Blog

Wescove Basketball Court – 2012

ATHLETICS

In reading some of the items on the “Friends of Wescove” Facebook page, we have learned that the original colors of the Wescove HS teams was blue and white. This changed in 1974 when uniforms were donated to the Wescove athletic program from Potomac High School. The colors were then changed to green, gold, and white.

Wescove HS Athletic Award

BASKETBALL

The Wescove Christian High School Warriors definitely competed in the sport of basketball. One schedule we found from the 1973-74 season showed the team traveled into Indiana and St. Louis to play other Christian hIgh schools. The team participated in tournaments and an actual “Church League.” Cheerleading was an active part of the sport as well.

ACTIVITIES

We know that music was a vital part of the Wescove experience. The school chorus was a very successful group. School trips and, of course, religious studies were a very big part of each day at Wescove Christian High School.

NEED MORE INFORMATION

As always, we are anxious to add more information regarding the school history of Wescove Christian High School.  If you have any information or photos you would like to add to the site you can e-mail them to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Illinois  60631

Mary Judy Industrial School

Submitted by Sandy Bollhorst

The history of the Mary A. Judy Industrial School for Girls located in Potomac has limited information on the internet.  We know that the school was the idea of a child advocate Doctor Hastings H. Hart.  According to a book preview found on the internet (The Dependent Child: A Story of Changing Aims and Methods in the Care) Dr. Hart likely founded the school in the early 1900s.  It was established on four hundred acres of land owned by the Judy family.  The school was named after the mother of the family, Mary A. Judy. The school was established for girls who were not doing well in foster homes or who had difficult family situations.

The Mary Judy School was a bording school that offered the girls educational opportunities they may not have otherwise enjoyed. The history of the Mary Judy Industrial School is in need of further research.  We believe it was established in the early 1900s and closed in the 1930s, though we may be very wrong.  Any information you can provide on this school would be greatly appreciated.

Mary Judy Dedication Program – 1911

Left Click on Photo for Larger View

Mary Judy School Dedication Program

Left Click on Photo for Larger View

Thank you to Sandy Bollhorst for providing many of the photos for this page..

Mary A. Judy Industrial School Quick Facts

Year opened:                 early 1900s?

Year closed:                  ?

Bldg. Status:                 Still standing in poor condition

Athletics:                      Likely Not Offered.

Memories to Share

From Judy Faris (whose first name is named after Judy School):

“I was pleased to discover that you have included Judy School in your Glory Days Website.  My mother is going to be 86 and was one of the Judy School Girls.  She left there in 1938.  She has only the fondest of memories of the beautiful grounds, the nice teachers and the administrative and housekeeping staff.

We drove through the maze of cornfields in 2004 to see if the building was still there.  It was!   My mother was thrilled and it brought out tons of stories of those days.

Life at the Judy School – Part 1

(some tidbits from Katherine Mathieu Michalak):

Potomac Mary Judy School Complex

The grounds of the school were beautiful, buildings surrounded by Spirea Bushes.

The large red brick building had two large dormitories upstairs with about 10 beds each and several more private bedrooms where older girls slept – two to a room.   There was also a room for a teacher to stay in to watch over the girls.

Mary Judy School Living Quarters – 2012

Now a Private Residence

Each girl had a space in a locker where she kept what few possessions she had.  My mother still has her hand-embroidered  pocketed holder for brush and comb and small items.  It was made for her by her grandmother Maud Crist.

Along with their regular school classes, the girls learned necessary life skills:  sewing, cooking, cleaning, gardening.  The school was surrounded by a farm and the girls tended a garden, helped in the kitchen, dusted and cleaned, and learned about ‘the birds and bees’ by watching the farm animals.  They attended a small church down the road.  They always ate well and had treats donated by the Mars Candy Company, Silver Cup bread and other foods from outside sponsors.

Grammar School aged girls were taught at the Judy School location, supervised by the Vermilion County Public School System.  Girls stayed at Judy School until they were 18.  High school-aged girls rode a bus into town, Potomac, for classes.  High school aged girls were allowed to date, and some of them married at the school and started their new lives.

The girls thought it was very romantic when Supervisor, Ms. Faye Corner went on vacation and met a handsome man from Canada named Cossairt.  When they married, the girls got to attend their wedding.

My mother remembers cleaning and polishing the curved wooden staircase to the right of the double entrance doors.

