FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Two Historic Ayersville Boys Basketball Teams to Be Inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame
The Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame has announced that two Ayersville High School boys basketball teams are included among the 2026 inductees. The 1960-1961 team and the 1961-1962 team will be recognized at the Hall of Fame ceremony on June 6, 2026, at the Polaris Hilton Hotel in Columbus.
The 1960-61 team won the Class A State Championship and finished with a 30-0 record. With about a minute left in the first half of the state semi-final game, the Pilots trailed Proctorville Fairland 31-16. But a tremendous rally in the second half gave Ayersville a 51-49 win. In the championship game, the Pilots overcame Youngstown Liberty’s height advantage of 4 inches per player to win 40-38. Junior forward Dan Neff received First Team All Ohio recognition and Coach Lee Himmeger was named the Associated Press Class A Coach of the Year.
The 1961-62 team won their first 27 games before falling to New Lebanon Dixie in the state semi-finals. Senior Dan Neff was named the Class A Player of the Year, while senior John Bricker received Third Team All Ohio recognition. Coach Himmeger was again named the AP Coach of the Year.
The two teams won 57 consecutive games, including tournament games, which is the second best winning streak in the history of Ohio high school boys basketball. The teams were also part of a 68 game winning streak in regular season games. (The 1959 team won the final 6 regular season game; the 1960 team finished the regular season with a 20-0 record; the 1961 and 1962 teams won all 20 regular season games; and the 1963 team won the first two regular season games.)
The members of the 1960-61 team were seniors Bob Hoellrich, Jim Kile, Rich Martin, Virg Linebrink, Terry Stevens and Jim Zachrich; juniors Lynn Davis, Dan Neff and Jerry Stevens; and sophomores Rod Martin, Dave Ripke and Jim Smith. The coaches were head coach Lee Himmeger and assistant coach Charlie Koch.
The members of the 1961-62 team were seniors Darrell Bowditch, John Bricker, Lynn Davis, Ron Leaders, Dan Neff and Jerry Stevens; juniors Tom Friend, Tod Martin, Dave Ripke and Jim Smith; and sophomores Gene Hoellrich and Alan Hoffman. Lee Himmeger was the varsity coach.
The Hall of Fame class of 2026 also includes these individuals: Bob Beutel, Ray Dieringer, Bill Ek, Bettye Jo Hansbarger, Dan Hegemier, Brittany Hunter, Paul Keels, Charles Oakley, Scott Rogers, Donald Smith, Paul Storey, Mike Stumpf, Dick Walls, and Georgeann Wells. Two other team inductees are the Akron Goodyear Wingfoots and the 2003-04 Mount Notre Dame girls team.
The ceremony will be held on June 6, 2026, at the Polaris Hilton located at 8700 Lyra Dr., Columbus, OH 43240, from 4:00 to 7:30. Ticket information can be found on the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame website.
Two Historic Ayersville Boys Basketball Teams to Be Inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame
The Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame has announced that two Ayersville High School boys basketball teams are included among the 2026 inductees. The 1960-1961 team and the 1961-1962 team will be recognized at the Hall of Fame ceremony on June 6, 2026, at the Polaris Hilton Hotel in Columbus.
The 1960-61 team won the Class A State Championship and finished with a 30-0 record. With about a minute left in the first half of the state semi-final game, the Pilots trailed Proctorville Fairland 31-16. But a tremendous rally in the second half gave Ayersville a 51-49 win. In the championship game, the Pilots overcame Youngstown Liberty’s height advantage of 4 inches per player to win 40-38. Junior forward Dan Neff received First Team All Ohio recognition and Coach Lee Himmeger was named the Associated Press Class A Coach of the Year.
The 1961-62 team won their first 27 games before falling to New Lebanon Dixie in the state semi-finals. Senior Dan Neff was named the Class A Player of the Year, while senior John Bricker received Third Team All Ohio recognition. Coach Himmeger was again named the AP Coach of the Year.
