Members of the 1972-73 Dunkirk High School basketball team.

Mike Tramuta is 100 percent correct. The 1972-1973 Dunkirk High School basketball team he coached was unquestionably the best basketball team in school history.

Frankly, and no disrespect to the DHS state championship baseball team of the 1990s, Mike’s team was also the greatest team in the school’s storied athletic history. Their absence from a school sectional championship banner is an epic mistake of omission and shocking disgrace.

It’s one the booster club should quickly remedy before time claims the life of another team member.

In my 20-plus years as OBSERVER Sports Editor and 40-plus years as a county high school basketball official, no other team in memory comes even remotely close to the sheer athleticism of Mike’s team. The starting five –Jesse Thomas, Lewis Mack, Dave Szewjbka, Jack VandeVelde and Don Reilly — was singularly remarkable and the first three players off the bench – Dan Tramuta, Bo Moreland and Mike Dimmer – would have started and starred for any other team in the county. They were the original scary good team.

I will also argue to my last breath that Mike’s 20-1 team is the best team — in any sport — this county has ever produced.

And no, I’m not some deluded DHS grad, I went to Cardinal Mindszenty.

Mike’s team was so good it deserves its own banner. Step up, booster club. It’s been more than 50 years. Honor the GOAT — Greatest Of All Teams.

Bill Hammond is a Dunkirk resident.