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COLUMBUS — The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association released its special award winners for the 2024-25 season.
Let's find out who all earned honors.
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association has selected Devin Brown as Mr. OHSBCA for the 2024-2025 basketball season.
Brown, a 6'6" guard, led Olentangy Orange to a record of 26-2 and the Division I State Championship. Brown, the Davidson College commit, averaged 14 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, and 4.3 assists per game this past season.
Head Coach Anthony Calo stated, “Devin is a complete basketball player. He can score, but he's also a willing and capable passer who consistently makes the right play to help his team. His teammates love him for his team-first attitude. He shows up each day with joy, which is contagious, and he competes hard—setting a great example for everyone around him. Devin is a rare combination of talent, work ethic, and selflessness.”
Olentangy Liberty Head Coach, Greg Nossaman, stated, “Devin has had an outstanding career at Olentangy Orange High School. He's a great leader both on and off the court. Devin is a versatile player who can contribute at multiple positions offensively and guard a range of positions defensively. He plays within himself, always putting the team first. Simply put, Devin Brown is a winner with a bright future ahead of him.”
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association has selected Dee Alexander as Ms. OHSBCA for the 2024-2025 basketball season.
Alexander, a 6'1" guard, led Purcell Marian to a record of 23-6 and the Division III State Championship. Alexander averaged 20.5 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, and 4.8 assists per game this past season. She is a McDonald’s All-American Game selection, a two-time Ms. OHSBCA winner, a two-time Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year winner, and a three time Ms. Basketball Winner. She is set to attend the University of Cincinnati this fall.
Head Coach Jamar Mosely stated, “Words can’t describe the impact Dee has had on our program. She is a proven leader and a great teammate. Dee knows what it takes to win and makes everyone around her better. She has exceeded every expectation put on her, all while handling the bright spotlight that was on her throughout her entire career at PM. I look forward to following her journey at UC!”
District 16 Director, Ricardo Hill stated, “Dee Alexander being named Ms. OHSBCA is a testament to her undeniable impact on high school basketball in Ohio. Throughout her career, she has consistently proven to be the most dominant and versatile player in the state. Her work ethic, leadership, and ability to elevate those around her set her apart at every level. This honor simply confirms what we’ve all known, Dee is the best in Ohio.”
Girls
Division I: Bryn Martin (Springboro)
Division II: Elise Bender (Anthony Wayne)
Division III: Caitlyn Holmes (Akron Ellet)
Division IV: Maddie Moody (Alter)
Division V: Breanna McCabe (Tuslaw)
Division VI: Lauren Auchmuty (Columbus Grove)
Division VII: Alyssa Rishty (Tiffin Calvert)
Boys
Division I - Devin Brown, Olentangy Orange
Division II - Tai Perkins, Westerville North
Division III - Jaiden Arnold, Cincinnati Aiken
Division IV - RJ Greer, Kettering Alter
Division V - Dorian Jones, Richmond Heights
Division VI - Tucker Howell, Monroe Central
Division VII - Quinn Kwasniak, Cornerstone Christian Academy
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has announced their Boys Coaches of the Year for the 2024-2025 season.
The following coaches were selected by the OHSBCA as Coach of the Year for their respective divisions.
Anthony Calo - Division I - Olentangy Orange
Anthony Calo of Olentangy Orange High School was selected as the Boys Division I Coach of the Year. This year, his team went 26-2 and won the Division I State Title. In his 13 years as a head coach, he has compiled a record of 202-115, winning 3 league titles, 5 sectional championships, 3 district championships, 1 regional championship, and 1 state championship.
Josh Hose - Division II - Massillon
Josh Hose of Massillon High School was selected as the Boys Division II Coach of the Year. This year, his team finished with an overall record of 19-5. In his 14 years as a head coach, he has compiled a record of 209-121, winning 3 league titles and 6 sectional championships.
Derrell Black - Division III - Aiken
Derrell Black of Aiken High School was selected as the Boys Division III Coach of the Year. Derrell just recently completed his 4th season as a head coach. He has a career record of 60-33. This season, his team finished with an overall record of 27-2 and lost in the Division III State Championship game to Louisville. In his 4 years as a head coach, Derrell has won 2 league titles, 1 sectional championship, 1 district championship, and 1 regional championship.
Matt Combs - Division IV - Unioto
Matt Combs of Unioto High School was selected as the Boys Division IV Coach of the Year. Matt just recently completed his 23rd season as a head coach. This was his first year at Unioto, prior to that, he spent 22 years at Vinton County High School. This season, he led his team to a record of 22-4. In 23 seasons, he has an overall record of 388-160, winning 13 league titles, 9 sectional championships, and 4 district championships.
