A Lasting Legacy For The Zanesville Boy’s Basketball Team

ZANESVILLE, OH - a small town with a rich history, especially on the basketball court. This is a place where hardwood dreams are forged, where the echoes of past triumphs linger, and where the legacy of one of Ohio’s most remarkable basketball programs continues to grow.

As the season winds down, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on what Zanesville High School basketball has meant—and what it continues to represent.

Former head coach Scott Aronhalt’s name looms large over this legacy. Over the course of a 31-year career, Aronhalt amassed an astounding record of 466 wins to 254 losses, averaging 15 wins per season. His tenure was marked by unforgettable moments, like Zanesville’s victory over Oak Hill Academy, the number-one-ranked team in the nation at the time.

“When I think back on Zanesville High School beating Oak Hill Academy, we had a team that was ranked third in the nation, 17th in the nation, finished 22nd in the nation the year that we won the state,” Aronhalt recalls. “I think people, because it’s been a while, don’t remember what really was accomplished.”

His humility underscores the foundation of his success. “The success of any program or one individual is due to the sacrifice of the many,” Aronhalt says. “We’ve had so many great players and so many assistant coaches that built this thing into the program it is today. So obviously, I’m very proud of what we were able to accomplish.”

Today, Zanesville basketball’s legacy is carried forward by Cedric Harris, a name etched into the program’s history both as a former star player and now as head coach. “From the time when I was watching the Blue Devils in ’95, to the time when Kevin Martin was in the gym, to the times where I actually played, I just dreamed of being a Blue Devil,” Harris shares.

For Harris, the opportunity to play under Aronhalt was a dream realized. Now, as the team’s leader, Harris is determined to instill the same passion and dedication in his players that Aronhalt once inspired in him. “Playing for Zanesville, especially under Scott Aronhalt, was a dream come true,” Harris says. “Out of the last nine years, this season that we’ve just had probably is the closest to it we’ve had in a while.”

Harris’s pride in his team is palpable, particularly after their recent season. “After the Granville loss, it was the first time in nine years that I said, ‘These guys care.’ It actually means something to them, and that is heartwarming as a coach.”

Under Harris’s leadership, the program is showing consistent growth, a fact not lost on senior player Xavier Riley. “You know, the first few years were a struggle, but Aronhalt, he was an amazing coach obviously from his past,” Riley says. “Going into my junior year, into my senior year, since I was in seventh grade going to high school, I’ve always wanted to play for the Zanesville Blue Devils.”

Harris is resolute in his vision for the future. “I want to raise the bar high,” he says. “It was raised very, very high with Coach Aronhalt, and I want to raise it even higher. That’s my goal. If I can do that, I think we are on the right path for success.”

As one chapter closes and another begins, the legacy of Zanesville basketball continues to thrive. With a foundation built on sacrifice, passion, and perseverance, this program’s story remains a testament to the enduring spirit of a community that loves the game.