Lewinski picks up 500th varsity win

IRONWOOD  - Ironwood coach Pete Lewinski picked up his 500th varsity basketball win in Friday's win over W-M.

In his 22nd year as boys basketball coach, he's 259-212. At Andress High School in El Paso, Texas, he went 68-29 in three years ending in the 1988-89 season.

As varsity girls coach at Ironwood, Lewinski went 173-143 in 15 years ending in 2006 when the sport moved to the winter with boys and Lewinski couldn't coach both the boys and girls anymore.

Combined, he sits at 500-384.

"This accomplishment goes out to two groups - my assistant coaches over the years and to all the fine players that I have been fortunate to coach," Lewinski said. "I am truly honored and humbled to have coached and taught at my alma mater, Luther L. Wright High School."

Lewinski said his mentor in El Paso was basketball legend Tony Harper. Lewinski was his JV coach El Paso Burges High School for three seasons. Harper currently coaches at El Paso Catherdral High School.

"Harper became the fourth high school coach in the nation to win 900 games and the seventh-winningest coach in the history of high school basketball in Texas," Lewinski said. "He is ranked No. 1 in wins among active coaches in the state. He is ranked fourth in the country in wins among current active coaches with Bob Hurley Sr. at No. 1 with 1,077 wins entering this season."

Lewinski's assistants over the years at Ironwood have been: Boys - Thomas Mott, Ben Schmandt, Gordy Erickson and Brian Ciesielczyk; girls - Kari Jacquart, Dan Finco and Richard Matrella, Sr.

Lewinski also thanked the athletic directors, principals, superintendents and school boards at Ironwood.

"And a big thank you to the fans and supporters of Ironwood athletics.  The coaches and players know you are in the stands supporting us, night after night, year after year," Lewinski said.