Illinois Valley

Bureau County Sports Hall of Fame: Hall 1996-98 state basketball teams at glance

The Hall Red Devils celebrate their 1996-97 state runner-up finish during the community reception at Red Devils Gymnasium.

The Hall Red Devils celebrate their 1996-97 state runner-up finish during the community reception at Red Devils Gymnasium. (Shaw Local News Network file photo)

By Kevin Hieronymus

1996-97 Red Devils

Leading scorers: Shawn Jeppson 21.5, Eric Bryant 12.1, Joey Reed 12.0

Leading rebounders: Reed 6.9, Adam Curran 5.9, Bryant 5.3

Team averages: Offense - 73.5; Defense - 59.3

Final record: 27-6

Place at state: Second (lost to Warsaw 92-85 OT)

Team members

Ryan Anderes, jr.

Derek Baird, jr.

*Eric Bryant, sr.

Adam Curran, jr.

Denny Galetti, sr.

Shawn Jeppson, jr.

Craig Olson, jr.

Chris Piontek, jr.

Joey Reed, jr.

*David Sharp, sr.

Nate Sobin, jr.

Mike Spoonmore, sr.

Nick Sterling, jr.

Joe Strait, jr.

Kevin Wilson, jr.

* Team captains

Assistant Coach: Bruce Becker

Assistant Coach: Keith Buchen

Assistant Coach: Tom Keegan

Head Coach: Eric Bryant

The Hall Red Devils celebrate their 1996-97 state runner-up finish during the community reception at Red Devils Gymnasium.

The Hall Red Devils celebrate their 1996-97 state runner-up finish during the community reception at Red Devils Gymnasium. (Shaw Local News Network file photo)

1997-98 Red Devils

Leading scorers: Jeppson 23.9, Reed 11.3

Leading rebounders: Reed 6.5, Sterling 4.3

Team averages: Offense - 77.0; Defense - 51.0

Final record: 32-1

Place at state: Second (lost to Nauvoo-Colusa 45-39)

Team members

*Ryan Anderes, sr.

Derek Baird, sr.

Jason Burkiewicz, jr.

Adam Curran, sr.

*Shawn Jeppson, sr.

*Craig Olson, sr.

Tony Orlandi, sr.

Matt Peterson, jr.

Chris Piontek, sr.

Dan Prokup, jr.

*Joey Reed, sr.

Jason Samolinski, jr.

Nate Sobin, sr.

*Nick Sterling, sr.

Joe Strait, sr.

Kevin Wilson, sr.

* Team captains

Assistant Coach: Bruce Becker

Assistant Coach: Keith Buchen

Assistant Coach: Tom Keegan

Assistant Coach: Pete Kasperski

Head Coach: Eric Bryant

Hall coach Eric Bryant becomes emotional as he talks about his 1997-98 Red Devils basketball team during the welcome home reception at Red Devils Gymnasium.

Hall coach Eric Bryant becomes emotional as he talks about his 1997-98 Red Devils basketball team during the welcome home reception at Red Devils Gymnasium. (Shaw Local News Network file photo)

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Kevin Hieronymus

Kevin Hieronymus

Kevin has been sports editor of the BCR since 1986 and is Sports Editor of Putnam County Record. Was previously sports editor of the St. Louis Daily News and a contributor for the St. Louis Cardinals magazine. He is a 2021 inductee into the IBCA Hall of Fame (Media) and a 2023 inductee into the Illinois Valley Hall of Fame as "Distinguished Media"