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Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Mark’s Road Trip to Centralia & Arthur Trout Arena

























My brother, Mark is always out traveling. He was just in Alabama to see his grandson, Ford. Being a basketball fan and interested in Illinois basketball history, he decided to stop in Centralia. 

He got some great pictures at Centralia. It is so impressive seeing how Centralia celebrates their rich basketball tradition. Centralia HS’s gym and museum are first class. 

It is great to see a school doing such a good job keeping history alive!



Centralia High School






















Centralia Basketball Tradition














Total Program Wins- Illinois Leader
1- Centralia- 2,442
2- Collinsville- 2,256
3- Quincy- 2,183
4- Pinckneyville- 2,124
5- Mt. Vernon- 2,072

Total Program Wins- National Leaders
1- Centralia- 2,442
2- Kingsport, Tn- 2,417
3- Reading, Pa- 2,298
4- Collinsville, IL- 2,256
5- Long Beach Poly, Ca- 2,187

State Championships
1918, 1922, 1942, 2002

Second in State
1946, 1963, 2011

Third in State
1941

Fourth in State
1939

Twenty Win Seasons
65 (Most in Illinois)

Regional Championships
80 (Most in Illinois)
* Note previous to 1930- Regionals were called Districts)



Legend of Arthur Trout

Most Wins in Illinois Boys Basketball
1- Gene Pingatore- 1,035
2- Neil Alexander- 1,003
3- Steve Goers- 881
4- Joe Hosman- 877
5- Steve Kimbro- 838
6- Dick VanSyoc- 826
7- Arthur Trout- 811

Most Wins by Legends of Early Illinois Basketball
1- Arthur Trout- 811
2- Virgil Fletcher- 792
3- Ernie Eveland- 779
4- Dolph Stanley- 705



































Note- He has been passed as coach with most wins at one school.



























Trout Arena























Famous Stained Glass Window










































Lobby with Trophy Displays
























State Trophies

























Regional Plaques






















Some Outstanding Athletes




































Distinguished Alumni 
























If you love basketball history and looking at old gyms- ILLustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gym in Illinois by Vincent D. Johnson is a must for you to purchase. 

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