Bill Ridley, of whom University of Illinois Basketball Coach, Harry Combs said, "Pound for pound, the best basketball player in the country," will be inducted into the Taylorville High School Sports Hall of Fame, Saturday, February 13, 1995 at a banquet to be held in the West Gymnasium.
The 5'S" Ridley starred at guard for the Tornadoes from 1950 to 1952, leading them to Champaign and an elite eight finish his senior year. He established school records in scoring, with a high single game of 37. He score 30 or more points 7 times during his career< His three season scoring marks of 525 points in 1950, 582 points in 1951 and 584 points in 1952 established a record setting career total of 1731 points, a record not even approached in the past forty two years.
During his career at Taylorville, he was a three year selection to the Mid State Conference All- Conference Team. He received Honorable mention All- State honors his sophomore year, 2nd Team All- State his junior year and lead the 1952 All- State First Team his senior year and was tabbed by many sports writers throughout the state as Illinois' Mr. Basketball. He was selected captain of the 1952 National North High School All Star Team that played in Murray, Kentucky.
In 1953, Ridley enrolled at the University of Illinois. Playing at guard for the Illini infrom 1954. to 1956, he was selected to the Little All American Team in 1955 and 1956. He won the 1955 Ralph Woods Free Throw Award at Illinois and in 1956 was selected to the AP All-American 3rd Team, the Collier's All American 3rd Team, the Look District Basketball Award and was a member of the Big Ten All Conference Team.