The beat goes on for St. Andrew’s School boys’ basketball coach/athletic director Mike Hart.

It was learned recently that the high-powered and well-respected Saints’ hoop boss is being inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame…no small accomplishment, considering the man’s pedigree and what he’s achieved at a relatively small New England prep school.

The New England Basketball Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will be held Thursday, June 20, during the honorees dinner at Emmily’s Restaurant in Johnston. Dinner will be served from 7-8:15 p.m., followed by the awarding of NEBHOF medals to the recipients present.

“Once again, I am just representing all the dedicated and hard-working kids, parents, coaches, faculty, staff, and administration at St. Andrew’s School,” said Coach Hart, modestly. “It truly is a team effort. I also can’t thank John O’Shea enough for his 20 years of outstanding work with our kids. It’s been a great run with at least 15 more years to go.”

For the record, Mike Hart had a season worth shouting about.

This past year, he reached the 500-victory plateau in basketball and had the St. Andrew’s gym floor renamed in his honor. But, that wasn’t all. He was named New England Class AA Coach of the Year, after his 2018-19 squad captured the 2019 New England Class AA Championship. He’s also been named guest speaker at the USA Basketball Coaching Academy in Atlanta June 21-23.

“I am honored that I’m being inducted into this Hall of Fame,” said Coach Hart. “And, I’m particularly happy to be coming in with two of the best players I ever coached: Tony Robertson and Joshua Odugbela from the Class of 1999.”

Tony Robertson finished with 2,445pts and went on to the University of Connecticut, while Josh Odugbela (1,654 career points) played at the University of Hartford. Both were three-time All-Staters, three-time All-New England, and two-time All-Americans. They led the Saints to the 1998 and 1999 New England Championships and were members of the first nationally ranked Rhode Island high school team (1998-99).

“They put us on the map,” said Coach Hart. “They were highly recruited kids who worked hard and did things the right way…main pillars of our program. This will be a special night for all of us, and for St. Andrew’s School.”