Crescent City (population 631) is located in upper-eastern Illinois in the center of Iroquois County. Crescent City sits about 20 miles south of Kankakee. U.S. Route 24 intersects with Illnois Route 49 on the city’s southwest side. An unnamed creek flows through the west side of town. The Toledo, Peoria, & Western Railroad follows U.S. Route 24 and travels through Crescent City from east to west.
“Crescent City is the largest settlement in Crescent and Iroquois Townships. Crescent City was incorporated January 9, 1885. Before incorporation, this area was served by a post office and a railroad station. Also, this area was served by churches of several denominations.
The town of Crescent City has been served by many businesses since its early days of existence. Businesses were started to fit the needs of the area people. Businesses included livery stables, lumber and grain services, ice service, blacksmith, harness makers, grocery stores, banks, taverns, hotel, service stations, telephone service, farm implement service, restaurants, and a tile and brick factory. This area’s main production is farming. Businesses involving farming became very important to the area. The tile and brick factory was also important due to the fact that the land in the Crescent City area had been swampy. Much draining tile had to be used to drain the land so it could be used for farming and living on.
The lives of many people are affected by schools and education. In 1870 Crescent City built a two story grade school building. In 1898 a new brick building was built.
Crescent-Iroquois High School Bldg
View from Southwest Side – 2012
In 1918 Crescent City High School was started. This was a two year school which expanded to a three year school in 1920. In 1940 a four year high school began, which is the present day Crescent-Iroquois High School District #252.
In 1946 Crescent Community Consolidated Grade School #275 was organized. Crescent City Grade School consolidated with rural schools to form the school. The rural schools of Columbia, Cleveland, Search, Kelly, Gilchrist, and Washington were included. Part of Woodworth, Prairie View, Schoon, Maple Grove, Liberty Lane, Benjamin, Hitchcock, Centennial, West, Blue Grove, and Prairie Center also combined with them.”
There is still a web address for Crescent-Iroquois High School. It can be found at
http://www.crescent.k12.il.us/cihshomepage2.htm . The enrollment of Crescent – Iroquois High School the final year of its existence was 68 students for grades 9 – 12. Crescent City-Iroquois High School closed at the end of the 2008-09 school year. Students of the area now have the option of attending high school in Cissna Park, Gilman (Iroquois West), or Watseka.
Crescent – Iroquois High School Quick Facts
Year created: 1940
Year deactivated: 2009
Consolidated to: Students attend high school in Cissna Park,
Gilman Iroquois West, or Watseka
C-I HS team nickname: “Golden Eagles” (boys)
“Golden Girls” (ladies)
C-I HS uniform colors: Purple & Gold
School Fight Song: unavailable
ATHLETICS
The Crescent – Iroquois Golden Eagles could shoot the round-ball! The boys and girls basketball programs excelled for many seasons, each reaching state finals competition. The girl’s volleyball program had some incredible success as well. Boys baseball also had some great seasons. The records listed below are from the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). We are also searching for the school fight song.
Brandon Fellows filled us in on this bit of information:
“Crescent-Iroquois High School was know as the Golden Eagles (Girls basketball as the Golden Girls) from the establishment of the school through the 1996-97 school year. In 1997-98, the school began co-operative sports with Cissna Park (when the ceased being the Red Devils also) and became a newly formed team CP-CI “Timberwolves” it is under this flag that the team reached the boy’s Elite 8 in 2003.”
Please contact us if you have any further information you would like to see added.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Four Regional titles, a Sectional Championship, a Super Sectional Championship, and a trip to the IHSA Class ‘A’ Elite 8 were among the many great seasons enjoyed by Crescent-Iroquois High School basketball fans. The Golden Eagle lore will live on for many years as the number of records listed after the season recrods will attest to.
