Memories run deep for Carroll's 1972-73 state qualifying boys basketball team

Danny Kaspar's memories of Carroll's run to the 1973 UIL Class 4A state tournament is still close to his heart 49 years later.

The Tigers' historic season was the pinnacle of Carroll's basketball success, and remains one of the program's best boys' teams in school history.

"It was a very close-knit group that worked hard together and was unselfish," Kaspar said. "It was a team-oriented group that played very well together."

Carroll put together a 32-5 season before cruising to the state semifinal game against Houston Wheatley.

The Tigers pushed the Wildcats to the brink — forcing them to play their game in a contest that came down to the wire.

Wheatley, which averaged more than 100 points a game that season, eventually won 70-60, which was their closest margin of victory during the 72-73 season.

"It was a very good game," Kaspar said. "I remember the whole city of Corpus Christi being there, which was so exciting. I saw people who played at King and Ray that were attending that game.

"When you look at that team, we had only three returning letterman," Kaspar added. "We had seven JV players, which isn't usually a formula for success. We end up finishing the season 32-5 and went to the state semifinals. That was the lowest amount of points they (Wheatley) scored all season."

Kaspar and other members of Carroll's 1973 state semifinal team were honored during halftime of Friday's game between Carroll and Ray at the new Carroll High School Arena.

Kaspar was joined by the Tigers' 1973 starting lineup of point guard Glenn Rollins, forward Preston Bailess, center Steve Frontz, forward Nellie Kelly Jr. and head coach Mike Kunstadt at center court.

"This is a very special weekend for all of us," Kaspar said. "This was our home. This is where we grew up, and most of us have now left. To get back with some teammates that you haven't seen in 15, 40, 30 years is very special."

Kaspar, who played college at Texas A&M-Kingsville and coached at Incarnate Word, Stephen F. Austin and Texas State, averaged 14.8 points a game for a Carroll team that averaged 70 points a contest and allowed 45 points during the 72-73 season. The Tigers' average margin of victory was 25, which was the most in Class 4A at the time.

In fact, Carroll's 1973 team concluded the season with all five of its starting lineup earning all-district honors and six of the 13 players earning scholarships to play college basketball.

"What I remember the most was how close they were," said Kunstadt, who was recently inducted into the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. "They were all like brothers. They fed off each other, they were very unselfish and were team-oriented from the get-go. They had love for the game."

Bailess was one of the incoming sophomores on the 1973 team and didn't take long to make an impact.

Bailess, who was a standout player at Utah State and carried the torch for the Tigers' the next two seasons, concluded the 1973 season with 279 rebounds, which was second on the team to Frontz.

"I think it's a testament to the character of the players and the coach that we had in coach Kunstadt," Bailess said. "His passion and him teaching us the fundamentals of the game. It was a reactive game, not a set-play kind of game. You have to react (to) what the defense does and we learned during the season to do that the best we could."

The former players continued their celebration following the Tigers' 61-49 win against the Texans.

Family, friends and other former players joined the 1973 team for dinner in the school's cafeteria. The players reminisced on old times and even watched a playback of the Tigers' state semifinal game against Wheatley.

"It's pretty special because a lot of these guys I haven't seen since we left high school," Bailess said. "It's really good to see them all."

Even though they're in their 60s, Kunstadt still refers to his players as his "boys" and takes pride in what his Tigers accomplished against the No. 1 Wildcats in 1973.

Carroll cut the deficit to three with three minutes remaining and although they came up short, Kunstadt said he was proud of the players for believing in each other and working hard all season.

"It was a great game," Kunstadt said. "There was a lot of hurt when we lost because coming into the season, we weren't a favorite by any means. To do what they did, they believed in themselves, worked hard and they had love for each other. I was very proud of them. I'm still proud of them."

Kaspar had a lot to be proud of what the Tigers accomplished that season — especially when former Wheatley coach Jackie Carr relayed a message about the 1973 season.

"I was sitting with Alvin Brooks (former Wheatley player and college basketball coach) and we started talking about Wheatley basketball," Kaspar said. "I asked him, 'Did you ever ask coach Jackie Carr which one of his teams were the best?' He said his 1973 team was the best team he ever coached. With that being said, we arguably lost to Wheatley's best team ever."

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Players, coaches from 1972-73 Carroll boys basketball team honored