The kitchen and dining room were in the large basement of the building.  Helping in the kitchen was a favorite chore assignment.  When they helped make bread they would pocket the small pieces and use them to feed the birds.  They would sneak out onto the fire escape on the left side of the school and toss the crumbs out and watch the birds.

The main floor had a reception area and Supervisor’s office on the left, with a large classroom behind it.  On the right was the Library.

They slept in the dormitory rooms and rooms for the older girls upstairs.

This is a tiny photo (above) of my mother Katherine Mathieu and her mother Mabel Mathieu at 8^th grade graduation, taken on the grounds of the Judy School.

(I am named Judy – after the Judy School.)”

Katherine & Mabel Mathieu / 8th Grade Grad. / 1934

Submitted by Judy Faris

Diploma – Katherine Mathieu – May 26, 1938

Submitted by Judy Faris

Mary Judy School Girls

Submitted by Sandy Bollhorst

More Memories

From Lee Ann Frick, granddaughter of Minnie Frances( Dison) Sawyers:

“My Grandmother went to the May A Judy School when she was just a young lady back in the 1930’s, before or after her parents past away. I think that the ladies of the school taught my Grandmother alot of good things in life.

My Mother and I visited the Mary A.Judy School For Girls on June 15, 2010 just to see were my Loveable Grandmother Minnie Frances (Dison) Sawyers attended back in the 1930’s. I felt the love coming out of the old school and could still see the past around you.  You could virtually hear the teachers and Girls in and around the school.  The Mary A.Judy School to me is a beautiful old building with a lot of love still coming out of it for all who visit the old School.”

Ambrose Judy Burial Article

Submitted by James Watson

Ambose Judy Burial Article Part 2

Submitted by James Watson

If You Have Any Further Information to Share….

….regarding the history and accomplishments of this important piece of Illinois educational and child care facility, please contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. or via the U.S. Postal Service at the following address:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva Avenue

Chicago, Il.    60631

Potomac Mary A. Judy School Students

Submitted by Sandy Bollhorst

Mary Judy School Students

Submitted by Sandy Bollhorst

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.”

  ————————————————————————————————-

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. 

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to East Lynn 17-14

Champaign beat Danville in title game. 

  —–  

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. 

  —–  

1921-22                Watseka District Tournament         Coach Curt Alexander

1st Rd lost Gilman via forfeit 

Watseka beat East Lynn in title game. 

  —–  

1922-23 through 1927-28  Postseason scores needed. 

Head Coach for all of these seasons was Curt Alexander

  —–  

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

  —  

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. 

  —–  

1929-30         Postseason scores & record needed    Coach Curt Alexander

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

 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

  —  

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.)

  —–  
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

  —  

Danville Sectional Tournament

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

Semi-Final lost to Rantoul 24-12

Urbana beat Rantoul in title game.

  —–  

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

  —–  
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

  —  

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!

  —–  

1936-37                Armstrong District Tournament       Coach Fred McDavid

Semi-Final lost to Armstrong 40-25

Henning beat Armstrong in title game.

  —–  

1937-38      Postseason scores & record needed         Coach Fred McDavid

  —–  

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

  —– 

1939-40                Potomac District Runner-Up          Coach Fred McDavid

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game lost to Cissna Park 15-12

  —–          

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)

  —  

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.)

  —  

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

  —–  

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

Early Rd Scores Needed

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

  —– 

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

  —–          

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)

  —  

Hoopeston Regional Runner-Up

1st Rd Beat Bismarck 31-21

Semi-Final Beat Armstrong 40-28

Title Game lost to Hoopeston 27-18

  —–  

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.

  —– 

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

1st Rd lost to Wellington 35-31

Rankin beat East Lynn in title game.

  —– 

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

  —–  
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)

  —  

Milford Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Bismarck 49-30

Hoopeston beat Bismarck in title game. 

  —–  

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

  — 

Hoopeston Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Bismarck 44-28

Semi-Final Beat Rossville 34-33

Title Game Beat Hoopeston 42-37

  —  

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.

  —  

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

  —–          

1950-51     Postseason scores & record needed            Coach Ty Franklin

  —–  

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. 

  —–  

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

  —–  

1953-54                Rankin District Runner-Up               Coach Ty Franklin

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game lost to East Lynn 49-48

  —–          

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

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game Beat East Lynn 99-58

  — 
Watseka Regional Champions

1st Rd Beat Hoopeston 68-54

Semi-Final Beat Rossville 67-53

Title Game Beat Cissna Park 71-61

  —  

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

  —  

Hoopeston Regional Champions

1st Rd Beat Cissna Park 78-67

Semi-Final Beat Watseka 69-65

Title Game Beat Armstrong 53-49

  —  

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

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. 

