Potomac High School “Artesians”

Potomac High School Building – Photo Taken in 1963

Courtesy of Dean Abbott

Photo of Artesian Well in Potomac

A picture containing text, tree, outdoor

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Courtesy of Dean Abbott

The History of Potomac High School

Potomac (population 681) is located in far eastern Illinois in the central portion of the state. U.S. Route 136 is the main roadway to and from Potomac. Vermilion County Highway 10 passes through Potomac as well. The Bluegrass Creek flows to the east of town and the Middlefork (Vermilion) River flows past the south edge of town. Potomac sits about 20 miles northwest of Danville.

The history of the town of Potomac is in need of research. Our best guess is that Potomac was likely settled in the mid-1800s. A school for the children of the area was probably put in place around this same time. High school curriculum was likely put in place in the late 1800s, surely by the early 1900s. Research by Potomac High School graduate Gary Farnsworth (Class of 1961) revealed that the most recent building built for the use as Potomac High School was built in 1938.

Potomac Grade School Building – 1938 through 1966

Potomac HS Building prior to 1938 – Submitted by Dean Abbott

Potomac High School served the kids of the area for several decades, possibly for nearly 100 years. The high school-aged children of Potomac now attend nearby Armstrong High School for their higher education. Potomac still supports a K – 8 facility for its children.

Dean Abbott, a 1970 graduate of Potomac High, tells us the original Potomac High School building pictured above has been razed. The brick and pieces of the gym floor were sold off for charity. Dean states sentiments shared by many when he wrote that “even though it had deteriorated over the years, the building is still missed by those who attended.”

Jeremy Hays tells us that Potomac High School closed in 1994. Jeremy was a member of that final graduating class of Artesians.

Potomac High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed: 1994

Students now attend: Armstrong High School

Potomac HS team nickname: the “Artesians”

Potomac HS team colors: Green & Gold

School Fight Song: “Wave the Flag”

Lyrics Provided by Dean Abbott and

Brenda Abbott Hamilton

Music proided by Tom Brown. It is a recording

of an alumni band which played it at the

retirement ceremony for John Fly.

Go Potomac we’re behind you,
Uphold the green and gold!
Rah-Rah-Rah!

Show your courage and your virtues,
Fight Artesians bold!
Rah-Rah-Rah!

Down the floor and on to victory,
As onward we will strive.
We will sing our praises ever
So fight on Potomac High!!

(Repeat the song twice)

Cha-hee, cha-ha, cha-ha-ha-ha
Potomac High School RAH-RAH-RAH!!

Potomac High School Image

Engraved on Piece of Original Wooden Gym Floor

Athletics

Potomac High School has a very rich and storied history of great athletes and a great athletic program. The boys competed in baseball, basketball, and track while the girls were offered volleyball, basketball, and track. We have some great history of the boys basketball program which we will provide below. We are always looking for more important and interesting information on PHS athletics.

Gary Farnsworth advised the following regarding Potomac High School’s unique nickname:

“The ‘Artesians’ nickname was unusual in itself. The name came about as a result of the many artesian wells in and around the town of Potomac.”

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Boys Basketball

The Potomac High School Artesians were well known for their remarkable successes on the hardwood court. A brief synopsis of the better moments of high school basketball history in Potomac was sent to us by Gary Farnsworth:

“The Artesians captured both district and regional championships from 1933-1936. In those four years the team posted a 87-21 won lost record. The coach during that time was Curt Alexander whose tenure ran from 1920-1936. The 1940-41 team, coached by Fred McDavid, was 26-8 and defeated Homer (34-0) in the first round of the sectional.

In 1949, probably our most famous team, though not necessarily our best, went 30-4 and defeated Danville in the first round of the Champaign sectional. At that time, Danville was rated number 1 or 2 in the state. Quite an accomplishment for a school of under 80 students. That team was coached by Frank Bohac.

In 1951-52, Ty Franklin took over the reins of the Artesians. In the 1954-55 season the team went 29-6 and won the district, regional and first round of the sectional before falling to Georgetown in the sectional finals.

