Coach Paul Forch
Coach Paul Forch is considered one of the most successful men's basketball coaches in the history of high school basketball in Nebraska. Once the doors first opened at East High School Coach Forch began building a program which quickly dominated Class "A" basketball. Under Forch the Spartans captured eleven city championships, thirteen conference titles, and nine district championships. He guided the Spartans to thirteen state tournament appearances, winning nineteen games. The Spartans played in the Class "A" state title game in 1971, '72, '74, '78, '80, & '85 seasons, capturing the state championship in 1971 & 1978. Coach Forch's 1971 state championship team was honored by induction to the Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame. Twenty-five Spartans who played for Coach Forch were honored on All-State teams. Perhaps the most famous game Forch ever coached was the "Miracle on Vine Street" state championship victory over Papillion in 1971. Coach Forch retired in 1995 with a career record of 450 wins and 215 losses.
"Miracle on Vine Street" 1971 Nebraska State Championship Game Varsity Coach: Paul Forch Varsity Assistant Coach: Ed McPherren |
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Coach Ed McPherren
Coach Ed McPherren spent 43 years teaching and coaching at East High School, 18 years as the boys' basketball head coach (1995 - 2013). He posted a 473-303 overall coaching record and guided the Spartans to a Nebraska State Class "A" Championship in 2001. As an assistant to Paul Forch for 25 years, he contributed to two other state titles and four state runner-up finishes. McPherren's varsity teams averaged 11 wins a season. He coached four district-championship teams and took teams to the state tournament five times. His Spartans were state runners-up in 1997 and made the semifinals in 1998. McPherren came to Lincoln from his home in Ten Sleep, Wyo., to play basketball for the University of Nebraska.