals dominated the scene in Iowa high school basketball with back-to-back state championships.

Now, five decades later, that team will be back on top for one night.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1963 championship team, Newton Senior High School will host a Champions Recognition Night at halftime of the boys team’s game against Knoxville tomorrow. A pre-game reception will be held in the school’s multi-purpose room at 7 p.m., and the ceremony is set for approximately 8 p.m.

Coached by Lewis “Buzz” Levick, members of the team included Dave and Dennis Schnathorst, Sonny Johnson, Dave Wickett, Roger Bradley, Scott Power, Fred George, Dave Bennett, Larry Lust, Roger Sparks, Dan Markman, Dave Lister, Dennis Williams, Tom Altemeier and Gary Williams.

Members and fans of the team still fondly recall stories from Newton’s run at the top. One such memory was a solid line of cars leading from the new I-80 exit from Newton all the way to Veteran’s Auditorium in Des Moines during the state tournament. The 1963 team finished with a perfect 26-0 record and defeated Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln, 66-58, in the title game.