By Mike McGraw
Executive Director
A couple of weeks ago, I heard a college basketball analyst on ESPN asked why there were so many major college players who were from Indiana. He answered that he believed it was because the best high school coaching in America was in the Hoosier state.
Now there is a revelation. That is right up there on the shock scale with the news that little kids seem to like Mickey Mouse. Those of us who live here, after all, know that Indiana has always had the best coaching in the nation.
From Everitt Case to Marion Crawley, from Jack Butcher to Jack Edison, from Ed Seigel to Bill Stearman, one of the reasons why high school basketball is Indiana’s game is the legends that have devoted their lives to teaching it.
On opening night of the boys basketball season, I traveled to Pendleton Heights to watch the Arabians host the Alexandria Tigers. This was a special treat because it marked the return to the sidelines of one of those legendary masters of the game.
Garth Cone has come out of retirement to once again lead Alexandria’s hardwood fortunes. This will mark the 30th season he has prowled the sidelines for the Tigers. Cone enters the season with 396 career victories, all at the Madison County school.
The pressures of modern life and those of a career in coaching are creating fewer of the storied coaches we remember from our youth. It is extremely rare these days to see a coach who remains at the same school for an entire career and spends that entire career actively coaching.
That is only one of many ways that Garth Cone is a throwback to a simpler time. He still believes in discipline, fundamentals, and a team approach to playing basketball. He still believes in winning and in community pride.
He still believes he has the greatest job in the world.
I caught up with Cone after the Tigers were defeated by Pendleton Heights. He wasn’t exactly happy, but he was, as always, gracious. In the video on this page, he explains why he has returned to the sidelines.
We thought you might like to hear the thoughts of one of the masters. Enjoy.
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