Optimist Hall of Fame

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2016 Optimist Hall of Fame Inductees:

 

Please join us in honoring two of the areas most respected high school coaches for their tremendous dedication and committment to basketall.

 

 

Stephen White, from Oak Ridge High School, achieved reaching the 500th basketball win threshold on January 26, 2016... his perserverance has earned him the respect of many in the basketball community.  He has been coaching at Oak Ridge High School since the mid-1990's.  Since that time, theh Trojans have won 43 Section playoff games and a Section Championship in 2003, 2009, and 2010.  Their 2010 CIF State Division I title team is perhaps the are's all time best according to the Sacramento Bee.  In the past seven seasons, Coach White's team has advanced to the Northern California Regionals playoffs, and reached the Championship last season at Sleep Train Arena.  

 

 

Duwaine Ganskie, from Bear River High School, has been the head basketball coach for 29 years, starting in 1987 at Hesperia High School.  In 1988, he took over the Bear River High School Girls' Basketball program and led them to 11 League Championships, 8 Section titles, and 3 Norcal Crowns.  In 2004, Coach Ganskie took over teh Nevada Union High School Girls' proram where he compiled a 61-25 record with 2 Metro Conference Championships.  In 2007, Coach Ganskie returned to Bear River HS, where he coached teh boys' basketball program and became the Athletic Director.  After this season, Coach Ganskie retired from coaching with 620 career wins.  He still remains involved in sports as the Athletic Director at Bear River.