Teams

1958-59 Springfield High School Boys’ Team

Year Inducted: 1991

Category: Teams

Schools / Organizations: Springfield High School

Head Coach:  Ray Page

Team Record:  33-1 (IHSA State Champions)

Biography: 

The 1959 basketball team joined the Red and Black teams of 1917 and 1935 in the State Basketball Hall of Fame by winning for the school and the city the State Championship. This team compiled the finest record in Springfield history, winning 33 and losing 1. The Senators won their final 32 games in a row.  Undefeated in conference competition, Springfield won the Big Twelve crown for the second consecutive year. The City Championship and the Quincy Invitational title were other honors gained by the team as they continued to improve throughout the season and left followers wondering how truly great they were.

The 1959 team featured a combination of outstanding stars, excellent teamwork, a strong bench and a tremendous desire to win. Springfield had two players on the All-State team, Tom Cole and George Mathis. These boys will go down in history as two of Springfield’s finest players.

Springfield was coached by Ray Page with able assistance from Alby Plain and John Sowinski.

Team Members in the Picture:

Insert:  (L-R) Dave Follmer mgr, Nils Olsen and Dick Hinkle.

Back Row (L to R): Head Coach Ray Page, Jim Wieties, George Mathis, Tom Cole, Charles Shauger. Lynn Neff, Assistant Coach John Sowinski and Assistant Coach Alby Plain.

Front Row (L to R): Don Brittin mgr, Ed Greenberg, Tom Frick, Bob Plohr, Lee Pelham, Bob Farris, and Allen Killpatrick mgr.