  —–  

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. 

  —–  

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. 

  —–  

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

  —–  

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. 

  —–  

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

  —  

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.

  ——  

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

  —  

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

  —–  

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

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Cissna Park 74-46

Sheldon beat Wellington in title game.

  —–  

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. 

  —–  

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. 

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to East Lynn 78-77

Armstrong beat Sheldon in title game.

  —–  

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

  —  

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

  —–  

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. 

  —–  

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. 

  —–  

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

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

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.

  —–  

**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.

  —–  

**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.

  —————————————————————————————————————

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

Courtesy of Tom Brown

Potomac Grade / High School – 1925

Submitted by Dean Abbott

Potomac Grade School – 2012

Port Byron High School Building – 2009

Photo Submitted by Richard Soseman

Port Byron, Illinois (population 1,668) is located on the panhandle of Rock Island County in Northwestern Illinois along the mighty Mississippi River and on the Great River Road, Illinois Route 84. The village was founded in 1836 and once had a junior college near the turn of the century that had dormatories. PortByron was founded in 1833 and originally called Canaan. The name was changed to Port Byron, being named after the English poet George Gordon, Lord Byron, in 1837. Port Byron’s current population of 1,668 (2020 census) is its’ highest population in history. Between 1990 and 2000 the population increased from 1,002 to 1,539. Small increases have been made in 2010 and 2020.

The above pictured building is the aforementioned academy. The portion to the far right is the original “Academy.” The year the building was erected is not available at this time. The dormitory rooms were located in the original, middle section of the building. The gymnasium, located to your right of the main building above, was added onto the original school many years ofter its’ initial construction.

Below is a history and photo of the Port Byron High School Building as shown in the 1923 yearbook titled “The Harper.” The photo below and others from this yearbook shown on this page were sent to us by Kathy Korht.

Original Port Byron HS Building – 1923 Yearbook

Submitted by Kathy Kohrt

Port Byron High School consolidated with Cordova and Hillsdale High Schools in 1956 to form Riverdale High School. The above pictured Port Byron High School building served as the Riverdale High School building until 1967, when a new building was constructed between the towns of Port Byron and Hillsdale. The web address for the Riverdale School District is http://www.riroe.k12.il.us/riroe/riverdale/ .

Port Byron HS Building – 2009

Submitted by Richard Soseman

The Port Byron High School Building was used as a business called Commercial Towel Service (CTS) for many years. It was abandoned in the early 2000s. Though the building was recently determined to be structually sound and prime property for lofts overlooking the Mississippi River, it was never used again.  Bill Alper tells us the building was razed in August of 2015.

Port Byron High School Quick Facts

Year opened:           late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed:            1956

Consolidated to:     Riverdale School District

School nickname:   the “Red Devils”

School colors:         Red & White

School Fight Song: unavailable

ATHLETICS

Port Byron offered a variety of athletics in their existance. It is known that Port Byron competed in the old Two Rivers Conference during the 1940s and 1950s.  Member schools included *Cordova, *Hillsdale, Erie, Prophetstown, *Lyndon, *Atkinson, Annawan, *Tampico, and *Mineral (* denotes school on this site).

BOYS BASKETBALL

Port Byron’s Red Devils won three District Championships in Boys Basketball, coming in back-to-back-to-back seasons in the middle 1950s. Information is needed on other teams and records of Port Byron High School.

Some scores involving Port Byron High School in the annual IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” The scores found are listed below as well.

  —–  

1919-20   Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1920-21   Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1921-22            Moline District Tournament                            Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Sheffield 25-19

2nd Rd lost to Annawan 20-18

Annawan lost to Moline in title game

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1922-23  3 – 6   Postseason scores & coach’s name needed.

Port Byron HS Basket Ball Summary 1923

Submitted by Kathy Korht

Port Byron HS Basket Ball Team 1922-23

Submitted by Kathy Korht

Port Byron HS Basketball Results1922-23

Submitted by Kathy Korht

1923-24 through 1929-30  Postseason scores, records, and coach’s names needed.

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

1st Rd Beat Sherrard 38-16

2nd Rd Beat Coal Valley 32-10

Semi-Final lost to East Moline (score needed)

Moline beat East Moline in title game.

