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Paul Walker Award Goes to Andrew Booth
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association is proud to announce that Andrew Booth of Wadsworth High School is the recipient of the 2024 Paul Walker Award. The Paul Walker Award is presented annually by the OHSBCA to an active coaching member of the association who has made significant contributions to high school basketball. The award is named in honor of the late Paul Walker, the longtime coach of Middletown High School. At the time of his retirement, he had the most wins as a boys’ basketball coach in Ohio High School Basketball history.
Download PDF VersionAndrew Booth, Wadsworth High School
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association would like to congratulate Andrew Booth of Wadsworth High School on receiving the prestigious Paul Walker Award,” stated Joe Balogh, Executive Director of the OHSBCA. “This award is presented to an active coach who has made significant contributions to Ohio High School Basketball. Coach Booth has won over 450 games in his coaching career and has been actively involved in our association.”
Andrew started his coaching career at Malone College where he served as an assistant coach for 2 years. He also served as the junior varsity boys basketball coach at Mansfield St. Peter’s High School for 2 years and an assistant boys basketball coach at Crestline High School for 3 years. For 7 years, he was the head girls basketball coach at Mansfield Madison High School where he had a record of 98-58.
For the past 18 years, he has led the Wadsworth girls program. In that time, he amassed a record of 356-104. In 25 years as a head coach, Andrew has an overall record of 454-162. His teams have won 15 league titles, 19 sectional championships, 9 district championships, and 3 regional championships. In 2016, his team at Wadsworth won the Division I State Championship.
Coach Booth has won various league and district coaching awards throughout his career. In 2016, he was named OHSBCA Division 1 Coach of the Year. He currently serves as the OHSBCA Girls District 2 & 3 Director and is the Co-Director of Midwest Live. He previously served as the OHSBCA Top-20 Awards Director for 3 years.
Andrew serves as an Intervention Specialist at Wadsworth High School. He and his wife Rachel reside in Wadsworth and have two adult children, Peyton (28) and Alec (25).
What they are saying about Coach Andrew Booth
“Andy Booth has been a staple of girls basketball in the state of Ohio and District 3 for many years. His teams are always one of the best around. He has done a tremendous job in building his program and keeping it at an elite level. Andy is as first class as they come.”
-Brett Larrick, District 3 Director
“Andy Booth is a true gentleman and has been very kind and respectful to me throughout my career. Despite all his successes, he remains a very humble person. What really catches my eye is his dedication to the coaching profession. His involvement and commitment with the OHSBCA and all related high school girls’ organizations, speaks volumes on his level of professionalism and care for the sport. I appreciate his
dedication and efforts, and I know others do as well. The Wadsworth girls basketball program has been, and still is, the “GOLD STANDARD” for girls’ basketball programs throughout the state.”
-Maggie Ferrando, Head Girls Coach at Avon
OHSAA Board of Directors Approves Expansion Proposal
COLUMBUS, Ohio – After months of discussion and meetings around Ohio to gather feedback, the Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors unanimously approved a proposal Thursday morning to utilize a new formula to determine how many divisions will be offered for postseason tournaments. The change affects OHSAA General Sports Regulation 17 and will result in girls and boys soccer now having five divisions, while girls volleyball, girls and boys basketball, softball and baseball will all have seven divisions. In those sports, Division I and Division II will only include 64 schools.
The new divisions will go into effect with the fall of 2024. The board will continue to discuss additional sports, noting several recent meetings regarding track and field. There are no changes to the number of football divisions, which is already at seven. In addition, any changes to the current deployment of the Competitive Balance process would need to be voted upon by OHSAA member schools during the annual referendum voting process.
TDoug Ute, OHSAA Executive Director, praised the board’s decision as a step toward to level the playing field of OHSAA tournaments. “It’s the right thing to do for the student-athletes who have been competing at this disadvantage,” said Ute. “For too long, the largest schools in our divisions have been so much larger than the smaller schools in the same division, which has resulted in many schools accepting that they realistically have little chance at making a run in the tournament. In some of our sports, there have been more than 200 schools competing for a state title in that division, which is significantly more than what most other states do, and what we do in many of our own sports.
