1956-57 Varsity Basketball Team

Of all the great basketball teams at Ottawa High, the 1956-57 squad is the only one to bring home an IHSA State Finals trophy. Coach Gil Love’s Pirates finished Third in the state at old Huff Gym in Champaign beating Quincy Notre Dame 65-64 in overtime. Ottawa earned the right to advance into the “Elite Eight” by defeating Pekin 58-56 in double overtime at the Peoria Supersectional. At Champaign, they topped Champaign High School in the first round before losing to Collinsville in the Semifinals. The Pirates finished the season at 29-6. Seated L-R: Bill Tonione, Fran Clements, Jerry Varland, Bill Springer Second Row L-R: Manager Jerry Owens, George Small, John Rensch, Assistant Coach June Gross, Bob Chalus, Head Coach Gil Love, Dick Martin, Manager Peter Dorris Third Row L-R: Joe Olle, Phil Black, Dale Larson, Ralph Lindemann, Bob Parkins, Scott Benson, Gordon Meyer