Steve Allen, left, of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, poses with former and current Lockport coaches, Joe Gura, Brett Hespell, Lawrence Thompson Jr. and Rollie Bolattino at a celebration of Lockport’s milestone program.
Jeff Vorva, The Times
Former Lockport Coach Joe Gura gets a hug from current Coach Brett Hespell Jan. 31. Gura recently was inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame.
Jeff Vorva, The Times
The state championship season was well remembered during a Jan. 31 celebration of the team surpassing 1,500 victories.
Jeff Vorva, The Times
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A look at five of the best seasons in Lockport High School basketball history:
1977-78: The Porters won the Class 2A state championship with a 33-0 record. They beat St. Joseph and star player Isiah Thomas, 64-47 in the title game.
1972-73: Lockport wins its first state trophy, placing fourth in Class AA and finishing with a 29-3 mark. The Porters lost to Hirsch, 83-67, in the semifinals.
2007-08: Despite being seeded third in the Bloom Sectional, the Porters defied the odds and placed fourth in the state in Class 4A and finished with a 24-8 mark.
1931-32: After 26 years of basketball, Lockport wins its first postseason award with a district championship and had its first 20-win season at 22-5.
1964-65: The Porters make their first state final appearance as coach Bill Connors’ team got to the quarterfinals in the one-class era. They dropped a 70-45 decision to Collinsville, to finish 27-4.
While crime at car dealerships isn't a huge problem in the South Suburbs yet, the Orland Park, Tinley Park and Orland Hills police forces have…
Steve Allen, left, of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, poses with former and current Lockport coaches, Joe Gura, Brett Hespell, Lawrence Thompson Jr. and Rollie Bolattino at a celebration of Lockport’s milestone program.
