NORWALK, Ohio — The Richland Source NOL-OCC Challenge will be a homecoming of sorts for Steve Gray, but Norwalk’s coach isn’t expecting anyone to roll out the red carpet for him.
The four-game, two-day showcase, which will pit Ohio Cardinal Conference members Lexington and Madison against Northern Ohio League opponents Ontario and Norwalk, will take place at Lexington on Tuesday and Wednesday. Gray was the head coach at Lexington from 1992 to 2000, posting a 103-73 record in eight seasons.
“That was a long time ago,” the affable Gray said. “I doubt many people down there remember me.”
Gray took over at Lexington for Gregg Collins, who piloted the Minutemen to Division II state championships in 1989 and 1991 before departing after the 1991-92 season. Gray led Lex to a district title in 1995-96. The Minutemen lost to eventual state runner-up Ottawa-Glandorf 68-66 in double overtime in the regional semifinals at the University of Toledo.
“I really enjoyed my time at Lexington,” Gray said. “I loved the kids and I loved the people, but it was just time to move on.”
Gray spent one season at Colonel Crawford in 2000-01 before landing in Norwalk the following year. He has been there ever since.
“It’s hard to believe it has been 15 years,” Gray said.
And what a run it has been. Gray presided over the greatest three-year stretch in Norwalk history. From 2011 to 2014, the Truckers were a combined 76-2 and won the Division II state title in 2014. Norwalk won 57 consecutive regular season games, a streak snapped by Ontario on Jan. 29, 2014.
The 2014-15 season was supposed to be a rebuilding year after Gray lost Jeff Thomas and Ben Haraway to graduation. Thomas is averaging 5.9 points a game as a part-time starter at Division I Georgia State, while Haraway was the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year last season for Malone before transferring to Ashland University.
Norwalk was 12-12 a year ago.
“We had some guys step up last year,” Gray said. “The experience they gained has been invaluable.”
The Truckers are 6-1 and tied atop the NOL standings with Sandusky at 3-0.
“It has been a little surprising,” Gray said of the fast start. “We only have three kids with varsity experience, but they have come together.”
Norwalk is led by senior Jaycee Jordan and junior sharp-shooter. Jordan averaged a team-high 11.4 points a game last year, but has been slowed by a shoulder injury.
“Jaycee had a torn labrum and is still rounding into form,” Gray said. “George has played well for us. He is rebounding the ball much better than we thought he would.”
The Truckers open play in the Richland Source NOL-OCC Challenge against Lexington at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“Our kids are excited to play in the NOL-OCC Challenge,” Gray said. “It’s something different and we’re going up against two very good programs in Lexington and Madison. I think Lexington might be the best team in the area. They are very skilled and really deep.”
Gray, who is 215-117 at Norwalk, has a career coaching record of 343-210 in 28 seasons. The coaching lifer doesn’t plan on leaving the bench anytime soon.
“I still enjoy it after all these years,” Gray said. “I’ll keep doing this until the kids stop buying what I am selling.”
