Jackson's Sides steps down as girls basketball coach

Wednesday night's basketball banquet included a few occasions when speakers recognized Notre Dame boys basketball coach Paul Hale, who is retiring from coaching after leading the Bulldogs to a state title.

He's not the only area coach stepping down.

Sam Sides, 52, who coached the girls basketball team at Jackson for the last five years, also is resigning. Sides, however, would like to remain in coaching.

He is retiring from teaching after 31 years in the classroom.

"I'm trying to find a coaching job," he said Wednesday night. "It's tiring working in the classroom and then coaching after that."

Sides has spent 17 years at Jackson after six years coaching boys basketball at Meadow Heights and five years coaching boys at Leopold. In 12 years as an assistant to Ron Cook at Jackson, he was part of seven final four appearances.

"That's a pretty good experience," Sides said. "Last year, we were five points away."

His five years as head coach produced district titles in 2006 and 2007. In 2007, the Indians lost 46-41 to Normandy in the state quarterfinal round and finished 19-8 a year after finishing 22-5 and losing to St. Joseph's Academy in the sectionals.

-- Toby Carrig