The year was 1977. It was Gregory Gymnasium in Austin, Texas. Coach Pat Moses and her Dogette basketball team had “determination to beat the odds.” The team brought home to Cooper the State Championship.
In the Cooper Review archives from March 3, 1977, Coach Moses said, “I couldn’t love anyone more than I love these girls behind me [referring to the team].” It was reported in the two games, played on the campus of the University of Texas, DeDe Carrington scored a total of 72 points, Jo Ann Brackeen contributed a total of 55 points, and Lisa Davis had 24 points. Proving the theory of the team that scores first always wins. After playing the best game of all at the state playoff, the Bulldogettes sailed past Deweyville and except for the first couple of minutes of play were never trailed.
Members of the team (in no particular order) were: Tonya Reynolds, Darlene Bacy, Renee Sampson, Lisa Rainey, JoAnn Brackeen, Lisa Davis, DeDe Carrington, Kellye Manes, Bev Beierle, Leslie Morris, DeAnn Preas, Lynda Choate, Venita Roberts, and Coach Moses, as reported in the Cooper Review February 10, 1977 edition.
In a recent Cooper City Council meeting Mayor Darren Braddy along with the fine elected officials of the Council proclaimed May 19, 2018 “Coach Pat Moses Appreciation Day.”
“We extend our sincere admiration and appreciation to Coach Pat Moses, her family, her athletes, and her countless fans and friends, for her devotion to the betterment of the lives of those in our community,” state Mayor Darren Braddy. “She has brought honor and distinction to Cooper, Texas, and full encouraged the value of education throughout her life, full of blessings.”
“I/we were so blessed to be her ‘girls’ and to learn not only the game of basketball and sportsmanship but leadership, integrity and a strong work ethic. Coach Moses pushed us and made us stronger and most importantly she respected us, she was fair, she believed in us and she loved us. I loved this lady as my coach and mentor and I love her still as a true friend,” said Lisa Rainey Taylor, member of the 1977 Cooper Bulldogettes State Champions.
More teammates exchanged memories.
“The most important thing to me about Coach Pat Moses is that she BELIEVED in each of us!! She made sure we knew we were ALL part of the TEAM...We worked as a TEAM, we played as a TEAM, we laughed and cried as a TEAM,” said Lynda Choate Matthews, a Bulldogette from 1974-78. “So many memories of sweaty hours practicing in the gym, shooting shot after shot at the free throw line (‘games are won/lost at the free throw line’), running until we thought we'd pass out...but all with a goal in mind… As a TEAM, we brought home a State Championship under her leadership and guidance. But more important were the life lessons we learned from our time with this remarkable lady. We love you, Coach Moses!”
