Alex Iloncaie attended Almont High School and and graduated in 1957. Alex played three sports all four years of high school. He was awarded ten varsity letters; four in football, two in basketball and four in track.
He was a member of three championship teams; one in football (undefeated and once tied), and two in track (two undefeated seasons). He also was a member of a district tournament basketball championship.
As a freshman, Alex won a varsity football letter as a reserve running back. He scored his first touchdown on a passing play against Dryden. When he was a sophomore, Alex started as the right halfback on the varsity football team. He scored five touchdowns.
As a junior, Alex again started at halfback for the football team. He was the team’s leading scorer with seven touchdowns. He gained 527 yards on an average of 4.7 yards per carry. He was selected to the Southern Thumb All-Star Team and given Honorable Mention by the Associated Press on their Class C-D All-State Team.
As a senior, Alex was again the team’s leading scorer. The team was league co-champion and was undefeated and only tied once. He was also the leading scorer in Lapeer County with 18 touchdowns. In Almont High School history, the 18 touchdowns ranked second to only Buck Bannister’s 25 touchdowns scored in the 1944 season. He rushed for 242 yards against North Branch. In four years he scored 31 touchdowns.
Alex was chosen as an All-Star for the Southern Thumb League and the Lapeer County Press had him on their First Team All-County Team. He was named to the Detroit Times All-State Second Team. He was named to the Associated Press All-State First Team. He received an additional honor in January, 1957 when he was given Honorable Mention on the All-America Team picked by the Woodmen of America. The Pontiac Press named him one of the outstanding players of the area.
Alex played on the junior varsity basketball team his freshman year. As a sophomore, he was a major contributor on the successful junior varsity basketball team. He was the team’s leading scorer on at least one occasion. The team had the best record in the league.
As a junior and senior, Alex was a member of the second unit on the basketball team. As a senior, the team was second in the league. The team won the school’s first District tournament championship since 1953.
As a freshman and sophomore, Alex was an important member of the undefeated and league championship track teams. As a junior, Alex earned his third varsity track letter for his performance on the track team, which included a fifth place finish with the medley relay at the regionals. The team finished fourth at the league meet. His senior year, Alex again was an important member of the track team. He won the shot put at regionals and qualified for the state finals.
Copies of the Almont Historical Society’s Homecoming book, “Remembrances of Almont 2020”can be purchased by contacting Jim Wade at 810-796-3355 or email jrwade49@gmail.com or stopping by the museum on Saturdays from 1-4 p.m.
