Bluejay

         Basketball

 

 

 

Keith McDonald

Co-Captain

 

Coach Kenneth Cokely

 

Larry Elliott

Co-Captain

 

Howard Dunn

 

Chas Rutherford

 

 

Arthur Warman

 

Chal Beisenherz

 

Kent McClard

David Williams

Max Moyer

Arthur Carder

1956 BASKETBALL SEASON

Liberty 45            Orrick          32 Liberty 56            Park Hill            39
Liberty 68            Richmond       53* Liberty 48            Kearney            37
Liberty 64            Excelsior       59 Liberty 38            Lillis                49
Liberty 77            Carrollton      23 Liberty 45            Lexington          46
Liberty 56            Higginsville     39 Liberty 38            Central             49
Liberty 64            Richmond      44 Liberty 41            Butler              80
Liberty 44            Clinton         47 Liberty 42            Lee's Summit      54
Liberty 74            Higginsville     42* Liberty 67            Park Hill           39
Liberty 55            Carrollton      47* Liberty 64            Lexington          66
Liberty 72            Slater          41* Liberty 65            Excelsior           51*
Liberty 68            Marshall        64* Liberty 64            Lexington           40*
Liberty 42            Lee's Summit  39 *Conference Games

1956 Season Summary

The Liberty Bluejays opened the season by participating in the William Jewell Tournament, and won their first two games over Orrick and Kearney, but lost to the Lillis Fighting Irish in the finale by a score of 49 to 38. 

With regular conference and non-league games just around the corner Liberty became engaged in the pre­conference tournament held at Lexington and Richmond.  In the first encounter the Bluejays tromped Carrollton, but, lost a nip and tuck battle to Lexington to put them out of contention for the finals.  Liberty won their final game from Higginsville to give them third place in the tourney. 

Next the regularly scheduled season began with the Jays being turned back by K. C. Central.  The Liberty cagers ran past Richmond in the next game 64 to 44.  In the Lee's Summit Christmas tournament Liberty lost two straight to Butler and Clinton and so they were out of the running.  Returning to the season's schedule the Jays lost to Lee's Summit by 12 points, but met Higginsville in the 3rd annual Courtwarming game and blasted them 74 to 42, which led to a game winning streak, including 3 loop victories. The Lexington Minutemen nosed out Liberty, for the second time, 66 to 64 in the last seconds to end the Jay's consecutive string. Liberty again embarked on their winning ways by drubbing Slater and stopping arch- rival Excelsior Springs.  In addition to these, the Bluejays racked up wins over Marshall, Lexington, and Lee's Summit to wind up season's play with 16 wins and 7 losses. 

For the third year in a row Liberty either tied for or won undisputed possession of the conference championship. 

Then later the Cokely boys went on to win 3rd place in the regional tourney at St. Joseph. Members of the 1955-56 squad were: centers; Art Carder and Kent McClard; forwards: Dave Williams, Larry Elliott, Howard Dunn and Max Moyer; guards; Charles Rutherford, Keith McDonald, Art Warman and Chal Beisenherz.