“We know that there is a lot of work to do in the coming months to prepare for additional divisions this fall,” Ute said. “We have already started working on the details to accomplish this, but one thing we know for sure is that having two or three more state champions in these sports doesn’t water them down or diminish winning a state title. And we anticipate that this new format will be revenue neutral, since every school makes the tournament already.”
Each year, the Board of Directors would still have final authority in determining how many divisions to be used that school year, but the proposal calls for the following scale to be used to guide the board’s decision on the number of divisions for girls volleyball, football, soccer, basketball, softball and baseball, however note that the sports of lacrosse, field hockey, ice hockey and boys volleyball would not change from their current division numbers:
199 or fewer teams: 1 Division
200 to 299 teams: 2 Divisions
300 to 399 teams: 3 Divisions
400 to 499 teams: 4 Divisions
500 to 599 teams: 5 Divisions
600 to 699 teams: 6 Divisions
700 and more teams: 7 Divisions
For girls volleyball, soccer, basketball, softball and baseball, the largest 64 schools would be placed into Division I. The next largest 64 schools would be placed into Division II. The remaining schools would be divided as evenly as possible into the remaining divisions. The OHSAA already does something similar to this in football, in which the largest 10 percent of schools are placed into Division I and the remaining schools are divided evenly in Divisions II through VII.
The proposal does not call for a change to the formula that the OHSAA uses for individual sports to determine the number of student-athletes required for team designation, which includes five in bowling, five in cross country (who score for their team at the district tournament), four in golf, three in girls gymnastics, seven in swimming and diving, four in tennis, nine in track and field and seven in wrestling.
The proposal calls for the following number of divisions to be used for individual sports:
200 or fewer teams: 1 Division
201 to 450 teams: 2 Divisions
451 to 700 teams: 3 Divisions
701 and more teams: 4 Divisions
OHSAA member schools vote to determine any changes to the bylaws or constitution via the referendum process each spring. Member schools also vote for representatives for their District Athletic Boards, who are then selected to serve on the State Board of Directors on a three-year term. The Board of Directors are then charged with reviewing and approving the General Sports Regulations on behalf of the OHSAA membership. The OHSAA General Sports Regulations do not go to the member schools for voting and are posted at: https://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/Sports/GeneralSportsRegulations.pdf
The OHSAA will announce structural and dates changes for future state tournaments at a later date.
Academic All-Ohio
Each year a committee of the OHSBCA selects its “Academic All Ohio Teams” for the school year. 2023-24 will mark the thirtieth-first year that the association has chosen “All Ohio Academic Teams.”
The players are selected for this honor based on their academic excellence and their athletic contributions to their basketball teams.
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.
2024 Bob Arnzen Award Winners
(Receives Bob Arnzen Plaque)
| Nate Barhorst, Anna | Dennis Brubaker, Patrick Henry | Denny Meyer, Patrick Henry |
| John Millice, Triad | Kevin Pickerill, Eastern Brown | Todd Rock, Bishop Rosecrans |
| Rick Rockwell, Maderia | Doug Smith, Celina |
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 2022. The 300 and high winners will be recognized during halftime of one of their respective state finals basketball games in March of 2023 at the University of Dayton Arena.
