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2021-22 Basketball Program Milestone Awards
On Friday, February 11, in iconic Harry Combes Gymnasium and on Lee Cabutti Court, Champaign Central High School hosted Big Twelve Conference foe, the Peoria Richwoods Knights. Following Senior Night activities, IBCA Board of Director Steve Allen presented current Maroons Coach Leconte Nix and Hall of Fame Coach Lee Cabutti – along with current and past Maroons players – with an IBCA 1500 School Victory plaque.
Since the 1904-05 season, Champaign High School and then Champaign Central High School have captured 58 district or regional titles, and have made 24 state tournament appearances earning 10 total trophies - three 4th place finishes, two 3rd places, 4 runners-up trophies and the 1946 State Championship. The Maroons currently stand at 1759 wins and counting!
Along with Coach Cabutti (Class of 1974) and Harry Combes (Class of 1973), the IBCA includes former University of Illinois Assistant and Champaign Central Coach Wayne McClain (Class of 2009)
Players who were inducted into the Hall of Fame are: Rod Fletcher (1973); Clyde Turner (1973); Ted Beach (1974); Jim Cottrell (1983); Jesse Clements (1995); and Don Hepler (1997)
In the Friends of Basketball Category, those inducted in the IBCA Hall of Fame include: Jack Waldron (1974); Millard Berry (1975); Seely Johnston (1979); George & Nina Miller (1981); and Dike Stirrett (2005).
Former Maroon Football Coach Tommy Stewart was inducted as a basketball official.
The 1945, 1946, and the 1947 teams, coached by Harry Combs, were inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to Coach LeConte Nix, his staff: PJ Keaton, Wesley Dee, and Brandon Jones, and all Maroon players, coaches and fans – past and present – on this great achievement!
Before a classic Three Rivers Conference battle with the Bureau Valley Storm, IBCA Board of Director Steve Allen presents a 1500 School Victory plaque to Kewanee Coach Matt Clark and his Boilermakers. Since the 1911-12 season, the Boilermakers have captured 47 district or regional titles, and have made 9 state tournament appearances with the 1932 team earning a 4th place finish. Kewanee currently sits at 1537 victories and counting.
IBCA Hall of Fame Coaches include: Frank Tocha - Class of 2003 – girls varsity coach from 1975-2002 and Chuck Blake – Class of 2004 who coached the Boilermaker girls from 2007 until 2017.
1980 graduate Kelle Lindbeck Oest will be inducted as a player in the IBCA Hall of Fame Class of 2022.
In the Friends of Basketball Category, Robert L Petersen was inducted in 1989.
Bob Westland of the Kewanee Star Courier was inducted in the Media category in 1988.
Congratulations to Coach Matt Clark and all Boilermakers players, coaches and fans – past and present – on this great achievement!
Preceding a non-conference game between Lockport Township High School and Joliet Central, IBCA Board of Director Steve Allen presented a 1500 School Victory plaque to Coach Brett Hespill and a host of former players and coaches. Since the 1907-08 season, the Porters have captured 29 district or regional titles, and have made 5 state tournament appearances earning 4th place trophies in 1973 and in 2008. Led by legendary coach Bob Basarich, the 1978 team captured the Class AA State Championship. The Porters now own 1612 all-time wins.
Coach Bob Basarich was inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame in 1979 and Coach Joe Dura, who was Coach Basarich’s assistant before taking the helm in 1988, was selected in 2015.
Interesting fact: Bolattino and Dura were assistants under Coach Basarich; Dura was an assistant under Bolattino; Thompson was an assistant under Basarich, Bolattino, and Dura; Hespell played and was an assistant under Thompson. Hespell succeeded Coach Thompson.
Players who were inducted into the Hall of Fame include: Jeff Hickman (1973) and Scott Parzych (1983). Alando Tucker, who is a LTHS grad – Class of 2002 - played at Wisconsin and in the NBA. Richaun Holmes graduated in 2011 and spent his collegiate career at Bowling Green and is currently playing in the NBA for the past 7 seasons.
In the Friends of Basketball Category, those inducted in the IBCA Hall of Fame include: Harry Anderson (1976); John & Lillian Stockbar (1977); Virginia & Norma Johnson (1977); Swen Nelson (1979); Robert & Marian Murphy (1982); James Stephenson (1985); Raymond & Ronald Pesavento (1995); and Helen & Floy Pelletier (1995)
The 1978 State Championship team was inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame in 1984.
