Girls basketball: Coach Mike Dreier earns another coaching milestone with the NLS Wildcats

Dec. 10—NEW LONDON — The New London-Spicer girls' basketball team hung on to win over Delano and help Wildcats head coach Mike Dreier become the winningest coach in Minnesota high school basketball history on Friday.

With New London-Spicer's 52-50 victory, Dreier surpassed Bob McDonald for the most victories in state history — boys or girls — with 1,013 wins.

"The total history of NLS basketball and girls basketball, it's a reflection to me on the players and their parents, all the support they've given over many years," Dreier said. "A lot of coaches that have worked in the program, it's a salute to them too. Our administrators who support us at a high level, it's a good thing for them. I just thank them for their unmatched commitment to what I've worked with for a long time."

Dreier has been at the helm of NLS for 45 seasons. In that stretch, he has led the Wildcats to two Class AA state titles (1997, 2002) and holds a career record of 1,013-187.

Dreier is the only active head coach in the state with more than 1,000 wins. His 1,013 wins rank fifth nationally among active coaches in girls basketball.

For the past seven seasons, Dreier has had the opportunity to coach with his youngest son, Joey, who serves as one of the Wildcats' assistant coaches.

"Special is an understatement, being able to go and get to coach with him day in and day out and being able to learn from him too," Joey Dreier said. "A question I get a lot is, 'how many years does he have left?' I hope that he keeps on coaching for a long time because it's so much fun for me to be able to be with him and coach with him; there's nothing like it. To have my daughter (Sailor) and his (grandchildren Campbell and Crew) here (tonight), it's just really special. ... He's a totally different person on the basketball court compared to grandpa mode."

Mike Dreier added, "It's special (to have family here) and the players in their own way are my family, too."

A trio of seniors led the Wildcats to a historic victory for Dreier. NLS never trailed in the second half after holding a 31-29 lead into halftime.

Senior guards Jaden Coahran and Avery Rich led NLS with 19 points each, accounting for 73% of the team's scoring. Coahran made four threes. Rich added four steals.

Senior forward Ellary Peterson recorded 10 rebounds on a night that NLS' defense stood tall when shots were not falling on the other end of the court."It's really special that we could get it done for him," Peterson said on Dreier's record-breaking win. "Being able to get it done for him is something that's really special to us."

Coahran added, "It feels great, especially since he's the top-winning coach in the state. It's amazing. ... He is the rock to our team."

Joey Dreier added, "We got good kids that want to work hard, want to be here, and learn."

The Wildcats (4-0) play host to Minnewaska at 7 p.m. Tuesday at New London.

"It was nice to get the win, against a very good team," Mike Dreier said. "That was special too."

1. Mike Dreier, NLS, 1,013 (active)

2. Bob McDonald, Chisholm, 1,012

3. Bob Brink, Rocori, 936

4. Ken Novak Jr., Hopkins, 925 (active)

5. Dave Galovich, Crosby-Ironton, 776 (active)

7. Myron Glass, Rochester Lourdes, 719

6. Zig Kauls, Mounds View, 739

8. Ron Gunderson, New Prague, 684

8. Tom Vix, Rushford-Peterson, 684

10. Lynn Peterson, Staples-Motley, 683

Delano (2-3) 29 21 — 50

NLS (4-0) 31 21 — 52

DELANO — Scoring: Taylor Tool 16, Abbie Pietila 10, Norah Danielson 7, Cassie Wegman 7, Sidney Schmit 5, Ella Beeler 3, Lexi Champeau 2 ... 3-point shots: Pietila 2, Tool 1, Wegman 1, Schmit 1 ... Rebound leader: n/a ... Assist leader: n/a ... Steal leader: n/a ... Block leader: n/a

NLS — Scoring: Jaden Coahran 19, Avery Rich 19, Dakota Rich 9, Katelynn Tortorella 3, Ellary Peterson 2 ... 3-point shots: Coahran 4, A. Rich 2 ... Rebound leader: Peterson 10 ... Assist leader: D. Rich 6 ... Steal leader: A. Rich 4 ... Block leader: Coahran 1