2000 Wins for Mt. Vernon Boys

On Friday, February 10, at half-time of a South Seven Conference match-up with Marion High School, IBCA Board of Director Steve Allen and former Teutopolis Coach and Hall of Famer Ken Crawford, presented a 2000 School Victory plaque to Mt. Vernon Superintendent Melanie Andrews. The Rams are just the fifth Illinois High School Boys basketball program to have surpassed the 2000 victory plateau, on Friday, January 20 vs. Carbondale High School.

 Since the 1905-1906 season, the Rams have captured an unmatched 59 district or regional titles, 17 sectional crowns, and made 11 trips to the state tournament resulting in one 4th place finish, one 3rd place trophy, and four state championships: 1920, 1948, 1949, and 1954. This accomplishment establishes Mt. Vernon as one of the elite and historical teams in Illinois basketball history.

Players who have been selected into the IBCA Hall of Fame include: Coleman Carrodine, Max Hooper, and Walt Moore in 1973; Kirk Walt, Jr. in 1974; Al Avant in 1976; Terry Gamber in 1982; Edward King in 1984; John Riley in 1986; Nate Hawthorne in 1992; Kurt Williams in 2006; and Danny Hester in 2019.

John Rackaway of the Mt. Vernon Register was inducted in the Media Category in 1973 and Roger Irvin was selected as a Friend of Basketball in 2007.

Notable Coaches who have graced the sidelines for the Rams include: Howard Ross – 194 victories (1922-1936); Stan Changnon – 230 victories and 2 state titles, (1944-1952); Harold Hutchins – 108 wins and 1 state title, (1953-1957); Lee Emery – 179 victories  (1986-1995); and all-time wins leader Doug Creel - 348 (1996-2006 & 2014-2020)

At this time, the IBCA congratulates Coach Tim Holloway and all Mt. Vernon Ram players, coaches and fans – past and present – on this great achievement!