‘Bago boy’s basketball makes history with No. 1 status

By Doug Schroder

Editor

WINNEBAGO – Last week when the Illinois high school state basketball rankings came out the Winnebago Indians boy’s team found themselves in a position that has never before been seen by any Winnebago basketball team before. The Indians achieved the top rank of number one in the Class 2A poll.

In all of his 30-plus years of coaching, Winnebago Head Coach Joe Murphy has never achieved such a status with any of his teams. He takes it all in stride though.

“We still have two games against Dixon, plus other ones against Rockford Lutheran and Oregon left,” Joe said before the game against Rock Falls on Friday, Jan. 15.

So far the only Winnebago loss has come from a forfeit due to weather at the Chuck Dayton Tournament in Dekalb. But like Coach Murphy said, they still have some games coming up against formidable foes.

Dixon has a strong team in Class 3A. The Indians have to play Lutheran again on their home court, after barely beating them at home earlier in the season. The Indians recently won a squeaker against Oregon on their home court and have to face them again this season.

The Indians came out strong against Rock Falls on Friday, Jan. 15, building a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. The Rockets came back in the second quarter to bring it to within four at 21-17, but it was all Winnebago from then on as the Indians poured it on to come away with a 77 -55 victory.

Whether the Indians can continue to be number one depends on how they play. They have appeared to be getting better with each game but there is much more basketball to be played.

In the mean time the Winnebago boy’s basketball, team and their fans, can bask amidst being the top ranked team in the state.

The next game for the Indians comes up Saturday, Jan. 23, at 7:30 p.m. at home against conference foe Mendota.

The number one State ranked 2A Winnebago boy’s basketball team goes through a pregame ritual at Rock Falls on Friday, Jan. 15. Doug Schroder photo