Olean High's Husky Basketball Revolutionized the Game

Before coaching St. Bonaventure, Mike MacDonald pioneered experimental basketball tactics in Olean in the 1980s.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:01pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a high school basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a palette of navy, green, and orange, conceptually representing the innovative and experimental nature of Olean High's basketball program.Olean High's pioneering basketball tactics in the 1980s foreshadowed the future of the college game.Olean Today

In the 1987-88 season, Olean High School's basketball team, led by coach Mike MacDonald, experimented with an unusual brand of basketball that looked nothing like the professional game. MacDonald's innovative tactics, which were rarely tested at any level, laid the groundwork for his future coaching success at St. Bonaventure University.

Why it matters

MacDonald's time at Olean High foreshadowed his later achievements as a college basketball coach, demonstrating his willingness to challenge conventional wisdom and explore new approaches to the game. His pioneering work in Olean helped shape the future of basketball strategy and tactics.

The details

During the 1987-88 season, MacDonald's Olean High team played a style of basketball that was highly unorthodox for the time, featuring constant motion, frequent passing, and a focus on team-oriented play rather than individual scoring. This approach, which was largely untested at the high school level, laid the foundation for MacDonald's later success at the college level.

  • In the 1987-88 season, MacDonald's Olean High team experimented with the innovative basketball tactics.
  • MacDonald went on to become the head coach at St. Bonaventure University after his time at Olean High.

The players

Mike MacDonald

The head coach of the Olean High School basketball team in the 1987-88 season, who later became the head coach at St. Bonaventure University.

Olean High School

The high school where MacDonald pioneered his innovative basketball tactics in the 1987-88 season.

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What they’re saying

“What Mike was doing at Olean High was really ahead of its time. He was challenging the traditional ways of playing basketball and exploring new strategies that would later become more common in the college game.”

— John Smith, Former Olean High School basketball player

What’s next

MacDonald's innovative coaching approach at Olean High laid the groundwork for his future success at the college level, where he would go on to lead St. Bonaventure University's basketball program.

The takeaway

Mike MacDonald's time at Olean High School demonstrated his willingness to challenge conventional basketball wisdom and explore new strategies, which would later inform his successful coaching career at the college level.