BREAKING SPORTS: Mike Crews confirms retirement plans
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Jessica Hirsch and Matt Gossett were selected as Most Valuable Players during Thursday's Du Quoin Athletic Booster Club Winter Sports Banquet.
As the boys portion of the event concluded, veteran head coach Mike Crews confirmed his plans to retire. Earlier in the day, he submitted his letter of resignation/retirement to District #300 Superintendent Dr. Gary Kelly.
Over the past five seasons, Crews won 92 of 150 games (92-58) and led the Indians to three consecutive Class 2A regional championships. They also won or trophied in 13 of 15 in-season tournaments entered.
"I'm 64 years old now, " he said. "My wife (Joyce) is retiring in June and my health (knees) isn't the best right now. I just think its time to step aside. I was born a Du Quoin Indian and will die a Du Quoin Indian. I am just so grateful for the opportunity to come back here and coach. Really, its the job I probably always wanted."
An Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Hall-of-Famer, Crews made his final campaign a memorable one.The Indians finished 25-7, reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1972. They were three tournament titles (Du Quoin Tip-Off Classic, Sparta Mid-Winter Classic and the Du Quoin regional). At the Herrin sectional and Pinckneyville Holiday Tournament, the Tribe returned home with second place trophies. The Indians were also champions of the River-to-River Conference's Mississippi Division.
The Du Quoin Board of Education is expected to formally accept
Crews' resignation at its next regularly scheduled meeting, April 27.
Gossett and Logan Carson (Most Improved) were the two award winners with Gossett, Jamor Reed and J.C. Davis named River-to-River All-Conference. Gossett-a first team IBCA 1A/2A all-stater-was picked All-Southern Illinois with Reed and Logan Schneider tabbed honorable mention by the IBCA. Reed led the Indians in free throw percentage and assists with Gossett the top scorer and rebounder.
"We had seven seniors this season," Crews said. "What a special class. These kids have been just the picture of success at Du Quoin High School. They are the fiber of which all young people should be made. This all comes back to the parents. I love these kids. They've energized me so much."
The senior class included Matt Gossett, Reed, David Rose, Marcus Clarry, Carson, Logan Schneider and Cody Rose. Crews hugged each player during introductions
DHS administrator and varsity assistant basketball coach Jeff Gossett also announced that Crews was named as one of the IBCA's boys coaches of the year for 2009-2010.
A 1964 graduate of then Du Quoin Township High School, Crews coached basketball at either the collegiate, junior high or high school levels for the past 41 seasons. His career-which began with the 1968-69 school term, spanned into six different decades. He came back to Du Quoin-after retiring from education and 20-plus years at Anna-Jonesboro-in 2004.
Du Quoin's junior varsity and freshman squads-both who swept to conference titles-were also recognized, along with the sophomore team.
Hirsch was MVP and free throw percentage leader for the Lady Tribe, who posted an 11-14, the best record for a DHS team in the past several years. Megi Jones was named best defender with freshman Cassidy Rice named Most Improved. Another frosh, Rebekah Maddox, was the top rebounder with Curry Emling winning the "Indian Pride" award.
Du Quoin also ended the junior varsity season with its best record in five years.
The banquet started with recognition for the Lady Indian cheer squad.
Athletic Director John Campbell filled in for cheer coach Sarah Geiger and presented the following special awards: Joy Imhoff (Most Improved), Jenna Doerr (Most Dedicated), Kelsey Robinson (Leadership), Rebekah Woodside (Student-Athlete) and Megan Eckert (Most Valuable and Most Spirited).