| 700-Wins (Receives a Glass Award) |
300-Wins (Receives a Clock) |
100-Wins (Receives a Certificate) |
| Dennis Schrock, Chippewa | Kent Anderson, Xenia | Brandon Baker, Milford |
| Michael Coreno, Revere | Jennifer Blue, Fairfield Local | |
| 500-Wins (Receives a Ring) |
Brad Gray, Tri-Village | Richie Beard, Dublin Jerome |
| Todd Grosjean, Byran | Adam Cestaro, Medina Highland | |
| Paul Bremigan, Russia | Dave Kudela, Firelands | Mark Chapman, Canal Winchester |
| Gary Kreinbrink, Leipsic | Sean Mercer, Ottawa Hills | Zach Delman, Union Local |
| Tony Matisi, McDonald | Eric Rothery, Elyria Catholic | Derek Edwards, Martins Ferry |
| Mike Miller, Triway | Dusty Spradlin, Wheelersburg | Greg Ekis, Spencerville |
| Roy Sembach, Newton Falls | Ben Gerken, Liberty-Benton | |
| Carla Siegel, Fort Loramie | 200-Wins (Receives a Plaque) |
Mark Hess, Troy |
| Paul Wackerly, GlenOak | Abram Kaple, Buckeye Central | |
| Todd Boblitt, Bluffton | Mark Komlanc, Warren JFK | |
| 400-Wins (Receives a Wrist Watch) |
Kyle Clair, Woodmore | Brett Kopp, Piqua |
| Kurt Goettemoeller, Marion Local | Matt Maginn, Fayette | |
| Scott Elchert, Jackson Center | Eric Hoover, Old Fort | Nathan Martindale, Huber Heights |
| TK Griffith, Archbishop Hoban | Jeff Huber, Elyria Catholic | Ryan Martinez, Hopewell-Loudon |
| Joe Guerrero, Bowsher | Bobby James, Huron | John Misenko, Field |
| Jerry Keifer, Evergreen | Jeff Miller, Unioto | Eric Nickles, Smithville |
| Joe Mackey, Brunswick | Matthew Ripke, Edon | Ed Rich, Bellevue |
| Bob Podges, Stow Munroe Falls | Marc Smith, Shenandoah | Jen Ritch, Mogadore |
| Chris Rider, Logan | Jeff Winslow, Upper Sandusky | Eric Sheck, John Glenn |
| Julie Solis, Copley | Bryan Weyant, Princeton | Phil Sikorski, New Albany |
| Tony Staib, Gahanna Lincoln | Cory Small, South Gallia | |
| Robert Tate, Horizon Science Academy | ||
| Seth Thompson, Bishop Rosecrans | ||
| Andy Timmerman, New Bremen | ||
| Travis Wise, South Point |
Coaches Scholarship
The OHSBCA Awards Fifteen $1,000 Scholarships each summer to the sons and daughters of active members of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association. One of the parents of the applicant must have been an active coach in the OHSBCA for the last five consecutive years.
Each recipient will receive a plaque courtesy of the Ohio Army National Guard and a check for $1,000 at the North-South Game on Friday, April 26, 2024.
State Membership Total
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association is proud to announce that 3,668 Basketball Coaches, across the state of Ohio, have joined the OHSBCA for the 2023-24 basketball season. This is a decrease of 23 members from last year’s total of 3,691. We fell short of the 4,000+ mark once again, but the Association continues to increase the many benefits offered to its membership. Congratulations to all of the Basketball Coaches who have joined the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association.
Once again, Congratulations to the “Great 8” - District 8 for having the largest membership total among all of the districts with 434 members. District 8 continues to hold the crown of most membership for 30+ years. District 13 was runner-ups again with 393 members. District 2 had the biggest jumped in membership from last year by adding 35 coaches and establish an all-time for membership. District 13 added 26. Five other districts, District 1, District 5, District 6, District 10, District 12 and Distict 14 increased their totals over last year. Great Job!!
We thank you for joining our Coaches Association and encourage everyone to become an active participant in our organization. Hopefully, we will meet all your needs as a coach, and if there is anything that our Association can do for you, please contact your District Director. He is there to serve you.
Let’s continue to keep our membership strong. The OHSBCA is the third largest State Coaches Association in the USA!!! We want to regain the number 1 status and look forward to a better membership drive for the 2023-24 basketball season. WE WANT TO BREAK OUR RECORD AND HIT THE 4,200 MEMBERSHIP MARK!!!!!