Josh Shoemaker - Division V - Minford
Josh Shoemaker of Minford High School was selected as the Boys Division V Coach of the Year. Josh just finished up his 19th year on the sidelines with 16 of those years being spent at Minford and the other 3 at Portsmouth. He has a career record of 271-168. This year, his team finished with an overall record of 25-2, advancing to the state semi-final game. His teams have won 6 league titles, 6 sectional championships, 1 district championship, and 1 regional championship.
Kurt Goettemoeller - Division VI - Marion Local
Kurt Goettemoeller of Marion Local High School was selected as the Boys Division VI Coach of the Year. Kurt has been a head coach for 14 years, compiling a record of 245-117. This year, his team finished with an impressive 26-3 record and lost in the Division VI State Championship game to Monroe Central. In 14 years as a head coach, his teams have won 4 league titles, 10 sectional championships, 7 district championships, 2 regional championships, and 1 state championship (2018).
Spencer Cordonnier - Division VII - Russia
Spencer Cordonnier of Russia High School was selected as the Boys Division VII Coach of the Year. Spencer just recently completed his 6th season as a head coach. He has a career record of 136-25. This year, his team finished with a perfect 29-0 record and won the Division VII State Championship. In 6 seasons, his teams have won 6 league titles, 4 sectional championships, 4 district championships, 3 regional championships, and 1 state championship.
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has announced their Girls Coaches of the Year for the 2024-2025 season.
The following coaches were selected by the OHSBCA as Coach of the Year for their respective divisions.
Danny Gallagher - Division I - Magnificat
Danny Gallagher of Magnificat High School was selected as the Girls Division I Coach of the Year. This year, his team went 20-6 and advanced to the final four. In his 8 years as a head coach, he has compiled a record of 119-74, winning 7 sectional championships, 4 district championships, and 2 regional championships.
Carlton Gray - Division II - Winton Woods
Carlton Gray of Winton Woods High School was selected as the Girls Division II Coach of the Year. The year, his team finished with an overall record of 27-0 and won the Division II State Championship. In his 4 years as a head coach he has compiled a record of 85-19, winning 3 league titles, 3 sectional championships, 2 district championships, 1 regional championship, and 1 state championship.
Demarris Winters - Division III - Brush
Demarris Winters of Brush High School was selected as the Girls Division III Coach of the Year. Demarris just recently completed his 12th season as a head coach. He has a career record of 196-92. This season, his team finished with an overall record of 24-3 and made it to the Final Four in Division III. In his 12 years as a head coach, Demarris has won 5 league titles, 5 sectional championships, 3 district championships, and 1 regional championship.
Keith Barr - Division IV - Fairfield Union
Keith Barr of Fairfield Union High School was selected as the Girls Division IV Coach of the Year. Keith just recently completed his 16th season as a head coach. He led his team to a 27-1 record this past season and a spot in the Division IV Final Four. His teams over the years have won 3 league titles, 1 sectional championship, 1 district championship, and 1 regional championship.
Amy Hughes - Division V - Portsmouth
Amy Hughes of Portsmouth High School was selected as the Girls Division V Coach of the Year. Amy just recently completed her 16th season as a head coach. She has a career record of 259-102. This season, her team finished 27-1 and won the Division V State Championship. In her 16 years as a head coach, Amy has won 4 league titles, 5 sectional championships, 4 district championships, 3 regional championships, and 1 state championship.
Joe Leonard - Division VI - Rootstown
Joe Leonard of Rootstown High School was selected as the Girls Division VI Coach of the Year. Joe has been a head coach for 5 years, compiling a record of 79-34. This year, his team finished with an impressive 27-2 record and lost in the Division VI State Championship game to Columbus Grove. In 5 years as a head coach, his teams have won 3 league titles, 2 sectional championships, 1 district championship, and 1 regional championship.
Jennifer Ritch - Division VII - Mogadore
Jennifer Ritch of Mogadore High School was selected as the Girls Division VII Coach of the Year. Jennifer just recently completed her 11th season as a head coach. She has a career record of 136-127. This season, her team finished 23-5 and advanced to the Final Four. In her 11 years, her teams have won 1 league title, 4 sectional championships, 1 district championship, and 1 regional championship.
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has announced their Boys Assistant Coaches of the Year for the 2024-2025 season.
The following coaches were selected by the OHSBCA as Assistant Coach of the Year.
Jeff Eicher - Division I-III - Strongsville
Jeff has dedicated 42 years to coaching, with all but two of those years spent at Strongsville. For 32 years, he served as an assistant boys' coach, followed by 8 years as the Head Girls' Basketball Coach, with his two years outside of Strongsville spent as an assistant at Brunswick High School.
