STATE OF THE GAME PODCAST E18: NIT & NCAA TOURNAMENTS

Wednesday, April 01, 2026, @ 6:00 PM EST

FEATURING:

- Brian Vorst, Rossford HS, OH, Retired (Recipient of the ‘26 Retired Coach of the Year Award)

- Matt Ripke, Edon HS, OH

- Ryan Ripke, Edon HS, OH

- Paul Wayne, Holgate HS, OH, Retired (‘04 State Champion & ‘15 Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Inductee)

TOPICS:

- Brian Vorst’s son, Derek, is a scholarship player for Indiana State University.

- Being a “DI dad.”

- The rigors of playing NCAA DI basketball

- NIL & the Transfer Portal

- Brian Vorst earning the ‘26 “Retired Coach of the Year Award.”

- Kalida High School’s run to the championship game of the Ohio state tournament

- Ryan Pedon & his Illinois State Redbirds NIT Final Four birth

- Gannon U. in the NCAA DII National Championship Game

- Indiana High School Basketball

- The NCAA Men’s Tournament

- Our Brackets - Who’s in & Who’s out

- How NIL & the Portal have changed college basketball

Check out our website at https://coaching-nexus.myrustbeltbasketaball/.  If you’re a coach who is always looking for new resources, you’ll love our content.  Compare our prices with those of our competitors.  We can offer high-quality videos & coaching resources at affordable prices because we handle all filming, recording, editing, & advertising in-house; there are no “middle-men.”  

Take a look at our Google reviews: RBCN Google Reviews Link.  Leave a Google review:  Leave RBCN a Google Review Link.  

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RBCN & THE BASKETBALL  NEXUS SATE OF THE GAME PODCAST E17:

COACH JASON JONES, NEW ALBANY HS, IN

State of the Game podcast E17 features Coach Jason Jones.  Coach Jones is the head boys’ coach of the New Albany HS Bulldogs (IN), one of the most storied programs in Indiana.  Currently, the Bulldogs are 22-5 & 6-0 in the Hoosier Hills Conference.  Coach Jones & his Bulldogs will be playing in the Semistate postseason tournament at the historic New Castle Chrysler Gym on Saturday, March 21, 2026, vs. Terre Haute North HS, at noon. Join us in feeling the excitement for this important game and the upcoming coaching insights.  

Coach Jones has become known for his high-powered, quick-hitting offense & his man-to-man run-and-jump pressing defensive system. His recognition as a clinician at the 2025 “Old School Tough” coaching clinic underscores his expertise, inspiring coaches and enthusiasts to learn from his experience.  

* Coach Jones has two clinics available on the Basketball Nexus website, both featuring his Run & Jump defensive system.  Check coach Jones’ clinics out at https://coaching-nexus.myrustbeltbasketball.com/. 

Please visit our sponsors' websites.   We could not provide these free State of the Game podcasts without the support of our sponsors.

- Grip Spritz:  https://gripspritz.com/ 

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The Rustbelt Basketball Coaches’ Network & Basketball Nexus website’s “State of the Game” podcasts are available for free on the Rustbelt Basketball Coaches’ Network’s YouTube, Substack,  Spotify, & Rumble platforms.

Check out our website at https://coaching-nexus.myrustbeltbasketaball/.  If you’re a coach who is always looking for new resources, you’ll love our content.  Compare our prices with those of our competitors.  We can offer high-quality videos & coaching resources at affordable prices because we handle all filming, recording, editing, & advertising in-house; there are no “middle-men.”  

Take a look at our Google reviews: RBCN Google Reviews Link.  Leave a Google review:  Leave RBCN a Google Review Link.  

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RBCN BASKETBALL NEXUS WEBSITE STATE OF THE GAME PODCAST E16:

COACH BRENT PERRY, BELFRY HS, KY

Coach Perry’s Belfry Pirates are preparing for their postseason District Tournament.  Brent earned the prestigious 𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐂 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫. Episode 16 will be a great podcast. Join us via Zoom!

