| ATHLETICS
Westchester St. Joseph had a great tradition in athletics. Two IHSA State Championships were won in boys basketball along with four other top 4 finishes. In boys soccer the school earned 8 IHSA final-four trophies including three IHSA State Runner-Up finishes. In addition several Regional and Sectional titles were earned over the years. Below are the athletic accomplishments of the St. Joseph “Charges” as located on the IHSA website.
BOYS BASKETBALL
The Chargers were well known for their incredible boys basketball program. The very early years were not available however the season records from 1963-64 through 2016-17 are posted below. Coach Gene Pingatore led the Charger basketball program for 50 years, from 1969-70 through 2018-2019. A total of 32 Regional titles were won, along with 12 Sectional titles, 9 Super-Sectional titles, and 6 trips to the final-four The teams of 1998-99 and 2014-2015 earned state championship honors. Coach Pingatore became the winningest coach in Illinois High School basketball history compiling an overall record of 1,035 – 383, a 73% winning percentage. Coach Pingatore is one of only 15 coaches nationwide to have won over 1,000 games in his career. He has received national recognition for his success and the success of his program.
1960-61 Coach’s name & record needed.
1961-62 Coach’s name & record needed.
1962-63 Coach’s name & record needed.
1963-64 13 – 8 Downers Grove Regional Tourney Coach Pat Callaghan
1st Rd lost to Proviso East 53-51
Downers Grove Beat Proviso East in title game.
1964-65 13 – 10 Villa Park Grove Regional Tourney Coach Pat Callaghan
1st Rd lost to York 59-56
Glenbard East beat York in title game
1965-66 17 – 9 LaGrange Grove Regional Tourney Coach Pat Callaghan
1st Rd Beat Riverside-Brookfield 62-60
Semi-Final lost to Lyons Township 75-69
De La Salle beat Lyons in title game.
1966-67 6 – 17 Villa Park Grove Regional Tourney Coach Pat Callaghan
1st Rd lost to St. Mel 91-72
St. Mel beat De La Salle in title game.
1967-68 7 – 17 Proviso West Regional Tourney Coach Pat Callaghan
1st Rd lost to Riverside-Brookfield 61-39
Riverside-Brookfield beat Hinsdale Central in title game.
1968-69 3 – 20 Willowbrook Regional Tourney Coach Pat Callaghan
1st Rd lost to Glenbard East 96-50
Glenbard East beat Downers Grove North in title game
1969-70 3 – 13 Glenbard East Regional Tourney Coach Gene Pingatore
1st Rd lost to Glenbard East 74-56
Willowbrook beat Glenbard East in title game.
1970-71 9 – 16 Lyons Regional Tourney Coach Gene Pingatore
1st Rd lost to Oak Lawn 88-62
Oak Lawn beat Lyons in title game.
1971-72 15 – 10 Elmhurst Regional Runner-Up Coach Gene Pingatore
Semi-Final Beat Elmwood Park 76-71
Title Game lost to Lyons 70-41
1972-73 10 – 13 LaGrange Regional Tourney Coach Gene Pingatore
Semi-Final lost to Proviso West 71-60
Proviso West beat York in title game.
1973-74 16 – 8 Villa Park Regional Tourney Coach Gene Pingatore
1st Rd lost to Lyons 106-60
Lyons beat Willowbrook in title game.
1974-75 16 – 7 Hillsdale Regional Tourney Coach Gene Pingatore
Semi-Final lost to Lyons 60-47
Lyons beat Proviso West in title game.
1975-76 7 – 18 LaGrange Regional Tourney Coach Gene Pingatore
Semi-Final lost to Proviso West 65-46
Hinsdale Central beat Proviso West in title game.
1976-77 16 – 10 Maywood Regional Tourney Coach Gene Pingatore
1st Rd Beat Hinsdale South 88-64
Semi-Final lost to Proviso East 91-69
Proviso East beat Lyons in title game.
1977-78 31 – 2 IHSA STATE TOURN. RUNNER-UP Coach Gene Pingatore
Regional/Sectional/Super-Sectional Champs
LaGrange Regional Champions
Semi-Final Beat Hinsdale Central 71-68
Title Game Beat Lyons 67-51
Hinsdale Sectional Champions
Semi-Final Beat Proviso East 76-59
ST. JOSEPH (76): Thomas 27, Johnson 21, Clark 17, Lenc 6, Brewer 4, Gonzales 1.
PROVISO EAST (59): Rivers 19, Mahone 10, Wordlaw 10, Smith 9, Karstens 6, Thompson 5.
Title Game Beat East Leyden 73-67
ST. JOSEPH (73): Thomas 28, Johnson 17, Brewer 8, Clark 6, Lenc 5, Behrendt 4, Callahan 3, Gonzales 2.
EAST LEYDEN (67): Fashoda 30, Danhoff 14, McDonald 12, Goodman 9, Owen 2.
