Facebook App
The overwhelming majority of the best teams, best players and best coaches in the history of high school basketball in Illinois came from the 1960s and 1970s and 1980s, it says here. And when you examine the record books and scrapbooks, the evidence is compelling and convincing. But there's always room for an argument.
Many who responded to my initial blog about the most successful large-school programs in recent state history noted that the game was better in yesteryear, before the influence of summer leagues and AAU competition turned a team game into an ego trip or, as retired Simeon coach Bob Hambric described, "individualizing."
Here is a look at some of the other great programs and the players who made them great:
Thornton: LaMarr Thomas, Jim Ard, Melvin Ely, Lloyd Batts, Tracy Webster. But Thornton probably has produced more great players than any other program, from Lou Boudreau in the 1930s to Reggie Smith in 2009. While most programs, even Quincy and Galesburg, have experienced down periods, Thornton has had only five losing seasons in the last 60 years.
Du Sable: Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, Paxton Lumpkin, Sweet Charlie Brown, Maurice "Mo" Cheeks, Shellie McMillon.
Marshall: George Wilson, Rich Bradshaw, Joe Stiffend, Patrick Beverley, Darius Smith.
Farragut: Kevin Garnett, Ronnie Fields, Billy Lewis, Sonny Parker, Michael Wright.
Westinghouse: Mark Aguirre, Eddie Johnson, Hersey Hawkins, Kiwane Garris, Cedrick Banks.
St. Joseph: Isiah Thomas, Evan Turner, Deryl Cunningham, Tony Freeman, Daryl Thomas.
Centralia: Dike Eddleman, Bobby Joe Mason, Dickie Garrett, Ricky Garrett, Herb Williams.
Galesburg: Bumpy Nixon, Dale Kelley, Mike Owens, Doug Mills, Joey Range.
West Aurora: Bill Small, Kenny Battle, Matt Hicks, Billy Taylor, Jay Bryant.
Crane: Sherron Collins, James Jackson, Jim Robinson, Eugene Ford, Ken Colliers Norman.
Bloom: Homer Thurman, Raymond McCoy, Mike McCoy, Brandon Cole, Audie Matthews.
Dunbar: Ronnie Lester, Billy Harris, Bernie Mills, Alpha Saunders, Mel Davis.
Carver: Cazzie Russell, Pete Cunningham, Joe Allen, Tim Hardaway, Terry Cummings.
Cell Phone Alerts
Mr. Bell,
As a Knox College (Galesburg,IL), I feel that my good friend and all-time Galesburg scorer (I'm pretty sure) most certainly should have been on that five. Unfortunately for Mark, he played on teams without much other talent.
After Mark graduated from Galesburg High, he went on to Knox College and replaced me as Knox College's contribution to the Midwest Conference's 1st Team, but unfortunately was not able to help Knox repeat as Midwest Conference South Division Champs.
Enough about me. Byron Thiery was also a great player at Galesburg High.
Carver Ken maxey-Raymond Price dunbar Kendell Mayfield Dunbar who played for knicks-Dan Davis Crane, Mel Reddick Morgan Park Terry Hurley Stiemetz outstanding scorer
How could you leave out:
Lawrenceville: Dennis Shidler, Jay Shidler, Doug Novsek, Marty Simmons, Ron Felton
Benton: Danny Johnson, Rich Yunkus, Doug Collins, Rob Dunbar, Billy Smith, Rich Herrin
There are some memories and names being mentioned by you and your readers. Surprised noboy mentioned any Decatur teams. They had some pretty good players and teams over the years. It's fun!
I had been told of an article written some years back about the Crane High Basketball team of 1968.Crane finished third in state competetion. I believe the article may heve been titled "Where are they now" It was an overall impressive team. Several players were 1st team, 2nd team and honorable mention. It would great to read that article. Some ahve died and others have done well.
Taylor,
As a former Crane coach I believe you missed oneof their all time greats---Jerome (Hook) Freeman. He was as good a guard as any in the state. He led the 1968 Cougars to
Crane'S only State tourney trophy (third place). He led
the tournament in scoring. He was a leader . Jerome played two years at Hawaii and led them to the NCAA tourney.He played pro ball in Japan.Other Crane Cougars
who could be on that list are Clarence Wordlaw(Iowa),
Dan Davis (Northwestern), Tom Bush(Drake).and Albert
Davis(Hawaii).
I am currently playing in the 50 & over basketball league on Monday nights at Washington Park on 55th & King Dr. As a little kid on the Southside of Chicago, I always heard about this hip dude who came on the Chicago schoolyard courts years before me by the name of Sweet Charlie Brown. They said whenever he would shoot a shot, he would say "sweet" & the ball would swish through the nets. Now I have the privilige of playing in the league sponsered by this living legend. Charlie is kinda old now, but his mind is just as sharp as anyone's. It is amazing that this man who provided so much history to the Chicago basketball scene is just walking around being an average guy. I told Charlie he needs to write a book in his own words. When I ask him about old-time legends, Charlie says "if he's old, I played with him!" Somebody needs to get ahold of this famous man & help him to make that real...how much interesting information & historical perspectives & knowledge this man posseses would be phenominal on paper.
I agree with coach Ken Olsen. Jerome "Captain Hook" Freeman was by far the best point guard in the history of Crane during the mid to late 60s. How do I know? Because I was there! With the floor leadership of Freeman, Crane came back to beat both DuSable (with Kevin Porter) and Marshall in the 1968 city playoffs at DePaul Alumni Hall.
You mentioned Sherron Collins in your post, but how could you eliminate Will "The Thrill" Bynum? I think surveys should be taken from individuals who are "know" about Chicago Prep Basketball rather than those who "speculate."
DuSable also had a player before Mo Cheeks named Kevin Porter who player for the old Baltimore Bullets for a few years. I believe he owned the NBA assist record for a few years. Do you have any info on him?