Hall of Fame Inductee - Coach George Latham

Latham, a member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, compiled a 250-80 record while coaching Quincy High School from 1945-56. He was the winningest coach in school history when he left, a mark since eclipsed by fellow Hall of Famers Sherrill Hanks and Jerry Leggett. Latham guided the Blue Devils to a third-place finish in the single-class state tournament in 1951 and a second-place finish in 1952, when Quincy was upset by tiny Hebron in the title game. His 1951-52 team included All-State center Bruce Brothers, forwards Jack Gower and Charlie Fast, and the backcourt duo of Phil Harvey and Dick Thompson. Latham also served as athletic director at Quincy High School, and for eight years also was the head football coach. "Coaching football and basketball would almost be impossible now," he said at the time of his induction in 1985. After taking the Blue Devils to the Sweet 16 for the eight and final time in his final season, Latham left for Waukegan, where he oversaw five departments. He later was named principal of Waukegan East High School and subsequently became assistant superintendent. Latham was born in the southern Illinois town of Galacia, but moved to Montana when he was 4. He was a mult-sport athlete at Livingston (Mont.) High School, and the basketball team finished fourth in the state tournament his senior season. He later played varsity football and junior varsity basketball at Illinois State University before embarking upon his coaching and teaching career.