Coaches

Lavere “Wally” Gregory

Year Inducted: 1984

Category: Coaches

Schools / Organizations: Metropolis High School
Griggsville High School
Monticello High School
Carthage College

Biography: The late Wally Gregory coached basketball for 37 years, compiling a 402-93 record. He coached AAU basketball in 1926-27, army basketball from 1928-30, Metropolis High School from 1931-33, was a Carthage College assistant from 1936-39, and at Griggsville High School from 1943-46 before winding up at Monticello High School from 1946-51. At Monticello, Gregory’s Sages were 95-38. The Sages tied for the Okaw Valley title in 1946-47 and won it in 1949-50. The 1949-50 team won the Okaw Tournament and the regional in which the Sages defeated Champaign for the first time in more than 20 years. They eventually lost to Danville in the Sectional (Danville was second in the state that season). That 27-4 Monticello team won 24 straight games. Gregory founded the Monticello Holiday Tournament and his teams claimed three titles in the four years which Gregory was the coach. Gregory’s stint at Griggsville produced a 45-25 record and his 1945-46 team went 19-5 and outscored opponents 1,180 to 820. That team won the Milton Tournament, which was the first championship for a Griggsville team in 16 years. Gregory also officiated football, basketball, track, and baseball for 40 years.  Wally Gregory died on November 17, 1981.