
Ben Chamness instructs his team during its first practice of the 2017 season. Chamness has stepped down as the Tremper boys basketball coach after seven seasons.
Ben Chamness went out on a high note.
After seven seasons, Chamness has stepped down as the Tremper boys basketball coach. He informed administrators recently, concluding his seven-year tenure with a 2019-20 campaign in which the Trojans reached the WIAA Division-1 sectional finals and were a victory away from their first State Tournament appearance since 2001, when Chamness played for the team.
Unfortunately, that game was never played, as the remainder of the season was wiped out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nevertheless, Chamness — who went 61-105 over his seven seasons at his alma mater — finished his time with one of the most memorable runs in program history.
On Friday, Chamness told the News his reason for stepping down was simply to spend more time with his family. Chamness has two sons under the age of 3, and he said the demands of coaching were taking too much time away from his wife and kids.
He will continue in his positions as a physical education teacher at Somers and as a summer physical education teacher at Tremper.
“We plan probably to continue growing our family, at least to three,” Chamness said. “I just want to make sure that I’m able to spend that amount of time I want to with them. With the demand of coaching and the amount I want to put into it, it just makes it hard to balance it. It can be done, but in my heart of hearts, it was a difficult decision, but at the same time I feel at peace about it. I don’t want to look at my kids when I’m older and say, ‘I wish I could have spent more time with them.’
“... I know coaches have done it and I know it can be done. It’s just for me, once that season hits and just throughout the offseason, as a competitor you become kind of engulfed. I want to make sure that if I’m doing it, I do the program justice.”
Chamness said he plans to coach his kids as they get older and left open the possibility of returning to coaching in a larger capacity someday.
He also wanted to thank Tremper principal Steve Knecht, Tremper athletic director John Matera, assistant coaches Nate Allemand and Lou Rideaux and the parents for their support over the years.
“I’m thankful for that, and I look forward to watching the program from a different perspective and cheering them on,” Chamness said.
In Chamness’ final season, the Trojans finished 18-7 and embarked on an unforgettable postseason run.
Seeded second, they defeated 15th-seeded Milwaukee Bradley Tech, 91-67, in the regional semifinals then rallied from a 20-point deficit for a stirring 88-83 victory over seventh-seeded Franklin in the regional finals.
Tremper kept marching on with a 75-74 overtime win over third-seeded West Allis Central in the sectional semifinals, setting up a sectional final showdown against top-seeded Racine Case.
The Trojans never got their shot at history, but that won’t diminish what they did for Chamness.
“For our guys, it was a very tough pill to swallow not to have our definitive answer of what would’ve happened in that game,” he said. “Especially for seniors, you want to know one way or another how it was going to end. But for me personally, I will remember how epic those final games were, and it will be cherished by me, because those were special, special moments.
“I’ve been around the game for a long time, and those back-to-back games (against Franklin and West Allis Central) were really, really special and just unforgettable games. I’m just proud of the program and the guys for that and the accomplishments they made.”
HOLIDAY CLASSIC ST. JOE TREMPER GIRLS

Tremper’s Zipporah Gordan, left, battles St. Joseph’s Paige Trachte, right, for a rebound Saturday night during the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage’s Tarble Arena.
HOLIDAY CLASSIC ST. JOE TREMPER GIRLS

Tremper’s Brianna Pacetti, center, battles St. Joseph’s Jayden Hill, bottom, for a rebound Saturday night during the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage’s Tarble Arena.
HOLIDAY CLASSIC STEVE NELSON HONORED

Long-time basketball referee Steve Nelson was honored with a Go Sports America Lifetime Achievement Award during a ceremony between games at the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic on Friday at Carthage's Tarble Arena.
HOLIDAY CLASSIC STEVE NELSON HONORED

Long-time basketball referee Steve Nelson was honored with a Go Sports America Lifetime Achievement Award during a ceremony between games at the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic on Friday at Carthage's Tarble Arena.
HOLIDAY CLASSIC STEVE NELSON HONORED

Long-time basketball referee Steve Nelson was honored with a Go Sports America Lifetime Achievement Award during a ceremony between games at the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic on Friday at Carthage's Tarble Arena.
HOLIDAY CLASSIC STEVE NELSON HONORED

Long-time basketball referee Steve Nelson was honored with a Go Sports America Lifetime Achievement Award during a ceremony between games at the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic on Friday at Carthage’s Tarble Arena. Nelson began officiating in 1970.
HOLIDAY CLASSIC ITA WEST ALLIS

Indian Trail's Jeremiah Suber shoots against West Allis Central this season. Suber averaged 14.5 points per game and was named third-team All-Southeast Conference.
HOLIDAY CLASSIC ITA WEST ALLIS

Indian Trail's Kameron Lee collides with West Allis Central's Shilo Bowles on Friday night during the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage's Tarble Arena. West Allis Central won, 79-65, and Bowles secured Player of the Game honors with 26 points and 13 rebounds.
HOLIDAY CLASSIC ST. JOE CENTRAL

Central's Kenny Garth passes out of a jam by St. Joe's Joey Feudner and and Caiden Lecce, right. Holiday Classic at Carthage College. St. Joseph Catholic Academy vs. Westosha Central H.S. at the Holiday Classic at Carthage College.
HOLIDAY CLASSIC ST. JOE CENTRAL

Central’s Kenny Garth drives to the basket during the Falcons’ 67-44 win over St. Joseph on Friday night in the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage’s Tarble Arena.
HOLIDAY CLASSIC ST. JOE CENTRAL