Congratulates to Coach Brett Hespell and all Porters players, coaches and fans – past and present – on this great achievement!
Before a non-conference match-up between Washington Community and Streator High Schools, IBCA Board of Director Steve Allen presented Washington Athletic Director Herb Knoblauch, a 1500 School Victory plaque. Since the 1903-04 season, the Panthers have captured 21 district or regional titles, and have made 4 state tournament appearances earning a 2nd place trophy in 1909 and more recently, a 4th place finish in 2008 - coached by the late Kevin Brown. With the Panther victory over a very competitive Bulldog team – coached by former Washington player Beau Doty - WCHS now can stands at 1710 all-time wins.
An impressive list of coaches have graced the court at WCHS. Along with Coach Brown, (Class of 2018) notable former coaches who are also in the IBCA Hall of Fame include: Dick Van Scyoc (1974); Mel Roustio (1990); Chuck Buescher (2001); Steve Doty (2002) and Chuck Westendorf (2003)
Panther standouts Todd Foster and Doug Lee were inducted into the Hall of Fame as players in 2004.
In the Friends of Basketball Category, those inducted in the Hall of Fame include: Ed Bradle (1999); Ron Schroen (2007); Chuck Brunner (2008); Clint Reed (2008); and Mike Adams (2010).
Congratulates to Coach Eric Schermerhorn and all Panther players, coaches and fans – past and present – on this great achievement!
On Friday, January 7, before a Tri-County Conference match-up with the Lowpoint Washburn Wildcats, IBCA Board of Director Steve Allen presented Serena Varsity Coach Russell Witte and a host of current and past Fighting Irish players with a 1500 School Victory plaque. Serena surpassed that milestone earlier this season in their 100th year of playing excellent Illinois small school basketball.
Since the 1920-21 season, the Fighting Irish have captured 19 district or regional titles, and have made 3 state tournament appearances earning a 2nd place trophy in 1991, a 3rd place finish in 2005, and the Class A State Tournament Championship in 2006 – all coached by IBCA Hall of Famer, Doug Evans.
Along with Coach Evans – Class of 2006, former girls coach Rich Anderson was inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame in 2000.
Those inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame as players are: Mark Aubry – Class of 2007, Cindy Kaufman – Class of 1999, and this April, Kate Harty will be inducted into the Class of 2022.
The 2006 Boys Class A State Championship team as well as the Girls Class A State Championship team have also been inducted.
Congratulates to Coach Russell Witte and all Fighting Irish players, coaches and fans – past and present – on this great achievement!
On Friday, January 7, preceding a key Central Illinois Conference match-up with rival school St. Teresa Bulldogs, IBCA Past President and Hall of Fame Coach Ken Crawford presented Warrensburg-Lathan Varsity Coach Vic Binkley with a 1500 School Victory plaque. The Cardinals reached milestone #1500 on November 22 and at the same time Coach Binkley earned career victory #700.
Since the 1921-22 season, the Cardinals have captured 20 regional titles and have made 2 state tournament appearances earning 3rd place trophies in 2003 and again in 2008 - both coached by IBCA Hall of Famer Vic Binkley – Class of 2008. Along with numerous conference titles, holiday tournament crowns, and Macon County Tournament championships, Warrensburg-Latham High School can be included as one of the premier small school boys’ basketball programs in the state.
Two other Cardinal Coaches have been inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame: Boys Coach John Kiick in the Class of 1977 and Girls Coach Mike Snow in 2002.
Friends of Basketball that have been inducted include: James “Skip” Proctor – 1986; David Brown – 2017; Todd Yokley – 2018; Dean & Doris Cates – 2019; and Mike Patzwitz – 2019.
Congratulations to Coach Vic Binkley and all Cardinal players, coaches, and fans – past and present – on this great achievement!
On Wednesday, November 24, the Pinckneyville Panther boys basketball program reached the 2000 all-time victory milestone – only the 4th Illinois school to do so. Two weeks later, at historic Duster Thomas Gymnasium and Dick Corn Court, the Panther faithful, including a large number of former players, coaches, and other IBCA Hall of Famers, celebrated at a Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference tilt with Anna-Jonesboro.
