Kinderhook West Pike High School "Cardinals"

The History of Kinderhook West Pike High School

Kinderhook (population 249) is located in northwestern Pike County, just 10 miles east of the Mississippi River in the western portion of Illinois. Three Illinois Routes (57, 96, & 106) intersect in Kinderhook. A town of note in the area is Quincy, just 20 miles to the northwest of Kinderhook. The Norfolk & Western Railroad makes its way through Kinderhook as well.

Hull (population 474) is located at the intersection of Illinois Routes 106 and 96 in western Illinois' Pike County. Interstate Highway 72 has an exit for Hull also. Hull is located eight miles east of the Mississippi River, close enough to feel the effects of a bad flood (and they have!). A branch of the Walnut Creek cuts through town as does a line of the Norfolk & Western Railroad. Quincy is located about 15 miles northwest of Hull. Hull is probably named after early settlers of the same last name.

New Canton (population 417) is located in far western Illinois in the northwestern portion of Pike County. The town is located about 12 miles southeast of Hannibal, Missourri. Illinois Route 96 is the main roadway through New Canton. The Kiser Creek flows to the east of town. The Mississippi River is both six miles west and six miles south of New Canton.

All three towns once supported their own high schools and have individual pages on this website which can be viewed by "clicking" on each town's name. It was between the years of 1947 and 1949 that plans were finalized for the three high schools to be consolidated into one. This effort was realized in 1949 with the creation of the West Pike School District. The first Superintendent of the district was Colman Winn followed by Harry Hall in 1951-52. The first Principal was John Codd, popular long-time principal of New Canton H.S.

The high school for West Pike would be located in Kinderhook. The towns of Hull and New Canton would host grade schools for the new distict in their respective towns. West Pike School District lasted for nearly six decades. Declining enrollment led to consolidation talks with the school district's neighbor, Barry. These talks were realized in the spring of 2007 with the creation of the Barry Western School District, thus bringing to a close the history of Kinderhook West Pike High School.

The West Pike High School building continues to serve the area as a junior high school for the Barry Western School District.

Kinderhook West Pike High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1949

Year closed: 2007

Consolidated to: Barry Western School District

School team nickname: the "Cardinals"

School team uniform colors: Red & White

School Fight Song: "On Ole West Pike"

Sung to the tune "ON WISCONSIN"

Submitted by "Deb"

ATHLETICS

West Pike High School enjoyed some incredible success in the sport of boys basketball. The school also competed in football, cross country, track, and possibly baseball for boys. The girls competed in basketball, cross country, volleyball, track, and possibly softball. We are searching for the school's team nickname(s), uniform colors, season records, coach's names, and any other items of interest regarding the athletic program of West Pike High.

BOYS BASKETBALL

One season marked the ultimate success for this small school in Illinois' far-western portion. The boys of 1993-94 earned a THIRD PLACE FINISH in the IHSA Class 'A' State Tournament!! There were several other great teams which graced the courts of West Pike High as well. The many great seasons are outlined below as listed on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org).

1949-50 Coach Boyd Roberts

1950-51 Coach Dick Heitholt

1951-52 Coach Dick Heitholt

1952-53 Coach Dick Heitholt

1953-54 Coach Dick Heitholt

1960-61   22 - 2            (GREAT RECORD)                     Coach Pitney
1961-62 18 - 7                                                             Coach Schuman
1962-63   14 - 11                                                           Coach Schuman
1963-64   16 - 10                                                           Coach Schuman
1964-65   12 - 12                                                           Coach Schuman
1965-66   13 - 11                                                           Coach Schuman
1966-67   9 - 16                                                           Coach Schuman
1967-68   15 - 10                                                           Coach Barnes
1968-69   18 - 8                                                             Coach Barnes
1969-70   24 - 2            (GREAT RECORD)                     Coach Bob Moore
1970-71   19 - 6                                                             Coach Ralph Hallam
1971-72   16 - 9                                                             Coach Ralph Hallam
1972-73   25 - 1            (GREAT RECORD)                     Coach Chuck Behrle

                                    Undefeated Regular Season
1973-74   15 - 10                                                           Coach Chuck Behrle
1974-75   15 - 10                                                           Coach Chuck Behrle
1975-76     3 - 20                                                           Coach Cook
1976-77    6 - 10                                                           Coach Cook
1977-78     3 - 21                                                           Coach Behyner
1978-79    7 - 18                                                           Coach Weiting
1979-80     5 - 20                                                           Coach Weiting
1980-81     3 - 21                                                           Coach Schone
1981-82     3 - 21                                                           Coach Schone
1982-83    3 - 21                                                           Coach Schone
1983-84    3 - 21                                                           Coach Schone
1984-85    6 - 17                                                           Coach Schone
1985-86   8 - 14                                                           Coach Schone
1986-87   7 - 15                                                           Coach Schone
1987-88   13 - 13                                                           Coach Eberlin
1988-89   13 - 13                                                           Coach Speas
1989-90   15 - 12                                                           Coach Steve Joslyn
1990-91   16 - 11                                                           Coach Steve Joslyn
1991-92   18 - 7                                                             Coach Steve Joslyn
1992-93   24 - 2         (GREAT RECORD)                        Coach Steve Joslyn

