Malta High School “Mustangs”

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Malta High School 1965 – 2000
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Currently known as Wright Elementary School
Malta HS Building 1937 – 1965
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Photo Taken in 2008 – Now a Private Residence

The History of Malta High School

Malta (population 1,143) is located in northern Illinois in west-central DeKalb County.  Malta sits quietly on Illinois Route 38 about 4 miles west of the outskirts of DeKalb.  The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad runs through the center of Malta. The town of Malta was originally named Milton, and was renamed Etna, and then renamed Malta after the Galena Railway station that served the village. Malta is named after the island of Malta located in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and Africa. Initially, it was formed from a portion of DeKalb Township in 1856 and was named Etna Township. The name was changed to Malta Township in 1858. 

Malta’s educational system began in 1857, just one year after the first settlers arrived, with the construction of a frame school building.  In 1873 a new 2-story frame building (see photo below) was erected on the same site to accommodate the growing number of children. The building was a 4-room school and employed four teachers. High school courses began with a one-year course of study with a second and third year soon added. A frame school addition was completed to this structure in approximately 1914. It is not stated the exact year however eventually a 4th year of high school was added. Due to an increase in children attending a new, more modern brick school building was erected across the street in 1937. This building had separate entrances for the high school and grade school students. A brick addition, which included more classrooms and a modern cafeteria, was constructed on the south end of the 1937 building in 1955.

Continued increases of school enrollment led to a new, more modern school being constructed on the east edge of town on Il. Rt. 38. This school would house children in grades 7-12 while the 1937 building would continue to host the elementary school for grades K-6. Construction on the new building began in 1964 however the building was not ready to be occupied until January of 1965. 

This arrangement served the community of Malta for the next 35 years. In 1999 concerns arose regarding dwindling enrollment and finances. It was decided that 1999-00 would be the final school year for the Malta Township School District. The decision was made to be annexed into the DeKalb School District. The 1937 Malta brick school building continued to serve as an elementary school for the DeKalb District until it was determined that this building would no longer be used as part of the DeKalb system. This school was closed after the 2011-12 school year. The 1965 high school building on Route 38 continues to be utilized as an elementary school for the DeKalb School District as of 2025. 

Malta School Building Inscription
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The 1937 brick building has a wonderful and happy continuation of usage. In 2012 the building was sold to a private citizen, Josh Holbrook, for approximately $38,000. Holbrook turned the building into a private dwelling for his family. The 1955 cafeteria addition was made into a restaurant appropriately named “OLD SCHOOL PIZZA.” The restaurant not only is located in an “old school” but is also packed with nostalgic memorabilia from the 1930s through the 1990s. Frankenstein, Colonel Sanders, Marilyn Monroe, Pee Wee Herman, Hulk Hogan, and many, many other items of interest can be viewed on display in the restaurant. There are also “old school” video games that can be played for quarter. The pizza is delicious. This is a must visit destination for those who enjoy old schools and fun memorabilia.

Many photos of Malta and the schools that once served the town are available at the bottom of this page. Photos include those of the classic, well preserved gymnasium in the 1937 building. The gym will soon become a part of the Old School Pizza Restaurant. Photos of the inside of the restaurant are also available below.

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Malta High School Quick Facts 

Year school system began:       1857

Year HS courses offered:   late 1800s in frame school building in park east of 1937 building.

Year new brick HS/GS building erected:  1937

Year newer HS bldg erected (Rt. 38):  1965

Year Malta School District closed:    2000

Year 1937 Building ceased as school:  2011 (currently used as a private business – OLD SCHOOL PIZZA –  and residence)

1965 School Building usage:  serves as Wright Elementary School for the DeKalb School District.

Malta School District Annexed to:  DeKalb School District

Malta School nickname:   the “Mustangs”

School colors:                Red & White

School Fight Song:         unavailable

Early Malta High School 1880s(?) – 1937
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Athletics  

The Malta High School Mustangs had a very long and, in many cases, successful athletic past.  There is IHSA mention (www.ihsa.org) of the boys sports of basketball, soccer and track as well as girls sports of basketball and volleyball.  It is possible that Malta also offered baseball and softball. Malta competed in the Little Ten Conference. If you have knowledge of the better teams, conference champions, great records and coaches, and other items of Malta High’s athletic success please pass it on to share with others.