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1931-32              Rock Island District Tournament          Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Hillsdale 35-24

(Other scores needed)

Semi-Final lost to Moline 35-27

Rock Island beat Moline in title game

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

1st Rd Beat Joy 43-28

2nd Rd Beat New Boston 33-10

Semi-Final lost to Rock Island 34-20

Rock Island beat Orion in title game.

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1933-34              Rock Island District Tournament          Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Hillsdale 23-22

2nd Rd lost to East Moline 33-23

East Moline lost to Moline in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Orion 43-22

Orion lost in 2nd Rd to East Moline

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1935-36              Reynolds District Runner-up!           Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Coal Valley 26-10

Semi-final Beat Cordova – score unavailable

Title game lost to Keithsburg 26-17

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1936-37              Moline Regional Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed

(Not assigned to a District Tourney this season.)

1st Rd lost to Moline 53-15

Moline beat East Moline for title

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1937-38              East Moline District Tournament           Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Tampico 24-23

Cordova beat Tampico in title game

.  —–

1938-39              Hillsdale District Tournament                  Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Lindon 34-10

Lyndon beat Cordova in title game

.  —–

1939-40  Postseason scores, records, and coach’s names needed.

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1940-41              Orion District Tournament                    Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Orion 24-6

Orion beat Cambridge in title game

.  —–

1941-42  Postseason scores, records, and coach’s names needed.

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1942-43              Orion District Tournament                    Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Coal Valley 24-20

Orion beat Cambridge in title game

   —–  

1943-44              Erie District Runner-Up                     Coach’s name & record needed

Title game lost to Erie 52-31

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

1st Rd lost to Coal Valley 50-32

Coal Valley lost to Lyndon in semi-final.

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1945-46  18 – 6  Orion District Tournament                    Coach Paul Munson

1st Rd Beat Cordova 23-15

(no other scores available for PBHS)

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1946-47  18 – 5  Rock Island District Tournament          Coach Paul Munson

1st Rd Beat Lyndon 49-34

Semi-final Rd lost to Orion 47-33

Orion lost to Erie in title game

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1947-48  14 – 12 Orion District Tournament                   Coach Charles Hoff

1st Rd Lost to Erie 55-22

Erie lost to Orion in title game

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

1st Rd Beat Cordova 51-40

Semi-final round lost to Alwood 36-25

Alwood beat Coal Valley for title.

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1949-50              Coal Valley District Runner-up!        Coach’s name & record needed

Semi-final Beat Cordova 45-41

Title game lost to Coal Valley 38-35

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

Semi-final lost to Coacl Valley 54-53 (2 O/Ts)

Coal Valley lost to Hillsdale in title game

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1951-52             Port Byron District Tournament             Coach’s name & record needed

(Port Byron scores unavailable)

Lyndon beat Cordova for title

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1952-53            IHSA District Champions!                    Coach’s name & record needed

District Scores Unavailable

Rock Island Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to East Moline 56-31

East Moline lost to Moline in semi-final

Moline lost to Rock Island in title game

   —–     

1953-54            IHSA District Champions!                    Coach’s name & record needed

District Scores Unavailable

Moline Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Rock Island 99-30

Rock Island lost to Moline in title game

  —–  

1954-55            IHSA District Champions!                    Coach’s name & record needed

District Scores Unavailable

Geneseo Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Rock Island 70-33

Rock Island lost to Moline in title game

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*1955-56  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

*Final year for Port Byron High School. Became part of the Riverdale School District in the 1956-57 school year.

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FOOTBALL

The Port Byron Red Devils also competed in football in the Two Rivers Conference.  Behind the school pictured above lies land known as the Dorrance Park Forest Preserve. The land adjacent to the back of the school building served as the Port Byron football field and was host to many “Friday Night Lights” grid iron contests.  Today the old field has given way to baseball diamonds for the town of Port Byron.

Tom Sikorski and Dean Bentley provided the following facts about the Port Byron grid iron successes:

1946            Two Rivers Conference Champions  (6-man FB)

1947            Two Rivers Conference Champions  (6-man FB)

1950  4-1    Two Rivers Conference Co-champs

1952  6-0    Two Rivers Conference Champions                        Coach Mel Smith

1955  8-0    Two Rivers Conference Champions

1955 was the last season Port Byron independently fielded a football team.  Last win was 54-12 over Hanover.