The following 1955-56 season the team went 30-4 and once again won the district and regional before falling to Pontiac in the first round of the Kankakee sectional. The two year record of 59-10 was, and still is, quite remarkable.

Coach Franklin (who was also a starter on the 40-41 team) left after the 56-57 season to go to Peoria Richwoods.”

Great job Gary, the records we have available are listed below as given by Gary Farnsworth and listed on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). An incredible history it is, by the way. How about TWELVE DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS and FOUR REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS for school whose enrollment likely never topped the 100 mark!!!! Scores involving Potomac High School’s playing in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores” and in turn are copied below.

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1919-20 Urbana District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to East Lynn 17-14

Champaign beat Danville in title game.

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1920-21 Urbana District Tournament Coach Curt Alexander

1st Rd Beat Rankin 28-17

2nd Rd lost to Sidell 40-18

Champaign beat Urbana in title game.

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1921-22 Watseka District Tournament Coach Curt Alexander

1st Rd lost Gilman via forfeit

Watseka beat East Lynn in title game.

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1922-23 through 1927-28 Postseason scores needed.

Head Coach for all of these seasons was Curt Alexander

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1928-29 District Champions Coach Curt Alexander

Hoopeston District Tournament

Early Rd District Score Needed

2nd Rd Beat Alvin 26-23

Semi-Final Beat Hoopeston 27-21

Title Game Beat Sheldon 28-25

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Danville Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Kankakee 23-18

KANKAKEE (23): Boll 10, Bereolis 4, Rickards 4.

POTOMAC (18): Beaver 8, Jameson 7, Ogle 2, Ellett 1.

Champaign beat Penfield in title game.

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1929-30 Postseason scores & record needed Coach Curt Alexander

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1930-31 Hoopeston District Tournament Coach Curt Alexander

1st Rd Beat East Lynn 18-17

2nd Rd lost to Cissna Park 28-17

Armstrong beat Hoopeston in title game.

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1931-32 Hoopeston District Tournament Coach Curt Alexander

1st Rd Beat Bismarck 14-11

2nd Rd Beat Hoopeston 21-15

Semi-Final lost to Alvin 22-21

Armstrong beat Alvin in title game.

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1932-33 District Champions Coach Curt Alexander

Hoopeston District Tournament

1st Rd Beat Alvin 21-17

2nd Rd Beat Milford 32-20

Semi-Final Beat Hoopeston 19-14

Title Game Beat Armstrong 24-20

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Normal Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Mahomet 26-24

MAHOMET (26): Wright 12, Gordon 5, Jones 4, Lindsey 2, Cook 2, Gates 1.

POTOMAC (24): Alexander 8, Goodwine 6, Van Ness 5, Taylor 4, Ruff 1.

Mahomet beat Streator in title game.

(Mahomet lost to state champ Harvey Thornton in Elite 8 Round.)

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1933-34 District Champions Coach Curt Alexander

Milford District Tournament

1st Rd Beat Cissna Park 35-21

2nd Rd Score Needed.

Semi-Final Beat East Lynn 46-16

Title Game Beat Watseka 29-18

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Danville Sectional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Kankakee 23-19 (O/T)

Semi-Final lost to Rantoul 24-12

Urbana beat Rantoul in title game.

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1934-35 Hoopeston Regional Runner-Up Coach Curt Alexander

1st Rd Beat Stockland 38-11

2nd Rd Beat Hoopeston 13-10

Semi-Final Beat Watseka 39-26

Title Game lost to Milford 21-20

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1935-36 Regional Champions Coach Curt Alexander

(Potomac not assigned to a District Tournament this year.)

Hoopeston Regional Champions

1st Rd Beat Armstrong 29-23

Semi-Final Beat Watseka 32-27

Title Game Beat Hoopston 20-18

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Champaign Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Catlin 23-16

CATLIN (23): Wolfe 13, Royster 3, Kovoloski 3, Slade 2, Krusich 2.

POTOMAC (16): Bressler 6, Coil 4, Plotner 4, Sollars 2.

Danville beat Catlin in title game.

Artesians go 87 – 21 from 1933-36!