1940-41 Postseason Scores Needed
1941-42 Postseason Scores Needed
1942-43 Postseason Scores Needed Coach H.W. Grace
1943-44 Postseason Scores Needed Coach H.W. Grace
1944-45 Crescent City District Tourney Coach H.W. Grace
Crescent City Scores Needed
Sheldon beat Chebanse in title game
1945-46 Postseason Scores Needed Coach Louis Sherman
1946-47 Postseason Scores Needed Coach Louis Sherman
1947-48 Postseason Scores Needed Coach Louis Sherman
1948-49 15 – 10 Clifton District Runner-UpCoach Louis Sherman
1956-57 8 – 14 Postseason Scores Needed Coach John Harry
1957-58 5 – 17 Postseason Scores Needed Coach Jack Haines
1958-59 11 – 7 Sheldon District Tournament Coach Jack Haines
1st Rd lost to Sheldon 38-20
Sheldon lost to Stockland in semi-final
Stockland lost to Wellington in title game
1959-60 9 – 15 Potomac District Tournament Coach John Dowling
1st Rd Beat Wellington 64-54
Semi-final lost to Sheldon 88-64
Sheldon beat Potomac in title game
1960-61 10 – 12 Postseason Scores Needed Coach John Dowling
1961-62 12 – 8Rankin District Runner-UpCoach John Dowling
1st Rd Beat Henning 50-36
Semi-final Beat Rankin 42-41
Title Game lost to Potomac 52-48
1962-63 10 – 14 Potomac District Tournament Coach John Dowling
1st Rd Beat Wellington 51-44
Semi-final lost to Potomac 81-56
Potomac beat Sheldon in title game
1963-64 11 – 14 Postseason Scores Needed Coach Allen Skelton
1964-65 10 – 13 Postseason Scores Needed Coach Allen Skelton
1965-66 14 – 11 Postseason Scores Needed Coach Brian Wick
1966-67 11 – 12 Postseason Scores Needed Coach Brian Wick
1967-68 10 – 12 Armstrong District Tournament Coach Brian Wick
1st Rd Beat Cissna Park 82-79
Semi-final lost to Sheldon 61-53
Sheldon lost to Armstrong in title game
1968-69 22 – 5Armstrong District Runner-UpCoach Brian Wick
1st Rd Beat Wellington
Semi-final Beat Armstrong 90-79
Title Game lost to Potomac 85-66
1969-70 12 – 13 Sheldon District Tournament Coach Barry Corban
1st Rd lost to Cissna Park 57-45
Cissna Park lost to Sheldon in title game
1970-71 12 – 12 Armstrong District Tournament Coach Tom Cirks
1st Rd lost to Sheldon 38-36
Sheldon lost to Cissna Park in title game
1971-72 16 – 9 Watseka Class A Regional Coach Tom Cirks
1st Rd lost to Cissna Park 60-52
Cissna Park lost to Watseka in title game
1972-73 13 – 13 Watseka Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Tom Cirks
1st Rd Beat Sheldon 51-46
Semi-final lost to Watseka 86-59
Watseka won regional, lost at
Danville Sectional Semi-final to Gibson City
1973-74 18 – 6 Watseka Class A Regional Coach Tom Posey
1st Rd Beat Donovan 68-40
Semi-finals lost to Cissna Park 78-62
Cissna Park lost to Watseka in title game
1974-75 18 – 8 Watseka Class A Regional Coach Tom Posey
1st Rd Beat Sheldon 84-45
Semi-finals lost to St. Anne 56-52
St. Anne lost to Watseka in title game
1975-76 19 – 7 Watseka Class A Regional Coach Tom Posey
1st Rd Beat Sheldon 66-49
Semi-finals lost to Watseka 77-59
Watseka won Regional & Danville Sectional, lost in Normal Super-Sectional to Bloomington Central Catholic
1976-77 29 – 2 IHSA CLASS ‘A’ ELITE 8 Coach Tom Posey
Watseka Regional Champions
1st Rd Beat Wellington 67-55
Semi-finals Beat Sheldon 73-51
Finals Beat Watseka 69-63
Danville Sectional Champions
Semi-final Beat Piper City Ford Central 77-63
Title Game Beat Hoopeston-East Lynn 58-56
Super-Sectional Champions
Crescent-Iroquois 42
Normal (University) 33
Elite 8 Finalist
Mt. Pulaski 72
Crescent-Iroquois 50
(Mt Pulaski finished 4TH)
.
