Tenth Annual Hall of Fame Induction Will Honor 9
The Tenth Induction Class of the Section V Basketball Hall of Fame will be inducted Saturday evening, November 14 at the Radisson Riverside Hotel, 120 East Main Street, Rochester, New York. The evening will begin with a social gathering from 6:15 – 7:00pm followed by dinner and the presentation of inductees.
Tickets for the event are available at $30 each, or tables of 10 for $270. Tickets can be reserved by calling Jeff Gifford or Allison Pinneo @ 315-536-3311 or via email @
SectionVbball@gmail.com
The class features 9 people who have earned distinction through playing, coaching, officiating and leadership during the past 88 years of scholastic competition in Section V Basketball.
This year’s inductees are:
Inductee School or Organization Category
Wendy Bleier Mervis Irondequoit High School Player
Ken Henry Rochester East High School Player
Brian Putnam Prattsburgh High School Player
Jill Regan Wellsville High School Player
Ben Ridley Penn Yan High School Player
Jodi Schmeelk Fairport High School Administrator
Dean Schott Lyons High School Coach
Eve Walters Pittsford Mendon High School Player
Tom Ward Board 60 IAABO Official
Highlights for each inductee’s contributions to Section V Basketball are as follows:
Wendy Bleier Mervis: A four year starter at Irondequoit High School from 1980 -1984. Wendt earned All Monroe County and All Greater Rochester honors in Basketball in ’83 and ’84. She also earned All County honors in Soccer and Softball. Recognized as the Section V Female Athlete of the Year by The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle in 1984. Starred at Colgate University where she was twice named MECA Conference Player of the Year (’86 and ‘’87). Currently serves as Executive Director of Camp Good Days and Special Times.
Ken Henry: A multi-talented scorer, Ken was a four year starter at East High. He was a two time All Greater Rochester honoree and Section V All Tournament Team member (’82 and “83). For his career he broke the 1,000 barrier in both points and rebounds.
Brian Putnam: A three-time Section V All Tournament selection, Brian led Prattsburgh to an undefeated (29-0) season in 1991 culminating in the NYSPHSAA Championship. A two-time All Greater Rochester selection (’91,’92) Brian participated in the Ronald McDonald All Star Game. He also played on Prattsburgh’s 1991 Sectional Championship Baseball team.
Jill Regan: A dominating post player, Jill led Wellsvile to the 1997 Class CCC Section V Championship. In her stellar career she amassed 1,611 points, 1,073 rebounds and 290 blocked shots, all school records. She was twice honored as an All Greater Rochester selection, Expressway Conference MVP and was a three- time Section V All Tournament Team member. Upon graduation Jill played at Division I George Mason University where she was a captain her senior season.
Ben Ridley: A 1958 graduate of Penn Yan Academy. Ben was the leading scorer in the Wayne Finger lakes league in ‘57and’58. Ben held the single game scoring record for the WFL with 44 points. Upon graduation played at Alfred Tech where he led the team to the NJCAA Championships in Hutchinson, Kansas. He subsequently was awarded a scholarship to play at Division I East Texas Sate. He coached basketball in the Bath-Haverling system for 24 years and was the Section V Basketball Chairman for Steuben County from 1969-1996.
Jodi Schmeelk: A long time teacher and coach at Fairport High School, Jodi was the 1988 All Greater Rochester ”Coach of the Year.” She also coached in the inaugural Ronald McDonald All Star Game. Jodi was instrumental in the organization of the Girl’s Section V Basketball Tournament where she has served Section V for over 30 years as a Class Coordinator, Section V Basketball Coordinator and as a member of the State Basketball Committee. She was a Class Coordinator for the first Girl’s NYSPHSAA Basketball Tournament held in Rochester in 1981.
Dean Schott: Coached Lyons High School for 22 years (1981-2003) compiling a record of 417 and 103 for an 80% winning percentage. He is all-time Section V leader in titles with 9. His 1989 squad captured NYSPHSAA and Federation Championships. Dean has been named Section V “Coach of the Year” 7 times. In 1982 he was named All Greater Rochester “Coach of the Year”. He was honored as New York State High School “Coach of the Year” in 1989. Dean served as Section V representative to the Basketball Coaches Association of New York for over 25 years.
Eve Walters: Led Pittsford Mendon to the 1998 Section V Championship and a berth in NYSPHSAA title game. Scored 1,474 points and grabbed 1057 rebounds in her career. A two-time Monroe County Player of the Year (1997 and 1998) Eve was named All Greater Rochester Player of the Year in 1998. Upon graduation she attended Division I Manhattan College leading the Jaspers to a berth in the 2003 NCAA Tournament. She spent 5 years playing professionally in Germany.
Tom Ward: Tom refereed basketball in the Rochester area for over 37 years including high school, NCAA, NJCAA, CBA and NBA games. He was named International Association of Approved basketball Officials (IAABO) Board 60 “Official of the Year” in 1984. Tom served as the Board 60 Rules Interpreter from 1981-1997 and currently serves as its liaison to the Section V Boys Basketball Committee. He officiated Section V Boys Championship Finals for 20 consecutive years and was awarded the Hulek-Campbell Service Award in 1997 and IAABO Life Membership in 2002.
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