4A STATE FINAL FOUR: 1979-2008 HOME
GROUP 3 1941-Present
| KANSAS BASKETBALL GROUP 3 (A-3A-4A) | |||||
| SF = Semi-Finalist - no third place game | |||||
This group starts with the creation of CLASS AA in 1941. Prior to that year there was only CLASS A and CLASS B. CLASS A was considered the large class and CLASS B was everybody else. In 1941 CLASS AA was established as the largest classification - CLASS A became a medium size school class - CLASS B was everybody else.
Directory for League Abbreviations
| AVCTL | Ark Valley/Chisholm Trail League |
| CKL | Central Kansas League |
| CPL | Central Prairie League |
| CVL | Cottonwood Valley League |
| EKL | Eastern Kansas League |
| GWCL | Greater Wichita City League |
| JCL | Jefferson County League |
| KCKL | Kansas City Kansas League |
| MSAA | Mid-States Athletic Association |
| NCAA | North Central Athletic Association |
| NCKL | North Central Kansas League |
| NWKL | Northwest Kansas League |
| R.E.N. | Rush-Ellis-Ness County League |
| SEKL | Southeast Kansas League |
| SKL | Southern Kansas League |
| WCKL | West Central Kansas League |
| WKEA | Western Kansas Educational Association |
Private School
^ VENUES: 1941, 1943, 1946, 1948-1950 SALINA-Memorial Hall
1954 SALINA HS Gym 1942 HAYS-Stewart Coliseum 1944, 1947 TOPEKA HS Gym
1945 EMPORIA-White Auditorium 1951 HUTCHINSON-Convention Hall 1952-1953 MANHATTAN-Ahearn Fieldhouse
1955-1968 HUTCHINSON-Sports Arena
| CLASS A : 1941-1968 ^ | |||||
| YEAR | PL | TEAM | W-L | COACH | LEAGUE |
| 1941 | 1 | Lyons | (20-3) | Harold Barb | CPL |
| 2 | Medicine Lodge | (21-5) | Paul Nye | SKL | |
| 3 | Norton | (19-4) | Oran Burns | NWKL | |
| 4 | Topeka-Seaman | (15-7) | Merle Crawford | JAYHAWK | |
| 1942 | 1 | Fredonia | (23-1) | Allen Burns | TRI-VALLEY |
| 2 | Augusta | (21-6) | Dave Shirk | INDEPENDENT | |
| 3 | Lyons | (20-5) | Harold Barb | CPL | |
| 4 | Russell | (19-5) | Harold Elliott | UNION PACIFIC | |
| 1943 | 1 | Augusta | (19-4) | Dave Shirk | INDEPENDENT |
| 2 | Anthony | (20-1) | Wayne Gardner | SKL | |
| SF | KC-Rosedale | (9-11) | Oscar Richards * | NEKL | |
| SF | Norton | (16-2) | Gerald Travis | NWKL | |
| * Richards inducted into miltary - Art Lawrence coached last 3 games | |||||
| 1944 | 1 | Hays | (20-1) | Art Leas * | UNION PACIFIC |
| 2 | Olathe | (18-6) | Barney Hayes | NEKL | |
| SF | Anthony | (19-2) | K.A. Piper | SKL | |
| SF | Wichita Cathedral | (17-6) | Fr. George Schmidt | INDEPENDENT | |
| * Leas inducted into military - Dennis McKee coached last 2 games | |||||
| 1945 | 1 | Anthony | (23-1) | K.A. Piper | SKL |
| 2 | KC-Turner | (18-4) | B.J. Ertz | EKL | |
| SF | Russell | (18-6) | Harold Elliott | UNION PACIFIC | |
| SF | Eureka | (17-3) | Dale Kessinger | TRI-VALLEY | |
| 1946 | 1 | Hoisington | (23-2) | Donald Zeiglar | CPL |
| 2 | Wamego | (24-1) | Claude Reynolds | JAYHAWK | |
| 3 | SA-Sacred Heart | (14-5) | Anthony Zamrsla | INDEPENDENT | |
| 4 | Pratt | (16-8) | Mark Pedigo | SWKL | |
| 1947 | 1 | Buhler | (26-1) | Verle Ohmart | MID-KANSAS |
| 2 | Beloit | (23-1) | Sid Smith | NCKL | |
