Simonovich, George

George Simonovich – (1979)

 

GEORGE SIMONOVICH

Inducted April 25, 1979

Although standing only 6’1″, the tough kid from South Lorain played in the pivot against much taller basketball opponents and dazzled them with his ballhandling skills and fancy footwork.

After learning his roundball fundamentals from legendary mentor Al McConIhe at Whittier Junior High, he started as a sophomore on the Lorain High varsity in 1945.

He was selected All-Lake Erie League and All-Ohio following the 1947-48 season, during which he led the Steelmen in scoring. He set a new single-game school record of 31 points against Columbus North in a holiday tournament.

At the college level he performed for Baldwin-Wallace, earning three varsity letters in both baseball and basketball from 1948-51. He displayed his versatility by moving to the guard position for the Yellow Jacket cagers where he showcased his brilliant shooting and passing abilities.

A smooth-fielding second baseman, he sparkled for the national champion Lorain National Tube squad, teaming with shortstop Ray Mize to form the city’s slickest double-play combination.

Mr. Simonovich entered the coaching profession and produced winning basketball teams at Lorain St. Mary’s and Amherst. He returned to his native South Lorain in 1969 to coach the basketball squad at new Southview High School, recorded the school’s first varsity victory, and in 1973 guided the Saints to a Sectional Tourney title.