Executive Director Message
Doug Graham and I attended the annual OHSAA meeting with the presidents of each coaching association on Wednesday and then I attended the Board of Directors meeting on Thursday. Here are a few items that might be of interest to you and the members of your district association.
Competitive balance numbers for winter sports were just completed and final numbers will be presented during the May or June Board of Directors meeting. You may want to check with your athletic director to make sure your school’s number is correct.
The 13 summer days of coaching has not changed except that the starting date will be the Monday of the week that May 15 falls on. So this year the start date is Monday, May 12.
All fall sports will start on August 1 except that golf will start the at the beginning of the week that August 1 falls on.
A reminder to know the regulations for individual skill coaching for team sports.
There will be no more rating of officials because Dragon Fly cannot do it. There will be a voting process for coaches similar to what athletic directors are currently doing. There will be four categories to determine state tournament officials: coaches, athletic directors, local official associations, and stake holders (league assigners, OHSAA officials).
There is now a process where player ejections are reviewed by the OHSAA if video is sent within 48 hours. An example was given where there was a fight between two schools and the OHSAA had the two athletic directors of the schools look at the film and determine who should be suspended and who should not be suspended. There are no appeals for coaches being ejected from games.
Tournament expansion --- the OHSAA explained that the purpose of expansion in sports is to put teams into a tournament that would be of equal representation similar to the league they play in.
As we wrap up the 2024-25 school year, the annual Boys & Girls North-South All-Star Game were played on Friday, April 25 at Olentangy Liberty High School. On the next, Saturday, April 26, we inducted the 68th Class in the OHSBCA Hall of Fame. Inducted were Scott Aronhalt (Zanesville). Ray Corbett (Grandview Heights), Tim Tucker (Margaretta), and Paul Wackerly (St. Thomas Aquinas, North Canton Hoover, Massillon Perry, and Glen Oak.
Congratulations to the 14 state champions in Ohio high school basketball. Champions for the Girls were D1 - Pickerington Central (Coach Jonathon Hedgepeth), D2 - Winton Woods (Coach Carlton Gray), D3 - Purcell Marian (Coach Jamar Mosley), D4 - Bellevue (Coach Kory Santoro), D5 - Portsmouth (Amy Hughes), D6 - Columbus Grove (Coach Brian Schroeder) and D7 - Waterford (Coach Jerry Close). Champions for the Boys were D1 - Olentangy Orange (Anthony Calo), D2 - Westerville North (Coach Shan Trusley), D3 - Louisville (Coach Tom Siegfried), D4 - Maysville (Coach David Brown), D5 - Lutheran East (Coach Sma Liggins), D6 - Monroe Central (Coach Mason Lang) and D7 - Russia (Coach Spencer Cordonnier).
Finally, THANK YOU for all you have done for the game of basketball, the growth and development of your players and the commitment to your schools and communities. Your dedication to our sport does not go unnoticed, and your time and energy spent with our kids is of worth beyond your paycheck. On behalf of the OHSBCA, thanks for all you do for the game of basketball. Have a GREAT Summer!!
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Mentorship Program
TThe OHSBCA will be offering an exciting opportunity designed specifically for first- and second-year head basketball coaches. A Mentorship Program that will provide invaluable professional development, mentorship, and resources to help support new head coaches in their transition into leadership.
Understanding the unique challenges that come with stepping into a head coaching role, this program connects new coaches with experienced mentors who can provide guidance, insight, and support throughout the season. Participants will also gain access to a variety of coaching resources aimed at enhancing their effectiveness both on and off the court.
The program benefits include:
A complimentary OHSBCA membership for the 2025-2026 season, valued at $25.00
A waived registration fee for the 2025 OHSBCA Clinic, valued at $105.00
Assignment of an experienced mentor who can offer advice and support
Access to OHSBCA’s online coaching resources, including training materials and best practices
Scheduled in-person and Zoom meetings to facilitate discussions, share strategies, and provide ongoing mentorship
Additional gifts and coaching-related resources provided by the OHSBCA
Participation in this program is limited to 20 applicants, and the registration deadline is July 11, 2025. The cost to enroll is $150.00.
We believe this program is a tremendous opportunity for new head basketball coaches to build their knowledge, expand their coaching network, and gain the confidence needed to lead a successful program. If you have any questions or would like to register a coach, please reach out to ohsbcapublicrelations@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and for your continued dedication to developing coaches and student-athletes.
OHSAA Basketball State Tournament Returning to Fame Banquet
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Next March, the Ohio High School Athletic Association girls and boys basketball state tournaments will return to the traditional format of the Final Four, with all state semifinalists converging in the same area in one weekend for the state tournament.
The University of Dayton Arena will continue to host all seven state championship games, along with several semifinal games, but UD Arena cannot host all 21 games of the state tournament with the new seven division format in basketball.