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More Information Needed

More information is being sought about Port Byron High School; use the Guest Commentary Form or the School Submission Form to submit. If you have more Information about Port Byron High School, including the nickname, school colors, the school song and especially win-loss records and other great teams you would like to share please e-mail this website at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. .

Port Byron High School Building

Courtesy of Richard Soseman

Poplar Grove offered basketball as a sport. The original gymnasium for the basketball games was the Poplar Grove Grange Hall. A new gym was built in 1940 and the dedication was on November 8, 1940. Did they offer other sports? They might have not won any IHSA hardware, but we are sure there were many successful seasons over the years.

Boys Basketball

We do know, through research conducted by Brian Hoxsey, the Poplar Grove boys of 1941-42 were a special group.  This team won the Meridian Conference tournament held at Polar Grove! Check out the tournament scores below:

The 1941-42 Meridian Conference Basketball Tournament 

Jan. 28th

Poplar Grove 40, Fairdale 19

Kishwaukee 19 Seward 16

Compton 27, Cherry Valley 21

Jan. 29th 

Lee 34, Kings 33 (Lee dressed six players, two fouled out, so they finished with four players on the floor at the end)

West Brooklyn 38, Caledonia 20

Poplar Grove 13, Kishwaukee 12

Jan. 30th

Semifinals

Poplar Grove 25, Compton 13

Lee 36, West Brooklyn 21

Feb. 1st

Compton 39, West Brooklyn 36 (Third place)

Poplar Grove 26, Lee 19 (Championship game)

Seeking Your Assistance

If you have ANY further information about Poplar Grove High School, please share it with us.  Photos and information can be e-mailed to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il.    60631

Pocahontas High School Trophy Case

Photo Taken by Douglas Combs

Pocahontas Gymnasium Half Court Logo

Photo Courtesy of Douglas Combs

Athletics

Pocahontas High School (c’mon, they HAD to be the “Indians”!) definately offered boys basketball.  Track and baseball may have also been offered to the boys. We have VERY limited information available.  We are hopeful a Pocahontas resident or former alumnus can help us out.

Boys Basketball

According to the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) the Pocahontas High School boys basketball team brought home two District titles during their existence.  The team records and coach’s names were not available.  If you have information on these two teams as well as other Pocahontas High School accomplishments please e-mail us the information so we can share it with others.

Roger Haberer added this information regarding the Pocahontas gymnasium:

“I haven’t been in the gym for several years but originally the benches and scoring table were located on the stage.  The stage was on the west side of the court and was about 4’ above the floor.  After timeouts, the substitute players always had to help their Coach get back to the bench on the stage.  The wooded bleachers only on the east side began about 4’ above the floor and consisted of 8 to 10 rows.  The floor was very near the walls with only about 1’ between the out of bounds line and the wall.”

What a great atmosphere it must have been to play at old PHS!

Some of the scores listed below were found on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores“.

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1921-22            Centralia District Tournament                 Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Coulterville 28-22

Coulterville lost to Farina in quarter-final round

Farina lost to Centralia in title game

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1922-23  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1923-24  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1924-25            IHSA District Champions                      Coach’s name & record needed

                         Defeated Nokomis in the Semi-finals

                         Defeated Witt in the Championship game

                         Springfield Sectional Tournament

                         1st Rd lost to Industry 16-9

Industry lost in 2nd Rd.

Springfield beat Athens in title game

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1925-26  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1926-27  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1927-28  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1928-29  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1929-30  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1930-31  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

1st round Pocahontas 24 Beckemeyer 23

2nd round Pocahontas 34 Keyesport 10

Semifinal Centralia 30 Pocahontas 20

Centralia – District Champs

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1932-33  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

—–

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

1st Rd Beat Beckemeyer 35-18

2nd Rd lost to Centralia 53-22

Centralia beat Ashley in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Mulberry Grove 39-30

Mulberry Grove lost to Fillmore in 2nd Rd

Fillmore beat Vandalia in title game

—–

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

1st Rd lost to Venice 51-36

Venice beat Troy in title game

—–

1936-37            IHSA District Champions                      Coach’s name & record needed

                         District Scores Needed

                         Greenville Regional Tournament

                         1st Rd Beat Carlyle 35-19

                         Semi-final lost to Greenville 28-16

Greenville lost to Vandalia in title game

   —–  

1937-38            Pocahontas District Runner-Up           Coach’s name & record needed

Title Game lost to Panama 45-25

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

1939-40  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1940-41  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

