There's no such thing as excessive basketball for Penis Heller, despite who claimed otherwise.

That might be the primary factor he was just one of 2 retired trainers of the year honored by the Northwest Ohio District VII Basketball Coaches Association at the district all-star game March 16 at Napoleon.

"It permits me to experience the blasts with the youngsters from Lakota, Oak Harbor and also Danbury," Heller claimed. "The success is theirs.' I'm only as good as my gamers. It's them that should have the honor. It makes me modest.

"A lot of great instructors deserve this award. Winning is essential, however connections are the most significant goal. Treat children right, be fair, create them and see what we can achieve."

Heller, 68, was 339-216 as a varsity women head coach. He spent 24 years at Lakota, including ladies university train from 1991-2002.

He won 3 meeting crowns, 9 sectional champions as well as made one journey to regional with the Raiders.

He won 2 conference championships and also seven sectional crowns at Oak Harbor from 2002-2021. The Firecrackers twice were 20-0 in the normal period.

He covered his job at the helm at Danbury from 2017-2022. He was a varsity assistant at New Riegel prior.

"It's always a challenge to obtain the girls to buy in," he claimed. "Lakota, that's where I matured as a trainer. I started with middle school boys. It was a fun trip. At Oak Harbor, the youngsters were utilized to the strength at Lakota.

"It took a year or 2 for them to readjust. Yearly was a change, times alter as well as you learn the children and also what they'll approve. The strength I required to coach them to obtain them to the level they said they wanted.

"Believing in what we're doing and also the fundamental abilities to develop into a complete player for team success."

Heller didn't be reluctant to push.

"The hard work we requested, the devotion we asked with summertime programs and also open fitness centers," he stated. "That was a huge ask on our part to buy in. As a personnel, we always really felt strongly concerning the defensive aspect of things."

Heller graduated from North Central High School in 1972 and started mentoring CYO as a student at the University of Toledo in 1977.

Heller trained with Larry Bruce, Tom Rettig, Dave Worstein, Paul Gnepper as well as Steve Lucius.

"Trains I appreciated as coaches," he stated. "I had a freshman job with Cardinal Stritch kids with Tom. He's a big impact. Summertime camps in Oxford. I worked Steve Mix camps in Toledo. I trained with fantastic people.

"I tried to have an open mind as well as take things with their influence and also mix it. It was a process. The greatest thing, I like communicating with children and coaching. I attempted to make it life lessons to bring with them, as well."

Woodmore university women assistant and also previous Heller aide at Danbury, Ryan Beam of light is one branch on Heller's very own training tree. Beam of light bet Heller at Lakota, as did university ladies coach Erin Foos.

"I love when players want to train and influence lives," Heller said. "I have actually had terrific assistants. Mentoring staffs. Previous players come back and coach with us. The women as well as the teams, it's their ward, as well.

"At Danbury, we worked so tough to restore the program. We had a pair lean years. We knew the juniors as well as a couple seniors would certainly be excellent. I was glad to see that success. We followed along and tried to see, it's special to aid develop that.

"Buckeye Central has been a nemesis. I was very happy and pleased."

Foos was Heller's point guard for the program's only trip to regional in 1977. Lakota narrowly missed out on a return check out this year and Danbury made a district victory for the first time.

"It suggested a great deal and the relationships contribute to that," Heller stated. "Lakota did a good point, they invited the local team back. Alumni back. They identified the team as well as the women that turned up and team.

"Erin offered Toledo Christian a run for its cash. We have actually stayed in get in touch with. At Danbury, I needed to coach against her. She beat me every time. That hurts, but if someone does that to you, I rejoice it was Erin.

"I wish I aided her create to do that with our communication herself."

Throughout his job, Heller gained Ohio's honor for gamesmanship, stability and also values. He was Department II instructor of the year in the state.

"There's a connection with each college, it's hard to differentiate," he stated. "We created a solid bond at every college. Great children.

Heller attributes his longevity and success to support, sacrifice and understanding from his partner as well as children. He's grateful.

"I was always into sports," he said. "My parents told me it was excessive sporting activities. I enjoy basketball and baseball. When I mosted likely to Toledo, we played basketball constantly as well as went to all the video games we could see.

"I intended to be a trainer. Begin at the bottom as well as function my way along. I knew I intended to be an university coach. The women job opened at Lakota and also I leapt at the chance."