Obie Cleveland Hill

Obie Cleveland Hill (MHS 1968) was the starting center for the Magnolia Monarchs that had a 24-6 record in 1967 and 1968. He scored 50 points against North Gulfport High. Cleveland was the first African American athlete to be awarded a scholarship to Francis T. Nicholls State College (Nicholls State), where he was the school’s all time leading scorer and rebounder, three-time MVP and three-time team captain. He was named “Mr. Louisiana Basketball” by the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches, and he was inducted into Nicholls State athletic hall of fame as well as the University’s hall of fame. Cleveland has also been a middle school teacher, a Nicholls State assistant basketball coach and dean of students. He is currently an associate professor at the University of Holy Cross.