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Boys Basketball

The only mention of the Malta High School Mustangs boys basketball team is of the teams of 1994-98.  Though no IHSA hardware was won, three of those seasons turned in great records. Somewhere in his coaching career, Gary Croegaert made a stop at Malta High School. He would go on to have 300+ wins as a head coach for many years with various schools. The years and coach’s name is listed below.

Basketball scores from the IHSA State Tournament found on a website called “Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores” are printed below.

Scores and information prior to the 1931-32 season are needed.

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1930-31                    DeKalb District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Paw Paw 29-17

Waterman beat DeKalb in title game

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1931-32                    DeKalb District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Lee 13-12

 2nd Rd lost to Paw Paw 53-12

Sycamore beat Waterman in title game

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1932-33                    DeKalb District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Rollo 36-30

2nd Rd lost to Sycamore 54-9

Sycamore beat Waterman in title game

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1933-34                    DeKalb District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Waterman 47-20

Sycamore beat DeKalb in title game

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1934-35                    DeKalb District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Waterman 51-14

Waterman beat DeKalb in title game

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1935-36                    Hampshire District Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Maple Park 40-19

Burlington beat Plato Center in title game

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1936-37                    Elburn District Tournament                Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Elburn 84-13

Plato Center beat Kaneville in title game

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1937-38                    Steward District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Steward 38-18

Rollo beat Steward in title game

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1938-39  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1939-40                    Malta District Tournament                  Coach’s name & record needed.

Malta Scores Needed

Genoa beat Leland in title game

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1940-41                    Maple Park District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Kaneville 39-34

Semi-Final lost to Maple Park 40-34

Maple Park beat Genoa in title game

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1941-42  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1942-43                    Maple Park District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Burlington 44-27

Burlington beat Elburn in title game

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1943-44  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1944-45                    Waterman District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Kaneville 57-24

Semi-Final lost to Burlington 34-33

Waterman beat Burlington in title game

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1945-46  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1946-47                    Maple Park District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Maple Park 60-42

Maple Park beat Big Rock in title game

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1947-48                    Maple Park District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Big Rock 58-45

Big Rock beat Burlington in title game

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1948-49                    Hinckley District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Sugar Grove 71-51

Semi-Final lost to Hinckley

Waterman beat Hinckley in title game

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1949-50                    Waterman District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Steward 67-40

Semi-Final lost to Hinckley 52-39

Hinckley beat Burlington in title game

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1950-51                    Hinckley District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Waterman 70-69

Semi-Final lost to Big Rock 48-37

Hinckley beat Big Rock in title game

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1951-52                    Maple Park District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Big Rock 46-42

Hinckley beat Waterman in title game

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1952-53                    Maple Park District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Maple Park 53-36

Waterman beat Hinckley in title game

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1953-54                    Maple Park District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Kirkland 70-59

 Semi-Final lost to Hampshire 73-51

Hampshire beat Waterman in title game

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1954-55  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1955-56                    Maple Park District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Big Rock 55-50

Semi-Final lost to Maple Park 94-69

Maple Park beat Waterman in title game

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1956-57                    Maple Park District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Maple Park 73-58

Semi-Final lost to Hampshire 78-64

Hampshire beat Hinckley in title game

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1957-58                    Maple Park District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Kirkland 70-59

Semi-Final lost to Hampshire 73-51

Hampshire beat Waterman in title game

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1958-59                    Shabbona District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Waterman 67-61

Shabbona beat Waterman in title game

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1959-60                    Hinckley District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Kirkland Hiawatha 68-44

