Crystal Lake Central’s fieldhouse is the last gym to be photographed for the book.
The Crystal Lake Central High School fieldhouse, was the last of the 124 high school gyms that will have at least one photograph in the book. Taken on July 25, 2024. Part of the photo series Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)
With the deadline to get the book to the publisher fast approaching, I spent the afternoon of my 20th wedding anniversary getting these photos.
In case you’re wondering if I’m still going to be married after this. The answer is “yes.” Dinner reservations aren’t for a few more hours and with it being a Thursday, my wife too was working.
On display in the main hallway of Crystal Lake Central is a plethora of old memorabilia and trophies. Like this photo of the 1936 basketball squad. Part of the photo series Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)
As with many of the gyms that I visited, the in-season schedules never matched up with my nights off and Crystal Lake was equally close as it was far. Meaning, I wasn’t just going to end up there last minute for a game, but I knew at most I’d spend no more than 2-hours driving each way in traffic. Which is exactly how long it took me to get back to Chicago this afternoon.
Like many gyms I only saw prior as photos, being there is super important. Ask me about Springfield Southeast which almost was crossed off my list, but moved up in my personal rankings after visiting. CLC was the same. I had wondered if it was worth the trek out there. Going mostly on suggestions from individuals, but I’m glad I did and it will be the 124th and final gym photographed that makes the book.
Crystal Lake Central High School’s fieldhouse, has all the space you’d expect from a multi-purpose facility. Including extra space for P.E. classes. Photo from July 25, 2024. Part of the photo series Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)Crystal Lake Central started out as just Crystal Lake High School. The also weren’t always the Tigers or had the orange & black colors you see now. An old basketball uniform in the hallway from 1932 shows you the purple & gold of the Crystal Lake “Lakers.” While the school became Central for the class of 1979, it wasn’t apparent when the Lakers became the Tigers. Part of the photo series Illustrious: The Best High School Basketball Gyms in Illinois. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)
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