Athletics
Highland St. Paul High School was a very competitive school in the realm of athletics. Boys basketball is covered quite nicely on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). The boys also had success in track and cross country. The ladies are mentioned in volleyball and track. The girls probably competed in basketball as well but are not mentioned.
Boys Basketball
The boys basketball team won three District titles and three Regional titles during their existence. Several twenty-games-won seasons highlighted the history of the St. Paul boys basketball program as well.
1932-33 Coach Elmer Gundlach
1933-35 Coach Fr. Bertman
1935-36 13 – 8 Coach Eddie Newlauer
1936-37 10 – 8 Coach Pete Neudeeker
1937-40 Coach Jim Ratchford
1940-41 Coach Victor Reichert
1941-42 19 – 9 Coach Victor Reichert
1942-43 14 – 9 Coach Victor Reichert
1943-44 Coach Victor Reichert
1944-45 12 – 11 Coach Victor Reichert
1945-48 Coach Fr. H.J. Knoedler
1948-49 16 – 11 Coach Fr. H.J. Knoedler
1949-51 Coach Fr. Ed Adamski
1951-52 14 – 11 Coach Fr. Ed Adamski
1952-53 19 – 8 Coach Fr. Luke Kelly
1953-54 20 – 6 Coach Fr. Luke Kelly
1954-56 Coach Fr. Luke Kelly
1956-57 Coach Richard Mason
1957-58 20 – 7 Coach Richard Mason
1958-59 18 – 9 Coach Richard Mason
1959-60 Coach Richard Mason
1960-61 17 – 7 Coach Richard Mason
1961-63 Coach Maurice Klingele
1963-64 22 – 6 District Champions Coach Maurice Klingele
1964-65 22 – 5 District Champions Coach Maurice Klingele
1965-67 Coach Robert Wutz
1967-68 16 – 10 Coach Mike Henning
1968-69 17 – 10 Coach Mike Henning
1969-70 Coach Byron Johnston
1970-71 20 – 7 District Champions Coach Byron Johnston
1971-72 25 – 3 Regional Champions Coach Jeff Carling
1972-73 23 – 4 Coach Jeff Carling
1973-74 19 – 9 Regional Champions Coach Don Litteken
1974-75 12 – 12 Coach Joe Klosterman
1975-76 Coach Joe Klosterman
1976-77 14 – 11 Coach Rick Moss
1977-78 20 – 7 Coach Rick Moss
1978-79 25 – 3 Regional Champions Coach Rick Moss
1979-82 Coach Mike Curran
1982-84 Coach Ron Stern
1984-85 14 – 14 Coach Ron Stern
1985-86 14 – 13 Coach Steve Lanxon
High Scorer:
The IHSA website lists Francis Coffey of St. Paul HS as having one of the highest scoring games in the history of Illinois High School basketball. Francis scored 63 points in a game against Bunker Hill in 1958 making his total the 28th highest in IHSA history (www.ihsa.org)!!
[28.] 63, Francis Coffey, Highland (St. Paul) vs. Bunker Hill, Jan. 24, 1958 (30 FG, 3 FT)
The following information was submitted regarding the Breese Mater Dei annual Christmas Classic and the St. Paul Vikings’ participation:
Highland (St. Paul)
Consolation champs 1972 and 1977
2nd place 1978 (lost to Nashville who went on to 3rd in state).
Team’s career record at MD tourney was 10-19.
1973 game between St. Paul and Greenville is tied for tourney record for Most Pts. in a game for two teams – 190
GHS 96 St. Paul 94.
All time top career scorers in MD tourney,
Dennis Luber (1977, 1978) 231 pts. That is 13th place all-time.
All-Tourney – 1972
Dan Koishor
All-Tourney – 1977 and 1978
Dennis Luber
Other Notable Roundball Athlete
Leo Buehler – Led Highland’s team during the late 1930s and early 1940s, and was honorable mention All-State in 1940-41.
Great Coach:
Highland St. Paul Coach Rick Moss (1977-79) was quite successful not only at Highland St. Paul, but also after leaving the school. Coach Moss is listed among the best basketball coaches in IHSA history in the following categories and as coaching at the following schools:
All-Time Wins
[88.] 464, Rick Moss, Centralia, Summit (Argo), Vandalia, Highland (St. Paul), 1976-2002 (464-123)
Highest Winning Percentage, Career
[11.] .789, Rick Moss, Highland (St. Paul), Vandalia, Argo (Summit), Centralia, 1976-2002 (464-123)
In addtion, Coach Moss served as an assistant coach at the University of Iowa.
Girls Volleyball
The lady netters won a Regional title of their own. Unfortunately this is the extent of the information currently available.
1984-85 Regional Champions
Boys Cross Country
One individual brought home an INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP for the St. Paul harriers. Mark Capelle accomplished this in 1977!!
1976 Mark Capelle 4TH Place
1977 Mark Capelle STATE CHAMPION!!
Boys Track & Field
Mark Capelle led the tracksters as well. Capelle won a total of FIVE individual medals including an INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in the 2 Mile Run in 1978!!
1975-76 Mark Capelle 1 Mile Run 2ND Place
1976-77 Mark Capelle 1 Mile Run 2ND Place
2 Mile Run 2ND Place
1977-78 Mark Capelle 1 Mile Run 3RD Place
2 Mile Run STATE CHAMPION!!
Girls Track & Field
Theresa Daiber brought home the only lady thinclad medal with an 8th Place finish in the discus in 1978!
1977-78 Theresa Daiber Discus 8TH Place
Need More Information
If you have any more information you can provide regarding Highland St. Paul High School please submit a Guest Commentary Form or a School Submission Form. We like to share photos of the great teams and coaches if possible. You can also e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write us at:
Illinois HS Glory Days
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