Coaches Association Newsletter December 2023

Executive Director Message - Joe Balogh
The excitement of the 2023 – 2024 season has begun with the girls tipping off Thanksgiving weekend and the boys starting on the first weekend in December.  One of the first things that fans have noticed in these early games is the change in team fouls initiated by the National Federation of High Schools. There are no longer any 1 and 1 foul shots in high school basketball. Teams will now shoot free throws on the 5th foul of each quarter and the fouls will reset to zero at the start of each quarter.  It will be interesting to see how this affects the coaching strategies at the end of each quarter.  

Also, we would like to remind all coaches to make sure you report your scores to Max Preps. We will be using the Max Preps RPI rating system for tournament seeding this season. As a reminder the RPI will only be for seeding it will not determine teams’ placement on the tournament bracket. Coaches will still have the opportunity to place their team on the tournament bracket. The initial release of the Max Preps RPI will take place on Monday, January 8th on the OHSAA website.

On December 13th the OHSAA released a statement that their board of directors and staff are looking at the expansion of divisions in both girls’ and boys’ basketball. Our association has been in communication with OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute on this process and will be providing input on the process of expansion. As announced in the news release their will be statewide meetings in January to discuss data and get feedback on the topic of expanding the number of divisions.  

Finally, just a reminder of the influence that you as a coach can have on the young men and women who are on your team. As a coach you have the primary responsibility to be a teacher.  A teacher in the area of providing the necessary instruction of skills for each player to better himself or herself individually and to successfully organize these players into a working team.  However, a coach is not only a teacher of the skills and concepts of basketball.  A coach must also be the teacher of the many values that a player can learn from participating in athletics.  Athletics is an area where the important values of sacrifice, teamwork, dedication to a goal, and self-discipline can be learned.  

Best of luck this season!
 
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2024 HALL OF HONOR

District 2 - David Murphy - Former GCBCA President
David has served as the Greater Cleveland Basketball Coaches Association (GCBCA) president and has also help run the GCBCA Senior Showcase Events and All-Star Games. He is currently the girls' basketball coach at Fairview High School.

District 4 - Joe Eaton - Federal League Commissioner 
Joe Eaton served as the Federal League Commissioner for 16 years after his retirement as the Athletic Director at North Canton Hoover. Joe began his career as a basketball coach at St. Thomas Aquinas and always looked for creative ways to advance basketball in the Federal League. Joe created an in-season league tournament played at the Canton Civic Center to help with district tournament exposure and to help earn money for student programs at Federal League Schools. His most notable achievement for students was hosting the Federal League Exchange Day. Tom McBride, District 4 Director, stated, “Joe Eaton has been a steward of the game and is very deserving of this award. It is my pleasure to name Joe our District 4 Hall of Honor award winner.”

District 6 - Jeff Swank - Media
For over 35 years Jeff Swank has been a fixture for high school sports in the Mansfield and North Central Ohio area. Beginning in 1988, Jeff worked for 9 years at WSWR radio as the assistant sports director and pre-game and post-game host. From 1998 to 2011 he worked at WMAN radio as their sports director. In 2011 he became the owner and general manager of swankonsports.com where he provides weekly interviews of coaches along with providing a scoreboard of all the local sports in the Mansfield and North Central Ohio area. OHSBCA Executive Director, Joe Balogh, stated, “The many schools, coaches, and athletes in our area are very thankful for the coverage that Jeff provides for high school sports.”

District 8 - Greg Mauk - Coach 
Greg Mauk has been the head girls’ basketball coach at Bath High School for the past 26 years. Kristen Holt, Athletic Director at Bath High School stated, “Greg Mauk is the winningest coach in Bath Girls Basketball history with 467 wins. He is a big reason why our girls' basketball program has over 900 wins and is ranked in the top 10 all time, in the state of Ohio. In his 26 years as a head coach, Greg has never had a losing season.”

District 10 - Mary Ann Grimes - Coach 
Mary Ann Grimes served as a head coach at four different schools including Dublin Coffman. Her teams won 9 district titles and 3 regional titles. Coach Grimes also served as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at the University of Akron for 4 seasons. “Mary Ann is truly one of the greatest coaches in the state of Ohio to coach this great game,” stated Pat Murphy, District 10 Director.

District 12 - Janice Tisher - Scorekeeper 
Janice Tisher has been the scorekeeper at River High School for the past 35 years. She has worked under three legendary coaches in RL Potts, Lou “Scooter” Tolzda, and Mark Romick. District 12 Director, Mark Romick, had this to say about Janice, “Her time, dedication and commitment to youth is second to none and has spanned generations!”

District 14 - Don Bowles - Broadcaster 
Don Bowles has been a basketball broadcaster in southeast Ohio for almost 30 years. He currently owns and operates Dream Catcher Communications and two radio stations in southern Ohio. Don was awarded the Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity Award for media service in the southeast district in 2010 and has also been awarded the Southern Hills Athletic Conference Special Appreciation Award. Josh Arey, District 14 Director, had this to say about Don, “In my estimation Don Bowles has had the greatest impact in our area for promoting student athletes and coaches. No other individual has devoted the time and dedication that he has put forth. His reach in our community has far exceeded his grasp and has went well beyond the game of basketball.”

