Basketball Hall of Fame

1975-76 Richwoods Boys Basketball Team

From 1973-76, Richwoods dominated boys basketball in the Peoria area to the extent that the three teams from those years were inducted together as an Era of Excellence. Richwoods had an 83-6 overall record over three seasons and a 47-1 conference record; the best three-year record by any team in the state over this period. The 1975-76 team finished the season with 26 wins and only a single loss. The Knights won the Mid-State 9 Conference for the third consecutive year and also had their second straight undefeated conference season. The team ended their regular season schedule with a perfect 25-0 record and a No. 1 ranking in the state. The season started by winning the Knights’ own round robin tournament for a sixth consecutive year. The team also won the Pekin Holiday Tournament and Derek Jim Hohstadt, and Mark Smith made the all-tournament team. In the regionals the Knights beat Canton in the first game, but suffered their only loss to Galesburg in overtime. The team still set the record of the best winning percentage in Richwoods history (.963). Holcomb, who signed with Indiana, made the All-State team and second team All-America. Smith, who would go on to star at Illinois, and Hohstadt made special mention All-State as well as All-Conference, Fred Dothard led the conference in free-throw percentage (.844) and along with Alen Cornelious made honorable mention All- Conference.

Pictured:

Front Row, left to right: R. Rice, manager, J. Grigsby, J. Hohstadt, P. Myers, R. Brandt, L. Biederbeck, F. Dothard
Back Row, left to right: Coach W. Hammerton, A. Cornelius, D. Stein, M. Smith, D. Holcomb, D. Marr, H. Burnside, Coach Snarr, Coach Eisele.