Season record of 16-1

First in the Conference

Won Ottawa and Freeport Invitationals

Sectional champions

6 members of team qualified for state

The 1971 boys tennis team finished the season with a record of 16 wins and one loss. The regular season was highlighted by an impressive 8-1 win over Moline, a thrilling
5-4 win over arch rival Ottawa, and first place finishes in the Ottawa and Freeport Invitationals. At the conference tournament at the end of the year, SHS again came up with a solid team performance as they beat Ottawa by one point to claim the conference championship. In the postseason, they finished first at the district meet and qualified all six players for the state meet. At the state meet, the Warriors were led by the doubles team of Bill James '73 and Steve Dickinson '71 who qualified for the semifinals and helped the team earn a 9th place finish in the team standings. With their achievements, the 1971 Boys Tennis Team secured a place as one of the finest teams in SHS tennis history.

The team was coached by Gene Hall. Members are Bill James '73, Steve Dickinson '71, Gary Helms '72, Larry Frye '71, Greg Jokerst '72, Phil Ward '73, Keith Benson'71, Mickey Kolis '72, Bruce Nelson '72, Robert Picken'72, and David Shank '71.

Season Record: 16-1
Sterling 9 Rockford Harlem 0
Sterling 2 Rock Island 7
Ottawa Invitational 1st
Sterling 9 East Rockford 0
Sterling 8 Moline 1
Sterling 9 Rock Falls 0
Sterling 8 East Moline 1
Sterling 9 Dixon 0
Sterling 9 Rockford Harlem 0
Freeport Invitational 1st
Sterling 9 Rochelle 0
Sterling 9 Dekalb 0
Sterling 8 Alleman 1
Sterling 9 Mt. Morris 0
Sterling 9 Freeport 0
Sterling 9 LaSalle Peru 0
Sterling 5 Ottawa 4
Sterling 9 Dixon 0S
terling 8 Rock Falls 1
NCIC Tournament 1st
District Tournament 1st
State Tournament 9th