Tri-County Conference Tribute
High School Athletics
Lacon, Illinois
Basketball
Girls basketball started out strong with a conference and tournament trophy for the 1975-76 school year. Putnam County showed to be the power house that year winning both trophies.
Even though only five players are needed for a team, schools struggled to get enough girls out for the sport. Co-op teams were formed to keep the program alive. However, many years there just were not enough teams for conference and tournament awards to be issued.
Cross Country
Girls Cross Country is currently offered as conference sport. However, in the early years, they just participated with the boys. No team awards were issued to the girls, most likely due to the lack of participants.
Golf
Girls Golf is currently offered as conference sport. However, in the early years, they just participated with the boys. No team awards were issued to the girls, most likely due to the lack of participants.
Softball
It was started as a fall sport and then moved (1983-84 school year) to the spring to match up with the IHSA tournament series held in the spring. So, in the beginning, there was a split season with the conference competition in the fall and the state series in the spring. In 1975 (1975-76 school year), Wenona received first place in the conference. No conference tournament was ever established and only conference play is awarded.
Track
Girls Track is currently offered as conference sport. However, in the early years, they just participated with the boys. No team awards were issued to the girls, most likely due to the lack of participants.
Volleyball
The girls sports were started in 1975 (1975-76 school year). Volleyball grew to be the “major” sport for girls similar to basketball for the boys. It is played in the fall. Lostant was awarded the first conference trophy. The tournament wasn’t established until 1977 (1977-78 school year) and Henry-Senachwine received the trophy for first place that year.
