A decade that saw Coach Ray Barnhart lead three 20-win seasons — the only SHS coach to do so — highlighted by a 23-2 State Tournament run in 1973–74 and Richard Summers’ record-shattering 74-point game. 135 wins, 104 losses across eleven seasons.
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A challenging season with more losses than wins, but the team competed hard throughout the schedule against a tough slate of opponents including Pennsboro, Magnolia, Tyler County, and St. Marys — many of them twice. Lost to Williamstown 68–46 in the Sectional.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wirt County | 85 | 72 | W |
| Pennsboro | 68 | 74 | L |
| Magnolia | 56 | 83 | L |
| Valley | 56 | 57 | L |
| Williamstown | 55 | 83 | L |
| Paden City | 66 | 69 | L |
| Park. Catholic | 36 | 43 | L |
| Tyler County | 78 | 48 | W |
| Pennsboro | 62 | 79 | L |
| St. Marys | 68 | 85 | L |
| Magnolia | 60 | 90 | L |
| Harrisville | 64 | 54 | W |
| St. Marys | 55 | 57 | L |
| Harrisville | 72 | 73 | L |
| Park. Catholic | 38 | 78 | L |
| Paden City | 53 | 90 | L |
| Valley | 70 | 78 | L |
| Tyler County | 79 | 61 | W |
| Williamstown | 61 | 85 | L |
| Wirt County | 68 | 57 | W |
| Sect.: Williamstown | 46 | 68 | L |
A significant turnaround from the previous year, Sistersville posted an 11–8 record — a winning season. The team showed resilience, splitting series with several opponents including Tyler County, Harrisville, and Doddridge County. In the Sectional, defeated Tyler County 72–49 before falling to Paden City 68–51.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wirt County | 50 | 45 | W |
| Williamstown | 65 | 58 | W |
| Valley | 66 | 74 | L |
| Doddridge Co. | 46 | 36 | W |
| Paden City | 59 | 88 | L |
| Tyler County | 76 | 55 | W |
| St. Marys | 55 | 71 | L |
| Harrisville | 57 | 49 | W |
| St. Marys | 64 | 72 | L |
| Harrisville | 57 | 49 | W |
| Doddridge Co. | 76 | 69 | W |
| Paden City | 50 | 68 | L |
| Valley | 86 | 85 | W |
| Waterford, Oh. | 48 | 53 | L |
| Tyler County | 62 | 53 | W |
| Williamstown | 63 | 89 | L |
| Wirt County | 44 | 42 | W |
| Sect.: Tyler County | 72 | 49 | W |
| Sect.: Paden City | 51 | 68 | L |
A new coach took the helm as Ken Insani replaced Bucky Stewart. The team finished 8–12, struggling against a competitive schedule that included Doddridge County, Ripley, and Paden City. Defeated Hundred 82–66 in the Sectional (at N. Martinsville) before falling to Paden City 74–49.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wirt County | 73 | 35 | W |
| Bristol | 63 | 52 | W |
| Williamstown | 65 | 77 | L |
| Doddridge Co. | 83 | 99 | L |
| Paden City | 50 | 85 | L |
| Tyler County | 91 | 76 | W |
| Ripley | 83 | 84 | L |
| St. Marys | 51 | 59 | L |
| Bristol | 92 | 64 | W |
| Harrisville | 61 | 79 | L |
| St. Marys | 51 | 56 | L |
| Harrisville | 91 | 73 | W |
| Doddridge Co. | 58 | 63 | L |
| Paden City | 53 | 70 | L |
| Ripley | 84 | 95 | L |
| Tyler County | 98 | 53 | W |
| Williamstown | 68 | 79 | L |
| Wirt County | 60 | 49 | W |
| Sect.: Hundred | 82 | 66 | W |
| Sect.: Paden City | 49 | 74 | L |
Ray Barnhart’s first season brought immediate improvement — a 13–9 record and a solid sectional run. The team competed in a 20-game regular season schedule plus two tournament games. Defeated Tyler County 70–50 in the Sectional (at St. Marys) before falling to Pennsboro 53–46.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wirt County | 54 | 45 | W |
| Park. St. Joseph | 69 | 55 | W |
| Doddridge Co. | 56 | 52 | W |
| Harrisville | 70 | 66 | W |
| Williamstown | 56 | 63 | L |
| Cameron | 54 | 64 | L |
| Paden City | 55 | 87 | L |
| Tyler County | 71 | 62 | W |
| St. Marys | 42 | 55 | L |
| Williamstown | 56 | 52 | W |
| Harrisville | 61 | 54 | W |
| St. Marys | 69 | 70 | L |
| Cameron | 62 | 78 | L |
| Doddridge Co. | 65 | 52 | W |
| Tyler County | 64 | 45 | W |
| Bristol | 58 | 60 | L |
| Wirt County | 77 | 62 | W |
| Park. St. Joseph | 80 | 62 | W |
| Paden City | 53 | 77 | L |
| Bristol | 77 | 52 | W |
| Sect.: Tyler County | 70 | 50 | W |
| Sect.: Pennsboro | 46 | 53 | L |
Team: Richard Danser, Jim McCullough, Reggie Wagner, Steve Deaton, Craig Carse, Bill Patterson (fr.), Dave Barnhart, Bob Kehrer, Steve Northcraft, Mark Fisher.
