Campaign begins to pick greatest Southern Illinois basketball team

Who do you think is the greatest high school basketball team ever?

That question has been asked a million times at coffee shops, taverns and gymnasiums throughout Southern Illinois.

Now, Nikki’s Place of Southern Illinois is giving residents the chance to answer the question.

From now until March 17, Southern Illinois residents (age 21 and older) can visit any of the 11 Nikki’s Place locations, including one in Anna, and cast their vote for the greatest boys high school basketball team to ever be assembled.

Nikki’s Place is working in conjunction with sports talk show host Jim Muir to crown the greatest team ever.

“There are a lot of possibilities out there,” Muir said.

“The 1964 Cobden Appleknockers always come to mind, but who can forget the 1957 Herrin Tigers or those powerhouse teams from Mt. Vernon in the late '40s and early '50s? You can’t overlook Benton and who can forget the 1984 Foxes?”

Muir joined with local basketball historian Tom Wheeler at Nikki’s Place in Herrin to announce “The Greatest Team Ever” voting campaign.

Wheeler is also the father of one of the greatest players in Southern Illinois history, T.J. Wheeler, who played at Christopher High School and then for the University of Illinois.

“We are going to crown one team the greatest team ever in Southern Illinois,” Wheeler said.

“But this won’t be easy. There are dozens of teams to consider, like the 1963 Orphans, the 1975 Eldorado Eagles, the 2010 Sesser Red Devils, the 2013 Harrisburg Bulldogs. The list can go on and on.”

One vote may be cast during each visit at Nikki’s Place. There is no cost to vote, but you must be 21 years old. The team with the most votes gets the crown.

“The way you can look at this is that the greatest team will have the greatest fan reaction,” said Ranessa Cunningham, general manager of Nikki’s Place.

“If they were truly the greatest team to ever play, nothing will stop their fans from voting for them as many times as possible.”

The winner will be announced on Muir’s radio talk show, “Saturday Morning Talking Sports,” on WQRL 106.3 in Benton on March 22.

Updates and interviews featuring some of the greatest teams take place each Saturday on Muir’s show from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m..

Nikki’s Place will reunite the team; provide a reception and present team members and their coach with individual trophies.

Go to www.nikkisplace777.com to find a Nikki’s Place location near you.


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