1990-91 Men's Basketball Team
Waubonsee record 29 wins in a season, including 21 consecutive
National Tournament participant for first time ever, ranked second nationally and went on to finish seventh in the nation
Undefeated (12-0) Skyway Conference Champions and Region IV Champions
One word more than any other describes Waubonsee’s 1990-91 Men’s Basketball team. And that word is "exciting!" The Chiefs played an up tempo style with in your face man-to-man defense. What they lacked in size, they more than made up for with good shooters, outstanding ball handlers, quickness, and mental toughness. Opponents had a difficult time trying to contain the Chiefs’ multiple options on the offensive end of the floor, and an equally tough time scoring themselves. It all added up to a memorable, record-setting season.
Along with assistant coach Ken Neahring, head coach Dave Heiss, in only his sixth year at Waubonsee, put together arguably the best team he’s ever had. The Chiefs were ranked second in the nation among NJCAA Division II teams, the highest ever for a Waubonsee team in any sport. The squad went 29-8 overall to set a single-season record for wins that still stands. Heiss’ crew also established another Waubonsee record that has not been eclipsed, winning 21 consecutive games. Waubonsee went 12-0 in the Skyway Conference for the program’s second of four straight league crowns. The Chiefs then captured the school’s first-ever Region IV basketball championship and a berth in the NJCAA National Tournament. Unfortunately it was the era before teams were seeded for the tournament, and second-ranked Waubonsee was matched up against the top-ranked team in the nation from New Jersey in their first game. The Chiefs lost by just three points and eventually finished seventh nationally.
Led by First Team All-American David Bacon, the group of sophomores won more games than any other in Chiefs’ history, going 56-16 overall in two seasons. Bacon, who averaged 23 points-per-game as a sophomore, was a two-time All-Skyway First Team and All-Region selection, and was tabbed the Most Valuable Player of the Skyway Conference and the Region that season. Milwaukee native Kevin Nichols was also named an All-Skyway First Team and All-Region First Teamer. The silky smooth 6’1 guard also sparkled in the post-season and was named to the Region All-Tournament Team. Freshman Durrell Williams, a 6’2” small forward was named to the All-Skyway First Team, the Region All-Tournament Team, and the All-Tournament Team at Nationals. Darrell Garth, 6’5” lefty from Milwaukee and 6’5” center James Richter, gave the Chiefs some size and inside scoring punch. Point guard Greg Hill ran the show, while Mike Ahng, Adam Leben, Louie Lambert, Brian Hoxey and Parrish McGhee came off the bench and provided Heiss’ crew with depth at every position. Additionally, team manager Luke Magerko helped keep the Chiefs on point.
Heiss was named both the Skyway Conference and Region IV Coach of the Year. “We had guys who enjoyed playing together. We had good team chemistry, and guys knew their roles,” states Heiss, who at 28 years old was the youngest coach to ever take a team to the National Tournament at that time. In addition Heiss adds, “We had four guys who were capable of scoring 20 points on any given night, which was hard for opponents to stop.” And that indeed was something very few opponents were able to do.