The Coffeyville Red Ravens entered the Region 6 sub-regional tournament in 1962 having won the Jayhawk Eastern Division crown with a 10-0 record. The Ravens had a first-round bye and played Parsons Jr. College in the semi-finals. The Ravens advanced to the finals with a 69-58 victory and would play Independence in the finals. Coffeyville made easy prey of the Pirates for the fourth time that season and took the victory 77-61 in the championship game. All 5 starters were named all-tournament at the sub-regional. Paul Henry, Ken Hendrix, Lou Williams, and Paul Fortin were named to the top 10 while Gerald Burton was honorable mention. Coffeyville and Independence would advance to the Region 6 semifinals to face Ark City and Dodge City, both coming out of the west sub-regional.

 

The Region 6 tournament was played in Hutchinson, KS. The winner advanced to the NJCAA Tournament. Coffeyville opened with Ark City in the first semifinal game and came away with a hard-fought 53-51 victory. “We held our poise,” Coffeyville Coach Jack Hartman said after the game.” and I thought we did a great job of controlling the ball. Of course, we had to the way we were missing from the field.” Hartman said, “the Final could be a repeat of last night’s action, but they (Dodge City) could put an end to our season if they have a hot night, and we have another night like last night.” The final vs. Dodge City was a barn burner as Paul Fortin hit a 10-foot left-handed hook shot in the final seconds to win 59-58 and send the Ravens to the National Tournament with a record of 28-0.

 

Prior to the undefeated 1962 season, Coach Hartman set the tone for the team. Coach Hartman had a team meeting where he said that if the team stayed together, they would win a National Championship the following year. Coach Hartman’s prediction came true. In 1962, the Red Ravens won the NJCAA National Basketball Championship in Hutchinson, Kansas, ending the season with a 32-0 record, making them the first team to accomplish this task undefeated.

 

During the National Tournament, the team was outstanding both offensively and defensively. The offense was run to perfection and had a good balance in scoring. It was the team’s defense, however, that was so devastating. Thus it was a total team effort in every sense of the word. The Red Ravens were seriously never challenged as they defeated Bethany Lutheran, MN 84-61 in the first round followed by another excellent performance against San Angelo, TX 82-69 in the quarterfinals. The semi-finals would see Coffeyville face Trinidad, CO and win 80-67 setting up the final game against Lon Morris, TX. Coffeyville won 74-49 to claim the National Championship. Jack Hartman was chosen Coach of the Year and Paul Henry was selected as Most Valuable Player of the Tournament.