To the editor:

I was a member of the 1981 Bell City Cubs' third-place team and your facts were off in a previous article. William Henry actually graduated in 1980 and we were beaten in the district title that year.

Nevertheless, it is great to see Bell City competing at a high level again.

In 1981 it was me, Gary Gross and Mike Henson who led Bell City to that third-place title. We were the underdogs from the very beginning of that year. First we won the Oran Invitational, where we were unseeded. Then we were third in the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament and Stoddard County champs in 1979, '80 and '81.

Your article is definitely correct about Bell City fans: they are the best.

Eric, Dominitrix and C.J. are a force to be reckoned with along with the role players. I sincerely wish them the best.

I'm a 19-year veteran serving in the Navy in New Orleans. I really miss Southeast Missouri basketball and the fans. RON HICKS

via e-mail