Courtesy of Gary Palmer (Taken from a 1941 AHS Yearbook)
The History of Alsey High School
Alsey (population 246) is located in lower-western Illinois about 12 miles (as the crow flies) southwest of Jacksonville. Illinois Route 106 is the main roadway though Alsey. The At & St Railroad also winds its way through this south-central Scott County village. Branches of the Big Sandy Creek flow to the north side of town.
The history of Alsey and Alsey High School are in need of research from a local fan. Our estimation is that Alsey High School was probably established in some form by the late 1800s. We know that Alsey High served the town and the surrounding area into the late 1940s. We believe the year was 1949 that the residents of Alsey agreed to close their high school in favor of sending their children to neaby Winchester for their educational needs. Confirmation of this information is needed.
Alsey School Board of Directors – 1942
Courtesy of Gary Palmer
The Alsey High School building is still standing. Gary Palmer tells us that the section of the building on the left has a tavern in the basement. The main section of the building is used as a community center for the town of Alsey. The gymnasium, located on the far right of the photo, is still used for baskeball games.
Alsey High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late 1800s?
Year closed: 1949?
Consolidated to: Winchester High School
Alsey HS team nickname: “Red Devils”
AHS team colors: Red & White
School Fight Song: unavailable
Athletics
In our research of the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org) we are certain that Alsey High competed in boys basketball. We are very confident that baseball and track were offered as well. School team nickname, colors, fight song, team records, and coach’s names are all items being sought.
Boys Basketball
Four District Championships were the AHS basketball program’s hi-lites. Coach John Robinson led the AHS squads to three of those titles.
1932-33 White Hall District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to Kane 37-28
Jerseyville beat Murrayville in title game.
1933-34 Greenfield District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to Hettick 42-8
Jerseyville beat White Hall in title game
1934-35 Jacksonville District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to Winchester 35-19
Murrayville beat Jacksonville in title game
1935-36 Jacksonville District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to New Berlin 44-15
New Berlin beat Franklin in title game
1936-37 Greenfield District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to Rockbridge 33-23
Hillview beat Medora in title game
1937-38 Jacksonville District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed.
1st Rd lost to Franklin 26-25
Bluffs beat Pleasant Plains in title game
1938-39 23 – 5 Alsey District Champions Coach John Robinson
Semi-Final Beat Woodson 47-12
Title Game Beat Hillview 42-14
Virginia Regional Tournament
1st Rd lost to Ashland 34-25
Jacksonville beat Bluffs in title game.
1939-40 Chapin District Champions Coach John Robinson
Early Rd Scores Needed.
Title Game Beat Chapin 41-20
Virginia Regional Tournament
1st Rd lost to Virginia 24-23
Bluffs beat Jacksonville in title game
1940-41 18 – 11 Eldred District Touanment Coach John Robinson
1st Rd Beat Kane 49-28
Semi-Final lost to Eldred 36-32
Eldred beat Kampsville in title game
1941-42 23 – 9 Eldred District Champions Coach John Robinson
Tri-County Tourn. Champs
District Tourney Results:
Beat Grafton 36-34
Beat Eldred 33-18
Beat Hillview 25-24
Regional Tourney Results:
1st Rd lost to Roodhouse 56-37
White Hall beat Roodhouse in title game
Alsey High School District Champions – 1941-42
Submitted by Gary Palmer
1942-43 Milton District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Nebo 45-22
Nebo beat Milton in title game
1943-44 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1944-45 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.
1945-46 Milton District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to New Canton 34-25
Kinderhook beat Milton in title game
1946-47 Milton District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd lost to Pearl 58-38
Milton beat Pearl in title game
1947-48 Nebo District Champions Coach’s name & record needed
1st Rd Beat Nebo 45-29
Semi-Final Beat Pearl 63-43
Title Game Beat New Canton 61-48
Pittsfield Regional Tournament
1st Rd Beat Milton 44-42 (O/T)
**Semi-Final lost to Winchester 43-39
Pittsfield beat Winchester in title game
**Final game for the Alsey HS “Red Devils” varsity basketball team.
Track & Field
The team of 1941-42 brought home a 5th place finish from the Tri-County Track & Field Meet.
Track Team of 1941-42
Submitted by Gary Palmer
Alsey Grade School “Patrol”
Courtesy of Gary Palmer
Extra Curricular Activities
As the photo to the right of the Alsey Grade School “Patrol” team of 1942 shows, there were a lot of activities offered at Alsey schools. We have identified Jean Palmer Coleman standing in the front row of the photo standing to the left of the banner.
We are confident were many more activities offered at the school. Dances, clubs, and activities such as speech and band may also have been offered.
Need More Information
We are looking for more information regarding the many successes of the Alsey School System. We are especially interested in photos of the school building and great teams. You can e-mail the photos and information to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You may also write to us at:
