Olathe South’s Steve Ingram selected to coach in McDonald’s All-American Game

The coaching career has spanned more than three decades, and the victory total stands at 555. But this weekend, Olathe South girls basketball coach Steve Ingram will board a plane for Chicago to participate in the most talent-rich game of his career.

The prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game.

Ingram has been selected to serve as an assistant coach on the West Team for the girls game, which will be played at 5:30 p.m. March 30 at the United Center in Chicago. It will be televised on ESPNU.

Ingram will serve under Olpe (Kan.) coach Jesse Nelson.

“I was very honored that he asked me to join him. I didn’t have to think twice about that,” Ingram said. “The talent is just outstanding. It’s going to be fun to try to coach that.”

The McDonald’s All-American game is considered the most prestigious high school all-star contest in the country. And while it is exactly that — an all-star game — defensive-minded Ingram is optimistic it will take on a competitive element.

“I’m a big defensive guy, so I’m hoping they will buy into it,” Ingram said. “I have a feeling they will want to win and do what it takes to win.”

Ingram coached Olathe South to a fourth-place finish at the Kansas Class 6A girls state tournament earlier this month.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 6:17 PM with the headline "Olathe South’s Steve Ingram selected to coach in McDonald’s All-American Game."