When people look at the Salem Community High School girls’ basketball record book, they will find the name Marla (Sapp) Tolliver in numerous places.

Tolliver is Salem’s all-time career scoring leader for both boys and girls with 2347 points. At one time it was believed she was the state’s all-time career scoring leader. Sixteen years after she graduated from Salem that total still ranks among the top 20 in Illinois history for girls.

Another SCHS record Tolliver holds for both boys and girls is most points in a game, 56. She accomplished that feat in a 1981 game against Greenville. While Tolliver is best known for her scoring, she could do other things well on the basketball court. She finished her Lady Wildcats career with 961 career rebounds.

Tolliver was a focal point in some great Salem teams. Her sophomore squad of 1979 went through the regular season undefeated at 23-0. Salem won its only North Egypt Conference title that year.

Tolliver was the Most Valuable Player in the North Egypt Conference in her senior season of 1981 and was also a member of the all-state team.

During her days at Salem,Tolliver was highly active in other sports as well. In all she earned 14 varsity letters covering basketball, track, softball and volleyball.

After she graduated from Salem, Tolliver went on to Northwest Missouri State University where she continued to excel on the basketball court as well as the softball field.

Tolliver compiled a string of 40 consecutive games where she scored in double digits. She finished fourth on the Northwest Missouri State career scoring list with 1456 points.

Tolliver was on strong college teams in both sports she participated in with both her softball and basketball teams nationally ranked. Both her teams competed in the NCAA Tournament.

As successful as she was on the court, Tolliver was equally successful off the court. During her senior season in college she was named to the All-American Academic Team.

Tolliver was offered an opportunity to continue her basketball playing career overseas after she graduated from college in 1985. Instead she opted to come back to Salem where she currently resides.