RITTER THE NET-RIPPER SHOT HIS WAY INTO SE'S RECORD BOOK

People can only wonder how many points Carl Ritter would have scored if the 3-point shot had been in existence during his playing days.

Ritter, who scored the most points in Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball history, was that good a marksman.

As it is, the former Advance High School standout didn't need any extra help to set the Southeast career scoring record that has stood for nearly 40 years.

Ritter, featuring a silky-smooth outside shot and impressive all-around ability, pumped in 1,916 points during his brilliant college career from 1959-63. And that's not the only major school record he still holds.

Ritter is also first on the Southeast all-time list in career field goals (668), career free throws (580), season free throws (184) and free throws in one game (18). He shot well over 80 percent from the line during his collegiate playing days.

The 6-foot-2 Ritter earned All-American honors in both 1961 and 1963. In 1961, he helped lead the Indians to the championship game of the NCAA Small College Tournament, where the squad coached by Charles Parsley suffered a 42-38 loss to Wittenberg.

On Jan. 24, 1994, Ritter became the first Southeast basketball player to have his number retired. And, fittingly, following the ceremony Ritter stepped beyond the 3-point line and swished a shot in front of the big Show Me Center crowd.

Ritter's success didn't end with his playing days as he has been a longtime coach at Bell City High School, leading the school's basketball team to a third-place Class 1A state finish in 1981 and the volleyball squad to the Class 1A state championship in 1996.