Additional sites in the Dayton area will be announced as host sites for some state semifinal games. The OHSAA Board of Directors approved the change at its April meeting.
“We looked at several options on how to conduct this year’s state tournament with seven divisions, because UD Arena is not available to host all 21 games,” said Doug Ute, OHSAA Executive Director. “We settled on the football model, with the state semifinals held on the weekend prior to the state finals. The feedback we received from the coaches at this year’s state tournament led us to make this proposal to the board to go back to the traditional final four model, which will require additional sites. There are some great options in that area and we are already working on those details.”
Last fall, the girls volleyball state tournament, which also had 21 contests, utilized three additional sites to supplement Wright State University. This coming June, the baseball state tournament will use one additional site. Firestone Stadium in Akron is available that week to host the 21 games of the softball state tournament.
Last fall, soccer expanded to five divisions for girls and boys, with the state semifinals taking place mid-week and the winners advancing to Historic Crew Stadium for 10 championship games over four days.
The specific state tournament schedule and additional sites will be announced at a later date.
OHSBCA Coaches Clinic
The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) is pleased to announce that the 2025 OHSBCA Clinic will be held at the Frank Murphy Convocation Center, located on the campus of St. Charles Preparatory School in Columbus, Ohio. St. Charles is a four-year Catholic college preparatory school founded in 1923. Originally established as a seminary, the school new serves as an all-male high school within the Catholic Diocese of Columbus, with a strong reputation for academic and athletic excellence.
Mike Ryan, Head Basketball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director at St. Charles, expressed the school’s enthusiasm, “we are thrilled to host the OHSBCA Clinic in 2025. St. Charles is eager to welcome coaches from across the state to our exceptional facilities, providing a dynamic setting for learning and collaboration. With a tradition of excellence, both academically and athletically, we are proud to support the growth of high school basketball in Ohio. We look forward to offering a memorable experience for all attendees and contributing to the success of the OHSBCA Clinic.”
The Frank Murphy Convocation Center, which opened in 2023, is a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance both athletic performance and fan experience. It features seating for 1,300, three video boards, and a dropdown scoreboard, making it an ideal venue for the clinic.
“We are excited to partner with St. Charles Preparatory School and host the 2025 OHSBCA Clinic at the impressive Frank Murphy Convocation Center,” said Adam Hall, OHSBCA Clinic Director. “This state-of-the-art facility will provide an exceptional environment for learning and networking. St. Charles has a long-standing tradition of excellence, both academically and athletically, and we’re grateful for their commitment to supporting high school basketball in Ohio. We’re confident that this clinic will be a fantastic experience for coaches, helping to foster collaboration and growth across our basketball community.
The 2025 OHSBCA Clinic will be held September 14th & 15th.
Nominations for OHSBCA Hall of Fame
Any coach can nominate a worthy candidate for the OHSBCA Hall of Fame. From time to time, questions are raised why coach so and so is not in the Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. Sometimes it is just a simple fact that the coach has not been nominated for this honor.
Any coach can nominate a candidate for the Hall of Fame. Nomination Forms can be obtained by contacting chairperson Greg Nossaman of Olentangy Liberty or by downloading the form from our OHSBCA web site (oh.nhsbca.org). Complete the requested information and mail to:
Greg Nossaman
Olentangy Liberty High School
3584 Home Road
Powell, OH 43065
Telephone: 740-657-4209
Email: greg_nossaman@olsd.us
Let’s Honor “ALL” our great coaches!
Century Award
OHSBCA members who achieve Century Award status (100-200-300-400-500-600-700 wins) during the season should complete the Century Award Form located on the OHSBCA website (oh.nhsbca.org, click on Forms, then click forms online, and click the Century Award).
* Varsity coaches may count their varsity wins in Ohio only
* Boys and Girls wins may be combined for total wins.
* Junior Varsity, Freshmen, and Junior High coaches may count their wins at any level towards their totals
Questions contact:
Joe Balogh
Awards Director
Phone: 419-512-0164
Email: joe.balogh@ohiobkcoaches.com
DUE SEPTEMBER 10, 2025
Bob Arnzen Award
The Bob Arnzen Award is awarded to coaches who have devoted 20 consecutive years or more service to the same school at any level and must be an active member of the OHSBCA for the past five years. Recipients will receive a plaque at halftime of their respective state tournaments.
If you qualify for the 2024-25 school year, please submit a complete the online application at the OHSBCA website (oh.nhsbca.org) and click on forms. Select the Bob Arnzen Award form:
Joe Balogh
Awards Director
Phone: 419-512-0164
Email: joe.balogh@ohiobkcoaches.com
DUE SEPTEMBER 10, 2025