Ashley High School attained athletic success in boys basketball and boys track & field (www.ihsa.org).  It is possible that baseball and football were also offered at the school at some point. Of the many seasons that Ashley High competed in sports, there have to be many items worthy of mention on this page.  If you have this information and would like to share it please send us an e-mail. 

 

 

The Ashley High School boys basketball team put together back to back District title years in the early 1960s.  This is usually attributed to a great class or great coach.  Unfortunately coaches names and team records of these and other great AHS teams are not available.  The years of the District title teams are listed below.

 

1960-61       District Champions 

1966-67                                         Coach William Bean

 

 

From Dr. William Bean:

 

"Bob Jones, the Centralia coach at that time, told me the Ashley Wolves use to be called the "Flaming Arrows."  He played for the Ashley team when in High School.  I have two pictures of the Ashley varsity during 1966-67. Our Center was 6'7" and, our two forwards were 6'3" - 6'4."  Our season was average however, the Varsity defeated larger Red Bud.  Bluford was undefeated and Ashley won (at home) by 11 points after leading by 25 points during the game.  They had one key player missing.  We also played the Centralia Orphans "Junior Team" at home.  These were juniors in high school.  Personally, I think they were almost as good as the varsity. This was not their "B" squad.  They defeated the Ashley varsity by ten points.  Our guys played a great game.  In the district Bluford defeated Ashley by ten points, however, the winner of the district would have to play Benton High School.  That year they had a center and forward both over 6'10"." (Benton would lose in the "Sweet 16" round to Carbondale, who would go on to finish 2nd in the state tourney.)

 

 

Two Ashley High School athletes brought home medals from the IHSA State Track Meet.  One of them, Harold Hartley in 1943, was even crowned State Champion in the High Jump!  Jerry Spear paved the way for Ashley tracksters placing 5th in 1941 in the 200 yard hurdles.  Jerry also laid claim to being the first kid at Ashley to play four years of varsity basketball, making the varsity team his freshman year!  The years of the great efforts of these two boys are listed below.

 

 

 

Ashley High School memories are to be treasured and shared with others so the AHS legend will live on forever.  A photo of the school building and accomplishments of the great teams and other extra-curricular efforts should be shared.  If you have this information you can e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or you can write to us at:

 

Chicago, Il.   60631