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1936-37 Armstrong District Tournament Coach Fred McDavid

Semi-Final lost to Armstrong 40-25

Henning beat Armstrong in title game.

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1937-38 Postseason scores & record needed Coach Fred McDavid

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1938-39 Hoopeston Regional Tournament Coach Fred McDavid

Potomac not assigned to a District Tournament this season.

Hoopeston Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Hoopeston 25-15

Cissna Park beat Armstrong in title game

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1939-40 Potomac District Runner-Up Coach Fred McDavid

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game lost to Cissna Park 15-12

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1940-41 26 – 8 Cissna Park District Champions Coach Fred McDavid

1st Rd Beat Buckley 42-20

Semi-Final Beat East Lynn 51-36

Title Game Beat Cissna Park 27-24 (O/T)

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Hoopeston Regional Runner-Up

1st Rd Beat Bismarck 31-21

Semi-Final Beat Armstrong 40-28

Title Game lost to Hoopeston 27-18

(Both teams allowed to advance to the Sectional Tournament.)

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Champaign Sectional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Homer HS 37-28

(Homer was 34 – 0 at the time.)

Semi-Final lost to Champaign 40-26

Urbana beat Champaign in title game

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1941-42 Wellington District Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game lost to Wellington 42-41 (O/T)

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1942-43 Potomac District Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed

Early Rd Scores Needed

Semi-Final Beat Rankin 45-33

Title Game lost to East Lynn 50-39

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1943-44 District Champions

Cissna Park District Tournament

1st Rd Beat Buckley 42-20

Semi-Final Beat East Lynn 51-36

Title Game Beat Cissna Park 27-24 (O/T)

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Hoopeston Regional Runner-Up

1st Rd Beat Bismarck 31-21

Semi-Final Beat Armstrong 40-28

Title Game lost to Hoopeston 27-18

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

Early Rd Scores Needed

Semi-Final lost to East Lynn 40-23

Wellington beat East Lynn in title game.

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1945-46 Potomac District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Wellington 35-31

Rankin beat East Lynn in title game.

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1946-47 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed

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1947-48 District Champions Coach’s name & record needed

Potomac District Tournament

Semi-Final Beat East Lynn 36-33

Title Game Beat Stockland (score needed)

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Milford Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Bismarck 49-30

Hoopeston beat Bismarck in title game.

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1948-49 30 – 4 District Champions Coach Frank Bohac
Regional Champions

Wellington District Tournament

Semi-Final Beat East Lynn 43-42

Title Game Beat Sheldon 34-31

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Hoopeston Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Bismarck 44-28

Semi-Final Beat Rossville 34-33

Title Game Beat Hoopeston 42-37

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Champaign Sectional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Danville 38-32

(#1 ranked in state – Danville – See newspaper articles below!)

POTOMAC (38): Remole 13, Patberg 11, Sollars 8, Reardon 5, Allef 1.

DANVILLE (32): Weese 10, Roe 7, Wheeler 7, Loercher 4, Turner 2, Wright 2.

Title Game lost to Champaign 35-31

CHAMPAIGN (35): Shapland 14, Hallbeck 11, McDermott 6, Collins 2, Ward 2.

POTOMAC (31): Patberg 12, Sollard 6, Remole 6, Reardon 4, Allen 2, Reed 1.

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One of Top 32 Teams in State

(Enrollment 70 students!)

Champaign lost in Sweet 16 Round to Hillsboro

Hillsboro lost tournament title game to Mt. Vernon

Potomac Artesians 1948-49 – Coach, Tri-Capts., Mgr

Coach Bohac, Bud Patberg, Sonny Remole, Bill Allen, Mgr. Gene Hanson – Submitted by Dean Abbott

1949-50 Potomac District Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game lost to East Lynn 48-45

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1950-51 Postseason scores & record needed Coach Ty Franklin

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1951-52 Wellington District Tournament Coach Ty Franklin

1st Rd Beat Wellington 50-25

Semi-Final lost to Rankin 64-40

East Lynn beat Rankin in title game.