Semi-Final lost to Shabbona 91-75

Shabbona beat Hinckley in title game

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1960-61                    Shabbona District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Shabbona 88-55

Shabbona beat Burlington Central in title game

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1961-62                    Waterman District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Waterman 61-60 (O/T)

Shabbona beat Hampshire in title game

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1962-63                    Hampshire District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Burlington Central 56-47

Semi-Final lost to Hinckley-Big Rock 52-48

Hinckley-Big Rock beat Shabbona in title game

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1963-64  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1964-65    8 – 14      Kirkland District Tournament              Coach Jim Root

1st Rd lost to Hampshire 67-41

Hampshire beat Kirkland Hiawatha in title game

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1965-66                    Burlington District Tournament           Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Waterman 79-78

Semi-Final lost to Paw Paw 69-65

 Burlington Central beat Paw Paw in title game

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1966-67                    Hinckley District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Shabbona 60-44

Hinckley-Big Rock beat Waterman in title game

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1967-68                    Hampshire District Tournament          Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Hinckley-Big Rock 90-71

Hinckley-Big Rock beat Shabbona in title game

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1968-69    5 – 18       Postseason scores needed                Coach Al Modloff

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1969-70                    Hinckley District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Paw Paw 69-57

Semi-Final lost to Hampshire 62-58

Hampshire beat Burlington Central in title game

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1970-71                    Burlington District Tournament           Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Shabbona 57-45

Hampshire beat Burlington Central in title game

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1971-72                    Kirkland Class ‘A’ Reg. Runner-up Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Kirkland Hiawatha 84-74

Semi-Final Beat Genoa-Kingston 69-65 (2 O/Ts)

Title game lost to Hampshire 60-49

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1972-73                    Burlington Cl. ‘A’ Reg. Runner-up  Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Kirkland Hiawatha 84-71

Semi-Final Beat Hampshire 55-51

 Title game lost to Kaneland 68-58

KANELAND (68): Lynch 23, Sambrookes 18, Peterson 13, Kresse 8, Ackerman 6.

MALTA (58): Phelps 27, Cadine 16, Scholl 11, Peterson 2, Bakken 2.

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1973-74                    Kirkland Class ‘A’ Regional                Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Burlington Central 59-58 (2 O/Ts)

Hampshire beat Kaneland in title game

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1974-75                    Burlington District Tournament           Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Waterman 65-52

Semi-Final lost to Kaneland 42-21

 Burlington Central beat Kaneland in title game

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1975-76  15 – 10       Stillman Valley. Class ‘A’ Regional     Coach Jerry Smith

1st Rd lost to Poplar Grove North Boone 66-60

Winnegago beat South Beloit in title game

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1976-77                    Stillman Valley. Class ‘A’ Regional     Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to South Beloit 75-63

South Beloit beat Winnegago in title game

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1977-78                    Stillman Valley. Class ‘A’ Regional     Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Stillman Valley 122-77

South Beloit beat North Boone in title game

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1978-79                    Stillman Valley. Class ‘A’ Regional     Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Winnebago 69-56

Durand beat North Boone in title game

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1979-80                    Stillman Valley. Class ‘A’ Regional     Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Rockford Lutheran 51-50

Stillman Valley beat Durand in title game

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1980-81                    Mt. Morris District Tournament           Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Mt. Morris 60-58

Semi-Final lost to Forreston 77-60

Polo beat Forreston in title game

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1981-82                    Oregon. Class ‘A’ Regional                 Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Forreston 89-54

Oregon beat Forreston in title game

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1982-83                    Polo Class ‘A’ Regional                      Coach’s name & record needed

 1st Rd lost to Ashton 78-56

Mt. Morris beat Oregon in title game

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1983-84                    Mt. Morris Valley. Class ‘A’ Regional  Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Ashton 72-42

Forreston beat Oregon in title game

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1984-85                    Polo Class ‘A’ Regional                      Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Polo 68-66

Harvard beat Marengo in title game

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1985-86                    Mt. Morris Class ‘A’ Regional              Coach’s name & record needed