Check out our website at https://coaching-nexus.myrustbeltbasketaball/.  If you’re a coach who is always looking for new resources, you’ll love our content.  Compare our prices with those of our competitors.  We can offer high-quality videos & coaching resources at affordable prices because we handle all filming, recording, editing, & advertising in-house; there are no “middle-men.”  

Take a look at our Google reviews: RBCN Google Reviews Link.  Leave a Google review:  Leave RBCN a Google Review Link  

#basketballcamp, #basketballdrills, #basketballgame, #wbca, #kbca #highschoolbasketballcoaching, #nabc, #ibcacoaches, #ibca, #newyorkhighschoolbasketball, #kentuckyhighschoolbasketball, #illinoishighschoolbasketball, #gripspritz, #coachingclinics, #basketballcoachingclinics, #basketballvideos, #basketballclinicvideos, #newjerseyhighschoolbasketball, #westvirginahighschoolbasketball, #bcam, #virginahighschoolbasketball, #minnesotahighschoolbasketball, #northdakotahighschoolbasketball, #southdakotahighschoolbasketball, #iowahighschoolbasketball, #northcarolinahighschoolbasketball, #marylandhighschoolbasketball, #basketballcoachingclinics ,#basketballcoachingcommunity, #pennsylvaniahighschoolbasketball, #virginiahighschoolbasketball, #michiganhighschoolbasketball, #usabasketball, #nhsbca

RBCN BASKETBALL NEXUS STATE OF THE GAME PODCAST E17:

Coach Ross Kaufman, Miller City High School, OH

Coach Ross Kaufman is living his dream.  Kaufman’s goal was to be a teacher & head basketball coach at Miller City HS, located in Putnam County, OH.  Coach has done an outstanding job of making Miller City boys’ basketball successful.  Known as an effective builder of culture & standards, Kaufman’s 2025-2026 Wildcats vastly overachieved what most thought was possible.  Miller City went 19-6 & 5-2 in the vaunted Putnam County League.  Find out how Coach Kaufman & his Miller City Wildcats exceeded their expectations during this past season.

Check out our website at https://coaching-nexus.myrustbeltbasketaball/.  If you’re a coach who is always looking for new resources, you’ll love our content.  Compare our prices to those of any of our competitors.  We can offer high-quality videos & coaching resources at affordable prices because we handle all filming, recording, editing, & advertising in-house; there are no “middle-men.”  

Take a look at our Google reviews: RBCN Google Reviews Link.  Leave a Google review:  Leave RBCN a Google Review Link  

#basketballcamp, #basketballdrills, #basketballgame, #wbca, #kbca #highschoolbasketballcoaching, #nabc, #ibcacoaches, #ibca, #newyorkhighschoolbasketball, #kentuckyhighschoolbasketball, #illinoishighschoolbasketball, #gripspritz, #coachingclinics, #basketballcoachingclinics, #basketballvideos, #basketballclinicvideos, #newjerseyhighschoolbasketball, #westvirginahighschoolbasketball, #bcam, #virginahighschoolbasketball, #minnesotahighschoolbasketball, #northdakotahighschoolbasketball, #southdakotahighschoolbasketball, #iowahighschoolbasketball, #northcarolinahighschoolbasketball, #marylandhighschoolbasketball, #basketballcoachingclinics ,#basketballcoachingcommunity, #pennsylvaniahighschoolbasketball, #virginiahighschoolbasketball, #michiganhighschoolbasketball, #usabasketball, #nhsbca

RBCN BASKETBALL NEXUS STATE OF THE GAME PODCAST E15:

COACH MATT MAJKERZAK, NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

DATE: 03/02/26

Coach Majkerzak’s Northern Michigan University Wildcats are the 1-Seed in the GLIAC tournament, which starts on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.  The Wildcats will host Ferris State at UNM at 7:30 PM.  Currently, the ‘Cats are 25-5 & 16-4 in GLIAC play.

Coach Majkerzak talks about the GLIAC, his season, roster, his NCAA-best offense, & the GLIAC tournament.