1977-78 11 – 11 Clifton Class A Regional Coach Tom Posey
1st Rd Beat Clifton Central 64-59
Semi-finals lost to Watseka 70-59
Watseka won Regional, lost in Danville Sectional Semi-finals to Gibson City
1978-79 13 – 11 Watseka Class A Regional Coach Tom Posey
1st Rd lost to Watseka 84-45
Watseka won Regional & Bismarck Sectional, lost Normal Super-Sectional to Bloomington Central Catholic
1979-80 12 – 12 Watseka Class A Regional Coach Tom Posey
1st Rd lost to Sheldon 73-63
Sheldon lost Semi-finals to Kankakee McNamara
1980-81 22 – 5 Clifton Regional Runner-Up Coach Tom Posey
1st Rd Beat Donovan 59-47
Semi-finals Beat Clifton Central 71-59
Finals lost to Watseka 62-52
Watseka lost Hoopeston Sectional Semi-Finals to Fisher
1981-82 20 – 7 Watseka Regional Runner-Up Coach Tom Posey
1st Rd Beat Donovan 76-52
Semi-finals Beat Gilman 70-61
Finals lost to Watseka 54-52
Watseka lost Bismarck Sectional Semi-finals to Danville Schlarman
1982-83 25 – 3Watseka Regional ChampsCoach Tom Posey
Semi-finals Beat Clifton Central 72-60
Finals Beat Gilman 78-61
Watseka Sectional Runner-Up
Semi-final Beat Chatsworth 78-75 (O/T)
Title Game lost to Hoopeston-East Lynn 72-56
Hoopeston-East Lynn lost Pontiac Super-Sectional to Flanagan
1983-84 16 – 10Onarga Regional Runner-Up Coach Tom Posey
1st Rd Beat Clifton Central 51-41
Semi-finals Beat Watseka 56-51
Finals lost to Gilman Iroquois West 42-38
Gilman Iroquois West lost Watseka Sectional Semi-finals to Mahomet-Seymour
1984-85 17 – 9 Watseka Class A Regional Coach Tom Posey
1st Rd Beat Clifton Central 54-43
Semi-finals Beat Gilman Iroquois West 49-47
Finals lost to Watseka 62-37
Watseka lost Hoopeston Sectional Finals to Hoopeston-East Lynn
1985-86 23 – 2 Clifton Class A Regional Coach Tom Posey
1st Rd lost to Clifton Central 42-40
Clifton Central lost Semi-finals to Gilman Iroquois West
1986-87 25 – 3 Watseka Regional Runner-Up Coach Tom Posey
1st Rd Beat Milford 50-42
Semi-finals Beat Donovan 65-59
Finals lost to Watseka 55-54
Watseka won Hoopeston Sectional and Normal Super-Sectional, lost Elite Eight to Okawville
1987-88 24 – 4 Herscher Class A Regional Coach Tom Posey
1st Rd Beat Milford 60-42
Semi-finals lost to Herscher 70-61
Herscher lost Finals in Overtime to Watseka
1988-89 20 – 6 Clifton Class A Regional Coach Tom Posey
1st Rd lost to Donovan 67-58
Donovan lost Semi-finals to Herscher
1989-90 26 – 4 IHSA Regional ChampionsCoach Tom Posey
1st Rd Beat Milford 68-55
Semi-finals Beat Watseka 77-71
Finals Beat Clifton Central 70-56
IHSA Sectional Qualifier
Semi-finals Beat Oakwood 80-68
Finals lost to Fairbury Prairie Central 72-70
Fairbury Prairie Central won Super-Sectional, Elite Eight, State Semi-finals, lost State Championship to Trenton Wesclin
1990-91 23 – 2 Clifton Class A Regional Coach Tom Posey
Semi-Finals lost to Clifton Central 57-45
Clifton Central won Regional, lost Hoopeston Sectional Semi-finals to Armstrong-Potomac
1991-92 12 – 14 Watseka Class A Regional Coach Jeff Mandrell
1992-93 21 – 7Clifton Regional ChampionsCoach Jeff Mandrell
Semi-Final Beat Milford 51-50
Title Game Beat Sheldon 67-65
Mahomet-Seymour Sectional Qualifier
Semi-Final lost to Mahomet-Seymour 79-66
1993-94 18 – 8 Clifton Regional Runner-Up Coach Jeff Mandrell
Semi-finals Beat St. Anne 86-64
Finals lost to Watseka 58-51
Watseka won Watseka Sectional, lost Normal Super-Sectional to Eureka
1994-95 9 – 16 Watseka Class A Regional Coach Joe Hamilton
1st Rd lost to Donovan 72-52
Donovan lost Semi-finals to Watseka
1995-96 5 – 20 Clifton Class A Regional Coach Joe Hamilton
1st Rd lost to Clifton Central 67-59
Clifton Central lost Semi-finals to St. Anne
**1996-97 7 – 17 Watseka Class A Regional Coach Joe Hamilton
1st Rd Donovan (score needed)
