Steve Schmedeke graduated from Taylorville High School in 1976, after having an outstanding basketball career.
Not only did Steve Schmedeke earn three varsity letters playing basketball at Taylorville High School, but he was a three year starter and led the Tornadoes in scoring in both his junior year (379 points) and his senior season (429 points). His career total of 1020 points places him eighth on the all- time Tornadoes scoring list. During his three years as a starter, the Tornadoes compiled a 47 and 27 record, winning the Mid State Conference in 1975 and the Regional Tournament in 1976.
It was during the 1976 Regional Finals at home if front of a standing room only crowd, that Schmedeke made the shot that put him in Tornadoes basketball lore. Playing against highly ranked Lincoln High School, and trailing by two points, with only seconds remaining, Steve took the in bounds pass, turned and shot a 45 footer that went through the hoop as the horn sounded to send the game into over-time and an eventual Taylorville Regional Championship win 62-60.
Schemedke was selected to the Mid-State Conference All-Conference First team in both his junior and senior seasons. In 1975 he received All-State Honorable Mention recognition by the Chicago Daily News. In 1976 he was named to the Decatur Herald and Review’s All Area Team and was again recognized by the Chicago Daily News, this time with a Special Mention Award.