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1952-53 Rankin District Runner-Up Coach Ty Franklin

1st Rd Beat Wellington 70-55

Semi-Final Beat Henning (Score Needed)

Title Game lost to East Lynn 47-46

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1953-54 Rankin District Runner-Up Coach Ty Franklin

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game lost to East Lynn 49-48

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1954-55 29 – 6 Potomac District Champions Coach Ty Franklin

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game Beat East Lynn 99-58

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Watseka Regional Champions

1st Rd Beat Hoopeston 68-54

Semi-Final Beat Rossville 67-53

Title Game Beat Cissna Park 71-61

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Danville Sectional Tournament

Semi-Final Beat Monticello 57-51

Top 32 Team in State

Title Game lost to Georgetown 65-43

(Enrollment about 80 students!)

Georgetown lost to Elgin in Sweet 16 Round

Elgin lost state championship game to Rockford West

Potomac Artesians – 1954-55 Regional Champs

Submitted by Steve Hamilton – Pictured L to R: Brown, Peltice, Ty Franklin, Spesard, Jolfey, Newnum

1955-56 30 – 4 District Champions Coach Ty Franklin
Regional Champions

Rankin District Tournament

1st Rd Beat East Lynn 44-24

Semi-Final Beat Crescent City 48-46

Title Game Beat Rankin 54-43

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Hoopeston Regional Champions

1st Rd Beat Cissna Park 78-67

Semi-Final Beat Watseka 69-65

Title Game Beat Armstrong 53-49

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Kankakee Sectional Tournament

Top 64 Team in State

1st Rd. lost to Pontiac 71-63

PONTIAC (71): Pierce 28, Duffy 18, McBeath 12, Colt 7, Kemp 4, Hindman 2.

POTOMAC (63): Spesard 23, Pettice 16, R. Reed 12, Young 4, Warren 4, Ellett 2, K. Reed 2.

Chicago Heights Bloom beat Pontiac in title game.

Potomac’s 30-4 Final Record Best in State!

Bloom lost to Oak Park in Sweet 16

Oak Park finished in 4th Place

(Potomac’s HS Enrollment about 80 students!)

Potomac HS Regional Champions of 1955-56

A group of people posing for the camera

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Sent by Steve Hamilton – L to R: Pettice, Warren, Young, Spesard, R. Reed, K. Reed

1956-57 Sheldon District Tournament Coach Ty Franklin

1st Rd Beat East Lynn 74-53

Semi-Final lost to Sheldon 76-60

Rankin beat Sheldon in title game.

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1957-58 Rankin District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat East Lynn 53-51

Semi-Final lost to Wellington 64-45

Wellington beat Sheldon in title game.

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

1st Rd Beat East Lynn 57-54

Semi-Final lost to Wellington 68-41

Wellington beat Stockland in title game.

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1959-60 Potomac District Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Henning 57-49

Semi-Final Beat Rankin 56-49

Title Game lost to Sheldon 62-48

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

1st Rd Beat Henning 70-54

Semi-Final lost to Rankin 73-61

Sheldon beat Rankin in title game.

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1961-62 District Champions Coach Norm Held

Rankin District Tournament

1st Rd Beat Wellington 74-49

Semi-Final Beat East Lynn 60-59

Title Game Beat Crescent City 52-48

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Hoopeston Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Hoopeston 61-55

Sheldon beat Watseka in title game.

The District Champions of 1961-62

Submitted by Dean Abbott

Members of the 1961-62 District Champs pictured above

Front row, l to r: Steve Hamilton, Steve Burroughs, Tom Prillaman, Jerry Leonard, Dick Leonard.

Back row l to r: Lynn Boggess, mgr; Steve Rice; Lou Esteppe; Rodney Rakes; Norm Held, coach; Dean Andrews; Robb Stahl; Gene Talbott; Jim Voss, mgr.

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1962-63 District Champions Coach Alex Takacs

Potomac District Tournament

1st Rd Bye

Semi-Final Beat Crescent City 81-56

Title Game Beat Sheldon 34-32

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Watseka Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Bismarck 58-38

Watseka beat Cissna Park in title game.

