ROMA NELL SANDERS
Roma Nell Bullock Sanders graduated from Rector High School in 1952. Those who knew her at the time report that she was a versatile, talented, aggressive, and outstanding basketball player. The following is a brief summary of her playing days at Rector High:
HIGH SCHOOL CAREER--BASKETBALL
Lettered in 1950, 1951, and 1952. At that time, the women’s game was played on half-courts with guards only to play defense and forwards to only play offense. Forwards would be the scorers. Roma Nell was a very versatile player. She was an outstanding scorer and one of the best defensive players. She was known to be aggressive and a hustler. Though most games were low scoring, they were higher when she played on offense.
Scorebooks are not available from her playing days. Complete stats were not reported in news articles. However, the Clay County Democrat provided data on many of Roma Nells outstanding games.
ROMA NELL BULLOCK SANDERS’ KEY GAMES FOUND IN THE CLAY COUNTY DEMOCRAT
1950 – Rector 40 vs. Tech 20. Roma Nell scored 11 pts.
1951 - Rector 33 vs. Oak Grove 21. Roma Nell scored 9 pts.
1951 - Rector 31 vs. Marmaduke 15. Roma Nell scored 9 pts.
1951 - Rector 40 vs. Leachville 33. Roma Nell scored 21 pts.
1951 – Rector beats Greenway. Roma Nell scored 31 pts.
1951 – Rector 45 vs Piggott 25. Roma Nell scored 18 pts.
OTHER SCORING DATA
Roma Nell scored 20 pts. and helps beat Paragould, she scored 20 vs Piggott, then scored 30 pts. vs. Knobel in the Clay County tourney. In the next game she scored 20 against Piggott to help win the Clay County tournament. She scored 15 pts. vs. Senath. In 1952 at the District tournament she scored 23 pts. vs Monette. It was also reported that Roma Nell Bullock leads the team in scoring with 242 pts.
HONORS
Roma Nell was selected All-Clay County. The Clay County Democrat reported that she was the best all-around forward in the county. Roma Nell was named to the All-District team.
BULLOCK COACHED BY
Les McKeel 1948-49
Mary Jo Purcell 1949-50
Clyde Benson 1950-51, 1951-52
COMMENT BY DONALD RAY PRUETT- RHS SPORTS HALL OF FAMER Don was a member of the senior boys team in 1952, 1953, 1954 and had the opportunity to see Roma Nell’s talent and made the following comment: “Roma Nell was the most aggressive girl player that I ever saw play. She was more skillful than her teammates and many times practiced with the boys team and she would guard me. I would much rather have one of the boys guarding me than Roma Nell.”