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The
hero of the town, Farrell Robinson sparked
Centralia High School’s sectional
championship win over Mt. Vernon in route to
the 1942 State basketball title. As the
starting backliner, he scored 298 points and
gained All-State honors for his efforts
that season.
Fans were cautious about the Orphans’ chances of returning to the State finals in 1942 as they had lost six games on the year, two of which were to Mt. Vernon. The Orphan’s powered through the regional and won two more games in the sectional to set up their third match with
Mt. Vernon.
Centralia stayed close to the Rams, but found itself without Dike Eddleman as he had fouled out. Robison sparkled as he took over for the lost Eddleman. As time was running down he stole the ball from the Rams’ Walt Kirk and then was fouled by Kirk.
Robby sank the free throw and the Orphans were on their way to Champaign.
At the state finals the Orphans downed West Frankfort, Wood River, and Freeport to meet the undefeated Paris Tigers in the championship game. The Orphans pulled off the upset and Eddleman gave Robinson a lot of the credit for the team being state champs.
Robby was an accomplished baseball and softball player, but will always be remembered for his sparkling performance of that day in the Centralia Sectional tournament.
Farrell was lost to us at an early age due to cancer.
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