The Republic-Times Team of the Week is the 1971 Valmeyer High School baseball team, which was honored last Friday. The team was presented with a banner that will hang in the VHS gym in honor of its 30-7 season, which included a trip to the state’s Sweet 16. This was prior to the Illinois High School Association dividing athletics into classes based on enrollment. Highlights from the ’71 season included a win over Waterloo for the district title, a win over Mater Dei for the regional title and win over Metropolis in the sectional.

Pictured, from left, are Russell Rippelmeyer (father of the late Mark Rippelmeyer), Mike Esker, Steve Mentel, Ricky Unterseh, Roger Taake, Randy Unterseh, Dean Esker and Allyn and Wayne Rohlfing. Other members of the team, not present, include Danny Ahrens, Mark Ballenot, Nick Baltz, Jeff Berry, Randy Esker, Floyd and Randy Floarke, Mike Kaestner, Don Kohnz, John Prange, Joey and Steve Schellhardt, John Seper, Jim Smith, Danny and Doug Sondag, John Stumpf, Gene Taake and Robin Willis.