District 16 - Fred Tudor - Coach 
Fred Tudor has been a high school basketball coach in the state of Ohio for over 40 years. He has spent time at Walnut Hills High School, Wyoming High School, Hughes High School, and Indiana Hill High School. He was also a high school football coach for over 30 years. “Fred Tudor is by far one of the most dedicated coaches in high school sports. His leadership abilities along with his calm demeanor is absolutely amazing,” stated Ricardo Hill, District 16 Director. “Fred has the respect of coaches, officials, parents, and staff throughout the Cincinnati community. He is also a leader in his church and gives his time to our youth. Fred is very deserving of this honor.”

HOOPLINES
This year, there will two editions of HOOPLINES as the OHSBCA starts to move to digital content. The Year in Review / January edition will be release around Mid-January. The Spring / May edition was be released in Mid-May. The OHSBCA has increased the number of  Monthly newsletters, like this one, to provide more timely information. The newsletters will be sent to your email address provided on the membership form.

OHSBCA Nominates Coaches for Morgan Wootten Lifetime Achievement Award
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association recently nominated Richard Kortokrax and Mary Jo Huismann for the Morgan Wootten Lifetime Achievement Award. The Morgan Wootten Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually to an individual who has made significant and lasting contributions to the world of high school basketball, particularly in the areas of coaching, mentoring, and leadership. This prestigious award honors the legacy of Coach Morgan Wootten, a legendary high school basketball coach, and his dedication to developing athletes both on and off the court.

Richard Kortokrax retired in 2016 as the winningest boy’s high school basketball coach in the state of Ohio. His record of 890 wins and 371 losses stands the test of success and longevity. Throughout his career, his teams won 24 league titles and made it to the state tournament on four separate occasions. In 1981, his Kalida Wildcats won the state title. Richard served as president of the OHSBCA from 1982-84. He has been inducted into the OHSBCA Hall of Fame (1999), Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2002), and the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame (2012).

Mary Jo Huismann was a pioneer for women’s high school basketball in the state of Ohio. Coach Huismann is currently in her 52nd year as a head coach. She spent most of her career at Mother of Mercy High School where she compiled a record of 696-337. Her teams won 18 league championships, 15 district championships, and 3 regional championships. She has spent the past five seasons at Talawanda High School. Her overall record in 52 years as a head coach is 760-388. Mary Jo served the OHSBCA for years as a Director. She has been inducted into the OHSBCA Hall of Fame (2022), Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2020), Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame (2018), Greater Cincinnati Basketball Hall of Fame (2008), Ohio Girls Basketball Magazine Hall of Fame (1999), Larosa’s Area High School Hall of Fame (1999), and Mother of Mercy’s High School Hall of Fame (1987).

The Morgan Wootten Lifetime Achievement Award winners will be announced this month. Award winners will be recognized at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts, in January of 2024.revised. 

Sportsmanship, Ethics & Integrity Award
Each year, the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) has the opportunity to recognize and honor a boys and girls coach with the OHSAA Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity (SEI) Award. The recipients are selected by a committee that is made up of boys and girls basketball coaches across the state of Ohio. Individuals selected should reflect the values of sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity in all their professional responsibilities.

The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association has chosen Steve Mehalik of Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School as the boys coach recipient and Walt DeShields of West Branch High School as the girls coach recipient of the OHSAA Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity Award. Each coach will be honored at their respective 2024 OHSAA State Basketball Tournament.

Steve Mehalik is entering his 17th year as the head coach at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School. During that time, he has compiled a record of 254-117. “Steve is one of the nicest coaches and people you will find in our profession,” stated Brett Larrick, District 3 Director. “Steve will always take the time to help anyone that he can. He truly coaches for the love of teaching our youth. Steve has the respect of every coach that knows him. Our coaches profession is better because of him.”

Walt DeShields has been the head coach at West Branch High School for 19 years. In his 19 years as a head coach, he has compiled a record of 334-113. Mike Miller, OHSBCA District 1 & 4 Girls Director stated, “Coach DeShields has always been a respected leader in girls basketball in the Mahoning Valley area and across the state. He is very deserving of this award.”

“Congratulations to Steve and Walt for receiving the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s Sportsmanship, Ethics, & Integrity Award,” stated Joe Balogh, Executive Director of the OHSBCA. “Steve, Walt, and their respective school districts should be very proud of their selection for this award.”

OHSBCA Membership
Membership Deadline is Tuesday, December 31, 2023. Please get your membership in by that date. You must be a member to receive the Coaches and Players Awards. In addition to this year’s membership, you will be a member of the NHSBCA which will provide the benefits from Luceo Sports - Online Registration, NHSBCA Resource App, and the NHSBCA Playbook App. All ACTIVE members are entitled to these benefits.