WHEELING — The Wheeling Park boys’ basketball program has taken on a Hall of Fame look.

Gene Ammirante, who scripted a brilliant coaching career at Bellaire High School, has opted to come out of retirement and join Michael Jebbia’s staff. He is currently employed with the Wheeling Recreation Department.

Ammirante coached the Big Reds for three successful decades. His stellar work at the Guernsey Street school has earned him enshrinement into both the OVAC and Ohio high school halls of fame.

So at age 64 and a coaching resume of success second to none, the question remains: Why does he want to return to the hardwood fulltime?

“When I first started out coaching with Kim (Clifford) and Sab (Jeff Sabatino) we always thought the older guys — like Dick Potts, Herk Lazasz and Earl Haberfield — were the top of line. They were super to us younger guys. They were very helpful and wanted to pass on to us as much as possible. It was so unique,” Ammirante said. “Now it is my turn to assist, share and pass on any help I can. I have had coaches come to my house to talk hoops. It is enjoyable. I have gotten to work with my nephew J.R. (Battista) for a few years. It is nice to give back.

“My daughter Lindsay roped me back into coaching. She coaches at Bridge Street and she asked me to help. My son Jerry also got involved with us,” he added. “Lindsay’s team won the PAC-8 championship. I had a good time helping, especially working with family.”

Ammirante will serve as Jebbia’s varsity assistant. He has already started reviewing game tapes from last year, checking out the returning talent and scouting opponents.

“I am extremely excited to have Gene joining us at Wheeling Park High School. I first met Coach A as a young first grader going to his Wheeling Recreation basketball camps. I learned a great deal from him then and I’m sure I will continue to learn more from him as we work together,” Jebbia said. “That was my first connection to Coach A and I am thrilled to be able to coach with him at Wheeling Park. I really got to know Coach A well when Jerry and I played ball together at West Liberty. We had great games with Bellaire and we had so much respect for the Bellaire basketball program. If you think about it, for a 15-year period, the Bellaire-Wheeling Park boys’ basketball game was the biggest game in the Ohio Valley.

“In the short time Gene has been hired, he has already given me many materials which he used in his 30-year career at Bellaire. To have a coach join our staff who has 480 wins, 14 OVAC championships and a Final Four team all on his resume will help us so much moving forward,” he continued.

“We needed something positive and bringing Coach A on is just that. This past season for us was very difficult. Our school and basketball program were embarrassed and we are going to do everything we can to get things back in order and back on track. We are looking at it as a fresh start in 2016-2017. Bringing Gene on has given us all a spark in the program – players and coaches.”

Ammirante replaced Mark Matz at the Bellaire High hoop helm in 1981, a position he held until 2011. It was a period of amazing success. His Big Reds compiled a sparkling 471-205 record while winning 14 OVAC championships.

Moreover, Ammirante’s 2004 squad advanced to the Division III state tournament. Two of his teams went 20-0 in regular play — 1994 and 2006.

Ammirante is also famous for his Saturday morning with Coach A basketball program. He instructed thousands of aspiring young hoopsters every Saturday morning during hoop season while serving as Big Reds’ head coach.

“I always enjoyed playing Wheeling Park. It was a tournament atmosphere and you only had to travel a few miles. Those games always helped us,” Ammirante said. “One person I have to thank is my boyhood friend Bear (Tom) Bechtel. All of this wouldn’t have played out without Bear.

“Basketball has been a big part of my life. But may family is No. 1 in my life and always will be,” he continued. “My wife is dealing with some serious medical issues. Family time comes first. Some things are not negotiable.”

BUBBA’S BITS

THE OVERALL Class winners were announced Monday at the 31st annual OVAC Banquet of Champions. They were: Madonna (1A), Wheeling Central (2A), Linsly (3A), St. Clairsville (4A) and Morgantown (5A).

TWO LINSLY School products are enjoying productive seasons with the Morehead State baseball team. Alex Stephens has started 53 of the Eagles’ 54 games. This past Thursday, he went 4-5 with a home run against Murray State. For the season, he is hitting a robust .356 with six homers and 48 RBI. Freshman Colton Coss has played in 20 games and is hitting .364. The Eagles are 31-24.

FORMER WHEELING Park mound star Michael Grove continues to sparkle in his freshman year at WVU. He was razor sharp Thursday against No. 5 Texas Tech as the Mountaineers dropped a 2-1 nod in Lubbock. He went the first 6.2 innings, allowing just two runs on three hits while striking out four. So far this spring, Grove is 2-4 in 14 games, five of those being starts. He has fashioned a sparkling 2.44 ERA in 44 innings of work with an impressive 56 strikeouts. Grove also has one save.