Teams

1953-54 Mt. Vernon High School Boys’ Team

Year Inducted: 1991

Category: Teams

Schools / Organizations: Mt. Vernon High School

Head Coach:  Harold Hutchins

Team Record:  29-3 (IHSA State Champions)

Biography: 

The Mt Vernon Rams, coached by Harold Hutchins and assisted by Scott Gill, were the surprise team of the 1954 IHSA State Tournament. The Rams were the underdogs in three of their four games in spite of the fact that Mt Vernon had won state basketball titles in 1949 and 1950, as well as finishing third in 1952.

According to a local newspaper account, “The final game was a battle royal. The lead changed hands 19 times. The score was tied 13 times. The score was tied at the half, tied again after three quarters, and knotted at 70-70 with less than two minutes to play.” In their championship victory, the Rams made 28 of 68 shots, or 41% from the field, and 20 of 25 , or 80% from the free throw line. The 1954 Rams were noted for teamwork and determination.

Team Members in the Picture:

Back Row (L to R): Coach Harold Hutchins, Kim Driggers, Gale Fruend, George Mendenall, Gerald Clark, and Gene Brookman. Not pictured are John Keller and Clinton Noren.

Front Row (L to R): Albert Avant, Don RIchards, Larry Whitlock, Fred Deichman, and Goff Thompson.