By: Stephen SpiewakMaxPreps.comWhile it is said that one is the loneliest number, 1,000 has proven to be isolated territory when it comes to wins on the boys high school basketball scene.
Heritage (Conyers, Ga.) head coach Ron Bradley reached that lofty perch, however, by winning his 1,000th career game Monday night, becoming the ninth coach ever to reach the mark. He is the only active coach with 1,000 or more victories.
According to Todd Holcomb of the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Heritage knocked off Morgan County 53-18 to help achieve the milestone for Bradley, who is in his second season at the school.
Throughout his career, which began in 1957, Bradley has coached at nine different schools, capturing three state titles along the way. He also coached girls basketball for a number of years, winning an additional 353 games.
With Monday's victory, Bradley reflected on the fullness of his experience coaching, and the impact he's had on players off the court.
"When you hit a milestone, it gives you a chance to reflect on so many young people you've had a chance to work with," Bradley told the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "We have a chance to touch their lives."
If he hopes to catch the nation's all-time leader in wins in the boys ranks, Bradley still has some work to do. Robert Hughes, long time I.M. Terrell (Texas) head coach, retired in 2005 with 1,333 wins.
Considering wins he collected while coaching both boys and girls teams, some view Bradley as the nation's all-time winningest coach.
To add some perspective to Bradley's achievement, former Norcross coach and current Greater Atlanta Christian coach Eddie Martin, regarded as another of Georgia's top basketball minds, began the season with 520 career wins, well over 400 wins behind Bradley.
Ironically, Martin assumes the reigns at Greater Atlanta Christian just one season removed from Bradley's stint there.
Having lost just 299 career games, Bradley owns a career winning percentage of nearly 77 percent.