**Final season as Crescent-Iroquois High School basketball program.
The following are listed on the IHSA website boys basketball record book. The number at the beginning of each category is the rank all-time among all people and teams who played basketball in IHSA history!!
What an incredible run by such a small but proud school!!
Most 3-Point Field Goals Made, Game, Team
(#1)21, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) vs. Piper City (Ford Central), Jan. 27, 1990 (21 of 46)
(#19) 16, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) vs. Cissna Park, Nov. 21, 1989 (16 of 29)
(#29) 15, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) vs. Rossville (R.-Alvin), Feb. 2, 1990 (15 of 27)
(#29) 15, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) vs. Momence, Feb. 26, 1990 (15 of 28)
Most Consecutive 3-Point Field Goals Made
(#2) 8, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) vs. Piper City (Ford Central), Jan. 27, 1990
Most 3-Point Field Goals Made, Game, Both Teams
(#1)30, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) (21) vs. Piper City (Ford Central) (9), Jan. 27, 1990
(#15) 23, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) (14) vs. Cullom (Tri-Point) (9), Dec. 1, 1990
(#26) 21, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) (15) vs. Momence (6), Feb. 26, 1990
(#26) 21, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) (14) vs. Hoopeston (H.-East Lynn) (7), Nov. 24, 1990
(#35) 20, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) (15) vs. Rossville (R.-Alvin) (5), Feb. 2, 1990
Most 3-Point Field Goals Attempted, Game, Team
(#14) 46, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) vs. Piper City (Ford Central), Jan. 24, 1990
(#42) 33, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) vs. Kankakee (McNamara), Jan. 30, 1990
Most 3-Point Field Goals Attempted, Game, Both Teams
(#1) 70, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) (46) vs. Piper City (Ford Central) (24), Jan. 24, 1990
(#30) 46, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) (25) vs. Cullom (Tri-Point) (21), Dec. 1, 1989
(#30) 46, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) (28) vs. St. Anne (18), Jan. 9, 1990
(#30) 46, Clifton (Central) (30) vs. Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) (16), Feb. 23, 1990
Highest 3-Point Field Goal Percentage, Game, Both Teams
(#9) .555 (15 of 27), Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) (7 of 13) vs. Springfield (Calvary) (8 of 14), Feb. 16, 1990
(#12) .512 (20 of 39), Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) (15 of 27) vs. Rossville (R.-Alvin) (5 of 12), Feb. 2, 1990
(#13) .510 (21 of 41), Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) (15 of 28) vs. Momence (6 of 13), Feb. 26, 1990
(#15) .500 (17 of 34), Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) (6 of 13) vs. Clifton (Central) (11 of 19), Jan. 20, 1990
Fewest Free Throws Attempted, Game, Team
(#1)0, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) vs. Gilman (Iroquois West), Mar. 8, 1984
Most Games 10+ Points / Career
(#36) 83, T.J. Posey, Crescent (C.-Iroquois), Fairbury (Prairie Central), 1988-92
Most Games 10+ Points / Season
(#25) 30, Lance Freeman, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois), 1989-90
Highest FG Pertentage/Career
(#5) .654, Steve Ekhoff, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois), 1989-91 (124 of 188, 55 games)
(#17) .615, Ron Wall, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois), 1987-90 (208 of 338, 69 games)
(#30) .576, Mike Duis, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois), 1986-89 (696 of 1208, 77 games)
Most 3-Point FGs Made/Career
