Miami Senior is the dominant basketball program in the state of Florida. They have won a state record 17 championships. Their dominance has lasted for 70 years, with a bevy of quality teams and state recognized players. Beginning with their first state championship in their first attempt in 1925, they have won champioships in the 1920's,1930's,1940's,1950's,1980's and the 1990's.
Vince Schaefer(1945-1981) retired in 1981 after 37 years leading the team to 5 state championships(1948,1949,1954,1955 and 1956) and compiling a 704-195 record. He was named National Coach of the Year upon his retirement in 1981 as tribute for his many years of sustained excellence. Schaefer(passed away Saturday November 28th 1998) concluded his career with 8 straight 20 win seasons.
Schaefer's protege, Marcos "Shakey" Rodriguez (1981-1995), took over for the 1981-82 season and took the team to unprecedented heights during his tenure. His teams compiled 20 win seasons in all 14 of his years as head coach. In fact Shakey astonishingly was able to win at least 30 games in each of his last 9 years as coach. He advanced to the state final four 7 times, capturing 5 state championships and finishing as runner-up once. In his final 11 years his teams won the state title 5 times and lost to the eventual state champion 5 times. So, it can truly be said that the road to a state championship led through MHS. He compiled a 428-62 record and made MHS a nationally recognized team that traveled all over the country playing the best private and public schools in the country. In 1988-1989, his Douglas Edwards(Florida State, Atlanta Hawks)led team finished ranked second nationally. Their only loss came to national champion St. Anthony(N.J), a private school which featured Bobby Hurley(Duke),Terry Dehere(Seton Hall),and Jerry Walker(Seton Hall). Shakey is currently about to start his fifth year of resurrecting the moribund program at Florida International University in Miami.
More to come later.
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