2010 Teton Athletic Hall of Fame
Posted: Oct 27 2010
Three new inductees into the Teton Athletic Hall of Fame will be officially honored at the 2nd Teton Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet on Thursday, November 4th, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. The banquet will take place at the El Rancho. Tickets for the banquet can be reserved by calling Rita Ann Deichert at (701) 774-4589. Tickets for the banquet are $25.00.
1981-1982 Women's Basketball Team
The 1981-1982 Women's Basketball Team will go down as one of the best to ever play for the Tetons. The team compiled an impressive run during the regular season, finishing with an overall regular season record of 22-4. Only one of those losses was to a junior college. Three of the four losses came to four-year schools UND, Mary, and Minot State. UND-W would walk through the state junior college and region tournaments, winning by double-digits each game and earning a trip to the National Tournament in Overland Park, Kansas. They then defeated Queensborough out of New York and Vincennes out of Indiana, before falling to Louisburg of North Carolina in the semi-finals. The team would finish 4th in the tournament and was honored with the Alberta Lea Cox Sportsmanship Award for the tournament. Overall, the team finished with a 28-6 overall record, winning the Conference, State, and Region Championships.
Coach Penny Slagle remembers the team well. "We had it all on this team. Great defense, great shooters, hard workers, outstanding students, high achievers on the court and in the classroom. They all were very highly respected young ladies by their teachers, peers, fans, and other teams. Not only did they capture the 4th Place trophy in the National Tournament but they also captured the hearts of everyone there. They were awarded the Alberta Lea Cox Sportsmanship Award. This to me, and to my players, went above and beyond 4th Place."
Members of the team included: Luanne Hutchins, Michelle Woodard, Sally Tillema, Lori Carriere, Lori Moriarty, Cathy Agnes, Kristi Arnson, Pam Nelson, Debbie Clark, Donna Pusc, Kathy Mitzel, and Lori Millette.
Donna Pusc-Women's Basketball (1981-1983)
Pusc, a Parshall, ND, native, lead UND-W to the 1982 National Tournament during her freshman season. Pusc earned All-American honors as a freshman, averaging 17 points per game. For her career, Pusc averaged 15 points per game and was a two-time All-Conference, All-State, and All-Region selection. She was named the MVP of the ND State Junior College Tournament as well. Pusc went on to play for the University of South Dakota. She averaged 9.5 points per game for her career with USD, including 12 points per game as a senior.
Pusc, ever humble, is thankful for her days as a Teton. "I'm very honored to be named to the Teton Hall of Fame, but could not have done it without my coaches and teammates. I came to Williston because of the reputation of a great basketball program and a chance to play for Penny Slagle. Going in I wasn't sure I was good enough but I worked hard and it paid off."
Coach Penny Slagle marveled at Pusc's abilities on the court. "Donna was one of the purest, finest shooters in the game of women's basketball that I had ever coached or had ever seen play the game. The touch that she had on the ball was something she had to have been born with. Her shot was pretty much flawless. Her ability to shoot the ball, in addition to her other basketball skills and talents played a huge part in our success the two years she played for UND-W. Donna fit right in to our program, with our run and gun style of play. She could pull up and shoot a true jump shot on a dime."
Clevon Dunbar-Men's Basketball (1997-1999)
Clevon Dunbar helped lead the men's basketball team at UND-W to its first-ever trip to the National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas. Dunbar came to Williston from the country of Trinidad and quickly embarked on a remarkable 2-year career. As a freshman, Dunbar quickly emerged as a force with his athleticism and scoring and rebounding abilities. He was named an All-American as a freshman for the Tetons, as well as being named All-Conference and All-Region, averaging 19 points and 8 rebounds per game.
During his sophomore campaign, Dunbar helped lead the team on its run to the National Tournament. The Tetons would go win one game and lose two at the National Tournament. The consistent forward averaged 17 points per game and 7 rebounds per game, earning All-Conference and All-Region honors.
Dunbar earned a scholarship to Division II Eckerd College in Florida, where he was a two-time All-Conference selection.
Coach Terry Olson saw Clevon's potential from the start. "Clevon was very skilled. Though he wasn't overly big or strong, he had such good post moves and could score on much bigger people. Athletically, he was blessed with great jumping ability and quickness. What's most impressive about Clevon was his kindness. He was a joy to have on our campus and is a joy to have as part of our permanent Williston community."
Dunbar is proud of playing for Williston State. "I owe everything to Coach Olson and the college and to Williston. They gave me a tremendous opportunity to play basketball and get an education. I am very thankful for being a member of the Hall of Fame."