In the Star Courier photo from 1969, Sports Editor Bob Westlund, far left, presents the Black Hawk Conference All-Sports Trophy to Wethersfield High School coaches, from left, Jerry Brownfield, Wally Keller and Stan Peterson. Wethersfield received the trophy for earning conference championships that season in basketball and track, and tying for second in football.

The Wally Keller Invitational, a high school basketball tournament named after legendary Wethersfield High School basketball coach Wally Keller, will be played this week at in the high school and junior high gyms at Wethersfield.

The round-robin tournament will match teams for Wethersfield, Annawan, Stark County, Bureau Valley, Elmwood and Putnam County. Games will be played every day from today through Saturday (except for Thanksgiving Day

Wally Keller

Keller, one of Wethersfield’s most beloved and respected coaches, began his WHS coaching career in 1966. While at Wethersfield, he taught physical education and coached track and boys basketball. 

He guided the Geese to 250 basketball wins before departing for Florida in 1980 to take on a new role, as athletic director at Charlotte High School. He oversaw Tarpan athletics for almost 20 years. 

Keller led the Geese to six regional titles and a sectional crown. His 1979 Sweet 16 team boasted a record of 29-1. The Geese took on New Lenox Providence at Pontiac in the 1979 super-sectional, but lost by a score of 50-34. Providence advanced and went on to win the state championship.

Keller’s final three teams (from 1977-80) had an impressive combined record of 76-11. 

In 2009, the annual Wethersfield Thanksgiving tournament was christened the “Wally Keller Classic Basketball Tournament.” The legendary coach was inducted into the Wethersfield Academic Hall of Fame in 2017.

PLAYING SCHEDULE 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2023

(Varsity)

5:00 PM – Annawan vs Stark County

6:30 PM – Elmwood vs Putnam County

8:00 PM – Wethersfield vs Bureau Valley

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023

(Varsity)

5:00 PM – Bureau Valley vs Annawan

6:30 PM – Stark County vs Elmwood

 8:00 PM – Putnam County vs Wethersfield

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023

(Varsity)

2:00 PM – Annawan vs Elmwood

3:30 PM – Bureau Valley vs Putnam County

5:00 PM – Wethersfield vs Stark County

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2023 (High School Gym 

Pool B) – (Frosh-Soph)

9:00 AM Wethersfield vs Stark County

10:30 AM Stark County vs Bureau Valley

NOON – Wethersfield vs Bureau Valley

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2023 (Junior High Gym

Pool A) – (Frosh-Soph)

9:00 AM Annawan vs Elmwood

10:30 AM Putnam County vs Elmwood

NOON – Annawan vs Putnam County

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2023

(Varsity)

2:00 PM – Stark County vs Bureau Valley

3:30 PM – Putnam County vs Annawan

5:00 PM- Elmwood vs Wethersfield

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2023 (High School

Gym) – (Frosh-Soph)

9:00 AM Pool A 3rd Place vs Pool B 3rd Place

10:30 AM Pool A 2nd Place vs Pool B 2nd Place

NOON – Pool A 1st Place vs Pool B 1st Place

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2023

(Varsity)

3:00 PM –Bureau Valley vs Elmwood

4:30 PM –Stark County vs Putnam County

6:00 PM- Wethersfield vs Annawan