Brian Cosgriff, girls basketball coach, is set to be inducted into the Minn. Girls Basketball Hall of Fame.

“I’m really humbled and honored,” Cosgriff said . “I think it speaks volumes to the players and coaches.”

In addition to coaching basketball, Cosgriff has taught physical education at Alice Smith Elementary School since 1987.

Cosgriff attributes his success to the Hopkins community.

“All I did was take the work ethic of Ken Novak Sr. and transfer it over to the girls program,” Cosgriff said. “This wouldn’t be possible if Ron Sellnow didn’t hire me and Dan Johnson didn’t allow me to work here.”

Since he started coaching in the 1999-2000 season, Cosgriff has led the Royals to five state championships, including a three-peat from 2011-2013. Over the past five seasons, team has posted a record of 134 wins and only 8 losses. In addition, Cosgriff has led the team to 12 Lake or Classic Lake conference titles.

This season, the team is currently ranked first in the state and 14th in the nation, with a record of 21-1, as of Feb 17.

The Minn. Girls Basketball Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 1993. It was created by the Minn. Girls Basketball Coaches Association as a way to honor elite coaches. Coaches are nominated by their peers in the coaches association.

Cosgriff is the first Hopkins coach to be inducted.

Many of Cosgriff’s players continued playing basketball on the collegiate level, such as Nia Coffey and Mikaala Shackleford. T’Aire Starks, senior, will play for Iowa State next fall.

Shackleford currently plays basketball for the University of Illinois.

“He taught me a lot and I’m never going to forget him,” Shackelford said.

Maddison Zemlicka, senior and veteran of the girls basketball program, credits much of her success to Cosgriff’s coaching.

“Not only does he teach us skills on the court, but in life as well,” Zemlicka said. “And that’s been really helpful.”

Carl Pierson, president of the Minnesota Girls Basketball Association, stated that Cosgriff was inducted because of his success on the basketball court.

“Cosgriff was selected because of his remarkable track record of success and his litany of state tournament appearances,” Pierson said.

Pierson also noted that Cosgriff is widely known for having dominant and successful teams.

“I would say that Coach Cosgriff has earned the respect of coaches across the state not just because of all the wins and championships accrued, but also because his teams are known for being very disciplined and fundamentally sound,” Pierson said,

It is through practices that the team has developed that discipline. In a typical practice the team goes through multiple cardio exercises, numerous shooting drills and intense scrimmages.

And it doesn’t stop. According to assistant coach Gary Westman, what sets the team apart from opponets is their work ethic.

“It’s a process that we start at a young age,” Westman said. “We instill fundamentals and values, and then we work on them constantly.”

During the summer, the team hosts breakfast clubs, basketball camps and a traveling team. Even during the no-contact period, the girls practice together to develop chemistry and perfect their game.

“Cosgriff is really good at bringing strangers together and molding them into a team,” Zemlicka said.

Cosgriff is determined to keep his players humble and hardworking. Before every practice he huddles the team and reminds them to never become satisfied.

‘Work every game, every possession,” Cosgriff said. “Play every game like it’syour last.”