| 3 | Russell | (23-4) | Harold Elliot | UNION PACIFIC | |
| 4 | LaCrosse | (17-8) | Bryce Roderick | R.E.N. | |
| 1948 | 1 | Buhler | (25-3) | Verle Ohmart | MID-KANSAS |
| 2 | Russell | (23-4) | Harold Elliott | UNION PACIFIC | |
| 3 | Beloit | (27-2) | Sid Smith | NCKL | |
| 4 | Abilene | (18-8) | Dave Shirk | CKL | |
| 1949 | 1 | Russell | (26-0) | Harold Elliott | SWKL |
| 2 | Buhler | (22-5) | A.D. Conner | MID-KANSAS | |
| 3 | Iola | (21-4) | Leo Burger | SEKL | |
| 4 | SA-Sacred Heart | (18-6) | Anthony Zamrzla | INDEPENDENT | |
| 1950 | 1 | Larned | (23-4) | Tom Buckley | WCKL |
| 2 | Olathe | (23-2) | J.F. Bennett | EKL | |
| 3 | Medicine Lodge | (21-5) | Roy Jeffries | SKL | |
| 4 | Cherryvale | (22-4) | Oren Ison | TRI-VALLEY | |
| 1951 | 1 | Norton | (23-1) | Oran Burns | NWKL |
| 2 | Abilene | (14-9) | Dave Shirk | CKL | |
| 3 | Hugoton | (17-6) | Cliff Binns | CIM-ARK | |
| 4 | Russell | (20-6) | Amos Morris | WCKL | |
| 1952 | 1 | Russell | (24-2) | Amos Morris | WCKL |
| 2 | Augusta | (24-1) | John Hunter | INDEPENDENT | |
| SF | Norton | (20-4) | Gene Ward | NWKL | |
| SF | Abilene | (16-9) | Dave Shirk | CKL | |
| 1953 | 1 | Russell | (22-5) | Amos Morris | WCKL |
| 2 | Kingman | (26-1) | H.K. Stevens | SKL | |
| SF | Chapman | (19-8) | Dale Relihan | CKL | |
| SF | Buhler | (17-8) | Harold Balzer | MID-KANSAS | |
| 1954 | 1 | SA-Sacred Heart | (24-3) | Tony Zamrzla | INDEPENDENT |
| 2 | Pratt | (25-1) | Bill Lobdell | WCKL | |
| 3 | Topeka-Hayden | (23-5) | Ken Bueltel | JAYHAWK | |
| 4 | Russell | (21-6) | Amos Morris | WCKL | |
| 1955 | 1 | Russell | (24-2) | Amos Morris | WCKL |
| 2 | Lindsborg | (18-6) | Fred Willson | CPL | |
| 3 | Augusta | (19-7) | John Hunter | INDEPENDENT | |
| 4 | Caldwell | (17-7) | Tom Lester | CKL | |
| 1956 | 1 | KC-Rosedale | (25-1) | Bill Heitholt | EKL |
| 2 | Haskell | (22-5) | Tony Coffin | JAYHAWK | |
| 3 | Russell | (18-8) | Amos Morris | WCKL | |
| 4 | Fredonia | (20-3) | Max Wilson | TRI-VALLEY | |
| 1957 | 1 | Clay Center | (18-8) | Lyle Rutter | CKL |
| 2 | Ellinwood | (19-6) | Bob Robbins | CPL | |
| 3 | Goodland | (22-3) | Bryce Stallard | NWKL | |
| 4 | Girard | (18-6) | Frank Jameson | INDEPENDENT | |
| 1958 | 1 | Scott City | (24-2) | Jim Tangeman | WKEA |
| 2 | Sterling | (20-5) | Ora Shields | CPL | |
| 3 | Russell | (22-3) | Amos Morris | WCKL | |
| 4 | Pratt | (21-6) | Don Frantz | WCKL | |
| 1959 | 1 | Goodland | (25-0) | Max Hayes | NWKL |
| 2 | Russell | (22-3) | Amos Morris | WCKL | |
| 3 | Haven | (24-3) | Dave Wright | MID-KANSAS | |
| 4 | Osage City | (22-4) | Bob Burd | JAYHAWK | |
| 1960 | 1 | Topeka-WR | (25-1) | Bryce Stallard | JAYHAWK |
| 2 | Scott City | (23-2) | Jim Tangeman | WKEA | |
| 3 | Russell | (23-2) | Amos Morris | WCKL | |
| 4 | Lindsborg | (21-4) | Dave Anderson | CPL | |
| 1961 | 1 | Chapman | (18-8) | Dale Relihan | CKL |
| 2 | Clay Center | (18-7) | Lyle Rutter | CKL | |
| 3 | Ulysses | (18-9) | Gerald Raines | OKLA-KAN | |
| 4 | Sterling | (21-5) | Ora Shields | CPL | |
