Coaches Association Newsletter November 2023

OHSAA Basketball using MaxPreps for RPI Data Collection and Seedings
The Ohio High School Athletic Association has decided that Ratings Percentage Index is a more accurate way to seed teams for the OHSAA Tournament and it will be employed in basketball this winter. MaxPreps can calculate RPI based on strength of schedules and has offered to provide this service for the sport of basketball for the 2023-24 season. The intent of this new data collection is to employ a more equitable way to determine a team’s postseason seed. Below is the basic formula that will be used. 

The RPI formula is = (0.40 × WP) + (0.35 × OWP) + (0.25 × OOWP). 

• Winning percentage (WP): Divide the number of wins by the number of total games played. A tie is worth half a win. If a win in an individual contest gives that contest a winning percentage of 1.00, a tie would give that individual contest a winning percentage of .500 for both teams.

• Opponents’ winning percentage (OWP): Average the winning percentages of a team’s opponents. (Note: This is not calculated via the combined record of the opponents, instead by averaging each
winning percentage of the opponents.) All games involving the team whose RPI is being calculated are ignored in this process.

• Opponents’ opponents winning percentage (OOWP): The same process as described above, except calculated for the opponents of a team’s opponents. Note that there is an exception for out-of-state
teams, which is addressed below.

This is the RPI at its purest form which is based on wins, losses and strength of schedule with no filters (i.e. class size, etc.). Each game will count as 1 point (ties are worth 0.5 to each team for win and loss.). Out-of-state teams are weighted the same as in-state teams. Non-varsity and non-member schools (i.e. prep schools, Canadian schools, etc.) are not included in the RPI calculation. Further review of these parameters may be considered, but simplicity is the focus for this initial season.

The official OHSAA RPI standings will be published on OHSAA.org. It is worth noting that any RPI data published elsewhere is unofficial and should be viewed with skepticism as it may not be correct. The OHSAA RPI data should not be confused with the MaxPreps rankings. MaxPreps rankings are updated twice a week and posted on www.maxpreps.com.

The RPI standings will not be published for the first time until mid-January. This is to allow teams to have at least competed in a few games to have RPI data. Once they are posted, feeds are updated daily during the remaining regular season.

A major advantage to the RPI is the transparency that comes along with its accuracy. The components of the formula are known, and its results can be easily replicated.

Essentially, only one school needs to report the score into MaxPreps, but we recommend each school check scores daily to see which games are missing results. MaxPreps also can monitor accounts so school participation can be tracked for those not entering results. If this becomes required, it will be easy to identify schools not participating and the OHSAA may administer fines.

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Holding Court with Adam Hall / Walt Cerrato
The Holding Court Podcast is presented by the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association. These podcasts are another way to connect coaches to the game of basketball. They are free and encourage you to listen to them.

Join hosts, Adam Hall and Walt Cerrato, as they sit down with some of the biggest names in Ohio High School Basketball and beyond. The 2023-24 basketball season begins the second year of the podcast and here are the episodes released to date.

Episodes 
8/4 - Mike Fuline, Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of Mount Union

8/28 - Tom Crean, ESPN College Basketball Analyst

9/25 - David Boyce, Boys Basketball Coach at Perrysburg High School

10/9 - Adam Hall, Girls Basketball Coach at Canton South High School

These podcasts are available anywhere you listen to podcasts. Make sure to subscribe. Also, you can access them on the web at: linktr.ee/OHSBCA

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 North-South All-Star Game
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association will continue the same format of the North-South All-Star Game. There will be only one girl's game and one boys' game. The number of players on each team has been increased to 12 players. The games will be played on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Olentangy Liberty High School. Girl's game will tip-off at 6:30 pm followed by the boy's game at 8:15 pm. All the OHSBCA awards presentation will take place during the games. The selection process for players and coaches have been revised. 

Players Selection 
The player selection is done by the following procedure: The State is divided into 16 Districts, eight southern and eight northern. One player and alternate are selected from each district – One Player from Division I & II / One Player from Division III & IV. District must designate the First Player and Second Player. Voting is done at the Local level with each school receiving the number of votes as they have state members in the Association. Twelve players will be select for the North and Twelve players will be select for the South – (1) Each District will have their First Selection represent their District in N-S Game, (2) All Player of the Year will receive automatic selection to the N-S Game, (3) If a District has a Player of the Year, the Second Selection receive automatic selection to the N-S Game, (4) If the First Selection is unable to play in the N-S Game, the Second Selection from that District receives the automatic selection to the N-S Game.

Coaches Selection 
District Directors from the North will select the North coaches and District Directors from the South will select the South coaches. Nominees can come from all districts. Coaches must be an OHSBCA Member and coached in the District Finals in the previous season. Two (2) Coaches from the North District (District 1 – 8) will be selected to coach the N-S Game for the North. One coach is from Division I & II and one coach is from Division III & IV. Two (2) Coaches from the South District (District 9 – 16) will be selected to coach the N-S Game for the South. One coach is from Division I & II and one coach is from Division III & IV.

