Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League

Despite not having a player on the roster taller than six-foot-two, the 1981-82 Monaca boys’ basketball team became the first team in school history to win a PIAA title, coupling it earlier with their third WPIAL boys’ basketball crown. The Indians finished the campaign with a 28-1 overall record, winning the WPIAL and PIAA titles at the 1A classification. A buzzer-beater by senior guard Larry DeVincentis lifted Monaca past Serra Catholic, 61-59, in the WPIAL Championship Game, and the Indians defeated the Eagles again in the PIAA semifinals before knocking off Elk Lake, 57-48, for the school’s only state title. Led by head coach Dave Nichol, an inductee of the inaugural WPIAL Hall of Fame Class of 2007, the Monaca team was described by many as a “football team” playing basketball, with its work ethic and team-first mentality carrying them to state glory. Many members of the team played football or baseball in college, but not a single player moved onto playing college basketball. In alphabetical order, the 1981-82 Monaca Indians team was made up of: Brad Brummit, Tom Centi, Larry DeVincentis, Mark Dierdorf, Joe Dragonjac, BJ Fleming, Bruce Fleming, Mark Grater, Brian Hulme, Dave Hutchinson, Shawn Keefe, Mark Lyons, Jeff Mateer, Bob Melchiorre, Kevin Minnitte, Mike Revay, Mike Raich, and Bob Stalnecker.