Exhilaration of championship remains, 51 years later

Rock star status. That may be the only way to describe roaring crowds, fan mail and media attention. We’re talking about girls’ high school basketball and the state championship game of 1971 when the underdogs of Farragut, Iowa, brought down the giants of Mediapolis. 

Villa resident Bonnie Bickett, a starting forward in her senior year, remembers the moment she knew they would win. “At Vets Auditorium, there was a map with a light for every team in attendance. Lights would go out for teams that didn’t move on. Only Mediapolis and Farragut lights were blinking. I knew, in the final seconds of the game, that our light would not go out.”

Their light was shining again when the team was honored at this year’s championship game. “We were treated like queens, like the clock was turned back. We had our picture taken in the winner’s circle, we were interviewed and treated to brunch,” Bonnie said.  “Almost all of my family was able to attend. It was delightful.” 

In 1937, Bonnie’s mother was a part of the Farragut team and went to state where they got third. Her sister also went to state. But it was Bonnie’s team that won a championship, beating Mediapolis 67 to 60.  

The excitement of their championship kept them in the spotlight over the years. “It changed our lives,” Bonnie reflected. “Our coach, Leon Plummer, was amazing. He taught us more than just sports. It was fabulous.” 

After high school, Bonnie attended college in Cedar Falls. “Farragut is in the southwest corner of the state, and I came up here to UNI and people knew me. It was a big deal,” Bonnie said. 

She still maintains an active lifestyle. “I moved here just a year ago and I love it. A group of us played Crossnet® [four-square volleyball] in the pool over the winter and I’m anxiously awaiting pickleball season!”