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Legendary ThunderRidge boys basketball coach Joe Ortiz earns 500th career win

ThunderRidge coach, Joe Ortiz accomplished win No. 300 on his home court against Overland.

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — Joe Ortiz is the only head coach in ThunderRidge boys basketball history and now the most winningest coach in program history, picking up career win no. 500 against Overland HS on Tuesday night.

"It's a big number," Ortiz said. "To me, what makes it really special is doing it all at Thunder Ridge, and being the first coach here and still being the coach here and standing here with our players. That's what's special to me."

ThunderRidge entered the 2023 season as the No. 1 seed in Class 6A hoops.

"We're the best program in the state and I think it's kind of known," senior guard, Ryan Doyle said. "He's helped hold us accountable more than anybody I've ever met, and I think it kind of reflects on us and every single team he's had and in the past with just straight success."

Ortiz now has 500 wins and four state championships, but to him, it's just business as usual.

"Honestly, it's a daily grind," Ortiz said. "To me, it's like every day is Tuesday, and I gotta take out the trash. You know, it goes so fast. And so I don't know about the big picture, all I know is today was a good day."

The Grizzlies' next game is on Dec. 16th against the United Longhorns.

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