Central's Jack Rose blocks a shot by St. Joseph's Caiden Lecce on Friday night.
HOLIDAY CLASSIC ST. JOE CENTRAL

Central's Jack Rose blocks a shot by St. Joe's Caiden Lecce. St. Joseph Catholic Academy vs. Westosha Central H.S. at the Holiday Classic at Carthage College.
BASKETBALL BRADFORD WILMOT

Bradford's DaNaije Ellis shoots past Wilmot's London Glass. Bradford vs. Wilmot basketball at the Holiday Classic sponsored by the Doctors of Physical Therapy at Carthage College on Thursday.
BASKETBALL BRADFORD WILMOT

Bradford’s Jashon Lee, left, pressures Wilmot’s Cy Turner, right, on Thursday night during the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage’s Tarble Arena. The Red Devils won, 82-78 in double overtime.
BASKETBALL BRADFORD WILMOT

Bradford's Da'Quantae Sawyer shoots. Bradford vs. Wilmot basketball at the Holiday Classic sponsored by the Doctors of Physical Therapy at Carthage College on Thursday
BASKETBALL BRADFORD WILMOT

Wilmot's Jared Epping drives on the basket. Bradford vs. Wilmot basketball at the Holiday Classic sponsored by the Doctors of Physical Therapy at Carthage College on Thursday.
BASKETBALL BRADFORD WILMOT

Bradford’s Da’Quantae Sawyer shoots against Wilmot this season. Sawyer averaged 11.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game and was named third-team All-Southeast Conference.
Jack Rose Jumper

Central’s Jack Rose puts up a shot against Indian Trail earlier this season. The Falcons dropped a 60-34 non-conference decision Tuesday night to visiting Racine St. Catherine's, which currently is ranked No. 1 in Division-3 by WisSports.net.
Tremper-SJ boys pic 4

Tremper’s Torin Byrnes, left, grabs the basketball from St. Joseph’s Xavier Neave and Matt Schulte during Saturday night’s action at the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage’s Tarble Arena.
Tremper vs St. Joes boys 2

Tremper’s Jyon Young puts up a shot Saturday during the Trojans’ game against St. Joseph at the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage’s Tarble Arena.
Tremper vs. St. Joes boys pic3

St. Joseph’s Max McCarville, left, and Tremper’s Jake Gross battle for a rebound Saturday night at the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage’s Tarble Arena.
Tremper vs. St. Joes boys 1

St. Joseph’s Xavier Neave, left, goes to the basket while Tremper’s Jake Gross defends Saturday night during the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage’s Tarble Arena.
Tremper Rac Luth Holiday 7

Tremper's Blake Hoffman grabs a rebound between Racine Lutheran's Scooter Molbeck, left, and David Voss, right, during the Trojans' 97-63 victory Thursday night in the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage's Tarble Arena.
Tremper Rac Luth Holiday 6

Tremper's Blake Hoffman, middle, is blocked by Racine Lutheran's Scooter Molbeck, left, and Nathan Zawicki, right, during the Trojans' 97-63 victory Thursday night in the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage's Tarble Arena.
Tremper Rac Luth Holiday 5

Tremper's Blake Hoffman drives during the Trojans' 97-63 win over Racine Lutheran on Thursday night in the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage's Tarble Arena.
Tremper Rac Luth Holiday 3

Tremper's Jake Gross shoots over Racine Lutheran's David Voss (23) and Scooter Molbeck (4) on Thursday night during the Trojans' 97-63 victory in the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage's Tarble Arena.
Tremper Rac Luth Holiday 4

Tremper's Jyon Young goes up over Racine Lutheran's Bradley Wilks during the Trojans' 97-63 victory in the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic on Thursday night at Carthage's Tarble Arena.
Tremper Rac Luth Holiday 2

Tremper's Blake Hoffman, right, battles under the basket against Racine Lutheran on Thursday night during the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage's Tarble Arena.
Brad-Wilm Bball 4

Wilmot's Zack Watson drives against Bradford on Thursday night during the Red Devils' 82-78 double-overtime victory in the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage's Tarble Arena.
Brad-Wilm Bball 2

Wilmot's Kevin Sandman, right, looks to pass with Bradford's Will Darden in the background Thursday night during the Red Devils' 82-78 double-overtime win in the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Tarble Arena.
Brad-Wilm Photo 3

Wilmot's Kevin Sandman, right, drives against Bradford's Will Darden on Thursday night during the Red Devils' 82-78 double-overtime win in the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage's Tarble Arena.
Brad-Wilm Bball 1

Bradford's Max Glass, left, watches his free throw drop to seal the Red Devils' 82-78 double-overtime victory over Wilmot on Thursday night in the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage's Tarble Arena.
Chuck Bradley Photo

Chuck Bradley, right, is presented the Go Sports America Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to local sports Thursday night at Carthage's Tarble Arena during the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic. Bradley has coached cross country and track at Tremper for 51 years. Presenting the award are tournament co-directors John Lynn, left, and Jon Palmen, behind Bradley.
Tremp Rac Luth Holiday 1

Tremper’s Jake Gross shoots over a wall of Racine Lutheran defenders Thursday night in the Doctors of Physical Therapy Holiday Classic at Carthage’s Tarble Arena. Gross scored 30 points in the Trojans’ 97-63 victory.
Here's a roundup of Kenosha News' stories focusing on sports teams at Carthage College throughout the month of November 2019.