Ross Gallabrese SPECIAL SEASON — Members of the Steubenville High School basketball team were recognized during Tuesday's meeting of the Steubenville Kiwanis Club.

STEUBENVILLE — Many things have to go right during a long season before a high school basketball team can earn a spot in the state championship game.

That’s something Mike Haney, coach of the Steubenville Big Red basketball team, was able to reflect on during Tuesday’s meeting of the Steubenville Kiwanis Club.

“We were here in December with the other coaches in the Valley and were asked if we thought we would be there,” Haney said while speaking at the Sycamore Center. “I’m always an optimist — I thought we would, but it’s hard to get there. Things all fell in our favor — we stayed healthy, they played well together, we had great chemistry, we shared the ball, we played great defense and we were able to win a lot of close games and make it to Dayton.”

It all added up to an historic season for Big Red, which advanced to the state tournament for the first time since 1952. While that run ended with a 48-47 loss to Trotwood-Madison in the Division III title game at the University of Dayton, the season was one that will long be remembered, Principal Aaron Newman said.

“What an experience this was — it was an emotional experience,” Newman said while talking about the team that finished with a 26-2 record. “I’ve been a die-hard Big Red fan since 1983. I’ve been to some state championships that we lost and have been to some that we have won. This experience was unique. There was something special about this team. I know that people from around the valley — and I would dare say maybe even some people who typically don’t root for us — found it impossible to not support us this season.”

That success led the Kiwanians to recognize the players, the coaches and the principal during the luncheon meeting.

Three players from the team received All-Ohio recognition. Junior Santino Haney, the coach’s son, earned first-team honors to go along with being named the Eastern District Player of the Year. Seniors Cole Bowers and Tre’von Wiggins earned special mention and honorable mention honors, respectively.

Haney was named coach of the year, and his staff included Jeff Lombardo, who was named assistant coach of the year in District 5, and Anthony Saccoccia, who won that honor last year.

“Our greatest strength was the chemistry,” coach Haney said in response to a question. “They played well together, they got along well on and off the court and they were always together. I thought that was the biggest part. I thought our chemistry was better this year. They persevered and were resilient. They were down a lot of games, and they came back and won most of those games.”

Newman also said the team’s chemistry was important.

“They played the game the right way — they cared about each other,” he said. “They followed the direction of coach Haney and his assistants. It was a throwback –it was something that you just don’t see in 2026, in the era of Snapchat and Instagram, when it’s so easy for kids to worry about themselves.”

It all added up to an impressive time for the players, the school and the area.

“This was so special, it really was,” Newman said. “It brought an entire community together, and it even brought people who support other schools in the Valley, who were there supporting us. They were just such an easy group to root for.”

For Newman, this year’s run to the state title game will leave a lasting impression.

“This experience is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life,” he told club members. “I’m indebted to the kids and the coaching staff for what they gave us. And, while we fell short, they have carved a legacy that will live on. They’ll be talking to their grandkids about this.”