Basketball in Clinton

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To the Editor:
The special that KWQC (Quad-Cities television station) put on about St. Mary’s (High School, Clinton) basketball state championship of 1953 was super.
However, the announcer made one mistake when he said “the school no longer exists.” The school does still exist, under a different name (Prince of Peace Catholic School).
In the official press guide at the state basketball tournament, Assumption High School in Davenport gets credit for the achievements of the former St. Ambrose Academy (of Davenport) and Regina High School in Iowa City gets credit for those of the former St. Mary (High School in Iowa City).
There are four coincidences between St. Mary’s first state title in 1953 and its second title in 1975. In 1975, we had Dick Lingle; in 1975 we had Rick Lingle. In 1953 we defeated Burlington Catholic in the sub-state final; in 1975 we defeated Burlington Notre Dame in the sub-state final by seven points. In 1953 I was in first grade; in 1975 I was in my first year as Irish sportswriter. In 1953 Clinton High defeated Mt. Ayr in the first round at state, and ended up getting third; in 1975, Alta defeated Mt. Ayr in the first round at state and ended up getting third.
Joe O’Donnell
Clinton


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