Strongsville Head Coach Kevin Sapara praised Jeff, saying, "Jeff is an incredibly hard worker and a calming leader who has represented our school with integrity for decades. He’s consistently the first one to practice and the last to leave, always putting in extra time for film and scouts. Jeff works extremely hard and leads by example. His positive attitude and outlook on life has helped Jeff persevere through adversity and he remains an invaluable asset to our program."
Ed Dolinar - Division IV-V - Firelands
Ed’s coaching career spans more than five decades, with an impressive 55 years spent on the bench. Throughout his career, he has held various coaching positions at schools including Brookside, Firelands, Lutheran West, Rocky River, Elyria Catholic, Amherst Steele, Vermilion, Western Reserve, Oberlin, and Lorain Catholic.
Firelands Head Coach Colin Myers reflected, “Ed coached me as a varsity assistant when I was at Firelands, and when I became head coach years later, I was fortunate to bring him back onto my staff. His commitment to teaching the game and going above and beyond for the program is unmatched. He is, without a doubt, the best assistant coach out there!”
Brett Kaple - Division VI-VII - Colonel Crawford
Brett Kaple has dedicated the past 26 years to coaching the Junior Varsity team at Colonel Crawford, amassing an impressive overall record of 387-168.
Colonel Crawford Head Coach David Sheldon expressed, “Brett is an exceptional coach. His ability to prepare detailed game plans and coach effectively on game nights at the JV level plays a crucial role in getting our players ready for varsity basketball. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a loyal and dedicated coach like Brett, who has been an integral part of the success of the Colonel Crawford Basketball Program.”
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has announced their Girls Assistant Coaches of the Year for the 2024-2025 season.
The following coaches were selected by the OHSBCA as Assistant Coach of the Year.
Mark Postak - Division I-III - Wadsworth
Mark Postak has spent his entire 34-year coaching career as a Varsity Assistant Girls' Basketball coach at Wadsworth High School.
Wadsworth Head Coach Andy Booth shared, “During his time on the Wadsworth staff, Coach Postak has helped lead the Grizzlies to 2 Division I State Championships, 6 Final Four appearances, 13 regional appearances, and over 25 league titles. The Wadsworth girls' record during Coach Postak’s tenure is 693- 165. It goes without saying that Mark has had a profound impact not only on the success of our program but also on the lives of hundreds of players and students in our district.”
Tom Henderson - Division IV-V - Crestwood
Tom’s coaching career spans over four decades. He served as the JV Girls coach and Varsity Boys coach at Eastlake North High School and as the Freshman and JV Boys coach at Kirtland High School. His most recent stops include Aurora High School and Crestwood High School, where he has been a Varsity Assistant Girls coach.
Crestwood Head Coach TJ Henderson shared, “Tom has been the varsity assistant at Crestwood for the past two years. With Tom on the staff, we've gone from a 4-win season to 14 wins last year and 18 wins this year. Tom plays a key role in the program, helping develop fundamental skills from our young guards to our seniors. Our program wouldn't be the same without him. Tom does a fantastic job of bringing fun to the game, allowing the girls to enjoy the experience and the life lessons the sport offers!”
Joe Webster - Division VI-VII - Preble Shawnee
Joe Webster has dedicated the majority of his 23-year coaching career to all levels of the Preble Shawnee girls' basketball program. Head Coach Anitra Roell shared her thoughts on Joe: "Joe has a true passion that's rare to find today. Not only does he love the game, but he also cares deeply about the players he coaches. I have learned so much from Coach Webster, and it's an honor to work alongside him."
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has announced its Academic Team Award Winners.
The OHSBCA and the Ohio Army National Guard will provide the top five boys and girls teams with a plaque that recognizes this prestigious honor.
Below are the teams receiving this award along with their team GPA for the first semester.
Boys
Norwalk St. Paul (3.99); St. Clairsville (3.97); Louisville (3.94); Ottoville (3.94); Wapakoneta (3.93).
Girls
Twinsburg (4.0); Norton (4.0); Ottoville (4.0); Worthington Kilbourne (4.0); Seneca East (4.0); Hathaway Brown (4.0).
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has selected the coaches for the annual OHSBCA North-South All-Star Games presented by Grip Spritz, held at Olentangy Liberty High School on April 25th, 2025.
North Boys Coaches:
Joe Mackey (Brunswick): Joe just recently completed his 29th year as a head coach. He has a career record of 458-219. His teams have won 3 league titles, 20 sectional championships, and 3 district championships. This year, his team finished with an overall record of 19-5.
