Former Moberly Basketball Coach Leads High School Alma Mater to Show-Me Showdown

When the Union girls basketball team takes the floor Thursday night in their Class 5 Semifinal against West Plains, they will be led on the sideline by a former Moberly head coach. Pat Rapert served as the Moberly boys basketball head coach from 2001 to 2003. Since coaching at Moberly, Rapert has bounced around several schools including a two-year stint at Melbourne High School in Arkansas prior to taking the Union job. Rapert says he’s happy to be back in his hometown.

Rapert’s daughter, Reagan is a senior on this year’s Union squad. She leads the Lady Cats with 23.8 points per game. Reagan committed last year to continue her basketball career at Wofford College. Rapert says its been an extra benefit to coach his daughter in her final two years of high school.

In year two of the Rapert regime, the Lady Cats have compiled a record of 18-1 and reached their first Show-Me Showdown since 1980 where they finished fourth. Rapert says the Union community has rallied around his team.

While Union has been dominant on the floor this season, COVID-19 and weather have presented tough challenges for them off the floor.

In addition to being a former Moberly boys basketball coach, Rapert’s brother Darren currently serves as the Superintendent of Northeast R-IV School District in Cairo. Union’s semifinal against West Plains is scheduled to tipoff Thursday at 5 pm at JQH Arena in Springfield.