Lowell Hamilton

Hamilton was a dominant high school basketball player at Chicago's Providence St. Mel, where he led the Knights to four consecutive IHSA boys' sectional championships from 1982 to 1985, three consecutive "Elite-Eight" appearances from 1983 to 1985 as well as appearances in the "Final-Four" in 1984 and a state championship in 1985. In his four years of varsity basketball, Hamilton scored 165 points in 11 IHSA tournament finals games, averaging 15.0 points per game and was named to the all-tournament team at center in '83, '84 and '85. While playing for St. Mel, Hamilton's teams would lose only 14 times while winning 116 games for an 89.2 winning percentage.[1] Each season at St. Mel, Hamilton's teams would advance further in the state tournament. During his freshman year, under the direction of head coach Tom Shields, Hamilton's team would finish the season with a loss in the IHSA super-sectional to future Fighting Illini basketball player Scott Meents and the Herscher Tigers.[2] As a sophomore, Hamilton's team would win the super-sectional but lose in the quarterfinals to future Indiana Hoosiers guard, Marty "The Mule" Simmons and the defending state champion, Lawrenceville Indians.[3] It would be Hamilton's junior year when the Knights would dominate Illinois high school basketball, finishing the regular season with 22 wins and only 3 losses. As the final day of the season started, Hamilton's team had increased their win total to 29, however, a hot-shooting Mt. Pulaski High School would hold off the Knights on their way to the championship game, leaving a third-place game versus Lena-Winslow High School where they would earn their 30th victory.[4]

As a senior, Hamilton and the Knights entered the post-season tournament ranked #1 in the state of Illinois with a record of 22 and 3.[5] Hamilton's team won their regional, sectional and super-sectional contests on their path to the "Final-Four" in the IHSA. In the semifinalsm Hamilton's team was pitted against Thad Matta and the Cornjerkers from Hoopeston for the chance to play for a state championship. St. Mel won this game and moved into the championship game against Chrisman High School. The Knights dominated the game, taking a 30 to 8 lead after the first quarter and cruising to a final score of 95 to 63. Hamilton scored 21 points in the game and 64 points in the tournament and the St. Mel Knights finished the year with a record of 31 and 3.[6][7] In his four years of varsity basketball, Hamilton's teams would win 116 games while only losing 14, winning 89.2 percent of all games played.

After the season, Hamilton was named a McDonald's All-American and played in the 1985 game with teammates Quin Snyder, Sean Elliott and Roy Marble while opposing Danny Ferry and Pervis Ellison. Hamilton would score 13 points in a losing effort for the West team.

In 2007, the Illinois High School Association named Hamilton one of the 100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament.[8]

Hamilton went on to play for the University of Illinois for four years, 1985–1989. He was part of the Flyin' Illini team that qualified for the 1989 NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four. Hamilton scored 1,241 career points with 87 blocked shots while having a .534 field goal percentage for the Fighting Illini.

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• St. Mel vs. Chrisman 1985 – YouTube