Steve Keller (Margaretta): Steve has an overall record of 301-240 during his time as a head boys basketball coach at Clyde, Sandusky, andMargaretta. Steve has won 3 league titles, 11 sectional championships, and 3 district championships. This year, his team finished 24-2.
South Boys Coaches:
Joe Schoenfeld (Cincinnati Elder): Coach Schoenfeld just recently completed his 34th season at Cincinnati Elder. His overall record at Elder is 522-277. His teams have won 10 league titles, 9 district championships, 2 regional championships, and 1 state championship (1993). His team finished 14-8 this year, losing in the district championship game to Fairfield.
Josh Shoemaker (Minford): Josh just finished up his 19th year on the sidelines with 16 of those years being spent at Minford and the other 3 at Portsmouth. He has a career record of 271-168. This year, his team finished with an overall record of 25-2, advancing to the state semi- final game. His teams have won 6 league titles, 6 sectional championships, 1 district championship, and 1 regional championship.
North Girls Coaches:
Danny Gallagher (Magnificat): Coach Gallagher has a career record of 119-74 during his time at Magnificat. His teams have won 7 sectional championships, 4 district championships, and 2 regional championships. This year, his team went 20-6 and advanced to the final four.
Tyler Bates (Strasburg): Tyler Bates has accumulated an overall record of 226-71 in 12 years as a head coach at Loudonville and Strasburg. His teams have won 9 league titles, 8 sectional championships, 2 district championships, and 1 regional championship. This past year, his team at Strasburg finished with an overall record of 24-2.
South Girls Coaches:
Jeff Miller (Unioto): Coach Miller has accumulated an overall record of 241-92 at Unioto. His teams have won 8 league titles, 8 sectional championships, and 3 district championships. This year, his team finished with an overall record of 21-5.
Amy Hughes (Portsmouth): Amy has a career record of 259-102 during her 16 years as a head coach. She has had coaching stints at Rock Hill, Ironton, Chillicothe, and Portsmouth. Her teams have won 4 league titles, 5 sectional championships, 4 district championships, 3 regional championships, and this year, her team won the Division 5 State Championship, finishing with an overall record of 27-1.
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has announced their Academic All-Ohio selections. Both boys and girls players were selected from each of the four divisions for this honor. A player’s GPA, ACT/SAT score, class rank, and season statistics are all factors that are reviewed during the selection process. The OHSBCA and the Ohio Army National Guard will provide each honoree with a certificate that recognizes this prestigious honor.
Academic All-Ohio Girls
Brooke Bender, Anthony Wayne; Elise Bender, Anthony Wayne; Sarah Bero, Boardman; Nevaeh Metzger, Buckeye Central; Morgan McVetta, Cory-Rawson; Maggie Anderson, Covington; Hannah Ward, Crestwood; Kamryn Martitz, Fairland; Victoria Mescher, Fort Loramie; Avery Brandewie, Fort Loramie; Emilee Earl, Houston; McKinley Reichert, Jackson Center; Meredith Brockrath, Kalida; Emily Ridgeway, Kirtland; Ellie Mason, New Philadelphia; Kendall Lower, Northwest; Maria Stack, Olentangy Liberty; Carly Thorbahn, Ottoville; Eve Schwemley, Shelby; Ava Heller, Sheridan; Riley Thomas, Strasburg; Leah Bourquin, Tusky Valley; Mya Hamilton, Unioto; Olivia Secord, Vanlue; Maggie Wall, Washington; Aveona Yoder, West Holmes.
Academic All-Ohio Boys
Jace Vermillion, Arlington; Cameron Moore, Avon Lake; Hunter Warrick, Beaver Local; Kayden Schaffer, Bishop Ready; Tryce Chaffin, Bloom-Carroll; Marek Donaldson, Bluffton; Owen Canan, Bradford; Aidan Shaker, Brunswick; Carter Wheeldin, Caldwell; Drew Shapiro, Canfield; Wren Sheets, Crestview; Brady Hignight, Dalton; Ty Maul, Hillard Darby; Braden Schreck, Ironton; Austin Niekamp, Marion Local; Bentley Hanson, New Lexington; Shane Jones, New Riegel; Ryan Adelsperger, Old Fort; Tyler Kropp, Olentangy Liberty; Luke Wolf, Perry; Carson Cunningham, Springfield; Jameson Heck, St. Francis De Dales; Aiden Davis, Steubenville; Jack Batten, Streetsboro; Zach Strawberry, Tiffin Columbian; Brady Bowen, Wooster.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: OHSBCA announces special 2024-25 season honors
Continue reading...
Let's find out who all earned honors.
Olentangy Orange’s Devin Brown named Mr. OHSBCA
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association has selected Devin Brown as Mr. OHSBCA for the 2024-2025 basketball season.
