INDUCTEES
While working as a counselor for the Lake County School District, Pete Pedersen was successful at coaching High School boys basketball, Jr. High boys basketball, and ninth grade football.
Pete is most known for his 15 year tenure with the Lake County High School boys basketball program, where he compiled an impressive 232-180 record. His career is highlighted by a consecutive trio of trips to the State Tournament in 1968, 1969 and 1970. Despite losing the tournament opener, his 1967-68 Panthers won the State Consolation Championship. They closed the season with an impressive record of 20 wins and only 3 losses. They were also crowned the Pikes Peak League Champions, and were the District Tournament Champions.
During this run of victories, the team set a school record by scoring 100 points in one game. The 1968-69 Panthers finished the season with 17 wins and 3 losses (one loss by one point). For the second straight year they won the Pikes Peak League, District Tournament, and made a trip to the State Tournament.
They went into the competition as the favorite to win it all. A loss in the Championship match garnered them the Runner-up Trophy. Three Panthers made the All-Tournament Team, and two players made the Denver Post All-State team. His athletes were some of the states top scorers throughout the season.
During the 1969-70 season, Pete’s Panthers won the Pikes Peak League Championship, District Tournament, and for the third year in a row advanced through the State Tournament. They capped the season with a fourth place State Tournament trophy and a 15-4 record.
During Pete’s career, a number of his athletes were named All-League, All-District, and All-State and also played in All-Star Games. For numerous seasons packed gymnasiums were the rule, a person who didn’t arrive at Lake County High School before half time of the junior varsity game was lucky to find a seat. Respected state wide, Pete was awarded the honor of coaching the 1975 Colorado Coaches All-Star Game’s South AA-A Team.