The 1993 Cordell High School state tournament finalist girls basketball team will be recognized at the home basketball game in Cordell on Friday, February 3rd, 2023 This team, coached by Joe Crabb and Greg Cox, had an impressive 27-3 record and was one of the most exciting teams to ever play at Cordell. Given the nickname, “Crabb’s Cardiac Kids” for the many times they won in the final seconds of games, this group was known for their mental toughness, determination, and heart. Team members included: Debi Burke, Erin Crabb, Amy Goodwin, Carla Hawkins, Holly Hurley, Racquel Jones, Paige Lindley, Jennifer Maddox, Lindsay Russ, Heather Self, Patricia Tsai, and Amber West.
Also honored that night will be the late Joe Crabb, one of the most successful girls basketball coaches in state history. Coach Crabb began his 27-year coaching career at Jones in 1968. He later coached at Deer Creek High School, Kingfisher High School, and Cordell High School. He served as head coach at Cordell from 1986 to 1995. During his career, Coach Crabb coached two state championship girls basketball teams, a state runner- up team, and led teams to the state tournament 13 times. He was named All-State Coach by the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches Association in 1974 and was selected to coach in the inaugural Oklahoma-Iowa Girls Basketball All-Star game in 1990. In November 1992, he was listed in USA Today as Oklahoma’s winningest girls basketball coach. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the University of Central Oklahoma Athletic Hall of Fame. Beloved by his players, Coach Crabb had a unique way of having fun while demanding per- formance at the highest level. He valued good sportsmanship and always expected his players to treat teammates, opponents, and officials with respect. Coach Crabb taught the love of the game, the work ethic required for success, and the importance of self-discipline and accountability both on and off the court.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is an excerpt from an article printed in the Beacon on March 10, 1993.
There may be a team with more speed, but there’s none with more courage. There may be a team with more strength of body, but there’s none with more strength of heart. There may be a team more exciting to watch- no, no, there’s never, ever and I will swear to this...never has a team been more exciting to watch.
The Cordell Lady Devil’s, also known as ‘Crabb’s Cardiac Kids’ defeated three opponents, all in the last few seconds of the game, to win the Area Consolation Championship and a berth to the Class 2A State Championship Tournament.
Excerpt from March 17, 1993: “The season was very satisfying,” said Coach Joe Crabb. “We played very exciting basketball. The games really showed the character of the kids. The girls gave a good account of themselves at the state tournament.” [The girls ultimately fell to Seiling, who went on to become the State Champions that year] Coach Crabb expressed his admiration for all the players on the team, saying “You don’t have groups like this very often, but when you do, you enjoy them.”
He also mentioned the off-court achievements of the girls on the team. “They’ve been overachievers not only on the basketball floor, but in other things,” he commented.
The Cordell team has a 3.8 grade point average and was named one of the top ten academic teams in Class 2A.