I got a phone call the other day from Bob Basarich in which he relayed some sad news.
Jeff Robinson, one of Lockport's top basketball players when the Porters possessed one of the best programs in Illinois, had recently passed away.
He was a three-year varsity performer for some of the best teams that Basarich coached. From 1976-77 through 1978-79, Robinson scored 1,091 points, a 12.3 average.
After dropping a heartbreaker in three overtimes to St. Laurence in the sectional finals in 1977, the Porters avenged that defeat by winning a one-point thriller over the Vikings in the sectional semifinals in 1978.
Lockport advanced to the quarterfinals in Champaign with a 30-0 record. Following close wins over Ottawa and Collinsville at the Assembly Hall, the Porters capped their perfect 33-0 season with a 64-47 win over St. Joseph, which was led by hall of famer Isiah Thomas.
With all-stater Scott Parzych and Gerry Barbeauld the main graduation losses, the 1978-79 Porters figured to again challenge for a state championship and Robinson, who briefly attended Bradley University, led the way. He scored a team-high 461 points, a 14.9 average, during his senior season to earn all-state honors.
Lockport only lost one game during the regular season, to Quincy at Pontiac, and headed back to Champaign on a high note with a 29-1 record after capturing a stunning 43-20 win over Bloom in the memorable 'two-minute mess' at the Joliet Central Super-Sectional.
But the Porters' hopes for a rematch with Quincy were dashed when they fell 43-39 in the quarterfinals to Benet Academy, who then lost in two overtimes in the semifinals to the Blue Devils and Maine South went on to become surprise champs.
For those of us living in Lockport in the late-1970's, there was nothing quite like Porters basketball. I was only an eighth grader in 1978, so I never got to see that legendary squad, other than on TV at the state finals. However, I'll never forget the parade through town where the streets were lined with fans, who then piled into the gym for the awards ceremony.
But as a freshman in Robinson's senior year, I watched a lot of games and marvelled at a lineup that included Terry Brehn, Terry Green, Chuckie Travis, Elgie Young and Robinson.
I remember listening in disappointment to the loss to Quincy and then seeing my first Porters defeat in the quarterfinals against Benet.
Because of guys like Jeff Robinson and his teammates on those great teams of the late-1970's and early 1980's, I was forever hooked on Porters basketball. As far as I was concerned, there was nothing like a game at the old gym during those glory days.
You'd be greeted by a 'sold out' sign at the far door on 12th Street and if you did get in, it was likely because you had a season ticket. Only a handful of visiting fans could got seats and they were shoe-horned in behind their team's bench. The pep band was in one corner on the floor and Frank O'Leary was in his broadcast perch on the other side of the gym.
I'll never forget those special years, which definitely created an affection for the sport that is still quite strong. And the memory of Robinson and his teammates humbling Bloom to earn another Elite 8 trip is still one of my favorite games among the thousands that I've seen.