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Usually, John Barbo doesn’t mind a snow day.
But even the Geneva teacher and boys basketball coach couldn’t grasp a massive snowstorm in the northern part of Ashtabula County Thanksgiving weekend that cancelled practices and games in the early going.
“I just knew everyone wasn’t getting the snow we did,” Barbo said.
The Eagles contended with illness, weather and an extended football season early.
“We struggled to get in the groove,” Barbo said.
Geneva, though, found its rhythm, and ended up finishing 13-11 overall, 8-2 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division to share the title with Madison and Jefferson.
Barbo was selected county Co-Coach of the Year with Grand Valley’s Justin Turk for the 2024-25 season, as voted on by the county coaches.
“I’m honored to receive the award,” he said. “It’s spread throughout the whole program. I’m lucky to have great players and great coaches.”
Barbo, a member of the Eagles’ football coaching staff which advanced two rounds in the Division III, Region 9 playoffs in the fall, took over for Eric Bowser in the offseason.
“We knew we had the talent and drive to be successful,” he said. “I’m thankful for the success we had, and so proud of the guys for persevering.”
Geneva started with five wins in its first six games. From there, the Eagles didn’t have big winning or losing streaks.
The Eagles handed the Falcons their first loss, after Jefferson opened 6-0.
The Eagles earned big regular-season wins over Jefferson 78-65 Dec. 21 and Madison 54-51 to help forge a three-way tie for the conference title.
On Feb. 7, the last regular-season for conference games, Geneva defeated Lakeside 62-55, while Madison edged out Jefferson 51-49.
“We showed how good we could be,” Barbo said. “One of our preseason goals was to win the conference. It was a long time since Geneva had won one. These guys can say they were part of this championship.”
“This year didn’t go quite as expected due to some injuries and illness, but with that being said, coach Barbo did a great job keeping up the team morale through the leadership he provided,” senior forward Hayden Diemer said.
After an 80-53 win over over Harvey in a Division III Northeast 3 sectional final, the Eagles ran into state powerhouse Akron St. Vincent-St. Marcy and lost 79-32 in a district semifinal contest.
“We played our best game in the sectional final against Harvey,” Barbo said. “We played great all four quarters. Harvey’s a good team that beat us [78-71] earlier in the season.”
Like Turk, who coached his son, Carter, Barbo had the opportunity to coach Luke, his son, and players that have been together for a long time.
“It was special to be a part of Luke’s last year,” Barbo said. “I told myself to enjoy this. I wish I could re-do the whole season. I’m blessed.”
Luke Barbo surpassed 1,000-career points during the season.
John Barbo said the support he received from his fellow coaches, players and community was unmatched,
“You realize how much you rely on others,” he said. “My assistant coaches — Bobby McQuoid, Dave Yost, Jake Coy and Seth Negin — did a great job.”
Negin graduated from Madison last season, and played basketball.
“For a young kid, he did an awesome job,” Barbo said.
Concerning the future, Barbo is unsure of his coaching plans.
Continue reading...
But even the Geneva teacher and boys basketball coach couldn’t grasp a massive snowstorm in the northern part of Ashtabula County Thanksgiving weekend that cancelled practices and games in the early going.
“I just knew everyone wasn’t getting the snow we did,” Barbo said.
The Eagles contended with illness, weather and an extended football season early.
“We struggled to get in the groove,” Barbo said.
Geneva, though, found its rhythm, and ended up finishing 13-11 overall, 8-2 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division to share the title with Madison and Jefferson.
Barbo was selected county Co-Coach of the Year with Grand Valley’s Justin Turk for the 2024-25 season, as voted on by the county coaches.
“I’m honored to receive the award,” he said. “It’s spread throughout the whole program. I’m lucky to have great players and great coaches.”
Barbo, a member of the Eagles’ football coaching staff which advanced two rounds in the Division III, Region 9 playoffs in the fall, took over for Eric Bowser in the offseason.
“We knew we had the talent and drive to be successful,” he said. “I’m thankful for the success we had, and so proud of the guys for persevering.”
Geneva started with five wins in its first six games. From there, the Eagles didn’t have big winning or losing streaks.
The Eagles handed the Falcons their first loss, after Jefferson opened 6-0.
The Eagles earned big regular-season wins over Jefferson 78-65 Dec. 21 and Madison 54-51 to help forge a three-way tie for the conference title.
On Feb. 7, the last regular-season for conference games, Geneva defeated Lakeside 62-55, while Madison edged out Jefferson 51-49.
“We showed how good we could be,” Barbo said. “One of our preseason goals was to win the conference. It was a long time since Geneva had won one. These guys can say they were part of this championship.”
“This year didn’t go quite as expected due to some injuries and illness, but with that being said, coach Barbo did a great job keeping up the team morale through the leadership he provided,” senior forward Hayden Diemer said.
After an 80-53 win over over Harvey in a Division III Northeast 3 sectional final, the Eagles ran into state powerhouse Akron St. Vincent-St. Marcy and lost 79-32 in a district semifinal contest.
“We played our best game in the sectional final against Harvey,” Barbo said. “We played great all four quarters. Harvey’s a good team that beat us [78-71] earlier in the season.”
Like Turk, who coached his son, Carter, Barbo had the opportunity to coach Luke, his son, and players that have been together for a long time.
“It was special to be a part of Luke’s last year,” Barbo said. “I told myself to enjoy this. I wish I could re-do the whole season. I’m blessed.”
Luke Barbo surpassed 1,000-career points during the season.
John Barbo said the support he received from his fellow coaches, players and community was unmatched,
“You realize how much you rely on others,” he said. “My assistant coaches — Bobby McQuoid, Dave Yost, Jake Coy and Seth Negin — did a great job.”
Negin graduated from Madison last season, and played basketball.
“For a young kid, he did an awesome job,” Barbo said.
Concerning the future, Barbo is unsure of his coaching plans.
Continue reading...
