The Central Catholic Fighting Irish have found their new leader on the hardwood. Toledo (OH) Central Catholic officially announced the appointment of Luke Hickey as the new head boys basketball coach on Tuesday, marking an exciting new chapter for the storied program.
Hickey arrives after a successful four-year stint at Millbury (OH) Lake, where he compiled a 51-45 overall record. But it's his recent work that truly stands out — over the last three seasons, he guided Lake to a stellar 49-24 mark, showing steady progress and building a winning culture from the ground up.
“Luke has done an outstanding job elevating the Lake basketball program and is the perfect fit to continue building on the strong tradition established at Central Catholic,” said Greg Dempsey, Central Catholic’s Director of Athletics. “We are excited to welcome Luke as the leader of our program and look forward to the future of Irish basketball under his direction.”
The Fighting Irish faithful have plenty of reasons for optimism. Hickey inherits a program that finished the 2025-26 season with an impressive 23-4 record, earning the No. 12 ranking in the final Ohio High School Boys Basketball Massey Rankings. Even better, he'll have a talented core to work with, including Class of 2027 three-star power forward Isaiah Mack-Russell — a rising prospect who could become the centerpiece of Hickey's system.
“I’m thrilled and honored to be in this position,” Hickey said in the release. “It’s not something I take lightly. The traditions, values, and sustained success here — not only in athletics but across the entire institution — are truly second to none. I’m excited to be part of it and look forward to getting started, working with our players, and continuing to build this program in a positive way.”
For fans and players alike, the message is clear: Central Catholic isn't just looking to maintain its winning tradition — they're aiming to take it to the next level. With Hickey's proven track record and a roster that already features top-tier talent, the Irish are poised to make some serious noise in Ohio high school basketball.
Whether you're a player looking to elevate your game or a fan wanting to rep the new era, now is the perfect time to gear up in Fighting Irish apparel and be part of the journey ahead.