Across the state high school basketball coaches are working with their teams at practices, scrimmages and preseason games with the hope that the hard work will pay off with a trip to the tourney in February.

As the December 9th opening night approaches, we have a chance to take a look at some of the most successful coaches to patrol the sidelines.

Among active coaches, Boothbay HS boys coach IJ Pinkham is the clubhouse leader in wins with 603. Lawrence HS coach John Donato is the girls leader with 507 victories.

The 600-win club consists of just two coaches - Dick Barstow and Pinkham.

The 500-win club is made of five coaches and Camden Hills boys coach Jeff Hart is likely next to join among active coaches. He has 484 wins.

PCHS coach Jamie Russell is one of Maine's top historians on the subject of Maine high school hoops and part of his work tracking history is the list of coaches. Russell was a guest on Tuesday's 'Morning Pitch Show'...

600 Wins
Barstow, Dick664Sherman, Katathdin, CA, Waterville, PI girls
Pinkham, IJ603Buckfield, Boothbay boys
500 Wins
Reed, Roger573BC, Bangor boys
Kane, Gavin525Rangeley boys, Dirigo boys & girls, Spruce Mtn, Mt. Blue girls
Alley, Ordie511Jonesport-Beals boys
Clark, Rick509York boys & girls
Donato, John507Houlton, Hall-Dale, Mt. View, Messalonskee, Lawrence girls
400 Wins
Wentworth, George489Lawrence, Stearns boys
Hart, Jeff484Camden Hills boys
Brown, Bob470Belgrade, Williams, Rockland, SP, EL, BE, Cheverus boys
Vachon, Paul467Messalonskee, Cony girls
Littlefield, Dwight467Valley boys
Halligan, David466Falmouth boys
Bessey, Jim463Mt. Blue, Madison boys
Dibiase, Tony429Machias, Noble, Gorham, Portland, S.Portland, Gray-NG, Scarborough
Cimbolek, Bob426Ft.Fairfield, Orono, Bangor, John Bapst boys
Feeney, Ed415Portland girls
McAvoy, Billy414CA, Katahdin, SA boys
Karter, Mark406Rumford, Mtn. Valley, Westbrook, Gorham boys
Hamlin, Tony400MCI, Morse, South Portland, Penquis boys

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