A basketball dynasty. That was Stivers High School in the early years. From 1916 to 1930 Stivers won 8 state championships. In 14 years their 8 titles included 3 straight in 1918-1920 and from 1928-1930.
After 1930 it would take the Tigers 45 years to get to another state championship game. That was just what the 1974-1975 team accomplished.
The team members were:
George Brent, Bill Chattman, Mike Lemaster, Roger Lewis, Don Postway, Curtis Russell, Frankie Sanders, Mel Singer, Greg Smith, Eric Sutton, Mike Hurst, Darrel Lawson, Monroe Pinson and Ed Corbitt. Coach: Earl Johnson.
The Tigers had a great regular season winning 14 and losing only 3. However, it was determined by the OHSAA that coach Johnson used an ineligible player in 5 games that had to be forfeited. Even though the #4 substitute made no
difference in the outcome of the five games, the OHSAA board didn’t see it that way and held to their decision. Going in to the tournament with a 9 and 8 record, the Tigers were still seeded #1 in the AA District, and more than ready to start their march to St. John Arena in Columbus.
Sectionals
Stivers 101 – Bellbrook 40
Stivers 80 – Little Miami 40
Districts
Stivers 64 – Jefferson 60
Stivers 64 – Carlisle 62
Stivers 75 – Springboro 70
Regionals
Stivers 74 – Cincinnati Reading 56
Stivers 63 – Springfield Shawnee 44
State
Stivers 86 – Louisville Aquinas 71
Stivers 72 – Warsaw Riverview 77
Stivers finished their 22 and 4 season as state runner-up before a crowd of overthirteen thousand. They were up 68-66 with just a few seconds left in regulation, but Riverview tied it with a last second shot to send the game into overtime. Stivers suffered a heartbreaking loss in overtime. Although the season was a total team effort with different players stepping up to have great games, a few ofthe members deserve special mention.
Don Postway- Honorable Mention All-City (a great rebounder and was also AllPublic League linebacker)
George Brent– Honorable Mention All-City (had many double digit scoring games)
Then there was the dynamic duo of Sanders and Sutton.
Eric Sutton – All-City Second Team, All-District and All-Area. Full scholarship to LeMoyen-Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee. Four year starter, All-Conference, All-District, Small College All American.
Frankie Sanders, All-Public First Team, All-Area, All-District Ohio Player of the Year with Jim Paxson. Set Ohio all-time single season scoring mark, passing the great Bill Hosket. Averaged 32 points and 21 rebounds his senior season, 2000 point scorer. Played 3 seasons for Southern University and averaged 26 points and 10 rebounds. Declared for the hardship draft in 1978 and was drafted in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs.
Front Row– Selena Lee, Dana Tellefere, Sharon McDermott, Debbie Shropshire, Kristi Patterson, Mindy Monnin, Bobbi Grigsby, Coach Earl Johnson
Middle Row– Jim Price, Martha Carrick, Mel Singer, Roger Lewis, Greg Smith, Ed Corbitt, Eric Sutton, Asst. Coach Steve McPherson
Back Row– Charlie Hicks, John Caldera, Don Postway, Frankie Sanders, George Brent, William “Bill” Chattman, and Hubert Bobo.