1952 & 1953 Monroe High School
Basketball Teams

These two outstanding high school basketball teams won consecutive state championships which is an impressive and rare accomplishment for any high school athletic team. As of 2010, these are the only two teams in any sport in Monroe High School’s athletic history to win consecutive state championships. Head coach of both teams, John Stahl, coached high school basketball for 22 years. He is in the Washington State Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

The 1952 Monroe High School Class B State Basketball Champions
Record: 19-2; League Co-Champions; District – 3rd Place; Class B State Basketball Champions. State scores: Defeated Sequim 48-44, Castle Rock 53-35, and Yelm 47-29; and defeated Eatonville 51-31 for the State Championship.

Team Members:
John Stahl – Head Coach, Jack Cole – Assistant Coach, Ted Reule, Merle “Nick” Nicholson, John Kirby, Tom Sofie, Reuben “Benny” Johnson, Richard King, Marvin Young, Bill Boyden, Ron Earlywine, Fred Soth, Bill Rainwater – Student Manager

The 1952 Monroe High School Class B State Basketball Champions
Record: 23-1; League – Champions; District Champions; Class B state Basketball Champions. State scores: Defeated Castle Rock 53-45 and Mead 60-39; and defeated Kalama in overtime 64-62; and Port Townsend 57-48 for the State Championship.

Team Members:
John Stahl – Head Coach, Cliff Gillies – Assistant Coach, Stan Hammerquist, Richard King, Bob Boyden, Merle “Nick” Nicholson, John Kirby, Lowell Anderson, Ray Senner, Howard Harriman, John Hunt, Ron Earlywine, Paul Andrews – Student Manager