Brown, a 6'6" guard, led Olentangy Orange to a record of 26-2 and the Division I State Championship. Brown, the Davidson College commit, averaged 14 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, and 4.3 assists per game this past season.
Head Coach Anthony Calo stated, “Devin is a complete basketball player. He can score, but he's also a willing and capable passer who consistently makes the right play to help his team. His teammates love him for his team-first attitude. He shows up each day with joy, which is contagious, and he competes hard—setting a great example for everyone around him. Devin is a rare combination of talent, work ethic, and selflessness.”
Olentangy Liberty Head Coach, Greg Nossaman, stated, “Devin has had an outstanding career at Olentangy Orange High School. He's a great leader both on and off the court. Devin is a versatile player who can contribute at multiple positions offensively and guard a range of positions defensively. He plays within himself, always putting the team first. Simply put, Devin Brown is a winner with a bright future ahead of him.”
Purcell Marian’s Dee Alexander named Ms. OHSBCA
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association has selected Dee Alexander as Ms. OHSBCA for the 2024-2025 basketball season.
Alexander, a 6'1" guard, led Purcell Marian to a record of 23-6 and the Division III State Championship. Alexander averaged 20.5 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, and 4.8 assists per game this past season. She is a McDonald’s All-American Game selection, a two-time Ms. OHSBCA winner, a two-time Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year winner, and a three time Ms. Basketball Winner. She is set to attend the University of Cincinnati this fall.
Head Coach Jamar Mosely stated, “Words can’t describe the impact Dee has had on our program. She is a proven leader and a great teammate. Dee knows what it takes to win and makes everyone around her better. She has exceeded every expectation put on her, all while handling the bright spotlight that was on her throughout her entire career at PM. I look forward to following her journey at UC!”
District 16 Director, Ricardo Hill stated, “Dee Alexander being named Ms. OHSBCA is a testament to her undeniable impact on high school basketball in Ohio. Throughout her career, she has consistently proven to be the most dominant and versatile player in the state. Her work ethic, leadership, and ability to elevate those around her set her apart at every level. This honor simply confirms what we’ve all known, Dee is the best in Ohio.”
Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association announces its boys and girls basketball players of the year
Girls
Division I: Bryn Martin (Springboro)
Division II: Elise Bender (Anthony Wayne)
Division III: Caitlyn Holmes (Akron Ellet)
Division IV: Maddie Moody (Alter)
Division V: Breanna McCabe (Tuslaw)
Division VI: Lauren Auchmuty (Columbus Grove)
Division VII: Alyssa Rishty (Tiffin Calvert)
Boys
Division I - Devin Brown, Olentangy Orange
Division II - Tai Perkins, Westerville North
Division III - Jaiden Arnold, Cincinnati Aiken
Division IV - RJ Greer, Kettering Alter
Division V - Dorian Jones, Richmond Heights
Division VI - Tucker Howell, Monroe Central
Division VII - Quinn Kwasniak, Cornerstone Christian Academy
Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association announces its boys basketball coaches of the year
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has announced their Boys Coaches of the Year for the 2024-2025 season.
The following coaches were selected by the OHSBCA as Coach of the Year for their respective divisions.
Anthony Calo - Division I - Olentangy Orange
Anthony Calo of Olentangy Orange High School was selected as the Boys Division I Coach of the Year. This year, his team went 26-2 and won the Division I State Title. In his 13 years as a head coach, he has compiled a record of 202-115, winning 3 league titles, 5 sectional championships, 3 district championships, 1 regional championship, and 1 state championship.
Josh Hose - Division II - Massillon
Josh Hose of Massillon High School was selected as the Boys Division II Coach of the Year. This year, his team finished with an overall record of 19-5. In his 14 years as a head coach, he has compiled a record of 209-121, winning 3 league titles and 6 sectional championships.
Derrell Black - Division III - Aiken
Derrell Black of Aiken High School was selected as the Boys Division III Coach of the Year. Derrell just recently completed his 4th season as a head coach. He has a career record of 60-33. This season, his team finished with an overall record of 27-2 and lost in the Division III State Championship game to Louisville. In his 4 years as a head coach, Derrell has won 2 league titles, 1 sectional championship, 1 district championship, and 1 regional championship.
Matt Combs - Division IV - Unioto
Matt Combs of Unioto High School was selected as the Boys Division IV Coach of the Year. Matt just recently completed his 23rd season as a head coach. This was his first year at Unioto, prior to that, he spent 22 years at Vinton County High School. This season, he led his team to a record of 22-4. In 23 seasons, he has an overall record of 388-160, winning 13 league titles, 9 sectional championships, and 4 district championships.
