The Decade of the 2000's

(Researching and recognizing programs that are special became more difficult in the 2007-08 season when Illinois went to a 4-class system.)

When you've had players like Derrick Rose, Jabari Parker, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Kendrick Nunn it is easy to see how a high school like Chicago Simeon could win SIX state championships in TWO decades, and finish 2nd twice. The Wolverines built a dynasty in Illinois high school basketball. At the center of it was coach Robert Smith. Coach Smith was a student-athlete at Simeon and before he retired from coaching there, he won over 500 games.

Chicago Simeon began what would be an incredible run of state tournament appearances and state championships during this decade and the next decade as well. Simeon won the state in '06, and '07 and finished 2nd in '08. They followed that up with a FOUR-PEAT, winning state championships in '10, '11, '12, 2nd place in '17 and 3rd place in '16. The Wolverines were an incredible 249-65 in the decade. Robert Smith, who coached Simeon during this period, finished his career with an unbelievable 444-83 record. His teams won 30 or more games in 6 seasons. Peoria won the state in '03 and '04 and won 194 games and lost 88 during the decade. Chuck Buescher's '03 and '04 teams were a combined 62-3. He finished his HOF career 546-196. Rockford Auburn was 237-66 in the decade. Aurora West won the state title in '00 and finished 3rd in '04. Chicago Westinghouse finished in 2nd place in '00 before winning the state title in '02. Chicago Young won the state championship in '09 and was 223-55 in the decade. Lincoln made it to the quarterfinals in '05 and '07 and was 242-78 in the decade. Neil Alexander, who guided the Railsplitters for 36 years, had a career record of 844-273 with a winning percentage of .756. Lincoln is the 6th most successful high school program in Illinois with a 1,982-982 record in 113 years.

Pinckneyville set the bar in this decade for the Class A schools winning 236 games while losing only 26. They won the state tournament in '00 and '04 and finished 4th in '06. Nokomis finished the decade 244-71 and a 2nd place trophy in '08. Cairo kept the winning going with a quarterfinal finish in '03. Woodlawn was 186-92 during the decade and had a 2nd place finish at the state tournament in '09. Dave Luechtefeld ended his outstanding coaching career spanning four decades (37 years) at Okawville with 711 wins, including a 2nd place finish in the state in '87 and a 3rd place finish in '80.

Derrick Rose, Simeon (2007), 2x All-American, Mr. Basketball, USA POY, Team record 95-11

NEXT THE 2010's