Retrospect: FR celebrated title

Fifty years ago this week, Fort Recovery was celebrating a state championship.

The March 29, 1971, edition of The Commercial Review featured coverage of the Fort Recovery High School boys basketball team’s 70-57 victory over Marion Pleasant in the Class A state championship game at Ohio State University’s St. John Arena.

The victory came in the Tribe’s second trip to the state final four in a span of three years. It had also played at St. John in 1969, losing 69-68 to Bridgeport in the state semifinal.

The Indians took control of the game by outscoring Marion Pleasant 18-10 in the second quarter. And after having several close calls in the tournament, the Tribe’s state title was never in doubt in the second half as it led by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter.

Marion Pleasant led only once — 10-8 — and Ed Snyder, who later served as FRHS principal, gave the Indians the lead for good one he hit a free throw with one second left in the first quarter. A 6-0 run late in the second quarter gave Fort Recovery a 33-24 lead at the half.

Forward Don Jutte set the pace for the Indians as he finished with 18 points. Kevin Dilworth added 15 points, Ron May scored 12 and Snyder chipped in nine.

Fort Recovery’s state championship effort was helped by a strong day at the free throw line. The Tribe shot 20-of-24 (83 percent) from the stripe, outscoring Marion Pleasant 20-7 on free throws.