Section V Basketball Hall of Fame
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Section V Basketball: Hall of Fame Class of 2009

The class features 9 people who have earned distinction through playing, coaching, officiating and leadership during the past 88 years of scholastic competition in Section V Basketball.

Class of 2009
Wendy Bleier-Mervis
Ken Henry
Brian Putnam
Jill Regan
Ben Ridley
Jodi Schmeelk
Dean Schott
Eve Walters
Tom Ward


PHOTO GALLERY

Photos by James Lathrop
Email James Lathrop for information about prints.



Class of 2009:
Wendy Bleier-MervisIrondequoit High SchoolPlayer 
A four year starter at Irondequoit High School from 1980 -1984. Wendt earned All Monroe County and All Greater Rochester honors in Basketball in ’83 and ’84. She also earned All County honors in Soccer and Softball. Recognized as the Section V Female Athlete of the Year by The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle in 1984. Starred at Colgate University where she was twice named MECA Conference Player of the Year (’86 and ‘’87). Currently serves as Executive Director of Camp Good Days and Special Times.
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Ken HenryRochester East High SchoolPlayer 
A multi-talented scorer, Ken was a four year starter at East High. He was a two time All Greater Rochester honoree and Section V All Tournament Team member (’82 and “83). For his career he broke the 1,000 barrier in both points and rebounds.
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Brian PutnamPrattsburgh CentralPlayer 
A three-time Section V All Tournament selection, Brian led Prattsburgh to an undefeated (29-0) season in 1991 culminating in the NYSPHSAA Championship. A two-time All Greater Rochester selection (’91,’92) Brian participated in the Ronald McDonald All Star Game. He also played on Prattsburgh’s 1991 NYSPHSAA Championship Baseball team.
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Jill ReganWellsville High SchoolPlayer 
: A dominating post player, Jill led Wellsvile to the 1997 Class CCC Section V Championship. In her stellar career she amassed 1611 points, 1,073 rebounds and 290 blocked shots, all school records. She was twice honored as an All Greater Rochester selection, Expressway Conference MVP and was a three- time Section V All Tournament Team member. Upon graduation Jill played at Division I George Mason University where she was a captain her senior season.
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Ben RidleyPenn Yan High School Player 
A 1958 graduate of Penn Yan Academy. Ben was the leading scorer in the Wayne Finger lakes league in ‘57and’58. Ben held the single game scoring record for the WFL with 44 points. Upon graduation played at Alfred Tech where he led the team to the NJCAA Championships in Hutchinson, Kansas. He subsequently was awarded a scholarship to play at Division I East Texas Sate. He coached basketball in the Bath-Haverling system for 24 years and was the Section V Basketball Chairman for Steuben County from 1969-1996.
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Jodi SchmeelkFairport High SchoolAdministrator 
A long time teacher and coach at Fairport High School, Jodi was the 1988 All Greater Rochester ”Coach of the Year.” She also coached in the inaugural Ronald McDonald All Star Game. Jodi was instrumental in the organization of the Girl’s Section V Basketball Tournament where she has served Section V for over 30 years as a Class Coordinator, Section V Basketball Coordinator and as a member of the State Basketball Committee. She was a Class Coordinator for the first Girl’s NYSPHSAA Basketball Tournament held in Rochester in 1981.
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Dean SchottLyons High SchoolCoach 
Coached Lyons High School for 22 years (1981-2003) compiling a record of 417 and 103for an 80% winning percentage. He is all-time Section V leader in titles with 9. His 1989 squad captured NYSPHSAA and Federation Championships. Dean has been named Section V “Coach of the Year” 7 times. In 1982 he was named All Greater Rochester “Coach of the Year”. He was honored as New York State High School “Coach of the Year” in 1989. Dean served as Section V representative to the Basketball Coaches Association of New York for over 25 years.
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Eve WaltersPittsford-Mendon High SchoolPlayer 
Led Pittsford Mendon to the 1998 Section V Championship and a berth in NYSPHSAA title game. Scored 1,474 points and grabbed 1057 rebounds in her career. A two-time Monroe County Player of the Year (1997 and 1998) Eve was named All Greater Rochester Player of the Year in 1998. Upon graduation she attended Division I Manhattan College leading the Jaspers to a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
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Tom WardBoard 60 IAABOOfficial 
Tom refereed basketball in the Rochester area for over 37 years including high school, NCAA, NJCAA, CBA and NBA games. He was named International Association of Approved basketball Officials (IAABO) Board 60 “Official of the Year” in 1984. Tom served as the Board 60 Rules Interpreter from 1981-1997 and currently serves as its liaison to the Section V Boys Basketball Committee. He officiated Section V Boys Championship Finals for 20 consecutive years and was awarded the Hulek-Campbell Service Award in 1997 and IAABO Life Membership in 2002.
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This page was created by Philip K. Abel. Email me for information at pkabel@frontiernet.net