 1st Rd lost to Mt. Morris

Polo beat Mt. Morris in title game

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1986-87                    Oregon District Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Ashton 58-46

Semi-Final lost to Oregon 67-58

Oregon beat Franklin Center in title game

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1987-88                    Maple Park. Class ‘A’ Regional          Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Hampshire 69-63

Kaneland beat Hampshire in title game

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1988-89                    Hampshire Class ‘A’ Regional            Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Kaneland 56-47

Kaneland beat Elgin St. Edward in title game

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1989-90                    Burlington Class ‘A’ Regional             Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to H-BR 64-57

Elgin St. Edward beat Hampshire in title game

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1990-91    6 – 12       Hampshire Class ‘A’ Regional            Coach Shawn Byers

1st Rd lost to St. Edward 89-52

St. Edward beat Burlington Central in title game

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1991-92    8 – 16       Burlington Class ‘A’ Regional              Coach Shawn Byers

1st Rd lost to Kaneland 71-52

St. Edward beat Kaneland in title game

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1992-93    5 – 17       Hampshire Class ‘A’ Regional            Coach Shawn Byers

1st Rd lost to St. Edward 102-58

St. Edward beat Kaneland in title game

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1993-94    7 – 14       Maple Park Class ‘A’ Regional           Coach Shawn Byers

1st Rd lost to H-BR 78-68

St. Edward beat Burlington Central in title game

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1994-95    9 – 18       Oregon Class ‘A’ Regional                 Coach Shawn Byers

1st Rd lost to H-BR 78-68

St. Edward beat Burlington Central in title game

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1995-96  10 – 16       Polo Class ‘A’ Regional                      Coach Shawn Byers

1st Rd lost to Forreston 65-52

Lanark Eastland beat Byron in title game

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1996-97  16 – 12       Forreston Class ‘A’ Regional              Coach Shawn Byers

1st Rd lost to Polo 62-45

Byron beat Forreston in title game

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1997-98  18 – 6         Oregon Class ‘A’ Reg. Runner-Up  Coach Shawn Byers

1st Rd Beat Kirkland Hiawatha 73-52

Semi-Final beat Stillman Valley 53-48

Title game lost to Byron 49-44

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1998-99  23 – 4         Conference Champions                   Coach Shawn Byers

*Won school’s only Little Ten Conference Tournament title & captured second regular season championship. Justin Allen’s senior season (see below).

Polo Class ‘A’ Reg. Runner-Up

Semi-Final Beat Byron 50-45

Title game lost to Forreston 72-71

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1999-00  9 – 18          Shabbona Class ‘A’ Regional            Coach Corey Jenkins

*1st Rd lost to Hinckley-Big Rock 67-45

*Final game for the Malta “Mustangs” boys basketball program.

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Great Player:

From Brian Hoxsey:

“Justin Allen (1996-1999)

Allen was a four-year starter for the Mustangs, he is Malta’s  all-time leading scorer and rebounder with 2,453 points and 929 rebounds.  Averaged 26.7 points, 15.0 rebounds and 4.7 blocks his senior year in leading the Mustangs to a 23-4 record and both the Little Ten Conference regular season and Tournament titles.  In his junior year he posted 28.0 ppg and 11 rpg for Malta.  A Little Ten All-Conference pick and Team MVP in 1997, 1998 and 1999, selected Chicago Sun Times All-State in 1998 and 1999 and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-State pick in 1999.  Shot over than 80 percent from the free-throw line in his career and over 40 percent from beyond the arc in his junior season.  Also an outstanding soccer goalie (All-Little 10 in 1999) who entered senior season the school’s record holder with 27 shutouts.

Justin Allen became the first player in Malta history to sign with a Division I school (Arizona State University).  The beginning of his sophomore (September 2000) season Allen was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease so he was redshirted that season and finished his chemotherapy in May of 2001.  Allen made his comeback in May of 2001.

