By Saint Joseph Central Indians
The Hall of Fame was established in 2012 to recognize outstanding achievement by Central High School alumni and is the ultimate award presented to individuals, coaches and teams that have brought distinction and excellence to Central High School by their performance.
Mr. Brent Douglas – Class of ’81
While at Central Brent Douglas was a two sport athlete, playing football and basketball for the Indians from 1977-1981. Douglas was a tenacious competitor on the football field and basketball court. A three year letterwinner in football, Douglas started at quarterback and defensive end. His relentless effort earned him All-City honors (2 years), All-District, All-Metro and All-State.
When he hung up his cleats and laced up his basketball shoes he starred on the court for what many believe to be one of top teams to ever play at Central High School. The Howard Iba and Spartan award winner for Central Basketball was a participant in the Lions Club All Star game at the Civic Arena and named the St. Joseph Sports Club – Athlete of the Year. During his career he earned All-City (2 years), All-District, All-Metro and All-State.
After high school, Mr. Douglas was a walk-on at Kansas State University where he played basketball for 2 years for legendary coach Jack Hartman before pursuing his engineering degree. He currently owns his own engineering firm in Keller, Texas. He has been married to Julie Waris (St. Joseph) since 1992 (30 years) and they have two son’s, Noah (20) and Luke (17). He attributes his success to his incredible teammates and coaches, and to his best friend. He also gives a special shout out to Jeff White (Whitey), may he rest in peace, who was the greatest team manager to ever walk planet Earth.
Ms. Lisa Hughes – Class of ’86
While at Central Lisa Hughes was a 3 sport athlete in volleyball, basketball and track from 1982-1986. Hughes found her calling on the basketball court. Feared by her opponents, she was one of the most dominant players to ever play for the Central Lady Indians basketball team. Lisa earned All-City (3 years), All-District (2 years) and was a two time All-State selection following her junior and senior seasons. Hughes, a 1000 point scorer for CHS and the rebound record holder, dominated the glass at both ends of the court. She still ranks number 1 all time for rebounds in a game with 21 and number 1 all time for rebounds in a career with 855.
Following high school, Hughes attended Missouri Western State University where she played basketball from 1986-1990. Lisa was inducted into the Missouri Western Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. She holds, or held, numerous Griffon records. At the time she held career records for rebounds (1,002), field goals made (691), field goals attempted (1,498) and free throw attempts (570). She previously held records for most points scored (1,750) and free throws made (367).
Mr. Jack Perkins – Class of ’89
While at Central Jack Perkins starred on the football field and wrestling mat from 1985-1989. Perkins was arguably one of the toughest players to suit up for the Indians football team. Perkins was a two-way player as an offensive guard and linebacker on defense. The football sparkplug award winner held the record for tackles in a game with 17. He earned All-City (2 years) on Offense and Defense his senior year, All-District and All-State.
Perkins took that toughness to the wrestling mat. He was dominant in his weight class as a two-time All-City champion, finished 3rd at Districts in ‘88 and second in ‘89, earning All-State recognition his junior and senior year finishing 6th. Jack was also the freestyle state champion as a senior.
Mr. Brandon Pratt – Class of ’02
While at Central Brandon Pratt was a two sport athlete that also excelled on the wrestling mat and football field at Central High School from 1998-2002. He was a 3-year letter winner on the gridiron and a 4-year letter winner on the mat. Brandon Pratt is one of the most decorated wrestlers to wear a Central uniform. To this date you can find his name all over the Central wrestling record board. Pratt, a 2002 graduate, is currently 1st in career takedowns with 466, 1st in career match points with 1,314, 1st in career escapes with 134 and 2nd in career wins with 124. He earned All-City three times, All-Conference four times, All-District four times and All-State four times. He finished 4th in the State as a freshman, 4th as a sophomore and 4th as a senior, and captured a 3rd place finish his junior year.
From the mat to the football field Pratt was a fierce competitor. Brandon starred as a 3-year starter at quarterback. As two year captain, he earned All-City twice, was named to the All-News Press team twice and earned All-Conference two times. During his career, Pratt threw for 3,405 yards with 34 touchdowns and rushed for another 1,396 yards and 20 touchdowns. His senior season he was selected to the MOKAN All-Star game. Brandon went on to play two seasons for the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. As a two-year starter at safety the Bearcats finished as runners up for the National Championship. His senior season he earned all MIAA honors.
Pratt graduated from Northwest in 2006 and currently works as a commercial real estate lender. He is involved in various non-profit organizations including Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Marian Hope Center. Brandon and his wife, Colleen, live in Fairway, Kansas.
Mr. Phillip Harrison – Class of ’04
While at Central Phillip Harrison was an outstanding multi-sport athlete from 2000-2004. Harrison played football, wrestling and track and starred on the gridiron for the Indians. Phillip Harrison started at running back three years. As a sophomore he rushed for 879 yards and 7 touchdowns and had 14 receptions for 180 yards and one touchdown. His Junior year, he carried the rock 262 times for 1556 yards, scoring 20 touchdowns and picked up one touchdown on 11 receptions. During his Senior campaign, he rushed 285 times, picking up 6.6 yards per carry, for 1888 yards and 23 touchdowns. and 11 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. For his career he has 787 touches for 5,028 yards, 53 touchdowns and only 3 fumbles. Phil currently ranks 1st on the all-time career rushing and 2nd for a single season behind Hall of Fame running back John Deleon.
During Harrison’s three seasons he earned All-City 3 years, All Newspress 2 years, All News-press Gazette Offensive player of the year as a senior, KKWK All Regional Team, All Suburban Middle 8 All Conference 2 years, All-District 2 years, and was named to the All-State team twice, in 2002 and 2003. Phillip went on to play one year at Northwest.
Class of 2002 – Men’s Golf Team
The 2002 Central golf team began hitting the links together at junior clinics and the Missouri Western golf camps. As junior golfers they traveled together to various pro am events with St. Joseph Golf pro Mike Habermehl. By the time they got to high school, playing together was second nature.
They finished the 2002 season undefeated, winning the Truman Invitation, Richmond Invitational, Sedalia Smith Cotton Classic. They were Conference Champions, District Champions and the 2002 4A State Champions!
The 2002 State Champions:
Scottie Burnham earned All-Conference and All District 2 years.
Greg Diederich earned All-Conference all four years, Individual champion in 1999 and 2000, All-District 2001 and 2002
David Hinkle -top 10 individual finish 3 times
Clay Graves – earned All-Conference, All-District and All-State 2 years.
Matt Myers – Team Captain, medalist on multiple occasions, number 1 ranked golfer in Missouri as a senior, finished 2nd at 2002 State Championship, and honored as a High school All-American
Head Coach – Paul Athens. Coach Athens served only 1 year as the Head Golf coach at Central. He can always say he got out while on top and undefeated. Coach Athens also served as the Central Head basketball coach for 9 years and Athletic Director for 12 years. He is a 1973 graduate of Central and was inducted into the Central Hall of Fame as a player on the ‘73 baseball team in 2015.