The first annual Greater Twin Cities African American Basketball Hall of Fame induction took place a couple of weeks ago.
First class inductees featured players and trailblazers that were outstanding contributors to the Twin Cities metro area.
This week’s column features five women’s connections to the event.
Three inductees played in the first ever Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) girls state basketball tournament (Kathie Eiland-Madison, Lisa Lissimore and Linda Roberts). Another who played in the ’76 tournament, serves on the African American Basketball Hall of Fame (Faith Johnson-Patterson). Also included in this group is a woman attending the ceremony and former prep star who will complete her collegiate career at Penn State University (Savannah White).
Eiland-Madison
Played in the first Class A state girls tournament as a senior at Marshall-University High School in 1976. She became the first Black woman to play for the University of Minnesota. The forward was a member of the Golden Gophers squad from 1976-79.
Roberts
Led St. Paul Central to the first Class AA girls crown in 1976. She played center at the University of Minnesota from 1977-81 finishing as the Gophers’ all-time leading scorer. Her jersey was retired in 2006.
Lissimore
Was the point guard on the 1976 St. Paul Central team as a sophomore and then led the Minutemen to tournament appearances in ’77 and ’78. She went on to play for the University of Minnesota for one season before finishing up at Grand View College (Iowa) in 1982. The Hall of Famer served as a MSHSL Associate Director for 34 years.
Johnson-Patterson
Played in the 1976 Class A tournament as an eighth grader for Marshall-University. She went on to star at point guard for the University of Wisconsin from 1980-85. The Hall of Fame girls basketball coach, who currently leads Maranatha Christian Academy, led her teams to eight Class 3A state championships (Minneapolis North 5, DeLaSalle 3).
White
Was in attendance to support her grandfather, basketball official and historian Frank White’s induction. The former DeLaSalle High School standout will complete her college career as member of the Penn State University women’s team after stops at University of Wisconsin, Indiana State University, and Xavier University (Ohio). She led the Islanders team to two Class 3A state championships.
AABHOF Board of Directors
Jayar Young (President/CEO), Shon Rogers (Vice President), Demetairs Bell (Secretary), Eric Smalley (Treasurer and Contributions Director), Rufus Johnson (Research and Data Director), Adam Lindsay (Social Media and Administrative Director), Steve Floyd (Community Outreach Director), Faith Johnson-Patterson (Communications and Operations Director), Leo Ballard (Board Member) and Ray Jones (Board Member).
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses at mcdeezy05@gmail.com.