Newark gives Quackenbush record 408th victory
Truth be known, Newark boys basketball coach Jeff Quackenbush was probably more excited about his team’s lockdown defensive effort against New Albany than his historic win Friday night.
“He didn’t even tell us,” an incredulous Steele Meister said after Quackenbush’s record 408th victory with his alma mater, a 58-36 takedown of the visiting Eagles in a Division I tournament second-round game. He surpassed
Newark Hall of Fame coach Gary Walters, who had 407, including many with Quackenbush as a star player, and was on hand to congratulate him afterward in Jimmy Allen Gymnasium.
“Coach Walters was always great and he deserves a ton of credit,” Quackenbush said. “It was really cool for him to be here tonight. He has been a great mentor, as much off the court as on it. Mr. (John) Brown took a chance on a 26year-old coach, and I’ve had a lot of great assistant coaches and people behind the scenes. But this is about the kids, not me. I haven’t scored a basket in this gym since 1991.”
Playing his final home game, Grant Burkholder made sure his coach reached the milestone with a 27-point, four-assist effort.
“I’ve very grateful to have been a part of it,” he said. “I came here to be part of this program, and to get the coaching. I’ve been blessed.”
Coaching came into play on this night, when 11th-seeded Newark (17-7) held 25th seed New Albany (10-13) to 32% shooting, including just 16% on 3pointers (4 of 25). The Wildcats will play No. 6 seed Gahanna (19-4), a 56-33 winner against Independence, in the district semifinals at 7 p.m. Wednesday.