Overstake gains 500th career victory
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
WASHINGTON C.H. — Five hundred wins.
In what is currently his 32nd season as McClain girls varsity basketball coach, Dennis Overstake is the face of the Lady Tigers' girls basketball program.
All the years of winning, dedication and hard work came to fruition Wednesday evening at Washington Senior High School, as his players accepted the challenge and achieved the goal they set out for, as they gave Coach Overstake his 500th career victory in a 54-49 South Central Ohio League win over the Lady Blue Lions.
Since earning his first win on Dec. 3, 1981 against Wilmington, Overstake has coached 100-plus players to his 500th win, with every last win coming in his time at McClain.
Overstake was first to credit his past and present players for this historic coaching milestone.
"It felt good to have the number of people that came here to Washington C.H., rather than it being a home ball game where more people are able to attend," Overstake said. "I appreciate everyone that was here (Wednesday).
"I've been pretty fortunate … they've never let me shoot a shot or get on the floor to play the game, but there are 137 girls that are responsible for these 500."
As for the game on Wednesday, on the Lady Blue Lions' Senior Night, the game was tied a total of 11 times, including five times in the fourth quarter.
The final time the score was tied came when Sarah Thompson scored two points in the paint on a put-back bucket with 3:16 on the clock for a 43-43 score, as the Lady Tigers trailed in the fourth frame on one occasion with 3:37 on the scoreboard.
From there, after holding off multiple Washington rallies, MHS took a four-point lead with baskets by Shania Massie and Sydney Barton for a 47-43 advantage.
After a free throw by Washington, Tara Karnes exceeded the feat with two free throws, and later, Massie put the visitors ahead 50-46 with a free throw.
Then the chants of "OVERSTAKE" began from the McClain student section, prompting a slight grin from the head coach as he was about to hit the century mark for the fifth time.
For the game, Massie led all scorers with a game-high 21 points, followed by Karnes with 12 points. Lauren Rayburn followed with nine points, and Katy Unger totaled six. Adding two points each were Alli Willett, Thompson and Barton.
During a sea of congratulations, Overstake was greeted by friends and family, and a few of them had praise for the newly minted 500-win coach, as he's at least the 13th girls varsity coach to earn such honors in Ohio high school basketball.
"It's such an honor to be a part of such a great tradition that Coach Overstake has worked to build," MHS assistant coach Jarrod Haines said. "People don't understand that with each one of these wins comes preparation and hard work. I have learned so much from his work ethic.
"I thank God that he has given me this opportunity to learn from such a great man as Coach Overstake."
As for the rest of the game, the first three quarters saw a first frame where it was tied four times, as the Lady Tigers led 14-11 at the conclusion of eight minutes. At the half, the Lady Tiger lead was still at three, this time reading 29-26. After three quarters, MHS led 35-33.
Leading Washington was Molli Shaw with 18 points, as the senior was 14-of-15 from the free-throw line. Carly Chaffin followed with 13 points.
But the man of the hour … or 32 varsity seasons in waiting ... was Coach Overstake as his wife, Dixie, spoke about what this means not only to her husband, but their family.
"It is just a great accomplishment for him," a teary-eyed Dixie Overstake said. "He's worked so hard for it, but he's had some really good girls play for him. Some very, very good girls … with good hearts and good talent, and he couldn't have done it without them.
"It was very touching to see all the support he's gotten on the website (Facebook page) created and all the fans and girls who came here to support him here. It meant a great deal. We are just very proud of him and very glad of all the support he's had over the years and (Wednesday)."
Overstake has been described by current and past players as a caring person and great coach to have, but Audra (Cook) Branham has had the opportunity to not only be an assistant coach for Overstake (she's also the JV coach), but she played for Overstake in the past, as she was at one time the all-time leading scorer for the Lady Tiger program.[[In-content Ad]]
"The 500th win is huge," she said. "The dedication that he's shown to the program … this is the only place he's ever coached and taught, so I think it is just a testament to everything he's put into the game.
"Aside from being a coach, he's an amazing individual. He's one of the most compassionate and caring people I've ever met. I've said before and I'll say it again, he's the like the father I've never had. He knows when to be serious and he knows when to cut up, and he knows when to be that nice presence that helps you get through things."
Coach Branham also spoke about the experience of coaching with and playing for the legendary coach.