1993-94 28 - 1 Regional Champions Coach Steve Joslyn
Undefeated Regular Season

1994-95 32 - 2 IHSA Class 'A' THIRD PLACE!! Coach Steve Joslyn

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

Super-Sectional Champions

Beat Carrollton 68-51

Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Stewardson-Strasburg 86-64

Final 4 Finalist

Lost to Normal U-High 91-67

(U-High Won State Championship)

Consolation Game Finalist

Beat Rock Island Alleman 74-70

1995-96   20 - 9                                                             Coach Lee Bennett
1996-97   16 - 12                                                           Coach Doug Eledge
1997-98   18 - 11                                                           Coach Andy Waggoner
1998-99   18 - 12                                                           Coach Andy Waggoner
1999-00   12 - 16                                                           Coach Kirk Mosley
2000-01   14 - 15                                                           Coach Kirk Mosley
2001-02   20 - 10                                                           Coach Kirk Mosley
2002-03 19 - 12                                                           Coach Kirk Mosley
2003-04   8 - 18                                                           Coach Kirk Mosley
2004-05   10 - 16         School's Final Solo Season          Coach Greg Fraizer

School co-opted boys basketball with Barry until consolidation of 2007.

IHSA State Basketball Records Held By WEST PIKE HIGH SCHOOL:

* #1 All-Time - Most 3-Point Field Goals Made in State Final Appearance - Kirk Mosely (8 made) versus Normal U-High 1994-95.

* #1 All-Time - Most 3-Point Field Goals Made in State Final Appearance - Team - (12 made) versus Normal U-High 1994-95.

* #32 All-Time - Most 3-Point FGs attempted - game (15) - Kirk Mosley - Kinderhook (West Pike) vs. Normal (University), March 11, 1995 (state semifinal)

* #70 All-Time - Total Coaching Wins - 499 - Ralph Hallan, Kinderhook (West Pike), Assumption, Varna (Mid-County) (499-193).

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

One female trackster from West Pike earned a medal at the IHSA State Class 'A' Track Meet. This feat was accomplished in 1996 by Catie Borrowman who placed FIFTH in the 400 meter dash!

1995-96 Individual Medalist - Catie Borrowman 400 Meter Dash 5TH Place!!

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

One harrier for the boys earned All-State honors in 1980. Jon Hanes placed 22ND in the IHSA Class 'A' State Cross Country Meet!!

1980-81 Individual Medalist - Jon Hanes 22ND Place!!

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS COMPETITION

In the "English Department", the West Pike kids had a nice run in the mid to late 1960s as well. As a team, the school won a total of three District titles. One individual, Benida Pryor, earned an individual medal in 1957 while competing in the "verse" category, placing 4TH that year!!

1957 Individual Medalist - Benida Pryor "Verse" 4TH Place!!

1964-65          District Champions
1966-67          District Champions
1967-68          District Champions

MEMORIES

Dick Heitholt, one of first coaches at WPHS, recalls early successes in basketball and baseball:

"The 50-51 basketball team featured Max Hopper (Hannibal Lagrange College), Gene Maddox, Sam Thompson, Norman Mayes and Truman Hazelrigg who won over 20 games -2nd in Winchester Tourney..

The 53-54 Pike County Conference Champs featured Dick Thompson, John Brinkman, Kent Sprague, Fred Tittsworth and George Harbison in basketball.

In baseball, Fred Tittsworth (Western Ill U.) was one of great hitters in West Pike History and Kent Sprague was outstanding pitcher. Defeating Pittsfield was a basketball highlight.

The first two years of West Pike found games contested in the old Kinderhook gym with furnaces in two corners of gym. The new school and gym opened in 1952.

I am very grateful for the start I had there with the great people and students of Pike County."

**Coach Heitholt would later coach at Carlyle and Pittsfield high schools. He also served as Principal at Pittsfield H.S. as well as Quincy Sr. High School.

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION TO SHARE....

...regarding your experience at West Pike High School please write to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. Any information is welcome to be added to this page. The "quick facts" info and a photo of the high school building are especially needed. You can mail items to us at the following address as well:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il. 60631