(#8) 313, T.J. Posey, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois), Forest (Prairie Central), 1988-92 (14-115-85-99; 313 of 699)
(#20) 242, Lance Freeman, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois), 1987-90 (242 of 564)
Most 3-Point FGs Made/Season
(#20) 115, T. J. Posey, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois), 1989-90 (115 of 240)
(#25) 111, Lance Freeman, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois), 1989-90 (111 of 248)
Most 3-Point FGs Made/Game
(#42) 9, Lance Freeman, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) vs. Piper City (Ford Central), Jan. 27, 1990 (9 of 16)
(#42) 9, Lance Freeman, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) vs. Rossville (R.-Alvin), Feb. 2, 1990 (9 of 15)
(#9) 21, Thomas Posey, Crescent City (C.-Iroquois), 1979-91; Fairbury (Prairie Central), 1992-2000
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Golden Girls were not to be out done by their male counterparts. The girls won a total of EIGHT Regional titles, TWO Sectional titles, and even gained a final four appearance in the old two-class system!
1981-82 Regional Champions
1983-84 Coach Jim Egleton
1984-85 Regional Champions Coach Jim Egleton
1985-86 18 – 6 Regional Champions Coach Hanns Meyer
1986-87 17 – 4 Regional Champions Coach Hanns Meyer
The following are listed on the IHSA website girls basketball record book. The number at the beginning of each category is the rank all-time among all people and teams who played basketball in IHSA history!!
Phenomenal run by the Golden Girls and Coach Hanns Meyer!!
Most Rebounds / Game / Team
(#7) 70, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois) vs. Kankakee (McNamara), Jan. 11, 1988
Most Points / Season
(#40) 833, Karrie Redeker, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois), 1987-88
CLASS A: 2, Hanns Meyer, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois), 1992, Gilman (Iroquois West), 2003
Smallest Enrollment / State Finals Tournament
74, Crescent City (Crescent-Iroquois), 1992
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
The Golden Girls netters showed they could not only bounce the ball down, they could also bump it up. Incredible success continued in the gym during volleyball season for the Golden Girls. SEVEN Regional titles, FIVE Sectional titles, ONE Super-Sectional title, ONE Elite 8 appearance, and a District title highlighted the successes of the girls volleyball program.
1976-77 6 – 5 Coach Nita Benner
1977-78 8 – 7 Coach Nita Benner
1978-79 10 – 7 Coach Nita Benner
1979-80 14 – 2 Coach Nita Benner
1980-81 13 – 5 Coach Sue Knox
1981-82 16 – 3 District Champions Coach Nita Benner
1982-83 12 – 4 Coach Nita Benner
1983-84 7 – 12 Coach Shae Rosenberger
1984-85 9 – 9 Coach Sandy Wilken
1985-86 18 – 4 Coach Sandy Wilken
1986-87 16 – 6 Coach Evelyn Dorsey
1987-88 20 – 3 Coach Evelyn Dorsey
1989-90 IHSA Regional Champions
As the Cissna Park – Crescent City Iroquois Timberwolves:
Final season for the players of Crescent – Iroquois High School.
Crescent-Iroquois HS Baseball Field – 2012
Left click on photo for larger view.
BOYS BASEBALL
The Golden Eagles were very comfortable on the diamond as well. Three District Championships and two Regional Championships were earned. This is an incredible feat considering the enrollment difference in the teams in which Crescent – Iroquois competed against.
1940-41 District Champions
1941-42 District Champions
1943-44 District Champions
1975-76 District Champions
1989-90 Regional Champions
1990-91 Regional Champions
Need Your Help
There has to be a lot more to report and remember about Crescent – Iroquois High School. If you have any information regarding the many successes of Crescent – Iroquois High School, please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at:
