Basketball Hall of Fame

The 1997-98 team, coached by Lorene Ramsey (GPSHOF class of 1982), and loaded with talent from the Greater Peoria area, the Lady Cougars captured the second National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Tournament Championship in ICC’s history. Their march to the crown included wins over Calhoun (AL) 70-60; Kirkwood (IA) 70-69; and Penn Valley Community College (KS) 72-65 in the championship tilt. Kelli Ryan, Marlena Williams, and Beth Zeone were named to the All-Tournament 1st Team. Williams was named the Most Valuable Player in the Tournament. Ryan was named to the NJCAA All-American 1st Team, and Williams received 3rd Team All-American recognition. Ramsey was named NJCAA Division II National Coach of the Year. At the time of the team’s induction, inside player, Pauline Harris (Peoria Manual) held ICC’s single-game record for the number of rebounds (22). The majority of the players on the roster were from Peoria area high schools including Peoria schools, Manual, Notre Dame, and Woodruff; and area schools Dunlap, Pekin, Limestone, Illinois Valley Central, and Brimfield. The Lady Cougars owned a 30-5 record for the season that included a 23 game win streak.