PC West hires MWC assistant Lenny Bert as hoops coach

New Putnam City West basketball coach Lenny Bert was a coaches' All-State selection as a senior at Midwest City in 1995. Here he is in a game against Tulsa Washington, trying to battle the Hornets' Ryan Humphrey for a rebound in the 5A state title game in March 1995. Tulsa Washington won the game.

Coming off its first state tournament appearance in 33 years, Putnam City West has hired Midwest City assistant coach Lenny Bert as its new boys basketball coach.

Bert was on Dewayne Bradley’s staff with the Bombers last season when they defeated PC West in the Class 6A semifinals. Bert replaces Tim Stogsdill who was not retained after five seasons. Stogsdill is now the head coach at Del City.

Bert played at Midwest City where he was a Coaches’ All-State selection, then at Harding University before turning to coaching.

“We are extremely excited to have a a coach and person of his caliber,” PC West Athletic Director John Jensen said. “We believe that coach Bert will not only coach our basketball team to a high level, but will also pour himself into developing a program that teaches character to young men.”

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com