Athletics
Cowden High School had a measure of IHSA success (
www.ihsa.org) in the sports of baseball and basketball. It is probable that track and possibly football were offered as well.
School team nickname, school colors, fight song, and conference affiliation are also being sought. As you can see below,
we are missing a lot of information on coaches, team records, and great players as well.
This bit of information was offered by former CHS teacher David Hughes:
"I was a teacher at Cowden after WWII, in 1945-46. I believe they played in a conference named National Trail,
playing such schools as Altamont, St. Elmo, Brownstown and others. Three of the varsity basketball players
played in my band."
Thank you to Mr. Hughes for this bit of excellent information!
Boys Baseball
The Cowden High boys baseball team won a District title during the 1950-51 school year. Unfortunately the
coach's names and team record of this and other great Cowden High School baseball teams are not currently available.
1950-51 District Champions
Boys
Basketball
The Cowden High School boys basketball team won a total of four District titles. They also made a trip into the land
of the "big boys" when the team of 1951-52 won their Regional and earned the right to play in the Sectional. Again,
this is the only information we currently have available. We are hopeful an area fan can fill in the details of these
and other great Cowden High School hardwood court teams.
We did receive this bit of fascinating information about the boys of 1951-52 from our good friend Brian
Hoxsey:
"The Hornets started their post season run with a hard fought 58-55 first round win over Brownstown High School
in the Vandalia Regional. They then had little trouble defeating St. Elmo High School in thier next game, a 51-30
triumph to move then to the regional title game against nearby Ramsey High School. Cowden captured the title by running
by Ramsey 64-31, thus advancing them to the Taylorville Sectional.
The first sectional test for the Hornets would be against favored Gillespie High School. Cowden pulled off
a 52-47 upset to pit them against 27-1 and sectional host Taylorville High School, who were led by all-stater Bill
"Taylorville Flash" Ridley. Ridley, who went on to star at the University of Illinois, poured in 25 points to
help Taylorville end Cowden's season and magical run with a 77-50 win. Taylorville eventually fell in the state
quarter-finals.
Taylorville (77) - Ridley 25, Campbell 18, Corso 10, Ziskoski 9, Hayes 5, Bingham 5, Martin 2, Hauser
2, Williams 1.
Cowden (50) - T. Moore 13, De. Moore 12, Da. Moore 10, Showalter 8, King 3, Cosart 2, Holley 2."
Great job Brian!
1930-31 District Champions
1937-38
District Champions
1946-47 District
Champions
1951-52 Regional Champions
Sectional Finalist
1961-62 District
Champions
St. Elmo Holiday Tourney Champs
