Mishawaka High School names their new boys’ head basketball coach

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Mishawaka High School introduced Bodie Bender as their new boys’ head basketball coach on Wednesday following the retirement of former coach Ron Hecklinski.

Bender, a graduate and former student-athlete of Jimtown High School, spent his last four years coaching at a high school in Flora, Indiana.

In an introductory conference on Wednesday, Bender discussed his eagerness to lead the Cavemen to success while competing in a premier conference of Indiana.

“It excites me. You look back on what coach Hecklinski has done the couple of years, he’s built a foundation of winning. Want to continue to do that here. To coach in the NLC, which I think is not only a premier job in the northern part of the state of Indiana, I think it’s also a premier conference in the state of Indiana. So, that’s what excites me as well,” said Bender.