BREAKING NEWS: Northview’s legendary boys basketball coach Ron Rice, who started as the JV coach in 1969 and became the head coach in 1971, is retiring at the end of the season after more than four decades in charge. Rice’s last scheduled game is a home date with San Dimas on Thursday, Feb. 7. There is a 50-50 chance the Vikings make the playoffs as an at-large, so next Thursday could be his last game. We’ll write more over the next week for one of the most extraordinary, passionate and dedicated coaches the Valley has ever produced, but for now, let’s wish him well. Here is a story we wrote in 2009 when Rice won his 500th game. Northview is at Baldwin Park tonight, at Nogales on Tuesday before welcoming San Dimas in the finale on Thursday.

Ron Rice remembered his first win in 1971: “We beat Covina,” Rice said. “That was back in the Doc Sooter (who had 656 career wins) days.”

Tonight’s Boys Basketball Games
Baseline League
Upland at Glendora, 6:30 p.m.
Valle Vista League
Northview at Baldwin Park, 6:45 p.m.
Nogales at Pomona, 6:45 p.m.
Sierra League
South Hills at Damien, 6:30 p.m.
Chino Hills at Claremont, 6:30 p.m.
Ayala at Charter Oak, 6:30 p.m.
Hacienda League
Rowland at Walnut, 6:45 p.m.
Diamond Ranch at Los Altos, 6:45 p.m.
Bonita at West Covina, 6:45 p.m.
Montview League
Azusa at Gladstone, 6 p.m.
La Puente at Duarte, 6 p.m.
Ganesha at Workman, 6 p.m.
Bassett at Sierra Vista, 6 p.m.
Mission Valley League
Mountain View at Gabrielino, 6:30 p.m.
Rosemead at Arroyo, 6 p.m.
South El Monte at El Monte, 6 p.m.