IBCA will celebrate Seneca boys basketball’s 1,500+ wins Friday night

Reaching 1,500 wins for a boys high school basketball team hasn’t happened often in Illinois. This year, Seneca High School has become one of about 30 schools in that exclusive club.

Seneca invites all former Fighting Irish varsity basketball players to join a celebration Friday at Seneca High School for this occasion. Past players will be invited to the floor between the JV and varsity games against Lowpoint-Washburn, where they will be the backdrop for a presentation by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.

“1,500 Wins” commemorative shirts will be available for purchase at the game.

It is known a few basketball games were played in spring 1920, but the first known game with a score recorded was Dec. 6, 1920, a loss against Grand Ridge High School. A month later, Jan. 14, 1921, SHS got revenge against Grand Ridge and earned its first win.

“Although our records may be off a win here or there, we are certainly confident that we broke the 1,500 plateau at the end of last season or the beginning of this season,” said current Seneca boys basketball coach Russ Witte. “I am proud to be part of the winning tradition here at Seneca High School, and we look forward to bringing more wins to this program.”

Friday’s JV game is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m., with varsity beginning about 7 p.m. The presentation likely will be between 6:30 and 7 p.m.