Bob Erdman and Rick Webb had last teamed for a sectional title game in Minnesota basketball on March 15, 1969. This was when the state was divided into eight regions for a one-class tournament.
Erdman was the 35-year-old coach at Alexander Ramsey, one of two high schools in the Roseville district. Webb was partnered with Tom Steiner in the Rams' dynamic senior backcourt.
Ramsey reached the Region 4 final against St. Paul Central. The Minutemen had a frontcourt of fluid 6-foot-4 players in Phil Webb, Russ Taylor and Dave Winfield, as well as ultra-quick guard Artie Carroll.
There were 12,500 people in Williams Arena on that Saturday night. Webb scored 24 and Steiner 18 as Ramsey pulled away for a 71-57 victory.
"Rick, Tom, our whole team was terrific that night," Erdman said. "Then, Steiner sprained his ankle in practice before the state tournament. He tried to go against Duluth [Central], but he couldn't move."
Duluth Central won 52-40 and would lose to Rochester John Marshall in the finals. Ramsey was 1-1 in consolation play.
Webb went to Gustavus Adolphus (Erdman's alma mater) and was an outstanding option quarterback. He became a successful restaurant owner. Erdman coached the boys and later girls in Roseville, with five years in between as the Gustavus coach.
Erdman is in the Minnesota Basketball Coaches and Gustavus halls of fame. He spent much of the 2000s watching his granddaughters and a grandson play high-level basketball.