—–

1941-42            Highland Regional Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Staunton 32-23

Staunton lost to Livingston in semi-final

Livingston lost to Collinsville in title game

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1942-43            Greenville Regional Tournament             Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Livingston 56-33

Livingston lost to Staunton in semi-final

Staunton lost to Greenville in title game

—–

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

—–

1944-45            Greenville Regional Tournament             Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Greenville 47-43

Greenville lost to Livingston in semi-final

Livingston beat St. Jacob in title game

—–

1945-46            Highland Regional Runner-Up             Coach’s name & record needed

                         1st Rd Beat Highland St. Paul 51-32

                         Semi-final Beat Livingston 44-40

                         Title Game lost to Greenville 59-27

—–

1946-47            Greenville Regional Tournament             Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Livingston 66-31

Livingston beat Greenville in title game

—–

1947-48            Highland District Tournament                   Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Mulberry Grove 47-44

Semi-final lost to Livingston 59-31

Livingston beat Highland in title game

—–

1948-49            Greenville Regional Tournament             Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to East St. Louis Lincoln 45-42

East St. Louis Lincoln beat Highland in title game

—–

1949-50            Highland Regional Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Madison Dunbar 41-23

Madison Dunbar beat Carlyle in title game

Pocahontas HS Basketball Team 1949-50

Submitted by Bruce Firchau

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1950-51            Greenville Regional Tournament             Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Highland 67-38

Highland beat Greenville in title game

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1951-52            Highland Regional Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Witt 40-38

Witt lost to Livingston in semi-final

Livingston beat Carlyle in title game

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1952-53            Greenville Regional Tournament             Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Greenville 58-51

Greenville beat Collinsville in title game

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1953-54            Highland Regional Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Carlyle 55-47

Carlyle lost to Greenville in title game

—–

1954-55  12- 8 Greenville Regional Tournament             Coach James Kesner

1st Rd lost to Highland 84-51

Highland lost to Greenville in title game

HIGHLAND (84): B. Tuffli 24, Ward 23, H. Tuffli 17, Byrne 11, Loyet 4, Williams 2, Ginter 2, Zobrist 1.

POCAHONTAS (51): Schollinger 12, Romy 12, Hutchinson 8, McCassland 7, Sugg 7, Haberer 3, Kinberlin 2.

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1955-56            Highland Regional Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed

**1st Rd lost to Aviston 82-59

Aviston lost to Greenville in semi-final

Greenville lost to Highland in title game

**Final basketball game for Pocahontas High School.

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One of the top 50 winningest coaches in the state of Illinois, Joe Lucco, started his coaching career at Pocahontas High School. After stints at Kincaid and Edwardsville, Lucco had a career record of 562-267.

Pocahontas versus Collinsville from research by Mark Jurenga:

Despite the obvious enrollment difference, Pocahontas took on many bigger schools, including:

Pocahontas High School Record vs. Collinsville

*Collinsville High sits at #2 behind Centralia as the winningest team in IHSA history with 1,939 wins after the 2006-2007 season.

The Series:

4 meetings

Collinsville won series: 4-0

At Collinsville: Collinsville led 3-0

At Pocahontas: NA

Neutral Site: Collinsville led 1-0

1938 State Fair Band Championship Trophy

Submitted by Douglas Combs

Band

The Pocahontas band of 1938 had a lot to toot their horns about.  The trophy pictured to above was won at the Illinois State Fair that year.  The trophy reads:

Governor Hori(ver?) Trophy

Champion High School Band Group #1

1938 Illinois State Fair

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Information from the 1953-54 Yearbook

Courtesy of Mark Jurenga

Principal: Mr. James Kesner. Principal/coach/History teacher/co-sponsor of Sr. class.

1954 Senior class history.

Frosh (23 enrolled)

President………………Delores Albert

Vice-Presdient………..Arnold Zobrist

Secretary……………..Eunice Miles

Treasurer……………..Karla Kuhn

Soph.

President……………..Edith Zobrist

Vice-President……….Delores Albert

Secretary…………….Shirley Weiss

Treasurer…………….Karla Kuhn

Junior

President…………….Clifford Gruner

Vice-President………Karla Kuhn

Treasurer……………Delores Albert

Reporter…………….Marlene Mettler

Sergeant-at-Arms….Elvin Zimmerman

*Delores Albert won the title as Pocahontas Queen that year.

