John Hutchcraft says he is at a loss as to why he was selected to be a head coach at the McDonald's All-American Games later this year, but his players had an answer.
Big John likes his Big Macs.
"I don't know how it all came about, but all my kids said the reason I got it was because I eat more meals at McDonald's than any coach in the United States," Hutchcraft said. "I really do eat there a lot."
Hutchcraft, who has led Guy-Perkins High School to nine basketball state titles and has won more than 1,800 senior high games since his arrival at the Faulkner County school in 1978, will coach the girls East team at this year's event, which will be played April 1 at the United Center in Chicago.
The McDonald's All-America East and West basketball teams are made up of the top high school seniors nationwide and will play a doubleheader. No players from Arkansas made the final cut for either the boys or girls teams. Hutchcraft, 61, will be the first girls coach from Arkansas to participate in the event. Former Little Rock Parkview Coach Charles Ripley coached in the McDonald's game in the 1990s.
"All coaches know about the McDonald's All-American Game, but I never thought I'd be chosen for that," Hutchcraft said. "I don't know how they came up with this, but we hold or have held a lot of [national] records. That might have been a factor, and I know a lot of coaches who have retired and there may be some of those coaches on that committee."
Known for their pressure defense and three-point shooting, the Lady T-Birds have been involved in some of the highest-scoring girls games on record. In a 1994 game against Humphrey, the teams combined for 217 points (Guy-Perkins won 117-100), which at the time set a national record. It remains as a state record.
Assisting Hutchcraft at the all-star event will be his daughter Ashley Nance, who is the girls head coach at Conway High School, and former Guy-Perkins player Victor Rimmer, who is the girls head coach at Fayetteville High School.
Hutchcraft, who grew up in St. Charles (Arkansas County), played for the University of Central Arkansas in the 1970s.
Coming into the 2014-2015 season, Hutchcraft's combined record for his senior high teams was 1,866-526, a .780 winning percentage. His girls team won state championships in 1984, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005. His boys teams earned state titles in 1997, 2005, 2006 and 2009. Hutchcraft's teams have appeared in a combined 18 state championship games.
Hutchcraft's girls team finished 42-2 and won an Overall title in 1986. He has had five girls teams to win 40 or more games in a season.
"This is probably going to rank right up there with that Overall championship team," Hutchcraft said. "We won a national tournament in Longview, Texas, one year and that was a big memory for me.
"I'm getting close to calling it a career and going into retirement, so this could top it off and be one of the best things."
Sports on 01/30/2015