James “Rebby” Rebholz was a tactical genius coaching on the basketball court with an uncanny ability for positioning players for success and helping them realize their full potential. Rebholz built the Tosa East basketball program into one of the state’s most premier programs. His Red Raiders won 53 straight conference games between 1989 and 1991, including back-to-back 18-0 seasons in 1990 and 1991. Rebholz led his team to eight conference championships, seven regional championships, three sectional championships, and three state championship appearances, including a win in 1989. Rebholz knew how to motivate his student-athletes to play at their very best. He coached them to play hard for the entire game, compete within the rules of basketball, and to always have fun in addition to being successful. Rebholz was recognized by his peers as area “Coach of the Year” in 1986 and 1989 and as state “Coach of the Year” in 1989. In recognition of his achievements, Rebholz was inducted into the WBCA Hall of Fame in 1995.
