Katona named head coach of Hematites boys basketball team

ISHEPMING — Two months ago, Jeff Olson stepped down as head coach of the Hematites boys basketball team and today, the school has found his replacement and they didn’t have to go far to find him.

Varsity assistant coach Anthony Katona was promoted to head coach during last night’s Ishpeming school board meeting. Katona has spent the last two years under Coach Olson, which he says was a valuable experience for him.

“Definitely learned a lot in the last couple of years with him. How evaluate players as they go along and how to come up with a specific gameplan for each team, and what to do and what to expect from each of the players throughout practice and throughout the year,” said Katona.

Katona graduated from Negaunee back in 2008, helping the Miners clinch a spot in the state semi–finals. He played his college ball at Michigan Tech. Katona has a lot of work to do with the team, which includes replacing four starters who have graduated.

“We do have a few seniors that are returning that played a good role for us, helping us out throughout the whole season and coming off the bench and giving us the sparks when needed. We’re decently sized so we’re going to have three guys that are over the 6’4″ height, which is definitely going to help. And potentially those kids from the JV level are going to have the chance to step up and prove themselves,” Katona said.

Katona was the Mid–Peninsula Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008.