North-South Game Activities 2024
6:30 pm Girls' Game - Introductions / Presentation of All-Star by OANG
Halftime of Girls' Game - Team Pictures / Girls Players of the Year / Girls Coaches of the Year / Ms. OHSBCA
After Girls' Game - MVP of Game / Scholarship Winners
8:15 pm Boys' Game - Introductions / Presentation of All-Star by OANG
Halftime of Boys' Game - Team Pictures / Boys Players of the Year / Boys Coaches of the Year / Mr. OHSBCA / Assistant Coaches of the Year
After Boys' Game - MVP of Game

OHSBCA Coaches Clinic
The 2023 OHSBCA Coaches Clinic return to the downtown Columbus area and was held on September 17 & 18. Battelle Hall once again was the venue as 651 coaches descended upon to gain basketball tidbits from an outstanding line-up of speakers.

The Columbus Convention Center and Battelle Hall with the Sonesta Columbus Downtown Hotel serving as the clinic headquarters. With the move to Battelle Hall, clinic speakers have a floor and a “team to coach” (Wilmington College) in conducting their session.

The Sonesta Columbus Downtown had over 400 rooms, thus all coaches who desire to attend the clinic will be able to be housed at the clinic site. In addition, the newly created downtown Arena District is located within walking distance of the Sonesta Plaza, giving clinic attendees ample entertainment opportunities.

In addition to this year’s clinic, the OHSBCA sponsored a golf outing that was held on Saturday at the Glenross Golf Club in Delaware. Special guest played in the event from the Cleveland Cavaliers - Austin Carr and Campy Russell.

The OHSBCA, is proud to announce that the clinic will again return to Columbus Convention Center and Battelle Hall for a fourth consecutive year. The clinic dates for the next year is Sunday/Monday, September 22 & 23, 2024.

NFHS - Ohio Coaches of the Year
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association has nominated Jack Purtell of Reynoldsburg as the Ohio Girls Nominee and Ed Calo of Westerville South as the Ohio Boys Nominee for the National Federation of High School (NFHS) Coach of the Year.

Coach Purtell is a graduate of Ashland High School. Following high school, Jack attended Ashland University where he graduated in the spring of 1983 with his bachelor’s degree in education. He currently serves as the Director of Athletics at Reynoldsburg High School.

In 1991, Jack accepted the head boys basketball position at Chippewa High School. He remained in that position until 1996 when he accepted the head boys basketball position at Coshocton High School. In 2002, Jack was named the head girls basketball coach at Reynoldsburg High School. He remains in that position today and has a career record of 526-213 as a head coach. Coach Purtell has won 7 league titles, 20 sectional titles, 11 district titles, and 4 regional titles. In 2022, his team won the Division I state championship, beating Mason 63-56 in overtime.

Throughout the course of his career he has received numerous league and district coaching honors. Jack was also named the Associated Press Division 1 Coach of the Year in 2011 and the Division 1 Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2012. He was inducted into the Ashland County Hall of Fame in 2010.

“As a young coach, Jack took me under his wing and continues to provide support and guidance even though I am at a rival school,” stated Jennifer Music - Assistant Coach at Dublin Coffman High School. ‘That loyalty has been an important piece of my growth/development as a coach. Jack goes above and beyond for his players. His commitment to girls basketball often goes unnoticed with his quiet leadership.”

John Feasel, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Olentangy High School said “Jack has the uncanny knack of seeming to be a laid back and relaxed kind of coach. Always ready to chat before the game and always keeping it fun for his teams. But don’t let that gentleman facade fool you, he is the ultimate competitor that always has his players and teams ready to compete at the highest levels. Jack has been very successful at every place he has coached and I know his former players and his community love and respect him dearly.”

Coach Calo is a graduate of Westerville High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Slippery Rock University and his master’s degree from Ashland University.

Coach Calo spent the first few years of his coaching career serving as an assistant coach at Franklin Heights High School and Grove City High school before taking the same position at Westerville South. He spent one year as an assistant at Westerville South before being named the head coach in 1987. In his 37 years as a head coach at Westerville South, his teams have won 15 league championships, 7 district championships, and 2 regional championships. In 2016, Coach Calo led his team to the state title, beating Lima Senior by a score of 57-55. His career record at Westerville South is 550-275.

Throughout the course of his career, he has received numerous league and district coaching honors. Coach Calo was also named the AP Division 1 Coach of the Year in 1996 and 2010. He was named the USA Today Ohio Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2016. In 2018 he was elected to the Ohio Capital Conference Hall of Fame.

Jeff Quackenbush, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Newark High School said “Ed Calo is an amazing coach who has had sustained success for over 35 years. His teams are always prepared, consistent, and play very hard each night. Ed is a great ambassador for the sport in Ohio and represents the Westerville South community with utmost respect.” 

Shan Trusley, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Westerville North High School stated “For the last 35 years, Coach Ed Calo has elevated his students, players, colleagues, and the game of basketball. Quite simply, he makes everybody better. Coach Calo is a role model for doing things the right way.”

About the National Federation of High Schools
The NFHS promotes amateur sports participation and athletics programs at the high school level. In addition, the NFHS provides leadership in the field of high school athletics/activities administration, establishes rules and regulations for the sanctioning of high school athletics/activities events, and formulates model rationales for high school eligibility rules for use by high school athletics/activities administrators.

OHSBCA Membership
Membership Deadline is Tuesday, December 31, 2022. 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.