Madison, Mater Dei coaches recognized by IBCA after leading teams to state finals
Hometown hero Maurice Baker of Madison and Mater Dei’s Ron Schadegg are among 17 Southern Illinois high school coaches who have been named as district coaches of the year for the 2019-20 season by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.
Baker, a former all-state player at Madison High School who went on to an outstanding college and professional career, was named as a Class 1A District 19 Coach of the Year after leading the Trojans to a 26-10 record and a berth at the Class 1A State Tournament.
Schadegg, who led Mater Dei to the Class 2A state finals, was chosen as a Class 2A District 20 Coach of the Year. The Knights, led by Schadegg’s son, Jacob, and IBCA first team all-state selection Caleb Zurliene, finished 30-5 this season.
Both Madison and Mater Dei had their dreams of a state championship end when the Illinois High School Association canceled the state tournament because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The IBCA released its list of district coaches of the year Thursday. Southern Illinois coaches are in Districts 19 and 20.
Here is a list and brief rundown on the other area coaches who have been honored by the IBCA.
Boys coaches
Mark Chambers, East St. Louis
After leading the Flyers to the Class 3A state title a year ago, Chambers had East St. Louis on the verge of another trip to the Peoria Civic Center before COVID-19 wiped out their hopes of a repeat. A Class 3A District 19 Coach of the Year, Chambers led the Flyers to a mark of 21-11.
Wayne Harre, Nashville
After building one of the top girls programs in the state at Nashville, Harre hasn’t missed a beat as the Hornets boys coach. A District 20 Class 2A honoree, Harre had Nashville ranked in the top 10 for much of the season before finishing with a record of 27-7. Nashville was the Class 2A state runnerup in 2019.
Jon Kraus, Okawville
After leading the Rockets to the Class 1A state crown in 2018, Kraus had another exceptional group this season as Okawville won another Class 1A regional and finished 22-9. Kraus was a Class 1A District 20 Coach of the Year.
Darin Lee, Collinsville
Lee had the top program in Southern Illinois and one of the best in the state this season as he guided the Kahoks to a mark of 31-3 and a berth in the Class 4A Pekin Sectional final, which was canceled due to COVID-19. A District 19 Class 4A coach of the year, Lee led Collinsville to the Southwestern Conference title.
Steve Medford, Marquette
Chosen as a Class 2A District 20 Coach of the Year, Medford led the Explorers to a 26-7 record and a berth in the Class 2A sectional final where they lost to Mater Dei.
Brian Muniz, O’Fallon
Muniz, a District 19 Class 4A Coach of the Year, led the Panthers to a record of 26-7 and a Class 4A regional championship. One of three teams to beat Collinsville, the Panthers return all five starters for the 2020-21 season.
Girls coaches
Doug Althoff, Nashville
The Hornettes made their annual deep run into the postseason as Althoff’s defensive minded team advanced to the sectional final where it lost to River-to-River Conference rival Carterville. One of the Class 2A District 20 Coaches of the Year, Althoff led Nashville to a 23-9 record.
Lori Blade, Edwardsville
Perhaps the top two-sport coach in state history with over 700 wins in both basketball and softball, Blade announced her resignation as the Tigers hoops coach last month but not before leading her program to another SWC title and regional championship. A District 19 Class 4A honoree, Blade led Edwardsville to a 27-2 mark in her final season.
Michelle Hasheider-Burianek, Okawville
An Okawville native, Hasheider-Burianek had her team playing its very best at the right time as the Rockets advanced to the Class 1A super-sectional where they dropped a seven-point decision to Hume-Shiloh. With three freshmen playing a lot of minutes, Hasheider-Burianek led her team to an 18-14 mark as she was named District 20 honoree.
Darin Degenhart, Marissa
One of the top coaches in the Cahokia Conference the past several years, Degenhart led the Meteors to a 22-8 record and Class 1A regional championship this season. Degenhart was voted as the Class 1A District 19 Coach of the Year.
Clint Hamilton, Highland
Taking over one of the premier Class 3A programs in Southern Illinois two years ago, Hamilton led the Bulldogs to one of their finest seasons, as they earned a bid in the super-sectional. A District 19 Coach of the Year, Hamilton helped Highland finish 27-8.
Nick Knolhoff, O’Fallon
Featuring outstanding talent, Knolhoff led the Panthers to a 28-6 record, a regional title and a berth in the Class 4A sectional final. A District 19 Coach of the Year for the third straight year, Knolhoff coached at Althoff before taking over the Panthers job.
David Kohnen, Mater Dei
Already a member of the IBCA Hall of Fame, Kohnen shows no signs of slowing down as he led the Knights to the Class 2A Greenville Sectional where it lost a one-point heartbreaker to Pleasant Plains. Honored as a District 20 Coach of the Year, Kohnen led Mater Dei to a record of 21-9.
Bethany McQuiston, Freeburg
A former assistant at Nashville now in her third year at Freeburg, McQuiston led the Midgets to an exceptional 2019-20 season. With McQuiston in charge, Freeburg won 25 games and a Class 2A regional. McQuiston was a District 19 winner.
Jeff Oller, Father McGivney
A program on the rise for the past three years, the Griffens advanced to the Class 1A super-sectional where they lost to perennial power Lewistown. Oller, honored as a District 19 Coach of the Year, led his team to 27 wins.
Nathan Rueter, Central
Widely respected as one of the top coaches in Southern Illinois, Rueter led the Cougars to another successful season this winter. A Class 2A District 20 winner, Rueter led his Cougars to mark of 22-8 and a regional crown.
