When one looks back at the history of Gardner -South Wilmington High School, there have been many great teams and players over the years. Gardner was incorporated in 1867 and named after Henry A. Gardner. Coal mining and the railroad are what brought Gardner to life.

Gardner High School was opened in the late 1800s, and in 1920, the new building was built. In the late 1940s, Gardner was consolidated to Gardner-South Wilmington High School.

In basketball, GSW had many fine teams in the 40s, and captured the Coal Valley Conference Tournament in 1953. Jim Fair built a powerhouse at GSW in the 1970s through early part of 1980s. Fair was back behind the bench again during 2003-04 and 2004-05.

The Panthers have had considerable amount of success in recent years.

Who is the greatest basketball player at GSW? That one would be hard to answer, but I can tell you one thing — one of the very best is Bill Gerrish.

Bill played from 1968-1971 and was moved up to the varsity as a sophomore by the coach, Gene Baum. Bill told his coach that he didn't want to move up to the big squad, since had played with the same kids since grade school. Eventually, he did move to the varsity squad, and thus started a legendary career that would take him to St. Francis University, where his number 32 was retired at the school. During an interview with Bill several years ago, he said he averaged 22 to 24 points per game at St. Francis.
When I asked Gerrish what drove him to being a great player, he answered, "I was never pushed, but I always had the support of my parents. Whatever I needed for sports, they gave it to me, if was a ride or a new basketball. They never pushed me, but I don't think they missed one sporting event that I played in."

Bill added, “Even when I was in college, when the team went out of state, they traveled. My dad took off work and was at the games.”

Bill said if you like something well enough, you will do it all the time. He gave an example of that, saying, "We use to go down to the courts outside and play with gloves on in the cold during winter time."
I mentioned some of the standout players in the area over the years. Bill said after he was out of college, he played in the Morris men's basketball league and played against many of the excellent players from the area. He mentioned Russ Battersby and Dan Darlington as super players.

Bill commented on Darlington, “What I remember about Dan is the fact he is a competitor like I was. When we played Dan Darlington’s team, it was me and him guarding each other. That guy would step on you toes, pull on the back of your gym shorts, just to get you off balance. He was just a great all-around player.

“He and Battersby could really shoot well.”

Bill started to reel off players he faced in the CVC. “Doug Wills of Coal City was a great player,” he said. “There was Rick Eartly from Braidwood, Dan Arnold and Nick Walsh from Mazon. St.Paul of Odell had a Voit and Verdum, they were always good.”

During his playing days, Gerrish could hit the outside shot or any other type of shot for that matter, but he was more of a slasher to the hoop. He would score with the best of them in his day.

When the conversation moved around to Barney Vigna, another Gardner great, I told Bill that when I was setting up a show with Barney and other Gardner players, I talked to his wife and asked what Barney was doing now that he is retired. Mrs Vigna said Barney drinks a lot of coffee at the local shops.
It is rumored that Barney was a big agitator at the local shops, to which Bill said, "I can verify that. When I stop in for breakfast, Barney is always in there agitating someone."

It sounds like they have a good time at the morning breakfast hangouts.

Gerrish said that during his high school days, the best teams in the area were Coal City, Braidwood and Seneca.

"Those three teams were always right there battling for the conference championship," he said.
Bill started to name his teammates that included Mark Dinelli, Bret Hillman, Dennis Brown (sophomore) and others that rotated in and out.

Braidwood had the toughest gym to play in during Gerrish playing days — a very small gym that flooded a lot. Coal City had the tile floor that was always very slippery to play on. Gerrish said Mazon had nice gym, similar to Gardner gymnasium.

Bill commenting on the changes in the game since his playing days, said the biggest had to be the three-point shot. "It gives the smaller teams a chance to compete against the bigger schools," he said.
The most points Bill scored in one high school game was against Forrest-Strawn Wing, when he tallied 41 or 43 points. He couldn't remember the exact amount.

Bill actually went to Lewis College on a baseball scholarship and then transferred to St. Francis University to play baseball and basketball. Gerrish was also an excellent baseball player.

Gerrish said, when talking about his number being retired, “It was the most memorable moment in my career.” Bill saidthe gymnasium was packed with Gardner residents there to show support for Bill and his great career.

Bill Gerrish’s No. 32 hangs in the rafters at St. Francis University. Bill was carpenter for many years and a business representative for the carpenter’s union.

Another true legend from our area. Thanks for the memories, Bill Gerrish.