Bloomington High School South head coach J.R. Holmes will coach for history Thursday night as he looks for his 807th career victory against Northview High School.
Holmes is currently tied with former Loogootee High School coach Jack Butcher for most all-time coaching victories in Indiana High School Athletic Association basketball history with 806. A win over Northview on Thursday would give him the all-time lead.
Holmes is in his 49th season coaching overall and his 36th at Bloomington South.
Before coaching the Panthers, Holmes coached Tunnelton and Mitchell High Schools. His success there opened the door to the Bloomington South job.
He has led two different teams to state titles in 2009 and 2011. In 2009, Holmes took Bloomington South to an undefeated state title behind the play of Mr. Basketball and former IU player Jordan Hulls.
During his tenure, Holmes guided Bloomington South to a 49 game win streak that spanned from 2008 to 2010. The Panthers fell just one win short of tying Lawrence North head coach Jack Keefer’s all-time IHSAA win streak of 50 games.
The game begins at 7:30 pm Thursday at Bloomington South.
