Don Petranovich Former Winslow High School girls basketball coach Don Petranovich, who led the school to eight state championships, died on Wednesday, June 8. He was 81. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, at Greer’s Mortuary, located at 316 W. Second St. in Winslow. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 17, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, located at 220 W. Second St. in Winslow. There will be a memorial gathering at 3 p.m. on Friday at the Petranovich Gym at Winslow High School. Erick Petranovich, Don’s son, said his father was suffering from dementia. He broke his hip last year and had hip replacement surgery in April. He was in hospice care, Erick said, adding his father died peacefully and wasn’t in pain. “Since he passed five hours ago, I’ve had, I don’t know how many calls from former players, referees, coaches,” Erick said. “He had a great influence on everybody. “His girls were his daughters. He would do anything for any of them. He was just a great man.” Petranovich retired from coaching 12 years ago with 780 all-time wins in 33 years. At the time, it was the most in state history. That record was broken by former Gilbert Highland coach Miner Webster, who ended his coaching career with 816 wins, according to the Arizona Interscholastic Association archives. Current Chandler Seton Catholic coach Karen Self ranks third, five games behind Petranovich, for most wins in girls basketball state history with 775. The Winslow gym is named after Petranovich, who, in 2009, entered the National High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame. He was the national Coach of the Year in 2011. “Don was a great coach and an amazing strategist,” said Self, who also has won eight state titles in 30 years. “There were many times after losing to him in the playoffs that I would just say, ‘Great game and thanks for the lesson.’ “He was always available to talk shop with me as a young coach. He definitely set the standard for girls basketball in Arizona.”