The District Champs of 1962-63

Courtesy of Dean Abbott

Members of the 1962-63 District Champions pictured above:

Left to right: Jim Voss, mgr; Steve Rice; Rodney Rakes; Steve Burroughs; Tom Pillaman; Jerry Leonard; Robb Stahl; Gene Talbott; Alex Takacs, coach

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

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1964-65 Rankin District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Cissna Park 74-46

Sheldon beat Wellington in title game.

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

1st Rd Beat Rankin 65-63

Semi-Final lost to Armstrong 68-60

Armstrong beat Sheldon in title game.

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

1st Rd Beat Rankin 77-75 (O/T)

Semi-Final lost to Armstrong 72-63

Armnstrong beat East Lynn in title game.

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

1st Rd lost to East Lynn 78-77

Armstrong beat Sheldon in title game.

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1968-69 District Champions Coach Dennis Kirkman

Armstrong District Tournament

1st Rd Beat Rankin 66-58 (O/T)

Semi-Final Beat Sheldon 54-51

Title Game Beat Crescent-Iroquois 85-66

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Rossville Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Watseka 69-67

Semi-Final lost to Rossville-Alvin 60-35

Rossville-Alvin beat Bismarck-Henning in title game.

District Champions of 1968-69

Courtesy of Dean Abbott

Members of the 1968-69 Artesians pictured above:

Front row, left to right: David DeNeal, mgr; Dennis Kirkman, coach; Chris Knerr, mgr.

Back row: L to R: Butch Creighton, Rick Talbott, Mike McBroon, Bill Remole, Greg Remole, Chuck Abbott, Dean Abbott, Tom Brown

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

1st Rd Beat Armstrong 52-42

Semi-Final lost to Sheldon 67-63

Sheldon beat Cissna Park in title game.

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

1st Rd Beat Rankin 83-52

Semi-Final lost to Sheldon 63-62 (O/T)

Cissna Park beat Sheldon in title game.

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1971-72 Bismarck Class ‘A’ Regional Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Rankin 59-54

Semi-Final Beat Bismarck-Henning 64-63

Title Game lost to Danville Schlarman 88-44

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1972-73 Rossville Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Hoopeston 101-55

Danville Schlarman beat Hoopeston in title game.

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1973-74 Bismarck Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Oakwood 78-53

Hoopeston-East Lynn beat Danville Schlarman in title game.

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1974-75 Hoopeston Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Danville Schlarman 96-53

Oakwood beat Hoopeston in title game.

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1975-76 Rossville Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Hoopeston-East Lynn 94-63

Oakwood beat Hoopeston in title game.

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1976-77 Bismarck Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Armstrong 68-52

Hoopeston-East Lynn beat Danville Schlarman in title game.

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1977-78 Hoopeston Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Armstrong 63-61

Hoopeston-East Lynn beat Danville Schlarman in title game.

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1978-79 Rossville Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Bismarck-Henning 77-70

Oakwood beat Bismarck-Henning in title game.

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1979-80 Bismarck Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Bismarck-Henning 60-59

Semi-Final lost to Danville Schlarman 86-46

Danville Schlarman beat Rossville-Alvin in title game.

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1980-81 Schlarman Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Oakwood 50-38

Danville Schlarman beat Hoopeston-East Lynn in title game.

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1981-82 Rossville Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney Coach Jeff Millis

1st Rd lost to Bismarck-Henning 81-49

Danville Schlarman beat Hoopeston-East Lynn in title game.

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1982-83 Hoopeston Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney Coach Jeff Millis

1st Rd lost to Wellington 73-63

Hoopeston-East Lynn beat Danville Schlarman in title game.

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1983-84 Armstrong Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney Coach Jeff Millis

1st Rd lost to Hoopeston-East Lynn 87-33

Hoopeston-East Lynn beat Danville Schlarman in title game.

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1984-85 Bismarck Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney Coach Jeff Millis

1st Rd lost to Armstrong 72-60

Hoopeston-East Lynn beat Danville Schlarman in title game.

