Regular Season

• The 1975-76 Wyandotte Bulldogs finished the regular season with a 12-6 record.

• The Bulldogs won only 2 of their first 5 games prior to the holiday break. 

• After the holiday break, the Bulldogs won 10 of their final 13 regular season games & the Kansas City Kansas League title.

• A key win late in the regular season was an 81-65 home victory over Missouri-side power, Raytown South Cardinals. 

 

Sub-state Tournament @ Shawnee Mission South High School

• In the Class 5A Substate semifinals, Wyandotte eliminated the Shawnee Mission West Vikings 69-49. 

  • The Bulldogs erupted in the 4th quarter with a 22-4 run to extend a 2-point 3rd quarter lead to a 20-point victory. 

  • The win was keyed by 19 points from John Wayne and 17 points each from Don Collins and Larry Drew.
     

• In the Substate final, Wyandotte defeated the host Shawnee Mission South Raiders 60-48.

  • Mike Marshall led the Bulldogs with 18 points, Larry Drew contributed 15 and John Wayne added 9.
     

• The win marked Wyandotte’s state record 40th Regional/Sub-State title.

 

State Tournament @ Kansas City Kansas Community College

• In 1976, for only the second time in KSHSAA basketball history, the state tournament was played in Kansas City.
   

• In each of the 3 games of the 1976 State Tournament, the Wyandotte Bulldogs ousted a Wichita high school with a 4th quarter rally.

  • In the quarterfinals, Wyandotte staged a late rally to defeat the Wichita Southeast Golden Buffaloes 58-49.

    • The Bulldogs overcame a two-point deficit after three quarters to notch the victory.

    • Sparked by 10 fourth-quarter points from Carl Smith, the Bulldogs took the lead for good on a basket by Smith with 3 minutes remaining.

    • Carl Smith led the balanced Bulldog scoring with 18 points. Mike Marshall added 13, Kevin Ross chipped in 9, and Larry Drew had 8.

    • The win catapulted the Bulldogs to their state record 31st Final Four.
       

  • In the semifinals before a crowd of 2,700, Wyandotte overcame a 9-point deficit going into the 4th quarter to edge the Wichita East Blue Aces 63-62.

    • John Wayne scored the winning basket on an assist from Larry Drew with 10 seconds remaining in the game.

    • Mike Marshall led the Bulldogs with 20 points, Larry Drew contributed 15, and Carl Smith added 9.
       

  • Before a capacity crowd of 4,500 in the state championship game, Wyandotte overcame a one-point deficit at the end of the 3rd quarter to oust the top-seeded Wichita Heights Falcons 58-54.

    • Wyandotte featured balanced scoring in the championship game with six players scoring between seven and twelve points. 

      • Carl Smith led with 12 points, Mike Marshall added 10, Larry Drew chipped in 9, Randy Wright and Don Collins each with 8, and John Wayne with 7.
         

  • Wichita Heights, led by All-State junior guard Darnell Valentine, entered the championship game with a 22-1 record and was ranked as the season-long #1 team in the state.
     

  • Returning to the state title game for the first time since 1971, the Bulldogs earned their 17th state crown and their first since 1970.