In the next few weeks, there could be several longtime boys basketball coaches in California who will be getting miletone wins. Here’s a look at those to watch.
To see Gold Club list including every one of the state’s boys basketball coaches with 600 or more reported wins, CLICK HERE.
Gary McKnight (Mater Dei, Santa Ana) needs six more wins to become first in state history with 1,100. He also is the only one above 1,000 and is the only one above 900, although that will change real soon.
Mike LeDuc (Damien, La Verne) only needs four more wins to become just the second in state history with 900. LeDuc, who collected most of his wins during his years at Glendora, started the season with 882 reported victories and his team this year at Damien started this week at 14-2.
Don Lippi (St. Joseph Notre Dame) started the season just 13 wins away from becoming the winningest in NorCal history. The Pilots are only 4-7 so far, though, which puts his win total at 834. Mike Phelps (Bishop O’Dowd) with 843 career wins has been the all-time NorCal leader for many years.
Tom Hofmann (La Canada) needs six more wins to reach 700 for his career. The Spartans are 8-8 so far this season.
John Singer (Helix, La Mesa) may also get his 700th win this season. The coach who helped get Helix to the CIF D4 state final last season is reportedly at 690 wins entering this week. The Highlanders are 11-6.
Note: Even though his team at Rolling Hills Prep (San Pedro) has begun only 5-5, head coach Harvey Kitani has moved from 10th to 8th on the all-time state list. Kitani has passed Abe Abrami (Emery) with 802 wins and Willie West (Crenshaw) 803 wins and begins this week with 807.
