I.J. Pinkham played his high school ball for legendary coach Jerry Kane at Milbridge High School. He went on to play four years of basketball at the University of Maine Farmington. I.J. started coaching at Buckfield High School six seasons before moving onto Boothbay High School where he has coached for over 35 years. I.J. recently won his 600th game, the most wins of any high school coach in Maine history. His 2001 Boothbay team won the class C State Championship.