The alumni of the Iowa Mennonite School saw a historic moment in Iowa High School basketball history take place Saturday evening at Hillcrest Union. In front of countless former student, players, coaches and friends, the IMS’s boys’ basketball team edged the Winfield Mount-Union Wolves 48-40 in a Southeast Iowa Super Conference North division clash.

With the victory coach Dwight Gingerich became just the ninth coach in Iowa High School boys basketball history to achieve 600 career wins. Gingerich, who had been sitting win no 599 for three straight games, got to share the milestone moment with several people close to him. “My in-laws were in from Chicago were here, my brother in-law who coaches high school basketball in Chicago was here.” Gingerich said, “A lot of former players and coaches were here tonight and it was incredible.

A key player in Gingerich’s 600th victory was his son, junior point guard Eli Gingerich. Eli scored a game-high 16 points and grabbed down five rebounds in the victory. He says its great being apart of his dad’s newest milestone. “I think it was his 400th win, I remember that celebration.” Eli Gingerich said, “We were at a hotel when IMS went to state and I still remember it to this day. I am so grateful to be apart of this moment. It is awesome.”

In his 33 years of coaching, Gingerich has a current streak of 28 straight winning seasons, 12 state tournament appearances, four state championship appearances and won a Class 1A State Title in 1992. The victory improves his all-time record to 600-157.

IMS heads into winter break with a 5-2 overall record. They return to action on January 3, 2015 in a non-conference showdown with the Washington Demons at Washington High School.