Josh Shoemaker - Division V - Minford
Josh Shoemaker of Minford High School was selected as the Boys Division V Coach of the Year. Josh just finished up his 19th year on the sidelines with 16 of those years being spent at Minford and the other 3 at Portsmouth. He has a career record of 271-168. This year, his team finished with an overall record of 25-2, advancing to the state semi-final game. His teams have won 6 league titles, 6 sectional championships, 1 district championship, and 1 regional championship.
Kurt Goettemoeller - Division VI - Marion Local
Kurt Goettemoeller of Marion Local High School was selected as the Boys Division VI Coach of the Year. Kurt has been a head coach for 14 years, compiling a record of 245-117. This year, his team finished with an impressive 26-3 record and lost in the Division VI State Championship game to Monroe Central. In 14 years as a head coach, his teams have won 4 league titles, 10 sectional championships, 7 district championships, 2 regional championships, and 1 state championship (2018).
Spencer Cordonnier - Division VII - Russia
Spencer Cordonnier of Russia High School was selected as the Boys Division VII Coach of the Year. Spencer just recently completed his 6th season as a head coach. He has a career record of 136-25. This year, his team finished with a perfect 29-0 record and won the Division VII State Championship. In 6 seasons, his teams have won 6 league titles, 4 sectional championships, 4 district championships, 3 regional championships, and 1 state championship.
Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association announced its Girls basketball coaches of the year
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has announced their Girls Coaches of the Year for the 2024-2025 season.
The following coaches were selected by the OHSBCA as Coach of the Year for their respective divisions.
Danny Gallagher - Division I - Magnificat
Danny Gallagher of Magnificat High School was selected as the Girls Division I Coach of the Year. This year, his team went 20-6 and advanced to the final four. In his 8 years as a head coach, he has compiled a record of 119-74, winning 7 sectional championships, 4 district championships, and 2 regional championships.
Carlton Gray - Division II - Winton Woods
Carlton Gray of Winton Woods High School was selected as the Girls Division II Coach of the Year. The year, his team finished with an overall record of 27-0 and won the Division II State Championship. In his 4 years as a head coach he has compiled a record of 85-19, winning 3 league titles, 3 sectional championships, 2 district championships, 1 regional championship, and 1 state championship.
Demarris Winters - Division III - Brush
Demarris Winters of Brush High School was selected as the Girls Division III Coach of the Year. Demarris just recently completed his 12th season as a head coach. He has a career record of 196-92. This season, his team finished with an overall record of 24-3 and made it to the Final Four in Division III. In his 12 years as a head coach, Demarris has won 5 league titles, 5 sectional championships, 3 district championships, and 1 regional championship.
Keith Barr - Division IV - Fairfield Union
Keith Barr of Fairfield Union High School was selected as the Girls Division IV Coach of the Year. Keith just recently completed his 16th season as a head coach. He led his team to a 27-1 record this past season and a spot in the Division IV Final Four. His teams over the years have won 3 league titles, 1 sectional championship, 1 district championship, and 1 regional championship.
Amy Hughes - Division V - Portsmouth
Amy Hughes of Portsmouth High School was selected as the Girls Division V Coach of the Year. Amy just recently completed her 16th season as a head coach. She has a career record of 259-102. This season, her team finished 27-1 and won the Division V State Championship. In her 16 years as a head coach, Amy has won 4 league titles, 5 sectional championships, 4 district championships, 3 regional championships, and 1 state championship.
Joe Leonard - Division VI - Rootstown
Joe Leonard of Rootstown High School was selected as the Girls Division VI Coach of the Year. Joe has been a head coach for 5 years, compiling a record of 79-34. This year, his team finished with an impressive 27-2 record and lost in the Division VI State Championship game to Columbus Grove. In 5 years as a head coach, his teams have won 3 league titles, 2 sectional championships, 1 district championship, and 1 regional championship.
Jennifer Ritch - Division VII - Mogadore
Jennifer Ritch of Mogadore High School was selected as the Girls Division VII Coach of the Year. Jennifer just recently completed her 11th season as a head coach. She has a career record of 136-127. This season, her team finished 23-5 and advanced to the Final Four. In her 11 years, her teams have won 1 league title, 4 sectional championships, 1 district championship, and 1 regional championship.
Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association announced boys assistant coaches of the year
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has announced their Boys Assistant Coaches of the Year for the 2024-2025 season.
The following coaches were selected by the OHSBCA as Assistant Coach of the Year.
Jeff Eicher - Division I-III - Strongsville
Jeff has dedicated 42 years to coaching, with all but two of those years spent at Strongsville. For 32 years, he served as an assistant boys' coach, followed by 8 years as the Head Girls' Basketball Coach, with his two years outside of Strongsville spent as an assistant at Brunswick High School.
