RON BONTEMPS

The 6-3 All-Stater helped to lead Taylorville to a 45-0 record in 1943-44, the first unbeaten state champion. The year before, the Tornadoes were ranked No. 1 in the state but finished 29-2, losing to Decatur in the sectional. Later, Bontemps and teammate Johnny Orr reunited with their Taylorville coach, Dolph Stanley, at Beloit College. A two-time All-AAU selection, he starred for the Peoria Cats in the NIBL. He captained the United States' gold-medal winning Olympic team in 1952. He was named to the Helms Foundation Hall of Fame in 1958 and the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1976.