Senior (20 enrolled)

President……………Lucille Farley

Vice-President……..Karla Kuhn

Secretary…………..Clifford Gruner

Treasurer…………..Edith Zobrist

Senior Play for Class of 1954 “Gown of Glory”

Senior “skip-hike” to Washington D. C., New York City and Niagara Falls.

Sports in the 1953-54 school year were boys baseball and basketball.

Clubs included FFA, FHA

NOTE: Despite showing a picture of the baseball team, no schedule or results were printed.

Teams on the basketball schedule included: Aviston, Breese, Coffeen, Highland, Highland (St. Paul), Livingston, Mulberry Grove, Troy, Trenton, Venice, Worden. They also played in something called the MBC Tourney at Trenton. (I’m assuming that was the Madison and Bond County Tourney, perhaps a conference tourney.)

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Seeking Your In-Put

Pocahontas High School did exist due to the hard and heartfelt efforts of the folks who lived there during that time. Their efforts deserve to be remembered.  If you can offer any infomation regarding the many accomplishments and successes made at PHS you can e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. .  You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.  60631

Plato Center HS Gym 2012

Courtesy of Bruce Firchau

ATHLETICS

Plato Center High School definitely offered boys basketball and football.  Baseball and track were likely offered as well.  School team fight song, team records, and coach’s names are all items being sought.

Plato Center HS Bleachers 2012

Left Click on photo for larger view. (Photo by Bruce Firchau)

Plato Center HS Gym Enterance Stairs 2012

Left Click on photo for larger view. (Photo by Bruce Firchau)

BOYS BASKETBALL

The round-ballers of Plato Center High School brought home a DIstrict title in 1937. The boys competed in the annual IHSA State Tournament as well. Scores were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” We have reprinted these scores below. Season records, coaches’ names, and other information is welcome.

1920-21 Little 8 Conference tournament runner-up  Coach’s name & record needed

1921-22 Little 8 Conference tournament champions  Coach’s name & record needed

1933-34                Crystal Lake District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Elgin 74-17

Elgin lost in semi-final of District

1934-35                Crystal Lake District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Harvard 43-6

Harvard lost in 2nd Rd.

1935-36                Hampshire District Runner-up!               Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Genoa 38-24

                                Semi-final Beat Hampshire 43-31

                                Title game lost to Burlington 29-26

1936-37               District Champions!                                    Coach’s name & record needed

District scores unavailable

DeKalb Regional Tourney

1st Rd lost to Waterman 33-15

Waterman lost in title game.

Little 8 tournament champions

1937-38 Little 8 Conference tournament champions  Coach’s name & record needed

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

1937-38 Kishwaukee Holiday tournament champions  Coach’s name & record needed

1940-41  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

1942-43  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

1944-45  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

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

1st Rd lost to Hinckley 80-28

Hinckley lost in semi-final round.

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

1st Rd lost to Kaneville 55-41

Kaneville lost in semi-final round

1948-49               HinckleyDistrict Tourney                             Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Burlington 59-42

Burlington lost in semi-final round

1949-50   8 – 18  Waterman District Tourney                        Coach Joe Kurchera

(2-8conf)

1st Rd lost to Hinckley 33-28

Hinckley won District title

Plato Center High School Basketball Team 1949-50

Left click on photo for larger view

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

**1st Rd lost to Burlington 49-48

Burlington lost in semi-final round

**Final boys basketball game for Plato Center High School. Became part of the Burlington Central HS District in the summer of 1951.

FOOTBALL

The Plato Center High School Clippers competed in football in the early 1950s for certain. They played 6-man football against other area schools such as Stillman Valley. If you have any further information regarding the PCHS football program please contact us.

TRACK

Plato Center High School started their track program right from the starting gun well for its first 2 years.

1920-21 Little 8 Conference tournament champions

1921-22 Little 8 Conference tournament champions

MEMORIES & FACTS

**From Mary Beth Fletcher:

“I was on-line researching a fire that destroyed the Plato High School in 1926-27. I purchased a 1927 Plato High School Yearbook on Ebay . The yearbook states that in ’27 they were rebuilding and the students were displaced following the fire. The school fight song is listed in the yearbook as are the participants in the sports of Basketball, Baseball and Track. Other school activities noted are; Glee Club, Orchestra,Class Play, Declamation Contest, Peptimist Staff (yearbook).”

