WB6 Legends- 1977 Sterling State Champs

People who have only followed girls basketball 10-15 years are quick to label a player or a team as “greatest ever.” When people say such things, they are showing their ignorance of the history of girls basketball. There have been many great players and great teams in the last 50 years- the 1977 Sterling girls basketball team was one of those great teams.

Sterling’s “Golden Girls” captured the very first IHSA girls basketball State Championship with a perfect 21-0 record under Coach Sue Strong and Coach Jim McKinzie. 

In their first 12 years of girls basketball from 1973-4 to 1984-5, Sterling was the dominant team of downstate Illinois. Those 12 teams went a combined 250-34, while winning state in 1977, taking third in 1979, and fourth in 1983. 

Sterling was not a member of the WB6 in 1977, but they are now! 

Geneseo, Moline, Alleman, and Galesburg are the other WB6 teams to place in the top four at State in girls basketball. 

Alleman is the only other WB6 team to win a State title in girls basketball. 

The following is an account of the 1977 Sterling team and their great season. 

1977 Sterling’s State Champions

Here is video of the 1977 championship game. 

You Tube- 1977 State Championship Game