Strongsville Head Coach Kevin Sapara praised Jeff, saying, "Jeff is an incredibly hard worker and a calming leader who has represented our school with integrity for decades. He’s consistently the first one to practice and the last to leave, always putting in extra time for film and scouts. Jeff works extremely hard and leads by example. His positive attitude and outlook on life has helped Jeff persevere through adversity and he remains an invaluable asset to our program."
Ed Dolinar - Division IV-V - Firelands
Ed’s coaching career spans more than five decades, with an impressive 55 years spent on the bench. Throughout his career, he has held various coaching positions at schools including Brookside, Firelands, Lutheran West, Rocky River, Elyria Catholic, Amherst Steele, Vermilion, Western Reserve, Oberlin, and Lorain Catholic.
Firelands Head Coach Colin Myers reflected, “Ed coached me as a varsity assistant when I was at Firelands, and when I became head coach years later, I was fortunate to bring him back onto my staff. His commitment to teaching the game and going above and beyond for the program is unmatched. He is, without a doubt, the best assistant coach out there!”
Brett Kaple - Division VI-VII - Colonel Crawford
Brett Kaple has dedicated the past 26 years to coaching the Junior Varsity team at Colonel Crawford, amassing an impressive overall record of 387-168.
Colonel Crawford Head Coach David Sheldon expressed, “Brett is an exceptional coach. His ability to prepare detailed game plans and coach effectively on game nights at the JV level plays a crucial role in getting our players ready for varsity basketball. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a loyal and dedicated coach like Brett, who has been an integral part of the success of the Colonel Crawford Basketball Program.”
Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association announces girls assistant coaches of the year
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has announced their Girls Assistant Coaches of the Year for the 2024-2025 season.
The following coaches were selected by the OHSBCA as Assistant Coach of the Year.
Mark Postak - Division I-III - Wadsworth
Mark Postak has spent his entire 34-year coaching career as a Varsity Assistant Girls' Basketball coach at Wadsworth High School.
Wadsworth Head Coach Andy Booth shared, “During his time on the Wadsworth staff, Coach Postak has helped lead the Grizzlies to 2 Division I State Championships, 6 Final Four appearances, 13 regional appearances, and over 25 league titles. The Wadsworth girls' record during Coach Postak’s tenure is 693- 165. It goes without saying that Mark has had a profound impact not only on the success of our program but also on the lives of hundreds of players and students in our district.”
Tom Henderson - Division IV-V - Crestwood
Tom’s coaching career spans over four decades. He served as the JV Girls coach and Varsity Boys coach at Eastlake North High School and as the Freshman and JV Boys coach at Kirtland High School. His most recent stops include Aurora High School and Crestwood High School, where he has been a Varsity Assistant Girls coach.
Crestwood Head Coach TJ Henderson shared, “Tom has been the varsity assistant at Crestwood for the past two years. With Tom on the staff, we've gone from a 4-win season to 14 wins last year and 18 wins this year. Tom plays a key role in the program, helping develop fundamental skills from our young guards to our seniors. Our program wouldn't be the same without him. Tom does a fantastic job of bringing fun to the game, allowing the girls to enjoy the experience and the life lessons the sport offers!”
Joe Webster - Division VI-VII - Preble Shawnee
Joe Webster has dedicated the majority of his 23-year coaching career to all levels of the Preble Shawnee girls' basketball program. Head Coach Anitra Roell shared her thoughts on Joe: "Joe has a true passion that's rare to find today. Not only does he love the game, but he also cares deeply about the players he coaches. I have learned so much from Coach Webster, and it's an honor to work alongside him."
Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association announced academic team award winners
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has announced its Academic Team Award Winners.
The OHSBCA and the Ohio Army National Guard will provide the top five boys and girls teams with a plaque that recognizes this prestigious honor.
Below are the teams receiving this award along with their team GPA for the first semester.
Boys
Norwalk St. Paul (3.99); St. Clairsville (3.97); Louisville (3.94); Ottoville (3.94); Wapakoneta (3.93).
Girls
Twinsburg (4.0); Norton (4.0); Ottoville (4.0); Worthington Kilbourne (4.0); Seneca East (4.0); Hathaway Brown (4.0).
Coaches Selected for OHSBCA North-South All-Star Games
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has selected the coaches for the annual OHSBCA North-South All-Star Games presented by Grip Spritz, held at Olentangy Liberty High School on April 25th, 2025.
North Boys Coaches:
Joe Mackey (Brunswick): Joe just recently completed his 29th year as a head coach. He has a career record of 458-219. His teams have won 3 league titles, 20 sectional championships, and 3 district championships. This year, his team finished with an overall record of 19-5.