Principal Tony Wilson, IBCA Hall of Fame and current Panther Coach Bob Wagner, and Hall of Fame Coach Dick Corn accept the 2000 victory game ball and the IBCA School Victory Plaque from IBCA Board of Director Steve Allen,
Since the 1916-17 season, the Panthers have captured an unprecedented 57 regional titles and 18 sectional crowns, and made 15 trips to the state tournament resulting in three 4th place finishes, four 3rd place trophies, one 2nd place finish, and three state championships. Without any doubt, Pinckneyville High School can be perceived as not only one of the premier boys’ basketball programs in Illinois, but in the nation.
Duster Thomas (1939-1957) earned 460 of those wins. Dick Corn (1976-2007) accounted for 706 victories. Current Coach Bob Waggoner (2008 – present) has won 335 games - and counting – thru the 2020-21 season.
Congratulates Coach Bob Waggoner and all Panther players, coaches and fans – past and present – on this great achievement!
Before a Little Illini Conference match-up with the Newton Eagles, IBCA Past President and Hall of Fame Coach Ken Crawford presented Robinson Varsity Coach Mack Thompson with a 1500 School Victory plaque.
Currently, Robinson High School has won 1527 games and counting. Since the 1912-13 season, the Maroons have captured 22 district or regional titles and made 7 state tournament appearances resulting in a 2nd place finish in 1916 and the Class 2A State Championship in 2010. Along with numerous conference championships as well as holiday tournament titles, RHS can be included as one of the premier boys basketball programs in the Central Illinois.
Robinson High School coaches who have been inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame include: Frank Hunsaker in 1978 and Jack Reeder in 2014.
Two players have been selected to the IBCA Hall of Fame - both in 1995: Robin McCarter and Michael Steele.
WTAY broadcaster Jerry Tye was selected in 1994 as a member of the media.
At this time, the IBCA congratulates Coach Mack Thompson and all Maroon players, coaches and fans – past and present – on this great achievement!
On Saturday, December 11, Quincy Notre Dame High School was presented a 1500 school victory plaque preceding their boys game with out-of-state rival Hannibal, Missouri. Athletic Director Bill Connell, IBCA Board of Director Steve Allen, and Tri-Captains: Blake Bozarth, Jake Hoyt, and Calvin Lavery, joined current Head Coach Kevin Meyer, and former Head Coach Scott Douglas, who had a hand in 360 of the 1508 total victories, for the pre-game ceremony.
Since the 1933-34 season, the Raiders have captured 32 regional titles and made 5 state tournament appearances resulting in 3rd place finishes in 1999 and 2004 and 4th place finishes in 1957 and 1974.
Incidentally, the very first victory for the program, Quincy College Academy at the time, came exactly 88 years ago on December 11, 1933, with a 34-19 win over Ursa.
QND coaches in the IBCA Hall of Fame include: Elmo “Mac” McClain (1978) and Girls Varsity Coach Eric Orne (2017)
QND boys’ players in the IBCA Hall of Fame are Bob Bender (1985), Mark (Marty) Bernbrock (2011), Dan Pieper (2020), and Bill Kurz (2018). QND girls’ players recently inducted are Susan Wellman and Jessica Stuckman both in the Class of 2019.
QND has the distinction of having two teams in the Hall of Fame - the 1983 & 1984 Class A Girls State Champions
Quincy media members of the IBCA Hall of Fame include: WTAD broadcaster Ron Kinscherf (2008) and WGEM broadcaster Eric Ervin (2019)
Congratulations to Coach Kevin Meyer and all Quincy Notre Dame Raiders – past and present – for their successful and historic boys basketball achievements!
On Friday, December 10, at the conclusion of their game with Urbana University High School, Tuscola High School celebrated their 1500th boys’ program victory with a presentation from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. Pictured above is Athletic Director Ryan Hornaday, IBCA Board of Director Steve Allen, Varsity Coach Justin Bozarth and members of the 2021-22 Tuscola Warriors. Since the 1907-08 season, the Warriors have captured 17 regional titles, 5 sectional crowns, and made the Class 1A Elite Eight in 1989 coached by Kerry Kincaid, who was in attendance. Also pictured are several former Warriors players and coaches representing every decade since the 1950’s.
Congratulations to Coach Justin Bozarth and the Tuscola Warriors – past and present – for their successful and historic boys basketball achievements!
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