The two teams won 57 consecutive games, including tournament games, which is the second best winning streak in the history of Ohio high school boys basketball. The teams were also part of a 68 game winning streak in regular season games. (The 1959 team won the final 6 regular season game; the 1960 team finished the regular season with a 20-0 record; the 1961 and 1962 teams won all 20 regular season games; and the 1963 team won the first two regular season games.)
The members of the 1960-61 team were seniors Bob Hoellrich, Jim Kile, Rich Martin, Virg Linebrink, Terry Stevens and Jim Zachrich; juniors Lynn Davis, Dan Neff and Jerry Stevens; and sophomores Rod Martin, Dave Ripke and Jim Smith. The coaches were head coach Lee Himmeger and assistant coach Charlie Koch.
The members of the 1961-62 team were seniors Darrell Bowditch, John Bricker, Lynn Davis, Ron Leaders, Dan Neff and Jerry Stevens; juniors Tom Friend, Tod Martin, Dave Ripke and Jim Smith; and sophomores Gene Hoellrich and Alan Hoffman. Lee Himmeger was the varsity coach.
The Hall of Fame class of 2026 also includes these individuals: Bob Beutel, Ray Dieringer, Bill Ek, Bettye Jo Hansbarger, Dan Hegemier, Brittany Hunter, Paul Keels, Charles Oakley, Scott Rogers, Donald Smith, Paul Storey, Mike Stumpf, Dick Walls, and Georgeann Wells. Two other team inductees are the Akron Goodyear Wingfoots and the 2003-04 Mount Notre Dame girls team.
The ceremony will be held on June 6, 2026, at the Polaris Hilton located at 8700 Lyra Dr., Columbus, OH 43240, from 4:00 to 7:30. Ticket information can be found on the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame website.
🚨 Schedule Update
🏀 Tonight’s JH Boys Basketball makeup game vs. Tinora has been postponed for 1/30 at 4:45 in the JH Gym
🎟️ Friday Night Ticket Prices (all HS and JH games):
• Adults: $7
• Students: $5
🏀 Girls Basketball vs. Fort Jennings
Postponed until 2/12/26 at 6:00 PM
🚨 Athletic Update – for tomorrow Monday 1/26 🚨
🏀 JH Girls Basketball
8th Grade GMC Tournament vs. Wayne Trace — Postponed to 1/31
🏀 JH Boys Basketball
@ Holgate — Canceled
Stay tuned for updates.
🏀 Boys Basketball Game Day 🏀
🕓 Start Time: 4:00 PM
📍 @ Delphos Jefferson
🏫 Location: Middle School Stage Gym
🤼♂️ WRESTLING POSTPONED 🤼♂️
The wrestling event scheduled for today Friday Jan. 23rd @ PH has been postponed.
📆 New date will be announced soon (TBA).
Thank you for your understanding.
The wrestling event scheduled for today Friday Jan. 23rd @ PH has been postponed.
📆 New date will be announced soon (TBA).
Thank you for your understanding.
🏀 Tonight’s Games 🏀
🏠 JH Boys Basketball vs PH (Home)
🚍 JH Girls Basketball @ PH
⏱️ 2 quarters – 7th grade only
⭐ GMC Varsity Matchup ⭐
🆚 Hicksville
⏰ 6:00 PM start
❗ Varsity ONLY – No JV contest
Let’s go Pilots! ✈️💙
🏠 JH Boys Basketball vs PH (Home)
🚍 JH Girls Basketball @ PH
⏱️ 2 quarters – 7th grade only
⭐ GMC Varsity Matchup ⭐
🆚 Hicksville
⏰ 6:00 PM start
❗ Varsity ONLY – No JV contest
Let’s go Pilots! ✈️💙
🤼♂️ Wrestling Friday @ PH 🤼♂️
Friday Agenda & Important Information
🚪 Entry:
All parents and fans must enter through the High School Office doors at the south end of the building.
🚗 Parking:
All vehicles must enter campus from State Route 18.
