Sometimes magical time periods are simply meant to happen. A group of boys and solid coach come together and make for
an electric atmosphere that should be remembered forever. Such is the case for the Irving High School Eagles basketball
teams of 1944-45 and 1945-46. Just two years before the high school would close, the Irving High School hardwod
court men burst onto a State, and even National, level of recognition. The Eagles led the entire nation in scoring in
1945-46 and set a state record as well. Take a look at the following Irving Area Historical Museum pages:
Though the 1944-45 season rightfully anticipated as a good one, tragedy would strike the small community.
Two of the Irving players, and one of its former cheerleaders, were killed in a train versus car crash in January of
1945 while enroute to a game. The team continued on with heavy hearts and finished the 1945 season at 12
- 29. The team's star player, Dale White, was but a sophomore. He came within four points of breaking
Dwight Eddleman's state scoring record that year. The Irving team did, however, set a new state standard
with an average of 59.99 points per game!
The tragedy seemed to strengthen the bonds between the boys who returned for the 1945-46 season. Hopes
were running high, and a chance to help folks recover from the loss in January helped to motivate the boys. With but
23 students in the three-year high school (11 boys), Irving folks were hopeful for a great turnaround in the won-loss column.
They would not be disappointed.
In the fall of 1945 the boys turned out an undefeated softball campaign. When basketball season started there
was simply no looking back. Now a junior, Dale White was a force on the court. The Irving boys ran
fast and furious through their opponents in the area. In fact, the Eagles set a NATIONAL
RECORD for most points scored in a season with 2,705. Dale White picked up where he left off
for the 1944-45 season by setting a new single-season scoring mark for the State of Illinois with 1,029, breaking
the famous Dwight Eddleman's record set only four years before.
I urge you to take a look at the Irving Historical Museum's web page. I have but glossed over the hi-lites.
There are many facts I have not mentioned. If you are a fan of small-town high schools and their sports,
this
is a MUST READ site. Again, go to
1943-44 Coach
Julius Podshadly
1944-45
Coach Julius Podshadly
1945-46 35 - 8 Coach
Julius Podshadly
IHSA Records STILL Listed by the Irving High School Eagles of 1945-46:
Margin of Victory -
#8 All-Time
119 points, Irving (133) vs.
Harvel (14), Jan. 15, 1946
#17 All-Time 109 points, Irving (122) vs. Donnellson (13), Jan. 18, 1945
Most Victories in a Season - Not Listed - Should be #16 All-Time with 35 Wins in 1945-46
Individual Most Points in a Season -
#12 All-Time 1,029, Dale White (Jr. Year), Irving High School , 1945-46
#28 All-Time 965, Dale White (So.Year), Irving High School, 1944-45
Individual Most Points in a Game:
#14 All-Time 68 Points, Dale White, Irving vs. Rockbridge,
Jan. 19, 1946 (32 FG, 4 FT)
#22 All-Time 64 Points, Dale White, Irving vs. Donnellson, Jan. 18, 1945 (29 FG, 6 FT)
#33 All-Time 62 Points, Dale White, Irving vs. Marine, Jan. 9, 1946 (30 FG, 2 FT)
#51 All-Time 60 Points, Dale White, Irving vs. Harvel, Jan. 15, 1946 (28 FG, 4 FT)
#60 All-Time 59 Points, Dale White, Irving vs. Oconee, Dec. 7, 1945 (28 FG, 3 FT)
#169 All-Time 53 Points, Dale White, Irving vs. Panama, Jan. 2, 1946 (25 FG, 3 FT)
#305 All-Time 50 Points, Dale White, Irving vs. Donnellson, Nov. 28, 1944 (24 FG, 2
FT)
#305 All-Time 50 Points, Dale White, Irving vs. Harvel, Feb. 21, 1945 (21 FG, 8 FT)
REMEMBER - Irving High School was a three-year high school. Dale White completed his Senior year at Hillsboro
High School. Talk about a "who-knows" situation. Who knows what records Irving High and Dale White might have
set had there been a fourth year for both?!!
Congrats to Dale White and the Irving HS boys of 1945-46!!
