Like most coaches, Rob Smith is quick to deflect credit for individual recognition to his players. But it’s hard to downplay what Smith and Newark Catholic accomplished this season in high school girls basketball.

Smith was named All-Ohio Division IV Coach of the Year last week by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association after guiding the Green Wave (24-1) through the program’s first undefeated regular season in history, Licking County League Cardinal Division and district titles and a school-record 24-game winning streak before a heartbreaking 53-42 loss to Waterford in a regional semifinal game on March 7.  

Newark Catholic’s Kylie Gibson (4) defends against Waterford on March 7 in a Division IV girls regional semifinal at Pickerington North High School. Photo courtesy John Hulkenberg

Newark Catholic senior Kylie Gibson was selected first-team all-state after averaging 15 points and 4.5 steals per game and finished the season as one of the state leaders in 3-pointers with 93.

“If you saw her walk into the gym and talked to her, you would never know that she was All-Ohio and all-league in three sports,” Smith said. “It was never about her. It was always about the success of the team. That’s the type of girl she is.”

Junior Sophie Peloquin received all-state special mention recognition after averaging 10.5 points and 5.0 assists per game. Another junior, Fini Kaiser, was named honorable mention after averaging 10.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Diocesan schools were well represented on the all-state teams.

Lancaster Fisher Catholic seniors Voni Bethel and Ellie Bruce made the first and second teams, respectively, and Portsmouth Notre Dame senior Gracie Ashley joined them on the second team. Fisher Catholic senior Jada Dixon and Notre Dame seniors Katie Strickland and Ella Kirby were honorable mention. 

Fisher Catholic advanced to the district final before falling 54-48 to Newark Catholic. Notre Dame reached to the regional semifinals before suffering a 58-23 loss to Berlin Hiland.

In Division I, Columbus Bishop Watterson junior Sophie Ziel landed on the second team after helping the Eagles reach the regional finals in March. 

Postseason recognition didn’t stop there. Smith was also the district coach of the year and Bruce was chosen as the district player of the year in Division IV. Gibson, Peloquin, Bruce and Bethel were first-team selections and Kaiser and Dixon made the second team.

“What I tell people is when coaches get awards, it’s because of one reason: You’ve got great players,” Smith said. “As long as I’ve been here, I’ve always had the ability to communicate with the kids and then see their success. And I’m the recipient of an award because of their success. I’ve been very fortunate.”

This past season was his most successful in 13 years at the school. Newark Catholic logged big wins during the regular season over Fisher Catholic, Granville and Waterford, but the Green Wave couldn’t get past Waterford in the teams’ second meeting in the regional.

“I tell people this was one of those crazy years where I saw so many smiles,” Smith said. “They smiled all the time. Just by seeing their reaction of smiling and having fun, the season meant a lot to our girls and the Newark Catholic community.”

With a 266-58 career record at Newark Catholic, Smith has won more girls basketball games than any coach in school history. His teams have claimed 11 league championships and a school-record seven district titles.

Smith attributes his success and the team’s winning tradition to the school’s strong foundation built on the Catholic faith.

“I think faith is the most important thing,” he said. “Some of our better times were in chapel before games. I think that’s what kept these kids together.

“I tell people I’m the luckiest person in the world because I get to coach at Newark Catholic and be surrounded by these great people and great parents. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”