Wednesday, February 14, 2001
Goshen keeps coach's career alive
Retiring Schmidbauer earns 310th victory
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Getting 300 victories was a goal that Goshen girls basketball coach Bill Schmidbauer never dreamed of when he took over the program in 1976. But Tuesday's 49-36 victory over New Richmond in the first round of the Division II sectional tournament at Kings was Schmidbauer's 310th career victory and 19th this season.
Schmidbauer announced before the season that he was stepping down as coach but would remain at Goshen as athletic director.
“We're building a new school and it's becoming too much,” Schmidbauer said. “When we played Little Miami last week, we had a big crowd and the first time I sat down was when the game started because of things to do.”
Schmidbauer planned his retirement six years ago.
“Mr. Schmidbauer told four of us in the seventh grade that he would coach us through high school,” senior point guard Deborah Rise said. “He knew we would stick together and be a good team.”
Much of Schmidbauer's success can be traced to defense. This year's team al lows just 38 points a game while scoring 50 ppg.
“Mr. Schmidbauer is pretty important to us,” Rise said. “We look up to him as a person and he's more than just a coach. He's also a friend to us.”
The Warriors' performance against New Richmond wasn't typical.
“We beat New Richmond by 25 points the first game of the season,” Schmidbauer said. “The girls had tournament jitters and didn't play well. The one bright spot was free throw shooting. This has been our achilles heel but tonight we were 16-of-18, our best this year.”
A native of Ashtabula, Ohio, the 53-year-old Schmidbauer attended Ohio University where he was recruited for a teaching position by Anderson, Mount Healthy and Goshen.
“My girlfriend at the time was from Greenhills and that's why I came to the area,” Schmidbauer said. “I've also coached cross country and won over 100 games coaching boys basketball (varsity, junior varsity and freshman).”
The father of three daughters, Schmidbauer plans to watch his two youngest daughters play for Amelia the next five years.
Schmidbauer's most successful teams were in 1989-90 (22-4) and 1990-91 (23-2) when the Warriors reached the Division II regional championship game.
“What has happened in 24 years in girls basketball is amazing,” Schmidbauer said. “This year's team would have stomped those others. Back when I started, there were 70 turnovers and 40 jump balls a game and scores were in the 20s.
The Warriors advance to play Taylor Thursday in a second round sectional game.
NEW RICHMOND (36) — Costlett 1 0 3, Loving 4 3 12, Digeronimo 2 0 6, Horn 2 0 4, Blair 1 1 3, Diesel 4 0 8. Totals: 14 4-6 36.
GOSHEN (49) — Rise 2 0 4, Polly 3 6 12, Martin 0 2 2, Bitzer 5 2 15, Scott 1 2 4, Pels 1 0 2, Phillips 3 4 10. Totals: 16 16-18 49.
New Richmond ....... 2 9 8 17—36
Goshen ....... 10 7 13 19—49
3-pointers: N-Coslett, Loving, Digeronimo 2. G-Bitzer.
Boys basketball coverage
Girls basketball coverage
Sports Stories
Cinergy is all-grass at last
LaRue gives Reds presence behind home plate
Oester may leave Reds after 2001
Reese prepares for arbitration
Dillon wants to hear Bengals' plan for turnaround
Agent: Akili realizes he made mistake
Xavier needs best defense for UMass
UC's McElroy balances basketball, fatherhood
Goshen keeps coach's career alive