Here is the breakdown of the number of coaches, by district, who joined the OHSBCA this year.
| District | Total | District | Total |
| 1 | 126 | 9 | 224 |
| 2 | 327 | 10 | 188 |
| 3 | 225 | 11 | 176 |
| 4 | 237 | 12 | 156 |
| 5 | 216 | 13 | 393 |
| 6 | 238 | 14 | 218 |
| 7 | 184 | 15 | 166 |
| 8 | 434 | 16 | 160 |
| TOTAL | 3,668 | ||
Boys & Girls Senior Player of the Year
Each year the OHSBCA selects a Player of the Year in each division of Boys Basketball. The 2023-24 season enters the 41st year the OHSBCA has been selecting the Player of the Year. The procedures for the selection of the Player of the Year is as follows:
1. Must be a Senior
2. Must be nominated by a state member
3. Must play in the North-South Game
4. Directors will vote on the Players
5. Nominees come from each State OHSBCA District
Boys and Girls Players in each division will be presented a plaque at the North-South All-Star Game at Olentangy Liberty High School on Friday, April 26, 2024.
Future Elections
In 2024, there are no positions are to be elected:
Qualifications for these POSITIONS is that the candidate must be a member of the OHSBCA. Candidates for all these positions must send a letter of intent to the President of the OHSBCA stating the position in which they will be a candidate for by July 1st. Election Procedures can be found on Page 17 of the January 2024 Constitutional Issue.
OHSBCA Forms
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association has posted its form on the website (oh.nhsbca.org). The website will allow the applicant to upload required documents and require photos.
The available forms are Academic All-Ohio, Academic Teams, Boys Assistant Coach of the Year, Boys Coach of the Year, Boys Player of the Year, Coaches Scholarship, Girls Assistant Coach of the Year, Girls Coach of the Year, Girls Player of the Year, the Top 20 Shooting Awards (2FG, 3FT, FT) - Individual and Team, Scholarship Society, Boys Showcase, Century Award, Bob Arnzen Award, and Hall of Fame Nomination.
To access the forms, go to the OHSBCA website (oh.nhsbca.org) and click on the FORMS link in the upper right-hand corner.
Scholarship Society
The OHSBCA has established the Scholarship Society to recognize Student Athletes for scholastic excellence. The Gold and Silver Certificates will be award to Seniors and Juniors who meet the criteria for the award. We want to give recognition to all Junior and Seniors who display high marks in academics, citizenship, and sportsmanship. All Juniors must have a 3.2 Grade Point Average for Five Semesters and Seniors must have a 3.2 Grade Point Average for Seven Semesters.
These athletes will be able to list this honor on College Entrance papers, year books, job applications, etc. This is a significant award as it comes from the Basketball Coaches of the State of Ohio. The recipients receive a Silver Certificate if they are a Junior and Gold Certificate if they are a Senior. Their names will be listed in the Spring Edition of the Hooplines.
North South All-Star Game
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association will once again hold the North-South All-Star Game on Friday, April 26, 2024 at Olentangy Liberty High School. Girls game will tip-off at 6:30 pm followed by the boys game at 8:15 pm. All the OHSBCA awards presentation will take place during the games.
Midwest Live Scholastic Event
Once again, the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association will be hosting a Midwest Live Scholastic Event for both the Girls and Boys. These events will be held during the NCAA Division I Recruiting Period in June. The Girls event will be held on June 14 & 15 and the Boys event will be played on June 28-30. The top Girls and Boys players and teams will assemble at Cedar Point Sports Center in Sandusky, Ohio to participate in this summer tournament. More information will be coming.
Boys & Girls Coach of the Year
Each year the OHSBCA selects a Coach of the Year in each division of Boys and Girls Basketball. The 2022-23 season enters the 41st year the OHSBCA has been selecting the Coach of the Year. The procedures for the selection of the Coach of the Year is as follows:
1. Must be a member of the OHSBCA
2. Must be nominated by a District Director
3. Committee will review all candidates and make a recommendation to the District Directors.
4. District Directors will vote to approve the recommendation for Coach of the Year.
The winning coach in each division will be presented a plaque at the North-South All-Star Game at Olentangy Liberty High School on Friday, April 26, 2024.
Top 20 Statistics Awards - Individuals & Teams