Remember When: Local Sports History on This Day, Feb. 27

REMEMBER WHEN?

30 years ago

February 27, 1991

The Seneca boys basketball team led 30-12 after the opening quarter, shot 65% from the field, and captured the program’s first sectional victory in a 88-66 triumph over Bishop McNamara in the semifinals at the Seneca Class A Sectional — the Fighting Irish’s 22nd straight win. Mark Aubry poured in 40 points for Seneca with Jason Vertin adding 14 points and five rebounds, Aaron Crawford nine points, and Steve Erickson and Brett Larson [five rebounds] scoring eight points each.

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35 years ago

February 27, 1986

The Somonauk girls basketball squad led 9-3 after the opening quarter on the way to a 49-40 win over visiting Newark in Little Ten Conference play. The Lady Bobcats were led by Diane Tuttle’s 18 points while Jennifer Orseske added 10 points. Monica Anderson fired in a game-high 30 points for the Lady Norsemen.

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The Leland girls hoops club ran to a 40-15 halftime lead in a 91-28 LTC triumph over visiting Paw Paw. Lisa Springborn netted a school-record 40 points — on 17 field goals and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line — and grabbed 12 rebounds while Carrie Abbott recorded 14 points and 18 rebounds.

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40 years ago

February 27, 1981

The Marquette boys hoops team captured its ninth consecutive regional championship with a 42-37 win over Toluca in the title contest at the Wenona Class A Regional. The Crusaders were led by Tim Miller [14 points], Jeff Tabor [12 points], and Jim McGrath [10 points]. Toluca’s Bill Porch led all scorers with 16 points.

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The Ottawa girls basketball team topped Streator 55-50 at Kingman Gymnasium. The Lady Pirates’ Sue Hynd paced all scorers with 21 points. The Lady Bulldogs received 15 points, nine rebounds, and five steals from Brenda Park, 15 points from Sheila Leheney, 11 points from Peggy Killian, and four points, eight rebounds, and six steals from Paula DeFrees.

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45 years ago

February 27, 1976

The Marquette boys hoops club led 38-28 after three quarters and then held off a late rally from Henry-Senachwine to top the Mallards 47-44 in the championship game of the Woodland Class A Regional. Tom Chalkey had 16 points and Bob McDonnell 15 points for the Crusaders.

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60 years ago

February 27, 1961

The Ottawa boys basketball team led 21-10 after the opening quarter in a 88-44 victory over Sandwich in the quarterfinals of the Morris Regional. The Pirates were led by Randy Kinzer [19 points], Ray Makeever [14 points], Gary Stohl [13 points], and Doug McKendrick [10 points]. The Indians were paced by 16 points from Bob Whiteis.

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The Seneca boys hoops squad led 42-30 at halftime in an 83-69 win over Plano at the Morris Regional. Joe Billy led the Fighting Irish with 27 points, followed by 16 points from Gary Wicks, 15 points from Moe Wheeler, and 12 points from Charles Boyd.

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65 years ago

February 27, 1956

The Marseilles boys basketball team upset favored Morris 70-69 at the Ottawa Regional. The Panthers’ Lonnie Gibson made a basket with 15 seconds left — the final two of his game-high 37 points — to provide the winning points. Art Leger added 13 points and Bill Maier 10 points for Marseilles.