His junior year (2002-2003) he helped ASU earn a trip to the NCAA tournament, earned first-team Pac-10 All-Academic honors.  Senior season Allen was second-team Pac-10 All-Academic and earned degree in justice sciences in May of 2003 with a 3.46 grade point average.

Allen was the recipient of the 2003 Jimmy V. Comeback Award and in 2002 the Gene Autry Courage Award.”

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Girls Basketball

The girls basketball has several seasons listed on the IHSA web site.  The best as far as season record is concerned is listed below.

1987-88    12 – 12       Coach Kim Vitek

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Boys Soccer

Malta was one of only a few small schools that offered a high school soccer program, and even some of the other schools around Malta (Hinkley-Big Rock and Kirkland-Hiawatha for example) had soccer programs. Malta’s program had a very successful run from the late 1970’s to the middle 1990’s. The most successful years are listed below:

1976-77   10 – 5 – 2       (good record)                   Coach Dick Schlaf

1977-78   12 – 2 – 1       (great record)                   Coach Dick Schlaf

1978-79   13 – 5 – 5       (good record)                   Coach Randy French

1979-80   19 – 3 – 1       (great record)                   Coach Randy French

1980-81   11 – 6 – 2       (good record)                   Coach Randy French

1981-82   15 – 7 – 2       (good record)                   Coach Randy French

1982-83   20 – 7            IHSA State Sweet 16     Coach Randy French

                                   Regional Champs

                                   Sectional Champs                                   

1983-84   21 – 3            Regional Champions     Coach Randy French

1987-88   10 – 9 – 1       (good record)                   Coach Mike Engstrom

1989-90                       Regional Champions     

1990-91                       Regional Champions    

1993-94                       Regional Champions

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Boys Track & Field

One male athlete, Todd Duffield, brought home a medal from the IHSA Class A State Track Meet.  His great effort is listed below.

1977-78    Todd Duffield     High Jump        8th Place

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Girls Volleyball

Most of the Malta High School Lady Mustang volleyball seasons are listed on the IHSA web site.  The best were picked out and are presented below.

1975-76   5 – 4                                  Coach Joyce Richardson

1981-82   6 – 3                                  Coach Marilyn Masilunis

1983-84  13 – 4     (great record)         Coach Cheryl Ulrich Martines

1985-86  14 – 7     (good record)         Coach Candy Weaver

1986-87  14 – 7     (good record)         Coach Kim Vitek

1987-88  18 – 6     (great record)         Coach Kim Vitek

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Extra-Curricular Activities

Sports were not the only thing that occupied the time of the kids of Malta High School. Chorus, FFA, Band, Student Government, Dances, and Plays were all offered at MHS.

To view a very brief video clip of the Malta High School Marching Band in action during the 1980 Northern Illinois University Homecoming parade in DeKalb check out this YouTube video sent to us by “Tom”:

http://youtu.be/sC-hq3JrAuU?t=2m45s

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Searching For More Information   

If you have any more information you can share regarding the many successes attained at Malta High School please take the time to write to us so we can share the ionformation with others.  School colors, the many other GREAT teams, and personal stories about great memories and games should be shared.  We are especially interested in photos of the original school building and great teams, players, coaches, and alumni from MHS.  You can e-mail these items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.   60631

Malta High School Building 1937 – ??
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Now Serves as Private Residence
 
 
 
 


MALTA 1937 SCHOOL BUILDING FRONT ENTRANCES
MALTA 1937 SCHOOL GYMNASIUM
MALTA FOOTBALL FIELD GOAL POST 2023
MALTA 1965 HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING ON ROUTE 38 EAST OF TOWN

  1. I currently live in Malta in search of some history. Everything is scrubbed clean it seams and I am afraid to ask questions. something bad happened in y2k is my guess and money was involved. Everything in town is fishy and backwards. I’ll help in any way I can. I can’t even find maps or pictures from 1930s-2008? Anywhere? Very strange stuff here.

    Reply

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