| 1962 | 1 | LV-Immaculata | (26-0) | Joe Brown | INDEPENDENT |
| 2 | Pitt-St. Mary's | (23-2) | Frank Crespino | MINERAL BELT | |
| 3 | Colby | (22-3) | John Wolfe | NWKL | |
| 4 | Lost Springs-Cen | (21-5) | Lawrence Lowrey | CVL | |
| 1963 | 1 | Russell | (21-3) | Amos Morris | WCKL |
| 2 | Goodland | (19-5) | Bill Huntzinger | NWKL | |
| 3 | Neodesha | (21-3) | Gerald Hutchison | TRI-VALLEY | |
| 4 | Buhler | (17-7) | Bud Moeckel | MID-KANSAS | |
| 1964 | 1 | Buhler | (21-3) | Bud Moeckel | MID-KANSAS |
| 2 | Humboldt | (22-1) | Ed Hankins | TRI-VALLEY | |
| 3 | Beloit | (21-2) | Gene Keady | NCKL | |
| 4 | Haven | (21-4) | Dave Wright | MID-KANSAS | |
| 1965 | 1 | Chapman | (22-2) | Wendell Stull | CKL |
| 2 | Larned | (19-4) | Marvin Webster | WCKL | |
| 3 | Wamego | (20-5) | Paul Markham | BIG 6 | |
| 4 | Goodland | (19-5) | Bill Huntzinger | NWKL | |
| 1966 | 1 | Marysville | (24-1) | Clarence Norris | NCKL |
| 2 | Tecumseh-SH | (18-7) | Ed Delk | CENTENNIAL | |
| 3 | Valley Center | (17-8) | Alan Whetzel | CHISHOLM TRAIL | |
| 4 | Lyons | (21-2) | Jack Kater | CPL | |
| 1967 | 1 | Buhler | (22-2) | Bud Moeckel | MID-KANSAS |
| 2 | Clay Center | (20-4) | Bob Knight | CKL | |
| 3 | Hoxie | (22-1) | Don Griffin | NWKL | |
| 4 | Tonganoxie | (22-3) | Jerry McPherson | BIG 7 | |
| 1968 | 1 | Wamego | (25-0) | Paul Markham | NCKL |
| 2 | Larned | (17-6) | Marvin Webster | WCKL | |
| 3 | Garnett | (18-4) | Ray Meyer | TRI-VALLEY | |
| 4 | Colby | (19-4) | Neil DeWerff | NWKL | |
^ 1969 and 1975-1978 played at the Hutchinson Sports Arena, 1970 played at Salina HS Gym, 1971-1974 played at White Auditorium in Emporia.
| CLASS 3A : 1969-1978 ^ | |||||
| 1969 | 1 | Atchison | (20-3) | Jerry Baumgardner | CENTENNIAL |
| 2 | Colby | (23-1) | Neil DeWerff | NWKL | |
| 3 | Augusta | (19-6) | Armand Hillier | CHISHOLM TRAIL | |
| 4 | Osawatomie | (17-7) | Chick Heckart | PIONEER | |
| 1970 | 1 | Colby | (25-0) | Neil DeWerff | NWKL |
| 2 | Russell | (18-6) | Bob Frederick | WCKL | |
| 3 | Atchison | (19-5) | Jerry Baumgardner | CENTENNIAL | |
| 4 | Kingman | (18-7) | Don Ward | SKL | |
| 1971 | 1 | Ottawa | (19-6) | H.K. Stevens | EKL |
| 2 | Augusta | (20-5) | Armand Hillier | CHISHOLM TRAIL | |
| 3 | Parsons | (17-8) | Nick Devine | SEKL | |
| 4 | Hays-TMP | (14-11) | Al Billinger | INDEPENDENT | |
| 1972 | 1 | Chapman | (16-8) | John Sanborn | NCKL |
| 2 | Topeka-Hayden | (18-7) | Ken Bueltel | CENTENNIAL | |
| 3 | Hays-TMP | (20-5) | Al Billinger | INDEPENDENT | |
| 4 | Phillipsburg | (22-2) | Charles Newlin | MID-CONTINENT | |
| 1973 | 1 | Parsons | (20-5) | Nick Devine | SEKL |
| 2 | Tecumseh-SH | (21-4) | Ellis Dahl | BIG 7 | |
| 3 | Phillipsburg | (22-2) | Chuck Newlin | MID-CONTINENT | |
| 4 | Buhler | (20-4) | Glenn Geyer | MID-KANSAS | |
| 1974 | 1 | Winfield | (15-9) | Ray Nichols | ARK VALLEY |
| 2 | Goddard | (23-1) | Paul LaBrue | CHISHOLM TRAIL | |
| 3 | Bonner Springs | (20-4) | Ed Nealy | EKL | |
| 4 | Parsons | (17-8) | Nick Devine | SEKL | |
| 1975 | 1 | Parsons | (19-6) | Nick Divine | SEKL |
| 2 | Hays-TMP | (17-8) | Al Billinger | MSAA | |
