The Thomson High School Trojans and Lady Trojans had some real nice seasons during their lifespans.  We are certain, in researching the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org), that boys basketball and softball were offered at the school. It is probable that other sports such as baseball, track, volleyball, and possibly even football were offered at the school. We are searching for the school fight song, coach's names, and team records of the better teams in THS history.  

 

 

The Trojans of Thomson High School were the talk of the state in 1972.  In the first season of the two class basketball system in Illinois, "tiny" Thomson High School defied the odds and placed fourth in the IHSA's inaugural Class A State Tourney.  Coach Stan McCrudden led the Trojans that year to a 27 - 6 record.  In addition Thomson High won three District titles prior to their incredible season in 1972.  It is noted that Devin Ehrich was one of the leaders of the Thomson Basketball team prior to its closing, having participated in the IHSA's three-point competetion in 2004.

 

1921-22                Moline District Tourney         Coach's name & record needed

                             1st Rd Beat Hillsdale 20-14

                             2nd Rd Scores Needed

                             Moline Beat Annawan in title game

    

1922-23 through 1931-32 Need coaches names, records, and postseason scores.

            

1932-33                Savanna District Tourney      Coach's name & record needed

                             1st Rd Beat East Dubuque 32-15

                             Semi-Final lost to Hanover 30-18

                             Savanna beat Hanover in title game

            

1933-34  Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

                          

1934-35                Morrison District Tourney       Coach's name & record needed.

                             1st Rd lost to Milledgeville 35-15

                             Morrison beat Fulton in title game

                                 

1935-36                Savanna Regional Tourney    Coach's name & record needed

                             (Thomson did not compete in District Tourney)

                             1st Rd lost to Fulton 61-8

                             Fulton beat Hanover in title game

                               

1936-37                Elizabeth District Tourney       Coach's name & record needed

                             1st Rd Beat Pearl City 43-17

                             Semi-Final lost to East Dubuque 37-33

                             Warren beat East Dubuque in title game

                             

1937-38  Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

                                 

1938-39                Savanna Regional Tourney    Coach's name & record needed

 

1947-48                Shannon District Champs    Coach's name & record needed

                             Title Game lost to Morrison 46-31

                                                                

1948-49                Pearl City Dist. Runner-Up   Coach's name & record needed

                             Semi-Final Beat Peral City 54-39

                             Title Game lost to Shannon 59-36

                                               

1949-50  Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1950-51                Thomson District Champ     Coach's name & record needed

                             Semi-Final Beat Lyndon 55-44

                             1st Rd lost to Lanark 63-46

LANARK (63): D. Miller 23, Daws 13, Derrer 8, R. Miller 7, Sturtevant 6, Lotz 4, Gouker 2.

THOMSON (46): J. Murray 18, Sikkema 9, Houzenga 7, Halfman 5, Prins 4, D. Murray 3.

                             Morrison beat Milledgeville in title game

1951-52                Pearl City District Tourney      Coach's name & record needed.

1953-54  12 - 10   Postseason scores needed    Coach Cross

1954-55                Postseason scores needed    Coach Cross

1955-56                Thomson Dist. Runner-Up   Coach Cross

                             Title game lost to Chadwick 76-68

1956-57                Chadwick District Tourney      Coach Cross

1966-67                Thomson District Tourney      Coach's name & record needed.

THOMSON (75): Hebeler 22, Hill 21, Robinson 21, Erich 8, Dykstra 3.

LANARK (74): Wehmeyer 24, Martz 19, Ludwig 14, Jenkins 13, Dambman 4.

THOMSON (75): Robinson 23, Dykstra 20, Hill 13, Hebeler 9, Erich 8, Eagle 2.

GALENA (69): Bussan 29, Olson 10, Wubben 10, Norman 7, Schmidt 5, Malone 3.

                             Super-Sectional Champions
                             Thomson 84, Farmington East 73
                             Quarter-Final Winner
                             Thomson 72, Streator Woodland 56
                             Final Four Finalist
                             Mounds Meridian 81, Thomson 74

                             (Mounds Meridian lost in title game) 
                             3rd Place Game
                             Raymond Lincolnwood 90, Thomson 69

 

The 1971-72 Thomson team holds the Illinois High School state record for most points scored in a season with 3,006! Senior Don Robinson was the State Tournament's leading scorer with 123 points in four games with games of 30-29-28-36, and was named to the All-Tournament team. Mike Hill contributed 46 points and 44 rebounds in the four games.  During the season Robinson averaged averaging 27 p.p.g. while his teammates Ron Hebler and "Leaping" Mike Hill averaged near 20 ppg.
  After attending college, Robinson became the head girl's basketball coach at Prophetstown High School where he won his 500th game in 2006-07.

    

1972-73                Fulton Regional Tourney         Coach Stan McCrudden

                             1st Rd lost to Savanna 78-72

                             Fulton beat Chadwick in title game

                              

1973-74                Morrison Regional Tourney     Coach's name & record needed

                             1st Rd Beat Mt. Carroll 73-69

                             Semi-Final lost to Morrison 84-57

                             Fulton beat Morrison in title game

                           

1974-75                Fulton Regional Tourney         Coach's name & record needed

                                                                                                

 

There must be some great softball programs in Thomson.  The Thomson High School girls softball program faired extremely well in the 1990s and early 2000s.  The team of 1993-94 made it all the way to the Elite 8 before falling to Vienna.  A Sweet 16 appearance as a "coop" team followed in 2001-02.  If you have any further information on the Thomson HS girls softball program and subsequent success please write to us.   

 

                                 Lost to Vienna 3 - 0

                                 Vienna Finished 4th Overall

 

                                  Lost to Sherrard 3 - 2

                                  Sherrard Lost in Elite 8 Round

 

The Illinois Theatre Festival is the largest, non-competetive high school theatre festival in the world. It was organized in 1976 by teachers from the Chicago suburbs. This festival is still going strong as they perform at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) and Illinois State University every other January. Thomson High school participated in this festival in 1976.