SALEM - The Salem Quakers varsity boys basketball team will start its season Tuesday at South Range, but they'll do so minus head coach Rich Hart.
Hart was hospitalized Tuesday with 100 percent blockage in one of his arteries. Following a procedure Wednesday, Hart told Salem Athletic Director Greg Steffey he's feeling great and looks to return to court-side as soon as possible.
Doctors have informed Hart he will be out from two to four weeks.
Steffey said he got the entire Salem boys coaching staff together Wednesday and in Hart's absence assistant coaches Andy Smyczynski and Jake Zatchock will run the team.
Salem opens with three straight road games and plays five of its first six away from John A. Cabas Gymnasium. Following South Range Tuesday, Salem plays next Friday at West Branch and Dec. 11 at Struthers before their home opener against Marlington Dec. 14.
Hart was to be released from the hospital today and hopes to be cleared after follow-up visits with doctors in about two weeks.
