Chamber holds luncheon welcoming members

Staff report TPI Staff

By HENRY ZIMMER Sports Writer

By Cliff Williams Staff Writer

As the saying goes, better late than never.

No one knows that better than the 1979 and 1980 Wetumpka Indians basketball team members and staff, who received their championship rings on Sunday after 43 years of waiting.

Surrounded by friends, family, and members of the community, the men and women of Wetumpka High School’s only two basketball championships finally got their championship rings from the AHSAA.

The reasoning for why the teams never received their rings originally is widely disputed, but that is all in the past as former players and coaches now have their jewelry to celebrate their historic accomplishments.

“We wanted to bring some excitement and joy to Wetumpka,” said Curtis Mitchell, member of the ‘79 team.

“That was our one goal.”

As attendees filed into the Wetumpka Civic Center, a slideshow was playing, displaying pictures and memories of those legendary seasons.

The crowds murmured after every picture, as people remembered their friends, classmates and former team members as they once were.

“Look at him…”

“Remember her?”

“I forgot you had hair like that!”

Nowadays, the afros are long gone and the playing days are over, but the memSee LEGENDS, Page A3

Holtville’s

The lowest price of gasoline in Alabama fell to $2.82 Sunday, but some experts are saying Hurricane Ian could cause prices to climb again.