HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL Bernard Bolha takes over for Howland

By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HOWLAND -- Bernard Bolha enters the 2002-03 boys basketball season as new coach at Howland High.
Bolha, a 1990 Chaney High graduate, takes over for Ron McCleary.
"He's a tremendous teacher of skills of the game," Howland athletic director Bruce Johnson said of Bolha, whose latest stint was as varsity assistant at Cleveland Benedictine.
"We went on a pretty big search. We believe that there are some quality young people out there, as teachers and coaches. He was one of our top people."
The last four years, Bolha taught at Lakewood High where, previously, he was varsity assistant and interim head coach.
Served under Bob Patton
At both Lakewood and Benedictine, Bolha served under Bob Patton.
"Patton was high on him," Johnson said. "That was big for us."
Bolha, 30, will fill a special education teaching position.
McCleary got back into coaching on an interim basis last year when Mike O'Neil resigned prior to the 2001-02 season.
The Tigers finished 8-12 this past season.
"We believe he's willing to spend time in the gym," Johnson said. "He won't stand in the gym and let them play. He'll work with them individually."
Bolha received his bachelor's degree from YSU and his masters at Cleveland State.
Has staff in place
His assistants will be Garry Rowland and Mike Kernan. Rowland was Warren Harding's interim boys coach this past season and Kernan was a multi-sport standout at Chaney and All-American at Hiram and was Ursuline's softball coach this spring.
Bolha, a point guard in high school, believes that his hiring was partially based on giving players a solid foundation.
"It's obvious they lack fundamentals that could make them better. My job is to reach them at a younger age by establishing a feeder program and bringing a winning tradition back to Howland. I'd like to give these kids every opportunity for success, whether academically or athletically."
To emphasize his commitment, Bolha borrowed a quote from his fianc & eacute;.
"Win while having fun," is what she says, Bolha said of Marcella Scaife, a former YSU track standout. "She's pretty knowledgeable. She's a trainer and I'll see about bringing her on as volunteer strength coach."
Bolha turned down the Lakewood job a few years back to devote himself to completing his masters degree.
Bolha said that Patton taught him the game.
"He showed me the ropes and has been more-or-less a father figure to me."
Bolha will stress conditioning.
"Good players aren't made during the season, they're made in the offseason," Bolha said. "If you don't put in the time, it's hard to produce unless you have phenomenal athletes."
bassetti@vindy.com