Ware Enjoys Journey to 300 Victories

Tony Ware’s  father spent many years coaching football on the high school and college levels. When his son decided to follow in his footsteps, he told him one very important thing – if you find a coaching job that you like, stay there.

Some 33 years later, Ware has stayed where he started. And the Mayfield girls' basketball program has benefited from his loyalty.

Ware recently reached a coaching milestone with his 300th career triumph in a 59-39 victory over Euclid.  The veteran coach was rewarded with the game ball and a plaque, but his fondest memories are the players he has maintained relationships with over the years.

“I never really thought about it that much,” said Ware the day after the achievement. “The fact that they (wins) all came at Mayfield is what makes it special.”

Ware was a hockey player in high school and at Kent State, where his father coached football. During his first year of teaching at Alliance, the principal approached him about coaching the middle school boys' basketball team.

“I told him I knew nothing about basketball,” laughed Ware. “He told me I would learn. Well, we went 1-13 and I learned a lot.”

This season’s Mayfield team started off with a 3-4 record with a squad that includes four freshmen and four sophomores. Three freshmen started in the win over Euclid.

“It’s a growing year for us,” said Ware. “As young as we are we’re still a varsity team and we’ve got to play like it.”

The Wildcats lost All-Ohio standout Hope Mancini to graduation after last season. Mancini finished out her high school career with a school record 2,004 points, putting her 34th in scoring all-time in Ohio girls' basketball. She also sparked the team to the Sweet Sixteen during the 2007-08 season.

And who attended Ware’s practice the day after the 300th win? None other than Mancini, one of the many players Ware continues to remain friends with after their playing days have come to a close.

“I have already told our freshmen that they will blink their eyes and wonder where the time went,” he said. “I have learned to savor the wins and the losses. The alumni come back and tell me I’m an old softie. I guess I used to be a ranter and a raver.”

A few years ago, former player Kim Delfs asked him to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. “That was better than any trophy could be,” he said.

What’s the main difference between coaching girls and boys? “The girls respond to coaching a lot better than the boys,” said Ware.  “I tell young coaches they will break your heart at times during a game but then break your heart again when they leave you.”

For now, the young Wildcats will strive to advance from their wide-open sectional-district tournament. “I told the freshmen how fun it would be to win a district championship in their first season,” he said.

Ware added that this may well be the final freshman class he sees through the varsity program. “When it’s time, it’s time,” he says of leaving the coaching ranks.

And Tony Ware has already had the time of his life.