Sports

Upper St. Clair Basketball Coach Earns 500th Win

Ernie Koontz has been coaching the high school's girls basketball team for 27 years.

A special milestone was reached for the 's girls basketball coach on Friday, Jan. 6.

A 60-47 win against Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School gave Ernie Koontz his 500th career victory.

"On my end, it makes you feel old," Koontz said. "I have 206 losses, so that's over 700 games I've coached. That's a lot of games and a lot of kids."

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Koontz has coached the girls' basketball team for 27 years. Before that, he spent six or seven years as the assistant coach for the high school's boys basketball team. And there's no end in sight.

"As long as I'm still enjoying it, I'll keep coaching," he said. "I love it. I love the sport. The kids are great and always eager to learn."

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Koontz said basketball is an extension of the classroom. He was a chemistry and physics teacher at the high school for 30 years. He's now retired and focuses on coaching.

Koontz and his wife of 28 years, Joannie, live in Carroll Township. They have two daughters and one son.

Koontz will go for his 501th win at 7:30 p.m. against Mt. Lebanon High School. The game will be played at Upper St. Clair High School.


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