The late Don Holler enjoyed basketball coaching gig

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Cold sports is a part of January in our section of the geography. It has been five years or so since we have been below zero it does seem. The brutal weather is greater than just cold sports. We will snap out of it, we certainly trust. Ice hockey, skiing, snowmobiling can function without being below zero temperature. In a sense the frigid outdoor games, mainly playoff football, is more than games. It is a test of survival. There will be many stories of the games last weekend of sub-zero games.

•The note was personal. The death of former basketball coach Don Holler was more than a sports note. He became a friend because that was the kind of person he wanted to be. He died peacefully January 4 in McHenry at the age of 88 and had struggled with Alzheimers. Don Holler was a basketball coach in sequence at high schools in Gridley, Flanagan, Shelbyville, Princeton, Oswego, at Aurora University, and at Aurora Central Catholic. He was a basketball coach for 47 years, 44 as a head coach. His teams won 644 games. He played at Stephen Decatur High School under Gay Kintner the Hall of Fame coach who won 649 games in 47 years. Don Holler was a member of three Hall of Fames: Aurora University, Millikin University, and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. He is survived by his wife, Paula, four children, their spouses, and grandchildren. The memorial gathering prior to the bad weather was set for Tuesday, Jan. 16 at Dunn Family Funeral Home with Crematory and burial mass service at St. Anne Catholic Church January 17. Request in lieu of flowers is for donations to Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601, or, Hesed House, 659 S. River Street, Aurora, IL 60506.

•High school boys basketball over the MLK Weekend provides for many games and learning curves for many teams. See page 7 for the boys high school basketball results, to include an area greater than localized. We are six weeks away from March Madness for boys and girls basketball

•Expectations continue at an elevated status for the University of Illinois men’s basketball team, although members are young and may play several more years. That means less these days than it used to mean. Illinois earlier this week was ranked No. 14 in the college polls and 10-4 overall.

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