The 1971-72 Basketball team, Coached by Lee Emery in his third year, achieved success in many ways. Their 17-9 record was one of the best in several years. Led by senior guards Don Jones and Dick Kagy, the Wildcats worked a ball control offense that also relied heavily on the inside game. Jim Sager, Greg Malan and Jack Sechrest provided much of the inside game. Jim Sager, Greg Malan and Jack Sechrest provided much of the inside scoring and rebounding while sophomore Ron Eller was a defensive player that helped with rebounding and inside scoring.

Salem was an early contender for the North Egypt Conference race battling Olney all season for conference title. Early wins against Mt. Carmel (58-50), Lawrenceville (70-62) and 1971 NEC Champions Fairfield (55-51) set the tone for a good season and the Centralia Holiday Tournament. A forth place finish in the tournament was Salem’s only trophy in their history in this tournament. Salem eventually finished second in the NEC but wins against Centralia, the first in fifteen years, and winning the 21st Salem Invitational Tournament, were definitely bright spots of the season.

The championship win over Olney by a score of 70-59 in the Invitational was the highlight of the season. Jack Sechrest led the way in scoring with 22 points while Greg Malan had 18 points and Don Jones had 13 points. The tournament championship was the first since 1966. Coach Emery said that “this was a fun team to coach that enjoyed a lot of success.”

The 1983 SCHS cross country team won the North Egypt Conference championship, took 24th place in the state meet and compiled an overall record of 172 wins and 41 losses. Tidwell, and Russell Woodward.

Coached by Jim Corrona, the 1983 team won invitational meet titles at Herrin, Benton, Mt. Vernon and Harrisburg. The squad was regional champion and took second place in the sectional to earn its trip to the state meet at Peoria.Tidwell, and Russell Woodward.

Dennis Squibb was the individual winner of the conference race. Other team members were Donnie Cato, Chris Daniels, David Doherty, Paul Gierten, Terry Goodin, Jeff Mills, Brian Prince, Tim Sullens, Dennis Tidwell, and Russell Woodward.

The 1984 SCHS golf team compiled an undefeated 15-0 record in dual and triangular meets and won the North Egypt Conference Championship.

Coached by Bill Morgan, the 1984 team won invitational meet championships at Granite City and Centralia and also won the regional tournament. They placed fifth in the sectional tournament.

The 1984 golfers established a school record in a match against Carlyle with a team score of 145.

Rob Albright was named the most valuable player for the 1984 team. Albright also was chosen to the All-Southern Illinois team for the third consecutive year. Cindie Fry also was selected to the All-Southern Illinois squad.

In addition to Albright and Fry, team members included Mike Chitty, Rich Haney, Tommy Kane, Randy Larson, Craig Liddle, Tony Malan, Joe Meador, Don Roberts, Kerry Wallace and Jeff Williams.

Over the years Salem Community High School has developed a long, rich tradition in boys cross country. Much of that tradition began with the 1982 team.

Coach Jim Corrona’s boys produced many firsts for the program that season.

One of the season’s biggest highlights was the club’s first North Egypt Conference championship. In fact that title began a string of consecutive NEC championships that now reads 20 years.

The Wildcats had the top three runners and five of the top nine to win the race.
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The 1981 Salem Wildcats football team brought a return of glory to the program.

After five losing seasons in the past six years, which included a 2-7 record just the year before in 1980, Salem did nearly a 360 degree turnaround under first-year coach Chuck Budde.

The Wildcats came up just short in their bid to win the North Egypt Conference championship, but their 8-1 regular season record produced the first ever playoff berth for the program.

The run to the playoffs began with a 13-6 win over Centralia. Bobby Moore, who rushed for 95 yards, scored on a 16 yard run and Jeff Meador added a three-yard touchdown run to lead the way.
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Over the years Salem Community High School has developed a reputation as one of the top volleyball programs in southern Illinois.

The 1980 Lady Wildcats squad played a big role in starting that tradition. Perhaps fittingly, it is the first volleyball ream to be inducted into the Salem High School Sports Hall of Fame.

First-year coach Pam (McCartney) Raymer made a big splash right off the bat, as her squad won the North Egypt Conference championship.

The NEC Champion was crowned through a tournament at that time. Salem, which was the number one seed going into the tournament, had a first-round bye. In the semifinal round Salem defeated Lawrenceville 15-2, 15-2.
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