"It's been amazing," she said. "I can't imagine coaching anywhere else. Again, the chemistry I have with him, even as a player, just seeing his program is steadfast and true … it works.
"This shows that even over 30 years, though you have to adapt, the core program he believes in and the individuals involved believe in it, shows you can be successful."
This season for the Lady Tigers can be described as one of improvement from the starting point to the current destination of a 10-11 mark with one game remaining. MHS began the season with three straight losses, and at one point moved to 4-7 in late December. Since January, MHS is 6-4 as that is a testament to not only Overstake, but his players.
Long-time MHS PA announcer and former softball coach John Wend shared a few memories and thoughts about Overstake.
"I have spent a lot of time around coaches my entire life in one capacity or another, and I’ve never seen a coach that prepares any harder, mentally, for a game, than coach Overstake," Wend said. "His pre-game notes, scouting reports, etc. looks like a Sears catalog.
"He is very well-respected by opposing coaches and players. He has made friends with many opposing players over the years … often to the point of being on a first-name basis with them."
Wend also spoke about how Overstake cares for his players and shared a story as well.
"He really cares about his players, not only on the court, but in the classroom, and how their adult lives have evolved after they’ve graduated," Wend said. "Greenfield McClain is very fortunate to have a coach of his integrity and knowledge for 30-plus years.
"When I was coaching softball at McClain, a girl had quit the varsity basketball team, and she came to me and said she wanted try out for the softball team. I asked her why she quit basketball, and she told me she didn’t like playing for Coach Overstake. I then proceeded to tell her that if she couldn’t play for Coach O, then I doubted she could play for me because he is a much nicer guy than I am.
"I think Dennis would agree that in order to win, consistently, you have to have a certain amount of talent. And, McClain has been blessed with a lot of talent during Dennis’ tenure. But, it also takes a great leader to mold that talent and to build such a successful long-term program, and that’s exactly what Dennis has accomplished."
Another person who has been there most of Overstake's tenure is scorekeeper Karen Yeager, and she too shared thoughts on the accomplishment.
"I'm so excited to see this happen for Coach," Yeager said. "He's worked very hard.
"It has been a lot of fun through the years. He's a super nice guy, always has the film broke down the next day so I can add the stats. He's the most prepared and organized person in sports that I know."
In what is currently his 32nd season as McClain girls varsity basketball coach, Dennis Overstake is the face of the Lady Tigers' girls basketball program.
All the years of winning, dedication and hard work came to fruition Wednesday evening at Washington Senior High School, as his players accepted the challenge and achieved the goal they set out for, as they gave Coach Overstake his 500th career victory in a 54-49 South Central Ohio League win over the Lady Blue Lions.
Since earning his first win on Dec. 3, 1981 against Wilmington, Overstake has coached 100-plus players to his 500th win, with every last win coming in his time at McClain.
Overstake was first to credit his past and present players for this historic coaching milestone.
"It felt good to have the number of people that came here to Washington C.H., rather than it being a home ball game where more people are able to attend," Overstake said. "I appreciate everyone that was here (Wednesday).
"I've been pretty fortunate … they've never let me shoot a shot or get on the floor to play the game, but there are 137 girls that are responsible for these 500."
As for the game on Wednesday, on the Lady Blue Lions' Senior Night, the game was tied a total of 11 times, including five times in the fourth quarter.
The final time the score was tied came when Sarah Thompson scored two points in the paint on a put-back bucket with 3:16 on the clock for a 43-43 score, as the Lady Tigers trailed in the fourth frame on one occasion with 3:37 on the scoreboard.
From there, after holding off multiple Washington rallies, MHS took a four-point lead with baskets by Shania Massie and Sydney Barton for a 47-43 advantage.
After a free throw by Washington, Tara Karnes exceeded the feat with two free throws, and later, Massie put the visitors ahead 50-46 with a free throw.
Then the chants of "OVERSTAKE" began from the McClain student section, prompting a slight grin from the head coach as he was about to hit the century mark for the fifth time.
For the game, Massie led all scorers with a game-high 21 points, followed by Karnes with 12 points. Lauren Rayburn followed with nine points, and Katy Unger totaled six. Adding two points each were Alli Willett, Thompson and Barton.
During a sea of congratulations, Overstake was greeted by friends and family, and a few of them had praise for the newly minted 500-win coach, as he's at least the 13th girls varsity coach to earn such honors in Ohio high school basketball.
