Monroe Central Seminoles – State Champs

The Monroe Central Seminoles claimed the first state basketball title Saturday afternoon in Dayton, the first time an Eastern Ohio team won the state championship since the former Yorkville High School did in 1943, according to the Ohio Valley Athletic Council.  

Monroe Central outscored the Marion Local Flyers from Mercer County 43-35 to claim the title. The Seminoles ended the season 26-3.

The game that took place at the University of Dayton Arena was broadcast locally over WBNV Radio 93.5.

(Ohio High School Athletic Assn. photo)

According to an OVAC press release, Other firsts for the Seminoles state title include:

• First boys basketball state championship in Monroe County history
• First boys state championship in any sport in school history
• First ever Division VI boys basketball state champion in OHSAA history

While it was the area’s first boys’ basketball title in 82 years it was not the first time a Monroe County team played for the state title. 

In 1957, the Bethel High School Blackhawks, from Marr south in southwest Monroe County, played for the Class A state title under legendary coach Richard L. (Dick) Potts.   In the state final, they lost by a single point. At the time, the school had just 13 boys in grades nine through 12 and all but one of the male students was on the basketball team.  

The following year students from Bethel were reassigned to the new Skyvue High School located between Lewisville and Graysville.

In 1984 and 1985 the Skyvue Hawks played in the state Class A Tournament. They were eliminated in the semi-final round in 19844. The following year they played Jackson Center for the state championship losing a thriller 63-61 on a last second score by the opponents.