One of the finest seasons in Sistersville High School history. The team went 23–2, advancing all the way to the State Tournament in Charleston. Notable wins included two overtime victories over Pennsboro (81–79 OT and 99–93 OT) and a dominant run through the postseason. Lost to Marsh Fork 66–52 at Charleston.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wirt County | 58 | 34 | W |
| Park. St. Joseph | 70 | 51 | W |
| Doddridge Co. | 78 | 55 | W |
| Harrisville | 82 | 51 | W |
| Williamstown | 74 | 59 | W |
| Cameron | 62 | 38 | W |
| Paden City | 77 | 73 | W |
| Tyler County | 97 | 62 | W |
| St. Marys | 88 | 72 | W |
| Williamstown | 74 | 52 | W |
| Harrisville | 74 | 50 | W |
| St. Marys | 77 | 58 | W |
| Pennsboro | 81 | 79 (OT) | W |
| Doddridge Co. | 100 | 72 | W |
| Tyler County | 70 | 69 | W |
| Pennsboro | 99 | 93 (OT) | W |
| Wirt County | 97 | 62 | W |
| Park. St. Joseph | 81 | 62 | W |
| Paden City | 62 | 74 | L |
| Cameron | 71 | 62 | W |
| Sect.: Tyler County | 70 | 51 | W |
| Sect.: Pennsboro | 72 | 69 | W |
| Reg.: Paden City | 69 | 67 | W |
| Reg.: Barrackville | 66 | 65 | W |
| State: Marsh Fork | 52 | 66 | L |
Squad: Steve Deaton, Craig Carse, Bill Patterson, Bill Fletcher, Steve Northcraft, Mark Westbrook, Larry Howlett, Clay Rustemeyer, Joe Rosenlieb, Jeff Surface, Brian Jones.
A step back after the remarkable 23–2 campaign, Sistersville finished 10–11, the only losing season of Barnhart’s tenure. The schedule included a trip to the Beallsville Tournament in Ohio and a game against nationally ranked Loyola (Baltimore, Md.) at Wheeling College. Close contests included an OT loss to Williamstown (63–66) and an OT loss to Tyler County (74–76). Lost to Tyler County 72–57 in the Sectional.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park. St. Joseph | 63 | 53 | W |
| Spencer | 78 | 58 | W |
| Williamstown | 63 | 66 (OT) | L |
| Cameron | 81 | 38 | W |
| Buckeye North, Oh. | 50 | 62 | L |
| Beallsville, Oh. | 64 | 69 | L |
| Loyola (Balt., Md.) | 46 | 72 | L |
| Paden City | 59 | 74 | L |
| Tyler County | 74 | 76 (OT) | L |
| St. Marys | 64 | 69 | L |
| Pennsboro | 79 | 69 | W |
| St. Marys | 94 | 75 | W |
| Williamstown | 50 | 66 | L |
| Wirt County | 86 | 56 | W |
| Spencer | 82 | 69 | W |
| Tyler County | 80 | 73 | W |
| Pennsboro | 62 | 64 | L |
| Wirt County | 78 | 49 | W |
| Paden City | 65 | 70 | L |
| Cameron | 76 | 53 | W |
| Sect.: Tyler County | 57 | 72 | L |
Squad: Bill Fletcher, Steve Northcraft, Bill Patterson, Richard Summers (fr.), Mark Boston, Brian Kapnicky, Elwood Ebert, Randy Shuman, Jim Surface.
