Clinton High School basketball, as with most high schools, has had its ups and downs over the decades.
Of course, most people know about CHS player Gene Vance, who went on in the 1940s to become one of the Fighting Illini’s “Whiz Kids.” The playing floor in the CHS gymnasium is named for Vance.
Clinton has had its share of excitement as well as disappointment, and it has, more often than not, been competitive in its respective conferences.
And, while it has never been in a position to build what could be considered a “dynasty” in high school basketball, it does have at least one family tradition connected to it that goes back 70 years.
Clinton resident Rex Bell played for the Maroons during its 1956-58 seasons, and since then, succeeding generations of the Bell family have proudly suited-up as members of Clinton Maroons teams.
Rex’s great-grandsons, Dalton and Jaeden Bell, continued that tradition this past season.
Dalton playing in his senior year on the varsity team, and his younger brother Jaeden, moving up to varsity as a freshman.
“Jaeden is a freshman, who, surprisingly, moved himself up to start with Dalton,” Rex said. “So, that’s quite a deal having two great-grandsons starting at the same time.”
Rex said, in fact, he and his wife Mary Ann were surprised when Jaeden was moved up to the varsity team to fill in for the injured Anthony Westbrooks.
“We were shocked because we had no idea he was coming along that fast,” Rex said.
Dalton and Jaeden played especially strong games toward the end of the regular season, Dalton particularly in scoring in the Maroons’ Regional win over Dee-Mack.
With Jaeden’s sudden introduction into varsity play, his great-grandfather was impressed with his performance.
“He just came in and started playing his game,” Rex said. “I told Jeff, my son and Jaeden’s grandfather, I really admire that, because most kids would have been so nervous.”
