A film showcasing the life of a teacher and legendary basketball coach who broke down racial barriers will be shown at 1 p.m. July 25, at the Perry Reese Jr. Community Center located in Hiland High School in Millersburg.
The filmmakers, Zosimo Jay Maximo and Danny Mizicko, will present “Angel in Amish Country.”
Reese, who coached high school boys’ basketball at Hiland from 1984 to 2000, lived an inspirational story, moving to a mostly white, Mennonite and Amish community to coach.
His story caught the eye of Gary Smith, a writer for Sports Illustrated, who wrote an extensive piece for the magazine back in 2001. After reading it, Maximo knew he wanted to make a documentary. The Cambridge native served as a ball boy on Reese’s first basketball team at Guernsey Catholic High School in the early 1980s before embarking on a filmmaking career. However, a few weeks into the documentary, he was hired by MTV and the project was shelved for nearly 20 years.
Throughout the past few years, the filmmakers spent hundreds of hours interviewing about 70 of Reese’s close friends, family, former players and other coaches for the project.
“My goal was to tell an authentic story through the people who knew him best,” Maximo previously told the Wooster Daily Recorder. “Fortunately, the community has opened their doors to me and trusted me. As true documentarians, we are telling a story that has been told to us.”
Reese grew up in northeast Canton and graduated from Canton Timken High School in 1970. He then attended and graduated from Muskingum University in New Concord.
His success at Hiland included 11 conference titles, five trips to the state tournament and a memorable run to the 1992 title that culminated with a come-from-behind win over Lima Central Catholic in the semis and victory over Gates Mills Gilmour Academy in the Division IV championship game. In his 16 seasons as head coach, Reese compiled a record of 304-85 and endeared himself to the community.
Reese, who was diagnosed with an inoperable cancerous brain tumor, died in November 2000 at the age of 48.
For those interested in attending this weekend’s showing, the filmmakers are asking for a $12 donation to attend to help as they continue to put the final touches on the project. Maximo said the proceeds will be used for additional music and footage rights, audio mixing, and legal and film festival fees. To order tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/perry-reese-documentary-preview-screening-tickets-1993292702130?aff=oddtdtcreator or purchase tickets the day of the event.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: ‘Angel in Amish Country’ brings Coach Perry Reese’s inspiring story to life
Reporting by Staff Reports / The Times-Reporter
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By Staff Reports | USA TODAY Network