Super-Sectional Sweet 16 Game
Title Game Beat Barrington 71-69
Elite 8 Quarter-Final Game
Beat Westinghouse 63-60
Final 4 Semi-Final Game
Beat Rockford East 60-56
IHSA Class AA State Championship Game
Lost to Lockport 64-47
1978-79 26 – 3 Berwyn Regional Champions Coach Gene Pingatore
Semi-Final Beat Hinsdale South 72-44
Title Game Beat Lyons 74-64
Hinsdale Central Sectional Runner-Up
Semi-Final Beat St. Patrick 79-60
Title Game lost to De La Salle 59-58
DE LA SALLE (59): Burich 22, Brown 17, Allen 11, McHale 4, Williams 3, Calloway 2.
ST. JOSEPH (58): Thomas 26, Arand 12, Brewer 7, Clark 6, Mapp 5, Gonzalez 2.
De La Salle lost to Maine South in Quarter-Final
Maine South won state title
1979-80 19 – 6 Riverside Regional Runner-Up Coach Gene Pingatore
Semi-Final Beat Morton West 87-65
Title Game lost to Lyons Township 62-54
1980-81 24 – 4 Bensenville Regional Champions Coach Gene Pingatore
Semi-Final Beat Addison Trail 64-49
Title Game Beat Proviso West 60-48
Elmhurst Sectional Tournament Runner-Up
Semi-Final lost to Weber 62-61
Proviso East beat Weber in title game
1981-82 29 – 2 IHSA Elite 8 FInalist Coach Gene Pingatore
Riverside Regional Champions
Semi-Final Beat Hinsdale Central 51-36
Title Game Beat Lyons Township 59-43
Hinsdale Sectional Champions
Semi-Final Beat Lincolnway 89-45
ST. JOSEPH (89): Reeder 20, Vaughan 14, King 12, Callahan 10, Johnson 9, Dragas 6, Thomas 4, Williams 4, Early 4, Hughes 3, Thomas 3, Whaley 1.
LINCOLN-WAY (46): Bakker 14, DeGroot 9, Mackay 6, Ducett 5, McGivern 4, Chlazar 4, Lihani 2, Hatje 2.
Title Game Beat Rich Central 62-47
ST. JOSEPH (62): Thomas 18, King 15, Johnson 10, Reeder 9, Dragas 8, Vaughn 2.
RICH CENTRAL (47): Lipner 11, Lira 11, Robinson 8, Lang 5, Nelson 4, Velasquez 4, Marotta 2, Brown 2.
Super-Sectional Champions
Title Game Beat Palatine 52-50 (O/T)
Elite 8 FInalist
1st Rd lost to Chicago Marshall 79-59
Marshall placed 4th in Tournament.
1982-83 26 – 5 IHSA Elite 8 FInalist Coach Gene Pingatore
Darien Regional Champions
Semi-Final Beat Riverside-Brookfield 81-36
Title Game Beat Hinsdale Central 72-39
Hinsdale Sectional Champions
Semi-Final Beat Bremen 65-64
ST. JOSEPH (65): Williams 18, Thomas 14, Reeder 13, Buchanan 10, Pickens 6, Funchess 2, Early 2.
BREMEN (64): Pullum 19, Jones 17, Watts 14, Mines 8, Welch 4, Whittier 2.
Title Game Beat Lyons 72-61
ST. JOSEPH (72): Reeder 26, Freeman 16, Thomas 13, Buchanan 10, Williams 5, Early 1, Pickens 1.
LYONS TWP. (61): Struckman 17, Robinson 15, Rochowiak 10, Satek 10, Panos 8, Callaghan 1.
Super-Sectional Champions
Title Game Beat Arlington Heights 49-38
Elite 8 FInalist
Quarter-Final lost to Peoria HS 71-60
Springfield Lanphier beat Peoria HS in title game.
1983-84 25 – 8 IHSA FOURTH PLACE Coach Gene Pingatore
Riverside Regional Champions
Semi-Final Beat Hinsdale South 64-39
Title Game Beat Lyons 60-48
Hinsdale Sectional Champions
Semi-Final Beat Lockport 50-43
Title Game Beat Bloom 60-59
ST. JOSEPH (60): Funchess 22, Freeman 20, Buchanan 10, Terry 4, Stanback 2, Early 2.
BLOOM (59): Nardi 26, Howe 14, Whitfield 7, Perkins 6, Ruffin 4, McKinley 2.
