Coaches Association Newsletter December 2024

Executive Director Message
The month of December means that Ohio High School Basketball is in full swing as teams begin their journey for the 2024 – 2025 season. I hope that you have taken the time to make sure that you and each member of your staff have joined The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches. All of our OHSBCA awards require five consecutive years of membership as a qualification to receive the award.

This year will also be the first year that we will have seven divisions in both girls’ and boys’ basketball. That means that the OHSAA made a significant change in how we will play the state semi-finals and the state finals. The girls’ state semi-finals will be played the weekend of March 7 – 9 with the boys’ state semi-finals on the weekend of March 14 – 16 at various locations throughout the state and the girls’ state finals will be played on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 with the boys’ state finals on Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22. The OHSBCA and the OHSAA will plan to meet shortly after the conclusion of the state tournaments to evaluate how this new schedule worked for this season.

We will again be using the Max Preps RPI for the seeding of our tournaments this year. The OHSBCA District Directors made some adjustments by changing the percentages to 40% WP (Winning Percentage) – 40% OWP (Opponents Winning Percentage) – 20% OOWP (Opponent’s Opponent Winning Percentage). A second component of points of classification was added for each division, and a third component for out-of-state opponents was also added. You are reminded that the RPI will only be used for
seeding purposes it will not determine teams’ placement on the tournament bracket. You are also reminded to report all your scores to Max Preps. The initial Max Preps RPI will be released the week of January 6th.

The OHSBCA will also be hosting our initial Shoot Clock Shootout at the Canton Fieldhouse on December 27, 28, and 29. There will be a total of 15 games on these three dates with five girls’ games and ten boys’ games being played over these three days. We hope that this event will provide our association and the OHSAA with data to study on the possibility of implementing the shot clock for future use in Ohio.

And finally I would just like to remind you of the important role that you can play in the development of young athletes. The commitment to standards, the development of goals, and the ability to learn how to handle adversity are just a few of the many life lessons that your players can learn through playing basketball. Here is a story I would like to share from my high school coach, Ron Stevens, after we lost a tough game with one of my very best teams in the tournament. He shared a story where he told me to  remember to “keep my fork.” At first I didn’t know what he meant but he said to remember as a kid when you were sitting at the dinner table and your mom told you to “keep your fork.” That usually meant that there was something special coming like a special dessert. So, as a coach remember to “keep your fork” because with hard work, discipline, and grit there will be special things that will happen for you and your team.

Wishing each of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and best of luck this season.

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2025 Hall of Honor

District 1 - Perry Santangelo - Clock Operator
Perry Santangelo is entering his 37th year as the clock operator for volleyball, girls basketball, and boys basketball at Springfield. He also serves as the scorekeeper for the varsity and junior varsity football teams at Springfield. Jeff Brink, District 1 Director, stated, “Perry Santangelo has been a fixture in Springfield Local Schools for nearly four decades. Perry has been a leader in the Springfield Athletic Booster Club, serving in a variety of capacities. Whether it was cutting the grass on the football field, cleaning the basketball locker rooms, or collecting tickets, you could always depend on Perry to make a difference in our school district. His selfless sacrifice for the district has been vital to the success of all athletic programs and the growth of our community.”

District 3 - Ed Dolinar - Coach 
Ed has spent the last 56 years on the sidelines, serving as both an assistant and head basketball coach at various schools in Northeast Ohio for boys and girls teams. “Ed has been a fixture in Lorain County basketball,” said Alan Januzzi, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Open Door. “His passion for the sport and dedication to developing young players is unmatched. In addition to his head coaching experience, he has been an invaluable assistant over the years, volunteering countless hours for both the boys’ and girls’ Lorain County Basketball Coaches Associations. Ed is always willing to contribute, no matter the size of the task.”

District 5 - Wes Quillin - Clock Operator
Since 1992, Wes Quillin has served as the clock operator for Dover Boys and Girls Basketball and Wrestling. Through all the years, Wes has been assisted by his wife, Paula, who is the scoreboard operator. “Wes Quillin is the most dependable person I know. He is always available to help and is always there to run the clock. He can be counted on for anything that is needed,” stated Bob Von Kaenel, former Dover Boys Basketball Coach.

District 7 - Ty Traxler - Coach 
Ty Traxler has spent the last 25 years at Elmwood High School. He served as the Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Coach for 8 years and has spent the last 17 years as the Varsity Boys Basketball Coach. Jim Bostdorf, former Otsego Head Boys Basketball Coach, stated, “I have the utmost respect for Ty as a coach and as a person. His enthusiasm, knowledge, and preparation make for an uncomfortable evening for opponents who face his teams. He is well respected by his fellow coaches. There is no questioning his integrity, worth ethic, character, and sportsmanship.”

District 9 - Rick Gildow - Scorekeeper 
Rick Gildow has served as the scorekeeper for the boys and girls basketball programs at Bellefontaine High School for the past 27 years. Jason Calton, Athletic Director at Bellefontaine, stated, “Rick has served the Bellefontaine boys/girls basketball programs as the scorebook guru for 27 years. He also has served as the BHS Booster Club treasurer for numerous years. He covers 3-5 games per week during the basketball season. He is a staple for our basketball programs with his relentless support of Chieftain Athletics.”

District 11 - Carl Dufford - Secretary / Treasurer 
Carl Dufford has served as the District 11 Secretary and Treasurer for the last 37 years dating back to 1988. He served as an educator and girls basketball coach at Johnstown-Monroe. Chris Powell, District 11 Director, stated, “Carl has been a staple in District 11 for almost 40 years. He is one of the first people new coaches meet when they join our district and he does everything to help our coaches throughout the year. We are extremely fortunate to have Carl around and he makes all of our coaching lives significantly better!”

District 13 - Jason Philyaw - Media 
Jason Philyaw is set to enter his 27th year as the play-by-play announcer for the Ironton Tigers. Chris Barnes, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Ironton, stated, “Jason has been a tremendous asset to Ironton sports and sports in general for the entire southeast Ohio area. Jason is a tireless worker and does an outstanding job promoting our student-athletes and athletes throughout the area. I have had the pleasure of working with and getting to know Jason for many years now and Jason has always had a positive, upbeat attitude. I always look forward to basketball season and working with Jason.”

District 15 - Mike Gordon - Contributor
Mike Gordon spent his entire 30-year coaching career in District 15 with stops at Waynesville High School, Wayne High School, and Alter High School. He served as the scholarship and all-star game director for District 15. Adam Priefer, District 15 Director, states, “Mike was always willing to do whatever he could to help grow the game and make District 15 one of the best districts in the state.”

Bob Arnzen Award Winners
The Bob Arznen Award was named after the legendary boys coach at Delphos St. John’s High School. Coach Arznen spent 43 years as the Head Coach and was the second winningest coach at the time of his retirement and now sixth in the history of Ohio High School Basketball with 676 wins and only 291 losses. Bob was inducted into the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1995.

The Bob Arnzen Award is given to those basketball coaches who have devoted 20 consecutive years or more service to the same school and for their loyalty and commitment to Ohio High School basketball. The honorees will be presented their plaques during the games on Championship Saturday of their respective tournaments.

2025 Bob Arnzen Award Winners
(Receives Bob Arnzen Plaque)

Century Award Winners
Doug Graham, President of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association, proudly announces the coaches who have reached a milestone in career victories during the past season. The 100 and 200 winners received their award at their local district meetings in the Fall of 2024. The 300 and high winners will be recognized during halftime of one of their respective state finals basketball games in March of 2025 at the University of Dayton Arena.