By Bobby Narang
York High School first-year boys basketball head coach, Mike Dunn, will have to wait a bit longer for his first coaching experience at his new school.
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has yet to name a start date for the basketball season, despite surrounding states already into full swing in this season.
But, Dunn must wait longer for his first experience coaching in the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic. The long-running tournament, which recently grew to 32 teams, is considered one of the top holiday basketball tournaments in the State.
Dunn has a long history with the Elmhurst school, due to his great-grandfather, Clarence D. East serving as the school’s first head coach in football, boys basketball, and baseball in 1920-1921.
Dunn said he made many stops through the years to the Tosh tournament to scout teams, even when he started in college at Wheaton North High School. The former Yorkville High School coach said he’s excited for the opportunity to coach in the Tosh, especially because the 32-team field is set for 2021.
“It’s has such great legacies and means so much to the Elmhurst community, but it will be back next season,” Dunn said. “I’m looking forward to coaching in it, and being a part of it.
“We’ll be ready for 2021. We had a loaded 2020 tournament with great teams, but we have all the contracts signed for next season. We’re keeping the tournament at 32 teams, and we will be better next season. I just feel bad for our (York) seniors, like Jeff Grace who has been a part of the program for four years and played in the championship game. The seniors won’t have another chance to play in the tournament.”