By Chris Parker
When Hartville lost to Springfield Catholic 51-41 in the championship of the Clever Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 4, it marked the end of one of the greatest runs for a boys basketball program in Missouri history.
The loss snapped a 45-game winning streak for Hartville that ranks No. 7 all-time in Missouri history.
“We probably didn’t appreciate it as it was going on, but what an unbelievable accomplishment. It really is (special) considering the schedule we play being our sized school; playing in the Blue & Gold, playing the Springfield Winter Classic last year and having those matchups with Nixa, Kickapoo and Greenwood along the way,” Hartville head coach Brett Reed said. “One possession can be the difference in a lot of those games. It is extremely special. I still don’t think it has truly sunk in just how special it is. As time goes on as I look back on our years at Hartville this will be something I always remember.”
Hartville’s last loss prior to Saturday came in a 69-61 overtime game against Dora on Feb. 1, 2020. The run of 45 wins started on Feb. 11 with an 84-60 win over Conway and included two state championships, a Blue & Gold Championship and sweep through the Springfield Winter Classic among many other accomplishments.
The closest call during the streak was a 49-47 win over Greenwood in the state quarterfinals in 2020. Last year, Hartville’s closes games were a pair of three-point decisions against Kickapoo and Greenwood.
A streak of this length has become exceedingly rare for boys basketball teams. Hartville’s streak is one of only two in the top eight that occurred after 1979. The No. 1 streak is 68 by Bradleyville from 1966-68.
Consistency was key for Hartville to etch its name in the record books.
“(I am most proud of) the consistency the kids have shown in practice and in games and their competitive desire. It has never been about the streak. It has always been about taking it one game at a time and going out and being as competitive as we can be in each game. We didn’t start the streak thinking about the streak. We just went out and tried to win each game and it just so happened we won 45 in row,” Reed said.
Hartville graduated all of its key contributors from the two-time defending state and Blue & Gold championship squads, but the streak continued early this season. The Eagles opened up with a win over Winona before heading to the Clever Tournament as a six seed last week.
The Eagles upset No. 3 seed Fair Grove in the first game 57-43. Hartville followed that up by beating No. 2 seed Hillcrest 38-37 to extend the streak to 45 games.
“Going into this year pretty much no varsity experience returned. We were just trying to figure out who we were and what we could become. This week at Clever really showed me that these guys are going to be all right. We are just going to get better and better,” Reed said. “These guys weren’t worried about a streak. They were just worried about being the best versions of themselves they could be. I was extremely proud of the tournament they had. We were able to compete with Catholic there in the last game. I think we can get a lot better and I think we will be a tough out come playoff time.”
Hartville will host Mountain Grove on Dec. 7 before games with Fordland (Dec. 10), Seymour (Dec. 14), Strafford (Dec. 17) and Lebanon (Dec. 21). Then the Eagles will look to defend another streak Dec. 27-30 as the two-time defending champions of the Greenwood Blue & Gold Tournament.
Top 8 Boys Basketball Winning Streaks in MSHSAA History
- Bradleyville – 68 (1966-68)
- Glasgow – 64 (1973-75)
- DeSmet – 63 (1977-79)
- Vashon – 60 (2003-05)
- Exeter – 52 (1963-64)
- Parkview – 50 (1964-65)
- Hartville – 45 (2019-21)
- Branson – 41 (1954-55)