Please do NOT use the Road 7 entrance.
🕒 Schedule:
• Starting line-up introductions: 1:45 PM
• National Anthem
• PH Senior Night Recognition: 1:50 PM (following the National Anthem)
• Wrestling begins at approximately 2:00 PM
Friday Agenda & Important Information
🚪 Entry:
All parents and fans must enter through the High School Office doors at the south end of the building.
🚗 Parking:
All vehicles must enter campus from State Route 18.
Please do NOT use the Road 7 entrance.
🕒 Schedule:
• Starting line-up introductions: 1:45 PM
• National Anthem
• PH Senior Night Recognition: 1:50 PM (following the National Anthem)
• Wrestling begins at approximately 2:00 PM
📣 Athletic Schedule Update | 1/20/26
🏀 JH Girls Basketball @ Antwerp
• ON
• 2 quarters of 7th grade, followed by 8th grade
🏀 JH Boys Basketball vs. Tinora (Home)
• POSTPONED
• Rescheduled for 1/27/26 at 5:00 PM
🏀 HS Girls Basketball @ Kalida
• ON
🏀 JH Girls Basketball @ Antwerp
• ON
• 2 quarters of 7th grade, followed by 8th grade
🏀 JH Boys Basketball vs. Tinora (Home)
• POSTPONED
• Rescheduled for 1/27/26 at 5:00 PM
🏀 HS Girls Basketball @ Kalida
• ON
🚨 Schedule Update 🚨
❌ HS Boys Basketball @ Kalida – Cancelled
➡️ Working on a reschedule date
📅 JH Boys Basketball (H) vs Tinora – Rescheduled
➡️ Now playing tomorrow, 1/20
❌ JH Girls Basketball (H) vs Holgate – Cancelled
➡️ Will not be rescheduled due to the GMC Tournament
We’ll share updates as more information becomes available.
❌ HS Boys Basketball @ Kalida – Cancelled
➡️ Working on a reschedule date
📅 JH Boys Basketball (H) vs Tinora – Rescheduled
➡️ Now playing tomorrow, 1/20
❌ JH Girls Basketball (H) vs Holgate – Cancelled
➡️ Will not be rescheduled due to the GMC Tournament
We’ll share updates as more information becomes available.
Winter Sports Officials Appreciation Week ❄️
We’re proud to recognize our students who are currently completing or have completed the process to become licensed OHSAA winter sport officials. Officiating is a vital part of the game, and we appreciate your willingness to step up and try something new.
🏀 Basketball Officials: B. Zartman, C. Sprow, L. Clark, G. McConnell, O. Lloyd, S. Brown
🤼 Wrestling Officials: B. Gray, T. Sprow, A. Sandleben, A. Englehart, L. Caryer
We’re proud to recognize our students who are currently completing or have completed the process to become licensed OHSAA winter sport officials. Officiating is a vital part of the game, and we appreciate your willingness to step up and try something new.
🏀 Basketball Officials: B. Zartman, C. Sprow, L. Clark, G. McConnell, O. Lloyd, S. Brown
🤼 Wrestling Officials: B. Gray, T. Sprow, A. Sandleben, A. Englehart, L. Caryer
🏀 Home GMC Action Tonight! 🏀
Pilots Boys Basketball hosts Paulding
⏰ Freshman begins at 4:45 PM
🍝 Grab a soup bowl to support the International Trip to Greece
✈️ Let’s Pack The Hangar, Go Pilots!
Pilots Boys Basketball hosts Paulding
⏰ Freshman begins at 4:45 PM
🍝 Grab a soup bowl to support the International Trip to Greece
✈️ Let’s Pack The Hangar, Go Pilots!
🏀 GAMEDAY – PILOTS BASKETBALL 🏀
It’s a busy night of hoops for the Pilots!