Northern Michigan Wildcats have the Best NCAA Offensive Rating of All-Time, Division I - Division III:

• 25-26: nmu 131.3

• 19-20: northwest mo. state 130.3

• 25-26: Illinois 129.6

• 19-20: West Liberty 129.1

• 18-19: Northwest Mo. state 129.1

• 25-26: high point 128.1

• 18-19: West Liberty 128

• 24-25: Duke 127.8

• 20-21: Northwest Mo. state 127.9

Coach Matt Majkerzak’s “Layered Set Plays & Lockdown Left Defense clinic video is available on the Basketball Nexus website at https://coaching-nexus.myrustbeltbasketball.com/ 

Check out our website at https://coaching-nexus.myrustbeltbasketaball/.  If you’re a coach who is always looking for new resources, you’ll love our content.  

#basketballcamp, #basketballdrills, #basketballgame, #wbca, #kbca #highschoolbasketballcoaching, #nabc, #ibcacoaches, #ibca, #newyorkhighschoolbasketball, #kentuckyhighschoolbasketball, #illinoishighschoolbasketball, #gripspritz, #coachingclinics, #basketballcoachingclinics, #basketballvideos, #basketballclinicvideos, #newjerseyhighschoolbasketball, #westvirginahighschoolbasketball, #bcam, #virginahighschoolbasketball, #minnesotahighschoolbasketball, #northdakotahighschoolbasketball, #southdakotahighschoolbasketball, #iowahighschoolbasketball, #northcarolinahighschoolbasketball, #marylandhighschoolbasketball, #basketballcoachingclinics ,#basketballcoachingcommunity, #pennsylvaniahighschoolbasketball, #virginiahighschoolbasketball, #michiganhighschoolbasketball, #usabasketball, #nhsbca

RBCN BASKETBALL NEXUS STATE OF THE GAME PODCAST E14:

NOAH GOODRICH, WAYNE TRACE HS (OH)

Date: Monday, February 23, 20226

Time: 5:30 PM EST

Mode: Zoom (Email [email protected] for the Zoom link

Web: https://coaching-nexus.myrustbeltbasketball.com/ 

Coach Noah Goodrich, who played college basketball at Defiance College (OH), was named as a teacher & head basketball coach at Wayne Trace HS (OH) in June of 2025.  Noah replaced the Ohio High School Basketball coaching legend, Coach Jim Linder, who was the head coach at WT for 17 seasons (284-131), & was one of the most respected high school coaches in Northwest Ohio.

Currently, Wayne Trace is 14-8 & 5-2 in the vaunted Green Meadows Athletic Conference. The Raiders will play Tinora HS in their Sectional tournament on Friday, February 27, 2026.

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RBCN BASKETBALL NEXUS STATE OF THE GAME PODCAST E13:

FEATURED:  COACH JOEY HART, CLOVERDALE HS (IN)

DATE:  THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026

TIME:  7:20 PM EST

MODE: ZOOM (email [email protected])

WEB:   https://coaching-nexus.myrustbeltbasketball.com/ 

Coach Joey Hart has established himself as one of the premier high school coaches in the great state of Indiana.  Hart has solidified a reputation for rebuilding programs, developing highly skilled players, & adapting his system to fit each team’s strengths.  

Coach Hart will talk to us about his journey, the Cloverdale HS rebuild, the season, the roster, & postseason opponents & expectations.  Currently, Cloverdale HS is 13-6 & 2-3 in the Western Indiana Conference.

Check out Coach Hart’s RBCN Basketball Nexus 131 Zone & Program Building Zoom clinic at https://coaching-nexus.myrustbeltbasketball.com/. 

• Current Role: Head Boys Basketball Coach at Cloverdale High School (hired June 2024).

• Linton-Stockton Success (2011–2024): Transformed the program into a state powerhouse with a 277-73 record, nine sectional titles, four regionals, and three semi-state titles.

• Coaching Style: Famously utilizes a 1-3-1 zone defense.

• Career Stops: Shakamak, Turkey Run, Linton, and Cloverdale.