"It's such an honor to be a part of such a great tradition that Coach Overstake has worked to build," MHS assistant coach Jarrod Haines said. "People don't understand that with each one of these wins comes preparation and hard work. I have learned so much from his work ethic.
"I thank God that he has given me this opportunity to learn from such a great man as Coach Overstake."
As for the rest of the game, the first three quarters saw a first frame where it was tied four times, as the Lady Tigers led 14-11 at the conclusion of eight minutes. At the half, the Lady Tiger lead was still at three, this time reading 29-26. After three quarters, MHS led 35-33.
Leading Washington was Molli Shaw with 18 points, as the senior was 14-of-15 from the free-throw line. Carly Chaffin followed with 13 points.
But the man of the hour … or 32 varsity seasons in waiting ... was Coach Overstake as his wife, Dixie, spoke about what this means not only to her husband, but their family.
"It is just a great accomplishment for him," a teary-eyed Dixie Overstake said. "He's worked so hard for it, but he's had some really good girls play for him. Some very, very good girls … with good hearts and good talent, and he couldn't have done it without them.
"It was very touching to see all the support he's gotten on the website (Facebook page) created and all the fans and girls who came here to support him here. It meant a great deal. We are just very proud of him and very glad of all the support he's had over the years and (Wednesday)."
Overstake has been described by current and past players as a caring person and great coach to have, but Audra (Cook) Branham has had the opportunity to not only be an assistant coach for Overstake (she's also the JV coach), but she played for Overstake in the past, as she was at one time the all-time leading scorer for the Lady Tiger program.[[In-content Ad]]
"The 500th win is huge," she said. "The dedication that he's shown to the program … this is the only place he's ever coached and taught, so I think it is just a testament to everything he's put into the game.
"Aside from being a coach, he's an amazing individual. He's one of the most compassionate and caring people I've ever met. I've said before and I'll say it again, he's the like the father I've never had. He knows when to be serious and he knows when to cut up, and he knows when to be that nice presence that helps you get through things."
Coach Branham also spoke about the experience of coaching with and playing for the legendary coach.
"It's been amazing," she said. "I can't imagine coaching anywhere else. Again, the chemistry I have with him, even as a player, just seeing his program is steadfast and true … it works.
"This shows that even over 30 years, though you have to adapt, the core program he believes in and the individuals involved believe in it, shows you can be successful."
This season for the Lady Tigers can be described as one of improvement from the starting point to the current destination of a 10-11 mark with one game remaining. MHS began the season with three straight losses, and at one point moved to 4-7 in late December. Since January, MHS is 6-4 as that is a testament to not only Overstake, but his players.
Long-time MHS PA announcer and former softball coach John Wend shared a few memories and thoughts about Overstake.
"I have spent a lot of time around coaches my entire life in one capacity or another, and I’ve never seen a coach that prepares any harder, mentally, for a game, than coach Overstake," Wend said. "His pre-game notes, scouting reports, etc. looks like a Sears catalog.
"He is very well-respected by opposing coaches and players. He has made friends with many opposing players over the years … often to the point of being on a first-name basis with them."
Wend also spoke about how Overstake cares for his players and shared a story as well.
"He really cares about his players, not only on the court, but in the classroom, and how their adult lives have evolved after they’ve graduated," Wend said. "Greenfield McClain is very fortunate to have a coach of his integrity and knowledge for 30-plus years.
"When I was coaching softball at McClain, a girl had quit the varsity basketball team, and she came to me and said she wanted try out for the softball team. I asked her why she quit basketball, and she told me she didn’t like playing for Coach Overstake. I then proceeded to tell her that if she couldn’t play for Coach O, then I doubted she could play for me because he is a much nicer guy than I am.
"I think Dennis would agree that in order to win, consistently, you have to have a certain amount of talent. And, McClain has been blessed with a lot of talent during Dennis’ tenure. But, it also takes a great leader to mold that talent and to build such a successful long-term program, and that’s exactly what Dennis has accomplished."
Another person who has been there most of Overstake's tenure is scorekeeper Karen Yeager, and she too shared thoughts on the accomplishment.
"I'm so excited to see this happen for Coach," Yeager said. "He's worked very hard.
"It has been a lot of fun through the years. He's a super nice guy, always has the film broke down the next day so I can add the stats. He's the most prepared and organized person in sports that I know."