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.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Sports
> Top stories curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.
9NEWS+
Watch more from 9NEWS KUSA on the free 9NEWS+ app for Roku and Fire TV.
9NEWS+ has multiple live daily shows including 9NEWS Mornings, Next with Kyle Clark and 9NEWS+ Daily, an original streaming program. 9NEWS+ is where you can watch live breaking news, weather updates, and press conferences. You can also replay recent newscasts and find videos on demand of our top stories, local politics, investigations and Colorado specific features.
To download 9NEWS+ on Roku search for KUSA.
To download 9NEWS+ on Fire TV search for 9NEWS KUSA.
RELATED: Watch 9NEWS for free on ROKU, Apple TV, Fire TV
MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS
Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER
Download the 9NEWS KUSA APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n
> Top stories curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.