🔹 HS Girls GMC Matchup
📍 @ Paulding
🕕 6:00 PM
🔹 Junior High vs Defiance
👧 JH Girls @ Defiance – 🕟 4:30 PM
👦 JH Boys 🏠 Home – 🕔 5:00 PM
Good luck to all our teams—let’s go Pilots! ✈️
🚨 IMPORTANT UPDATE — January 13, 2026 🚨
Tonight’s Junior High Girls Basketball game vs Wayne Trace will feature:
• 2 quarters of 7th grade
• Followed by a full 8th grade game
Thank you for your flexibility and support of our Pilots! 💙💛
Tonight’s Junior High Girls Basketball game vs Wayne Trace will feature:
• 2 quarters of 7th grade
• Followed by a full 8th grade game
Thank you for your flexibility and support of our Pilots! 💙💛
💙💛 Senior Night in the Pool! 💛💙
Tonight we celebrate our Pilot Swimmers on Senior Night as they take on Springfield! 🏊♂️🏊♀️
🕔 Meet starts at 5:00 PM
📍 Ayersville Natatorium
Come out and help us recognize our seniors for their dedication and leadership while cheering on the Pilots in the water!
Tonight we celebrate our Pilot Swimmers on Senior Night as they take on Springfield! 🏊♂️🏊♀️
🕔 Meet starts at 5:00 PM
📍 Ayersville Natatorium
Come out and help us recognize our seniors for their dedication and leadership while cheering on the Pilots in the water!
🏀 Home GMC Action Tonight! 🏀
Pilots Boys Basketball hosts Wayne Trace
⏰ JV begins at 6 PM
🍝 Grab a pasta bowl to support the International Trip to Greece
👏 We’re excited to welcome Defiance County Special Olympics, who will be playing and cheering during both halftimes
✈️ Let’s Pack the Hangar!
Pilots Boys Basketball hosts Wayne Trace
⏰ JV begins at 6 PM
🍝 Grab a pasta bowl to support the International Trip to Greece
👏 We’re excited to welcome Defiance County Special Olympics, who will be playing and cheering during both halftimes
✈️ Let’s Pack the Hangar!
🏀🏊♂️ Tonight’s Athletic Events
It’s a busy night for the Pilots! Come out and support our teams on the court and in the pool.
Let’s go Ayersville! ✈️💙💛
IMPORTANT NOTE JHGBK @ LIBERTY CENTER - 7TH GRADE ONLY 2 QUARTERS
It’s a busy night for the Pilots! Come out and support our teams on the court and in the pool.
Let’s go Ayersville! ✈️💙💛
IMPORTANT NOTE JHGBK @ LIBERTY CENTER - 7TH GRADE ONLY 2 QUARTERS
🚨 Catch the Pilots in the Pool — LIVE Tonight!
Tune in on DCTV and watch the action here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/live/c2cgU7lSozs?si=qYSE4If3-QGZw-Xr
Don’t miss it! 🏊♂️🔥
Tune in on DCTV and watch the action here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/live/c2cgU7lSozs?si=qYSE4If3-QGZw-Xr
Don’t miss it! 🏊♂️🔥
🏀 Girls Basketball Schedule Update 🏀
Tonight at Continental:
➡️ JV will play 2 quarters
➡️ Varsity contest to follow
Come out and support our Pilots on the road! 💙💛
Tonight at Continental:
➡️ JV will play 2 quarters
➡️ Varsity contest to follow
Come out and support our Pilots on the road! 💙💛
🏀 Monday, 1/5/26 – Junior High Basketball 🏀
🔹 JH Girls Basketball @ Paulding
• 2 quarters – 7th Grade
• Full Game – 8th Grade
🔹 JH Boys Basketball vs Hilltop (HOME)
• 2 quarters – 7th Grade
• Full Game – 8th Grade
🔹 JH Girls Basketball @ Paulding
• 2 quarters – 7th Grade
• Full Game – 8th Grade
🔹 JH Boys Basketball vs Hilltop (HOME)
• 2 quarters – 7th Grade
• Full Game – 8th Grade
12/27/25 HSGBK vs Hilltop
2 quarters JV starting at 12:30pm
