Basketball coaches Terry Rowe of Garaway and Matt Ward of Tusky Valley stand as exemplary figures, embodying the essence of the saying, “Bloom where you’re planted.” These coaches are living the dream of coaching at their alma maters and have not only thrived but flourished. Both recently achieved remarkable career milestones by winning their 300th games as head coaches – Rowe with the Garaway boys basketball team and Ward with the Tusky Valley girls basketball squad.

Coaches Blossoming at Their Roots

Garaway's Terry Rowe: A Legacy in Coaching

Rowe reached the 300-win club when his Garaway Pirates dominated West Holmes with an impressive 81-46 victory in their season opener in Sugarcreek on Dec. 3. His coaching journey is a testament to his dedication and passion. He has coached four district title teams at Garaway and won numerous sectional crowns. Reflecting on his career, Rowe said, “There are tough losses that stick with you, like those regional games where we were just one bucket away from reaching the state Final 4. But there are also countless neat wins where our players made those crucial shots down the stretch. It’s been an amazing ride.”Rowe has been coaching at Garaway for nine years and has previously coached at Caldwell, Kenton, and the Marlington girls team. He always had a love for basketball and was influenced by the great coaches in his area. Growing up, he saw how these coaches worked with teams and developed them, which inspired him to pursue his coaching career. He is grateful to have the opportunity to coach young men and develop game plans to make the team better. His wife, Amber, is an amazing coach’s wife, supporting him behind the scenes with fundraisers and team feeds. They have three sons who also play basketball, and their family life is filled with basketball activities.

Tusky Valley's Matt Ward: Guiding Teams to Success

Ward reached the 300-win milestone when his Tusky Valley girls rolled past Ridgewood with a convincing 54-29 victory on Dec. 7 in Zoarville. He has been coaching the Tusky Valley girls for 23 years and has guided 11 teams to sectional titles. His teams have also claimed six Inter Valley Conference crowns and one district championship. When asked about his top coaching highlight, Ward mentioned the 2016-2017 district title win over Barnesville with a 47-46 score. He said, “It was such a back-and-forth game, and it came down to some missed free throws. There have been many ups and downs in my coaching career, with heartbreakers and buzzer-beaters going our way. But it’s special with the kids we have, and every year is still fun.”Ward learned a lot from coaches like Steve Franks, Donnie Spinell, and Ted Majestic during his high school years. He is fortunate to have had a lot of assistant coaches who have helped him get to where he is today. His wife, Misty, has been with him through it all and understands the challenges of being a coach’s wife. His daughters are also involved in basketball, with one on the JV team and another on the varsity.Both coaches emphasize the importance of having good assistant coaches. Rowe said, “My three assistant coaches this year all played for me at Garaway. Continuity is key in a successful program.” Ward added, “I have had a lot of assistant coaches over the years who have contributed to our success. From the past to the current staff, I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by great coaches and players.”When it comes to their responsibilities as modern high school coaches, having their families’ support is crucial. Rowe and Ward are both blessed in this regard. Rowe said, “My wife is very behind the scenes, and our family life is filled with basketball. It’s a busy but fulfilling life.” Ward echoed these sentiments, saying, “I’ve never left (Tusky Valley). My family is all here, and it’s nice to have their support.”Ward didn’t tell anyone in advance about his 300th win. He said, “I’m just glad I did it with this group of kids. They made me feel special. It’s not something I was thinking about a lot. There are bigger things ahead for us.” With coaches like Rowe and Ward, their teams are sure to continue achieving great things.