Centralia Sports Hall of Fame

1960-61 Centralia High School Basketball Team
The Centralia Sports Hall of Fame
1993 Team Award Winner

Row One: Chuck Garrett, Al Williams Row Two: Paul Downey, Jerry Dodson, Wendell Meeks, Vernon Winkler, Herb Williams, Richard Rapp, Wayne Knicker, Melvin Blackwell, Russell Coleman, Gene Blackwell. (coaches & managers listed below)

This team distinguished themselves as one of the best teams ever at CHS. They started the season with a loss to Pinckneyville (later avenged at the Salem Tourney), then ran off 29 straight wins before falling to eventual undefeated state champion Collinsville in the super-sectional.

The game with Collinsville (the #1 and #2 teams in the state) was one of the greatest high school games ever played. The Orphans came up short 66-64. Collinsville went on to blow out the field at the state finals.

Along the way, the Orphans chalked up championships in the Centralia Holiday Tourney, the Salem Invitational, South-Seven Conference, Regional, and Sectional and were ranked second in the state all season.This team was also a part of a 38 game home court win streak that ranks third best in the state of Illinois.

The Super-Sectional game with Collinsville was one of the greatest high school games ever played as the Orphans came up short 66-64. Collinsville went on to blow-out the field at the state finals
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Chuck Garrett, Richard Rapp, and Russell Coleman each received All-State honors.

COACH: Bill Davies. ASST. COACH: Jerry Wilson.

TEAM MEMBERS: Chuck Garrett (All-State), Al Williams, Paulrice Downey, Jerry Dodson, Wendell Meeks, Vernon Winkler, Herb Williams, Richard Rapp (All-State), Wayne Knicker, Melvin Blackwell, Russell Coleman (All-State), Gene Blackwell. MANAGERS: Don Demijan and Larry Forehand.