Plato Center HS Seniors 1927

Submitted by Mary Beth Fletcher (left click on photo for larger view)

Plato Center HS Faculty 1927

Submitted by Mary Beth Fletcher (left click on photo for larger view)

Need Your Assistance

If you have any further information or corrections to make regarding Plato Center High School please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.. You can also write to us via USPS at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.    60631

Plato Center HS Gym Entrance 2012

Left Click on photo for larger view. (Photo by Bruce Firchau)

Plato Center Gym Stage 2012

Left Click on photo for larger view. (Photo by Bruce Firchau)

Plato Center HS 1927 Yearbook Foreward

Submitted by Mary Beth Fletcher (left click on photo for larger view)

The first five years of Burlington Central High School are listed on the site called “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores” as “Plato Center.” Here are the scores from the those seasons.

1951-52                DeKalb Regional Tourney                         Coach’s name & record needed

(Did not compete in District tourney)

 1st Rd Beat Shabonna 72-37

Semi-final lost to DeKalb 59-44

DeKalb won Regional tourney

1952-53                DeKalb Regional Tourney                         Coach’s name & record needed

(Did not compete in District tourney)

1st Rd lost to DeKalb 59-45

DeKalb won Regional tourney

1953-54                Sycamore Regional Tourney                     Coach’s name & record needed

(Did not compete in District tourney)

1st Rd lost to Hampshire 29-20

Hampshire lost in semi-final round.

1954-55               Genoa Regional Tourney                            Coach’s name & record needed

(Did not compete in District tourney)

1st Rd lost to Sycamore 89-52

Sycamore won Regional tourney

1955-56                DeKalb Regional Tourney                         Coach’s name & record needed

(Did not compete in District tourney)

**1st Rd lost to DeKalb 74-39

DeKalb won Regional tourney

We are certain that the boys participated in the sport of basketball. It is likely that track and baseball were offered as well. We are searching for the Plainville High School team nickname, uniform colors, fight song, coaches names, and season records.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The following score was recorded on the website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores“. We are hopeful a local fan can provide further information about this and other seasons in PHS history.

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Coatsburg 19-17 (O/T)

2nd Rd lost to Ursa 42-32

Payson beat Mendon in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Liberty 36-23

Quincy beat Hamilton in title game.

  —–  

1933-34 Quincy District Tournament

1st Rd lost to Camp Point 51-19

Quincy beat Hamilton in title game.

  —–  

No other scores were located on the website titled “Illinois High School Postseason Basketball Scores.”

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

We are confident that athletics were not the only extra-curricular activity offered at Plainville High. Clubs, choir, band, dances, and other activities were likely a large part of the Plainville High School experience.

SEEKING FURTHER INFORMATION

We are hopeful a local resident, historian, or even an alum of Plainville High School will help us provide more information regardiing this former school system. You can e-mail items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or you can write to us at:

IHSGD Webstie

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, IL.  60631

BOYS BASKETBALL

Scores found on the website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores” have been added below. The photo of the 1929-30 team was submitted by David John Frank, whose grandmother Alberta Phillips taught music at Pittsburgh High School during that school year.

Pittsburgh High School Basketball Team of 1929-30

Submitted by David John Frank

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

1st Rd lost to Creal Springs 42-24

Creal Springs lost to Carbondale in 2nd Rd.

1933-34                    Johnson City District Tourney      Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Herrin 52-9

Herrin Beat Marion in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Creal Springs 47-14

Creal Springs lost to Johnson City in Semi-final

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

1st Rd lost to Ina 44-19

Ina lost to Valier in 2nd Rd.

1936-37  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1937-38  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

1939-40  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1940-41                    Creal Springs District Tourney     Coach’s name & record needed.

 1st Rd Beat Stone Fort 43-25

Semi-final lost to Crab Orchard 25-24

Crab Orchard lost in title game to New Burnside

This is the final score listed on the site titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.”

1941-42 through the closing of the school:   Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

Pittsburg School Photo

Robert Moake – back row, 6th from left / Submitted by Betty Moake

Special Gratitude

Thank you to our good friend and long-time contributor Roberta Van Breisen for her extensive research in finding information regarding Pittsburg High School.  Great job Roberta!

Can You Help Us Out?

Please share your knowledge of the Pittsburg school system with us.  You can see there are many gaps to be filled.  Let’s fill in the blanks before the many great memories are lost forever.  Please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. or via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago,  Il.  60631

Pittsburg Town Men’s Baseball Team

Ben Moake – Top Row Right (Submitted by Betty Moake)

Pittsburgh Baseball Diamond 2015