Another outstanding season — 21 wins and a deep postseason run. The Tigers swept through the Sectional and advanced to the Regional before falling to undefeated Rivesville, which went on to easily win the state tournament. Rivesville was unbeaten in football and basketball that season.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park. St. Joseph | 60 | 47 | W |
| Wirt County | 69 | 48 | W |
| Williamstown | 62 | 53 | W |
| Cameron | 95 | 46 | W |
| Skyvue, Ohio | 69 | 70 | L |
| Paden City | 81 | 70 | W |
| Tyler County | 90 | 77 | W |
| St. Marys | 62 | 57 | W |
| Pennsboro | 82 | 63 | W |
| Madison (Scott) | 94 | 57 | W |
| St. Marys | 61 | 47 | W |
| Pennsboro | 77 | 56 | W |
| Williamstown | 81 | 74 | W |
| Spencer | 65 | 61 | W |
| Tyler County | 61 | 63 | L |
| Wirt County | 92 | 53 | W |
| Spencer | 95 | 77 | W |
| Park. St. Joseph | 103 | 89 | W |
| Paden City | 82 | 61 | W |
| Cameron | 87 | 69 | W |
| Sect.: Walton | 85 | 60 | W |
| Sect.: Pennsboro | 63 | 40 | W |
| Reg.: Valley | 80 | 57 | W |
| Reg.: Rivesville | 50 | 59 | L |
Team: Bill Patterson, Joe Rosenlieb, Randy Shuman, Mark Boston, Richard Summers, Jim Surface, Allan Patterson, Bill Shreves.
Another 20-win season and another deep state tournament run. Richard Summers set a school tournament record with 45 points in the Regional (vs. Clay-Battelle). Sistersville advanced to the state tournament before falling to Gauley Bridge 66–80. Coach Barnhart resigned after this season to become coach at Salem College — the only SHS coach to coach three 20-victory basketball seasons.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron | 90 | 65 | W |
| Wirt County | 86 | 55 | W |
| Skyvue, Ohio | 75 | 74 | W |
| Tyler County | 93 | 62 | W |
| St. Marys | 83 | 44 | W |
| Pennsboro | 58 | 46 | W |
| Bishop Donahue | 90 | 80 | W |
| Pennsboro | 78 | 62 | W |
| Skyvue, Ohio | 68 | 71 | L |
| Gilmer County | 90 | 55 | W |
| Williamstown | 83 | 63 | W |
| Tyler County | 77 | 39 | W |
| Paden City | 74 | 77 (2OT) | L |
| Wirt County | 92 | 60 | W |
| Williamstown | 77 | 55 | W |
| St. Marys | 57 | 62 | L |
| Gilmer County | 79 | 74 | W |
| Paden City | 82 | 69 | W |
| Cameron | 89 | 65 | W |
| Bishop Donahue | 52 | 55 | L |
| Sect.: Paden City | 72 | 65 | W |
| Sect.: Pennsboro | 72 | 60 | W |
| Reg.: Clay-Battelle | 86 | 67 | W |
| Reg.: Barrackville | 69 | 56 | W |
| State: Gauley Bridge | 66 | 80 | L |
Team: Randy Shuman, Richard Summers, Jim Surface, Bill Shreves, Allan Patterson, Jeff Howard, Jody Summers.