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1985-86 Rossville Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney Coach Jeff Millis

1st Rd lost to Bismarck-Henning 66-53

Hoopeston-East Lynn beat Armstrong in title game.

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1986-87 Danville Regional Tournament Coach Jeff Millis

**1st Rd lost to Armstrong 54-38

Oakwood beat Hoopeston-East Lynn in title game.

**Final boys varsity basketball game for Potomac High School.

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**Regarding Coach Norm Held from Dean Abbott:

After leaving Potomac Norm coached Danville High School to the IHSA tournement and then went on to coach Anderson, Indiana to a number of trips to the state tournament over there.

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**Regarding Coach Dennis Kirkman from Dean Abbott:

Denny Kirkman went on to become the long time atheltic director at Bradley-Bourbonnais, being inducted into their Hall-of-Fame a few years ago.

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Boys Baseball

The Potomac High School boys baseball program won a Regional Title of their own. This was accomplished in the 1970-71 season. The team record and coach’s name of this and other great PHS baseball teams are being sought to share on this page.

1970-71 Regional Champions

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Boys Track & Field

One male thinclad brought home a medal from the 1936-37 IHSA State Track & Field meet. In the then one-class meet, ROSS COIL earned a THIRD PLACE Medal in the 1-Mile Run. Great job Ross!

1936-37 Ross Coil 1 Mile Run 3RD PLACE

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Girls Athletics

We are certain that the Lady Artesians competed in sports as well. Our guess is that basketball, volleyball, and track were offered at the school. We are hopeful an alum of PHS will help fill us in on this bit of information for the history of Potomac High.

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Potomac HS Football Team of Early 1900s

Submitted by Dean Abbott

Football

The Artesians did participate in football, at least early in the school’s existence. The photo to your right is of the football team at Potomac High School from the early 1900s. If you know any further information on the history of the Artesian football program, please write to us and share it in this space.

PHS Stage Band of 1961 – “THE SKYLINERS”

Courtesy of Former PHS Band Instructor John Fly

School Band

As you will see, Potomac Schools offered a very well-rounded experience for the kids who attended there.

To your right is a photo of the Potomac High School stage band of 1961. The group was called “The Skyliners” and was led by Mr. John Fly. Members of the group pictured in the photo include:

Front Row: Marilyn Duncan,Kay Jameson,Steve Hamilton, Betty Hall

Second Row:Wayne Brown,Ron Willard,Dick Leonard,Gary Farnsworth,Jerry Leonard,Dean Andrews, Sue Duncan

Standing in Back: Anne Taylor

Not only athletics but music was also an important part of Potomac High School’s history. Many of the outstanding athletes were also important and valuable members of concert bands, choruses, and stage bands. John Fly was music director at Potomac for 27 years from 1957 until he retired in 1984. During Fly’s tenure the grade school bands received first-place ratings at district and state contests in 20 of 27 years and the high school bands received first-place ratings in 18 of the 21 years that they competed. The high school chorus and band presented a musical comedy each spring from 1962 to 1976.

Music Director John Fly

At PHS from 1957 – 1984

POTOMAC HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC DIRECTORS

John Fly….Band 1957-1984 Chorus 1957-1969
Barbara Beckmeyer…Chorus 1970
Rosilla Audo…Chorus 1971-1975
Sandra Young…Chorus 1976
Vickie Clay…Vocal 1977-1984

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Memories

From Potomac High School Class of 1970 alum Tom Brown:

“Most students started playing a musical instrument under John Fly’s direction when they were in the fourth grade and continued until graduation. Mr. Fly really became an extended part of your family. Potomac was very fortunate to have someone in that position for the many years he spent at the Grade School and High School.”

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Extra-Curricular Activities

Clubs, dances, activities, and other extra-curriculars such as band and chorus were likely an important part of the Potomac High School experience. Please help us by sharing your experience at PHS on this page.

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Need Some Assistance

As with every page, we are seeking some in-put from a Potomac resident, fan, or alumnus as to the history and great successes accomplished at Potomac High School. If you can provide us with information please complete a School Submission Form or Guest Commentary Form. You may also write us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.

Potomac High School Band – 1968-69