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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.
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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).