A state record 943 wins, eight state championships, two runner-ups, and an abundance of lifetime coaching accomplishments were celebrated Wednesday night at Mountain View High School.
Longtime basketball coach and Arizona legend Gary Ernst was celebrated by former players, fans and alumni, as the court was officially dedicated in his name. 
Ernst arrived at Mountain View in 1984, when the young school was already reputed for its football program, and eventually built it into a basketball dynasty.

Over 38 seasons, the Toros won seven state titles, reached the semifinals four other years advanced to the playoffs 32 times.  
"When I got to Mountain View, I was just focused on participation and getting the junior high and elementary kids involved," Ernst told former players Wednesday night. 
"I can't say I knew how incredible this program would become. I'm so lucky to have been able to coach such selfless kids."

Ernst constructed the program from the ground up, with improvement each year until the school's first state championship was secured in 1995. That team had no players who ever saw time in Division I basketball, but it was also Arizona's last large school team to finish undefeated (31-0).

From that point, the Toro program grew in numbers and talent. Ernst won back to back titles in 1998 and '99 with players like Todd Heap, Tanner Shell and Kenny Crandall, all who played for Arizona State at some point. 
Ernst would lead Mountain View to a three-peat from 2005-2007, with his last championship coming in 2011.  
"I've always told people that I'm the luckiest coach in the world because I get to coach at Mountain View," Ernst said during his halftime ceremony. 
The Toros, now coached by Andy Johnson, who has maintained a strong relationship with Ernst since taking over last season, improved to 3-0 Wednesday night with a 58-35 victory over Skyline.