Steve Keller (Margaretta): Steve has an overall record of 301-240 during his time as a head boys basketball coach at Clyde, Sandusky, andMargaretta. Steve has won 3 league titles, 11 sectional championships, and 3 district championships. This year, his team finished 24-2.
South Boys Coaches:
Joe Schoenfeld (Cincinnati Elder): Coach Schoenfeld just recently completed his 34th season at Cincinnati Elder. His overall record at Elder is 522-277. His teams have won 10 league titles, 9 district championships, 2 regional championships, and 1 state championship (1993). His team finished 14-8 this year, losing in the district championship game to Fairfield.
Josh Shoemaker (Minford): Josh just finished up his 19th year on the sidelines with 16 of those years being spent at Minford and the other 3 at Portsmouth. He has a career record of 271-168. This year, his team finished with an overall record of 25-2, advancing to the state semi- final game. His teams have won 6 league titles, 6 sectional championships, 1 district championship, and 1 regional championship.
North Girls Coaches:
Danny Gallagher (Magnificat): Coach Gallagher has a career record of 119-74 during his time at Magnificat. His teams have won 7 sectional championships, 4 district championships, and 2 regional championships. This year, his team went 20-6 and advanced to the final four.
Tyler Bates (Strasburg): Tyler Bates has accumulated an overall record of 226-71 in 12 years as a head coach at Loudonville and Strasburg. His teams have won 9 league titles, 8 sectional championships, 2 district championships, and 1 regional championship. This past year, his team at Strasburg finished with an overall record of 24-2.
South Girls Coaches:
Jeff Miller (Unioto): Coach Miller has accumulated an overall record of 241-92 at Unioto. His teams have won 8 league titles, 8 sectional championships, and 3 district championships. This year, his team finished with an overall record of 21-5.
Amy Hughes (Portsmouth): Amy has a career record of 259-102 during her 16 years as a head coach. She has had coaching stints at Rock Hill, Ironton, Chillicothe, and Portsmouth. Her teams have won 4 league titles, 5 sectional championships, 4 district championships, 3 regional championships, and this year, her team won the Division 5 State Championship, finishing with an overall record of 27-1.
Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association announces Academic All-Ohio Selections
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has announced their Academic All-Ohio selections. Both boys and girls players were selected from each of the four divisions for this honor. A player’s GPA, ACT/SAT score, class rank, and season statistics are all factors that are reviewed during the selection process. The OHSBCA and the Ohio Army National Guard will provide each honoree with a certificate that recognizes this prestigious honor.
Academic All-Ohio Girls
Brooke Bender, Anthony Wayne; Elise Bender, Anthony Wayne; Sarah Bero, Boardman; Nevaeh Metzger, Buckeye Central; Morgan McVetta, Cory-Rawson; Maggie Anderson, Covington; Hannah Ward, Crestwood; Kamryn Martitz, Fairland; Victoria Mescher, Fort Loramie; Avery Brandewie, Fort Loramie; Emilee Earl, Houston; McKinley Reichert, Jackson Center; Meredith Brockrath, Kalida; Emily Ridgeway, Kirtland; Ellie Mason, New Philadelphia; Kendall Lower, Northwest; Maria Stack, Olentangy Liberty; Carly Thorbahn, Ottoville; Eve Schwemley, Shelby; Ava Heller, Sheridan; Riley Thomas, Strasburg; Leah Bourquin, Tusky Valley; Mya Hamilton, Unioto; Olivia Secord, Vanlue; Maggie Wall, Washington; Aveona Yoder, West Holmes.
Academic All-Ohio Boys
Jace Vermillion, Arlington; Cameron Moore, Avon Lake; Hunter Warrick, Beaver Local; Kayden Schaffer, Bishop Ready; Tryce Chaffin, Bloom-Carroll; Marek Donaldson, Bluffton; Owen Canan, Bradford; Aidan Shaker, Brunswick; Carter Wheeldin, Caldwell; Drew Shapiro, Canfield; Wren Sheets, Crestview; Brady Hignight, Dalton; Ty Maul, Hillard Darby; Braden Schreck, Ironton; Austin Niekamp, Marion Local; Bentley Hanson, New Lexington; Shane Jones, New Riegel; Ryan Adelsperger, Old Fort; Tyler Kropp, Olentangy Liberty; Luke Wolf, Perry; Carson Cunningham, Springfield; Jameson Heck, St. Francis De Dales; Aiden Davis, Steubenville; Jack Batten, Streetsboro; Zach Strawberry, Tiffin Columbian; Brady Bowen, Wooster.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: OHSBCA announces special 2024-25 season honors
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