Though the team finished 12–9, this season is defined by the extraordinary individual brilliance of Richard Summers, who set records that stood for decades: 74 points vs. Wirt County (school record; 2nd best in W.Va. history), 59 points vs. Cameron, 55 points vs. Paden City in the Sectional, five games of 50+ points, and a 38.2 scoring average (school record, highest in W.Va. in 63 years). Sistersville also set the school team scoring record with 113 points vs. Wirt County. Lost to Paden City 74–97 in the Sectional.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron | 85 | 80 | W |
| Wirt County | 73 | 56 | W |
| Tyler County | 84 | 70 | W |
| Pennsboro | 62 | 65 | L |
| Bishop Donahue | 65 | 90 | L |
| St. Marys | 79 | 68 | W |
| Pennsboro | 86 | 68 | W |
| Gilmer County | 86 | 60 | W |
| Skyvue, Ohio | 77 | 79 | L |
| Tyler County | 85 | 59 | W |
| Paden City | 93 | 81 | W |
| Skyvue, Ohio | 49 | 81 | L |
| Williamstown | 79 | 75 | W |
| St. Marys | 68 | 64 | W |
| Gilmer County | 61 | 63 | L |
| Paden City | 79 | 106 | L |
| Wirt County | 113 | 88 | W |
| Cameron | 66 | 74 | L |
| Williamstown | 76 | 78 | L |
| Bishop Donahue | 101 | 100* | W |
| Sect.: Paden City | 74 | 97 | L |
Chuck Heinlein took over as head coach and guided the team to a 13–9 record. The schedule featured tough matchups against Bishop Donahue, Gilmer County, and Magnolia. Sistersville won two overtime games — Tyler County (65–63 OT) and Paden City (61–59 OT). Defeated Wirt County 55–53 in the Sectional before falling to Bishop Donahue 48–28.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron | 60 | 43 | W |
| Tyler County | 66 | 52 | W |
| Calhoun County | 55 | 46 | W |
| St. Marys | 59 | 48 | W |
| Pennsboro | 38 | 60 | L |
| Williamstown | 44 | 58 | L |
| St. Marys | 71 | 64 | W |
| Pennsboro | 78 | 71 | W |
| Bishop Donahue | 80 | 77 | W |
| Magnolia | 42 | 66 | L |
| Gilmer County | 46 | 76 | L |
| Tyler County | 65 | 63 (OT) | W |
| Paden City | 56 | 79 | L |
| Williamstown | 52 | 63 | L |
| Magnolia | 31 | 59 | L |
| Paden City | 61 | 59 (OT) | W |
| Cameron | 66 | 44 | W |
| Gilmer County | 62 | 44 | W |
| Bishop Donahue | 58 | 59 | L |
| Calhoun County | 81 | 77 | W |
| Sect.: Wirt County | 55 | 53 | W |
| Sect.: Bishop Donahue | 28 | 48 | L |
Heinlein’s second season ended below .500 at 9–12. The team struggled against Williamstown (41–73), Magnolia (51–61 and 52–91), and Paden City (61–87 and 54–56 in the Sectional). A bright spot was a 100–58 blowout of Calhoun County.
| Opponent | Us | Them | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron | 55 | 50 | W |
| Harrisville | 58 | 41 | W |
| Calhoun County | 41 | 23 | W |
| St. Marys | 50 | 46 | W |
| Pennsboro | 51 | 58 | L |
| Tyler County | 55 | 52 | W |
| St. Marys | 37 | 59 | L |
| Williamstown | 41 | 73 | L |
| Bishop Donahue | 63 | 79 | L |
| Pennsboro | 65 | 57 | W |
| Tyler County | 83 | 74 | W |
| Paden City | 61 | 87 | L |
| Williamstown | 53 | 93 | L |
| Magnolia | 51 | 61 | L |
| Harrisville | 72 | 63 | W |
| Paden City | 53 | 65 | L |
| Cameron | 51 | 54 | L |
| Bishop Donahue | 50 | 59 | L |
| Calhoun County | 100 | 58 | W |
| Magnolia | 52 | 91 | L |
| Sect.: Paden City | 54 | 56 | L |
From a 5-16 rebuilding year to three 20-win seasons, two State Tournament appearances, and Richard Summers’ record-breaking brilliance.
1973–74 — 23-2, reached the State Tournament in Charleston under Ray Barnhart
Ray Barnhart — three 20-win seasons (23-2, 21-3, 20-5); the only SHS coach to accomplish this
Richard Summers — 74 points vs. Wirt County (2nd best in W.Va. history), 38.2 scoring average (school record), two-time All-State
135-104 combined | 5 coaches | 2 State Tournament appearances | 1 Regional | 5 All-State selections