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Cory Dunn hit the Jackpot.  Coach Dunn has been a teacher &  head boys’ basketball coach at Rossville High School (IN) since the 2014-2015 season. The folks in Rossville love their RHS Hornets basketball; it’s an obsession.  Want to see a packed gym?  Go to an RHS game.  In Rossville, their high school basketball team is the hub of their tight-knit community.  Rossville High School’s opponents love playing at RHS, as they know the gym will be packed.  It’s a perfect fit for Coach Dunn, as he played at Tri-Central High School (Sharpsville, IN), where the feeling is mutual.  As an ex-Eastern Greentown High School player, I can attest to that sentiment.  Playing at TC was not an easy task.

Before arriving at Rossville, Dunn coached at Sheridan High School, where he served as head coach during the 2013–14 season.  Coach Dunn won a sectional title in his very first year (2015) and led the Hornets to back-to-back sectional championships in 2020 and 2021.  Currently, the Hornets are 15-2 & are coming off a 52-50 win over Fountain Central High School on February 7, 2026.  Additionally, Coach Dunn has earned a reputation for being a purveyor of upsets.

Please check out our content via our Basketball Nexus website at https://coaching-nexus.myrustbeltbasketball.com/.

RBCN BASKETBALL NEXUS STATE OF THE GAME PODCAST E

• WYOMING VALLEY CLUTCH, HEAD COACH

Jerry Rickrode retired with one of the best winning percentages (.667) as he led the Colonels to a 382-191 record during his career. He also holds the Division III record for the fastest coach to reach 200 wins, accomplishing it in 249 games.

Rickrode led the Colonels to 17 MAC and MAC Freedom playoff appearances and five-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. These trips to the NCAA Tournament included four Sweet Sixteens, three Elite Eights, and one Final Four appearance.

During his time at Wilkes, Rickrode coached 38 All-Conference performers, 11 All-ECAC players, six MAC Freedom Rookies of the Year, and Dave Jannuzzi, who was MAC Freedom Player of the Year three times and was Jostens Division III National Player of the Year in 2001.

Rickrode was honored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches as their Mid-Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year after the 2000-01, 1998-99, 1997-98, and 1995-96 seasons. Previously, he was named the Freedom Coach of the Year on three occasions, including 2000-01.

Rickrode was inducted into the Wilkes Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.

Coach Rickrode has been the head coach of the Wyoming Valley Clutch, a member of the American Basketball Association.  Currently, the Clutch is the only team in the ABA that is undefeated.

Topics Covered:

• Playing career

• Coaching journey

• Wilkes U. experience

• The type of players Coach Rickrode recruited

• Summer camps

• How the game & recruiting have changed

• NIL & the Portal

• The ABA

• Coach Rickrode’s motion offensive principles

• Setting various types of off-the-ball & on-the-ball screens

• The Wilkes U. “Gap” man-to-man defense & their infamous pressing system

• Coach Rickrode’s relationship with the legendary Bo Ryan

• Coach Rickrode’s favorite coaching memory (Unreal story!)

If you’re a coach who is constantly seeking relevant, credible, & effective coaching resources, you’ll fit in perfectly with the Basketball Nexus community.  Check our content out at https://coaching-nexus.myrustbeltbasketball.com.  For the price of one “big company” coaching video, you can purchase a one-year membership to the Basketball Nexus website.  

RBCN BASKETBALL NEXUS STATE OF THE GAME PODCAST E10:

COACH RODNEY BROWN RIVER VALLEY HS (OH)

Coach Rodney Brown has his River Valley HS Vikings playing great basketball. The Vikes are 12-5 & 10-1 in the highly competitive Mid-Ohio (Red) Athletic Conference.  Coach Brown is known for being a highly effective tactician & his players play extremely hard.  How did I hear about Coach Brown?  One of the gentlemen I teach with is also an acclaimed Ohio HS basketball official & he made a point to stop by one of my PE classes & tell me, “You need to get coach Brown on an upcoming podcast, he can flat coach ‘em up.”  That’s all I needed to hear.  I contacted Coach Brown & we had our schedule set within 48 hours!

Join us Monday, February 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM EST, via Zoom, for E10.  Our Zoom link can be secured by emailing us at [email protected]. 

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