Mike Wells has learned two important things in his 26-year coaching career - surround yourself with good players and good assistants.
When it comes to his first state title, the man who began coaching as a seventh-grader - schooling 20 third-graders on Saturday mornings - spreads the credit where it's due.
"We have good assistants and we coach together as a team," Wells said. "A lot of coaches coach by themselves, but I use my assistants well. If I have any weaknesses, then maybe those are their strengths."
Together, Wells and his assistants were able to do the hardest of things - return to the top. Last season the Blue Jackets had a last-second loss in the Class A state semifinals. Wells fortified the schedule, making it one of the state's toughest, and found a way to exploit the wealth of talent on his roster to win the Class 2A title this season.
"I think I've learned how to work with kids," said Wells, who is 574-268 for his career. "That's the key, because them to play as a team is always the hardest thing."