| 3 | Atchison | (10-15) | Chic Downing | CENTENNIAL | |
| 4 | Gardner | (19-5) | Ralph Snavely | PIONEER | |
| 1976 | 1 | Atchison | (18-9) | Chic Downing | CENTENNIAL |
| 2 | Russell | (18-7) | Kay Shank | MSAA | |
| 3 | Wichita-Kapaun | (18-7) | Jim Rheem | GWCL | |
| 4 | Bonner Springs | (15-10) | Ed Nealy | EKL | |
| 1977 | 1 | Fort Scott | (22-2) | Gary Key | SEKL |
| 2 | Topeka-WR | (13-12) | Larry Longhofer | CENTENNIAL | |
| 3 | Wichita-Kapaun | (16-9) | Jim Rheem | GWCL | |
| 4 | El Dorado | (18-7) | Tom Kinder | ARK VALLEY | |
| 1978 | 1 | Wichita Kapaun | (21-4) | Jim Rheem | GWCL |
| 2 | KC-Ward | (15-10) | Doug Bruce | KCKL | |
| 3 | Clearwater | (21-3) | Frank Devlin | MID-AMERICA | |
| 4 | Topeka-Hayden | (11-15) | Neil Bartley | CENTENNIAL | |
^ 1979 Played at Junction City High School - All others were played at the Bicentennial Center in Salina
| CLASS 4A : 1979-PRESENT ^ | |||||
| 1979 | 1 | Russell | (23-2) | Kay Shank | MSAA |
| 2 | Scott City | (21-3) | Lee Gillen | WKEA | |
| 3 | Holton | (23-1) | Duane Bissitt | BIG 7 | |
| 4 | Louisburg | (22-3) | Rick O'Neil | JAYHAWK II | |
| 1980 | 1 | Kingman | (23-2) | Don Jones | CHISOLM TRAIL |
| 2 | Perry-Lecompton | (22-3) | Floyd Morgison | JCL | |
| 3 | Council Grove | (21-4) | John Schwalm | CVL | |
| 4 | Iola | (18-7) | David Roe | SEKL | |
| 1981 | 1 | SA-Sacred Heart | (23-2) | Bob Mannenbach | NCAA |
| 2 | Pratt | (19-5) | Al Schoen | MSAA | |
| 3 | Nickerson | (21-4) | Duane Osborne | MSAA | |
| 4 | Hays-TMP | (21-3) | Al Billinger | MSAA | |
| 1982 | 1 | Topeka-Hayden | (22-3) | Ben Meseke | CENTENNIAL |
| 2 | Pratt | (22-3) | Al Schoen | MSAA | |
| 3 | Chapman | (16-9) | John Sanborn | NCKL | |
| 4 | Rose Hill | (18-7) | Lloyd Liby | CHISOLM TRAIL | |
| 1983 | 1 | Topeka-Hayden | (25-0) | Ben Meseke | CENTENNIAL |
| 2 | Atchison | (22-3) | Chic Downing | INDEPENDENT | |
| 3 | Hays-TMP | (20-5) | Al Billinger | MSAA | |
| 4 | Pratt | (20-5) | Al Schoen | MSAA | |
| 1984 | 1 | Mulvane | (24-2) | Charles Mason | CHISHOLM TRAIL |
| 2 | Topeka-Hayden | (12-14) | Ben Meseke | CENTENNIAL | |
| 3 | Colby | (19-5) | Tom Bowen | NWKL | |
| 4 | Tonganoxie | (19-7) | Ken Diskin | KAW VALLEY | |
| 1985 | 1 | Atchison | (21-2) | Chic Downing | INDEPENDENT |
| 2 | Paola | (21-5) | Jim Branine | FRONTIER | |
| 3 | Hays-TMP | (19-7) | Al Billinger | MSAA | |
| 4 | Haven | (22-4) | Mike Fast | CHISHOLM TRAIL | |
| 1986 | 1 | Atchison | (22-2) | Chic Downing | INDEPENDENT |
| 2 | Pratt | (20-5) | Al Schoen | MSAA | |
| 3 | Abilene | (20-6) | Scott Stein | NCKL | |
| 4 | Goodland | (21-5) | Don Smith | NWKL | |
| 1987 | 1 | Topeka-Hayden | (18-8) | Ben Meseke | CENTENNIAL |
| 2 | Atchison | (23-3) | Chic Downing | INDEPENDENT | |
| 3 | Mulvane | (20-6) | Charles Mason | CHISHOLM TRAIL | |
| 4 | Abilene | (22-4) | Scott Stein | NCKL | |
| 1988 | 1 | Atchison | (25-1) | Chic Downing | INDEPENDENT |
| 2 | Abilene | (25-1) | Scott Stein | NCKL | |
| 3 | Topeka-Hayden | (16-10) | Ben Meseke | CENTENNIAL | |
| 4 | Haven | (23-1) | Mike Fast | CKL | |