Regal Welcome Greeted
Triumphant Ladies
by Don Hill
(Reprinted McLeansboro Times-Leader March 5, 1987)
The triumphant return of the Lady Foxes hit McLeansboro by storm Sunday afternoon as an escort which seemed to go on for miles trailed the girls around the square for the final time this season.
The escort, which included fire trucks and police cars, ended at the front steps of the McLeansboro High School, the spot where the dream began three months ago. It was a long climb for the Lady Foxes up that ladder of respectability, but the climb was very successful one as the Lady Foxes returned from Chainpaign with the third-place trophy and some big smiles for the crowd of about 1,000 fans who gathered to welcome them home.
As the Lady Foxes took their rightful place behind the 2½ foot piece of hardware on the stage of MHS gym, Athletic Director Curt Reed was the first to welcome them home. The head coach of the boys’ squad was in a festive mood for more reasons than one.
"We would like to congratulate the girls for a tremendous third-place finish at state,” Reed said. “They have paid the price to be champions and they are champions with us."
"These girls had a great season," Coach Willie Grubb said of his 28-3 squad. "We were 19-2 on the road this year. That’s not too bad. In that first game, they told us that they were going to kick our butts. They had a big girl that was a ton inside.
"But after the game. I saw Elgin’s coach and he said, "You’ve got one good looking blonde on that team" that played super defense". Tina Thomas did a super job for us that night.
"Basketball in Southern Illinois is as good as it is anywhere in the state."
After Grubb had introduced all his players to the throng, Lori Kirsch was the first to let her feelings be known to the crowd.
"I can remember when the boys went to state and got third and then first and being so exited for them," Kirsch said. "But that feeling of going yourself - there is just nothing like it. Getting third just caps off my four years here. It's just been great."
Kirsch, one of three seniors on this squad, was named second-team all state this week, and will undoubtedly be named to the all-tournament team at Champaign.
Another senior from this year’s squad who made the all-state team was coach Grubb's daughter, Kerri.
"There wasn’t a big field of green up there this weekend," Kerri Grubb said. "But the ones who were there - we know who you are and we appreciate it."
"Maybe next year, the team, can come back and win first place like the boys did."
The third senior from the squad is Sharon Bowman. Bowman said she felt she had a major decision to make coming into the season, but now feels she made the right one.
"When practice started, I asked myself, should I play or not? I picked the right year to play."
"It was an experience I’ll never forget." junior guard Denise Bowers said. "It was a thrill to go and maybe we can go back next year."
Grubb also had some solid bench help this year as assistant coach Lewis Winemiller took over the reins as Grubb’s junior varsity coach.
"Lewis and I have been together for a long time," Grubb said. "Coach (Curt) Endicott was my assistant last year and he got another job right after school started. Lewis did a good job. We had to twist his arm a little bit. But his team went 16-1."
"When Willie came to me and asked me how I would like to coach the girls JV team, I said to myself, that’s got to be the dullest job in the world," Winemiller began. "Was I ever wrong."
"It wasn’t because we went to Champaign. This was the best time of coaching I have ever had. These three seniors should mean as much to this school as the ones from the boys team did."
"That Thursday night game was the best girls game I’ve seen in my life. It’s been quite an experience for me, but it has been great for these girls."
"We just had 18 super girls this year," Grubb added. "It’s kind of sad. We look up at that scoreboard and they have already taken their names down."
Reed ended the festivities with something for the girls to remember.
"They have accomplished the ultimate." Reed said. "They have been to the bighouse and brought back a piece of the gold."
Reed ended with the Foxes Creed which began and ended: “I am a Fox. I am a winner. McLeansboro High School and winning have become synonomous."
And so it goes.
Reprinted by permission from McLeansboro Times-Leader - June 17, 1999 by Ryan Nelson
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