Super-Sectional Champions
Title Game Beat St. Charles 60-50
Elite 8 Finalist
Quarter-Final Beat Harvey Thornton 52-50
Final Four Finalist
Semi-Final lost to Evanston 58-56
Consolation 3RD Place Game
Lost to Aurora West 55-54
1984-85 20 – 7 Villa Park Regional Runner-Up Coach Gene Pingatore
Semi-Final Beat Willowbrook 72-46
Title Game lost to Proviso West 84-64
1985-86 30 – 1 IHSA Elite 8 FInalist Coach Gene Pingatore
Villa Park Regional Champions
Semi-Final Beat Willowbrook 73-39
Title Game Beat Proviso West 81-75
Elmhurst Sectional Champions
Semi-Final Beat De La Salle 59-55
ST. JOSEPH (59): Freeman 22, Molis 10, Scales 10, Mahan 8, Stanback 6, Dragas 2.
DE LA SALLE (55): Banks 23, Brooks 12, Davis 8, Taylor 8, Morris 2, Ciaravino 2.
Title Game Beat Weber 73-47
ST. JOSEPH (73): Freeman 19, Mahan 10, Molis 10, Stanbeck 9, Dragas 9, Hribal 8, Scales 4, Aldridge 2, Mister 2.
WEBER (47): Redfield 24, Houston 8, Tate 4, Myles 4, Farbisz 2, Lorenz 2, Trieb 1.
Super-Sectional Champions
Title Game Beat Chicago Leo 61-49
Elite 8 FInalist
**Quarter-Final lost to Romeoville 51-50
**This game was later forfeited by Romeoville due to the school using an ineligible player during this season. Romeoville placed 4th in the tournament but later had to forfeit the trophy back to the IHSA.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-04-03-8601240507-story.html
1986-87 28 – 3 IHSA THIRD PLACE Coach Gene Pingatore
Villa Park Regional Champions
Semi-Final Beat Willowbrook 83-34
Title Game Beat Proviso West 71-69 (O/T)
Elmhurst Sectional Champions
Semi-Final Beat Proviso East 72-69 (O/T)
ST. JOSEPH (72): Molis 21, Scales 17, Hayes 13, Dragas 10, Mister 8, Cesair 3.
PROVISO EAST (69): Williams 20, Daniel 18, Miller 14, McCall 6, Swilley 4, Buchanan 4, McCullough 3.
Title Game Beat De La Salle 57-55
ST. JOSEPH (57): Scales 21, Mister 13, Hayes 10, Molis 10, Cesair 3.
DE LA SALLE(55): Banks 24, Hill 12, Claravino 8, Davis 7, LoCoco 2, Bolton 2.
Super-Sectional Champions
Title Game Beat Chicago Leo 77-65
Elite 8 Finalists
Quarter-Final Beat Rockford Boylan 85-67
Final Four Finalist
Semi-Final lost to Chicago King 60-58
Consolation 3RD Place Game
Beat Quincy 72-65
East St. Louis beat Chicago King in title game.
1987-88 26 – 4 IHSA Sweet 16 Finalist Coach Gene Pingatore
Villa Park Regional Champions
Semi-Final Beat Willowbrook 94-58
Title Game Beat Proviso West 57-52
Elmhurst Sectional Champions
Semi-Final Beat Proviso East 56-40
ST. JOSEPH (56): Cunningham 18, Murphy 12, Hayes 10, Gates 10, Bishop 4, Orr 2.
PROVISO EAST (40): McCullough 15, Conner 7, Freeney 5, Williams 4, Perkins 3, Buffkin 2, Leach 2, Brown 2.
Title Game Beat Fenwick 63-53
ST. JOSEPH (63): Hayes 18, Gates 16, Murphy 15, Cunningham 14.
FENWICK (53): Sutton 18, Walker 14, Kilo 7, Abramavicous 6, Sloan 6, Brewster 2.
Super-Sectional Finalist
Lost to St. Francis de Sales 67-58
St. Francis de Sales lost to East St. Louis Lincoln in state title game.
1988-89 23 – 5 Villa Park Regional Champs Coach Gene Pingatore
Semi-Final Beat Willowbrook 77-54
Title Game Beat Proviso West 73-51
Elmhurst Sectional Runner-Up
Semi-Final Beat Fenwick 65-49
Title Game lost to Gordon Tech 68-65
Gordon Tech lost to Thornridge in Super-Sectional game.
1989-90 25 – 4 Riverside Regional Champs Coach Gene Pingatore
Semi-Final Beat Morton 82-54
Title Game Beat Fenwick 69-64
Elmhurst Sectional Runner-Up
Semi-Final Beat Proviso East 71-60
Title Game lost to Gordon Tech 69-64
Gordon Tech lost to Chicago King in state title game.
1990-91 23 – 4 Elmhurst Sectional Tournament Coach Gene Pingatore
1st Rd Beat Willowbrook 80-58
2nd Rd lost to Nazareth 63-57
1991-92 26 – 2 Elmhurst Regional Champions Coach Gene Pingatore
Semi-FInal Beat Riverside-Brookfield 67-26
Title Game Beat Lyons 60-56
Elmhurst Sectional Tournament
Semi-Final lost to Oak Park 63-59
Proviso East beat Oak Park in title game |
