HARLAN -- Harlan Community High School coach Mitch Osborn was recently named the 2008 Central Sectional Coach of the Year for boys basketball, as selected by the National Federation of State High School Associations. The Central section includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Osborn was recognized for this award prior to the Shenandoah at HCHS boys basketball game last Thursday night. The Iowa High School Athletic Association will also honor Coach Osborn for this accomplishment at a later date.

In addition to the award annoucement last Thursday, Osborn was presented with a plaque by HCHS Principal Justin Wagner that recognizes Osborn's 500 career coaching victories achieved at Elk Horn-Kimballton, Pomeroy-Palmer and HCHS over the course of just 25 years. The Cyclones notched Osborn's 500th win on December 9 at Atlantic, making him the 29th coach in Iowa boys basketball history to join the 500 Win Club.

Osborn's career record now stands at 511-92 (.847) going into Friday night's game at Red Oak.