WEST BASKETBALL

[TOUR DIRECTOR]

I am with the UNC crazie also psycho T is coming back I want to see west basketball start winning also (boys and girls) I seen the basketball up close the last 3 years at practice and in games. I do feel that we have the kids (boys and girls) we just need to change the way we approach the game. You see all the kids in the weightroom for football(good job coach T for getting them to work) You see all the girls playing alot of softball (hitting and pitching in the offseason) You seen all the golfers working on their games (all summer) Now we need to do some time sharing and do the same for basketball spend some good time in the offseason instead waiting for basketball season to start. Believe me the administration wants to win in basketball just as bad as we do. Whoever the new coach is in the boys and the girls I will be here to support the kids and the coach's

[local superstar]

Great post Tour Director, and to add to that, the most qualified candidate should get the job, if everyone wants to build a winning program from the ground up.

[THE'GENERAL']

with names that have been mentioned i have to go with coach phillips..especially since he has coached at west for 9 years..just look at his record with kids and parents that committed to being good and positive..i know me and my old teammates and parents would love to see the ole run and gun back in action coach

[black76]

I have spoken to kids and parents...they all seem to like Phillips but not as a basketball coach.

[THE'GENERAL']

hey black i have a feeling you are talking to parents that coach phillps had the last three years...when the coach expects more from the kids than the parents do they will not like him...he will not baby kids he will do whats right not wrong...he will respect and treat all kids fairly...but when parents are telling the kids its ok to lose i believe we all will lose

[black76]

All I know is, and no disrespect to Phillips intended but the reputation of West basketball for girls around southeastern Ohio is a joke, and it is embarrassing. I would think the board would be smarter than that. They could not, in good conscious, hire someone that cannot make a success of the girls' team at West, which has way less expectations associated with it (even though it should not) and has less competition in quality coaching (again, it should not). My point being, after West has become the laughing stock in girls basketball, what in the world would make you or a board of education move to put THAT coach in an even bigger stress situation, what are the odds for something positive? In most people's minds, to skip a MUCH more experienced candidate for absolutely no reason (and one that stepped up big for the kids last year), is nothing but politics and it would not be lost on the public, which will in turn put even more pressure on the coach. I believe if Phillips wants to learn alot about basketball he should assist Kitchen and learn some, then try to get a varsity job. Coach Kitchen has experience at the state and district levels multiple times in boys varsity....and he has a desire to get back into teaching (at WEST) so what is there not to like about that? I agree with whoever said the board wants a winning program also, and they will hire the candidate that has the best chance to give them that.

[THE'GENERAL']

west girls basketball has always been the laughing stock of southern ohio..i dont feel coach phillips made it that way..how many years of head coaching experience does coach kitchen have..phillips would be a great assistant also

[black76]

Jumper, I believe it would not bother Kitchen at all to have Phillips in some capacity, don't they know each other from last year? West NEEDS Kitchen and the other guys that have applied from West would only benefit from him being head coach of the boys program. They could all get on the same page and work together in whatever capacity to help kids. If Arden would come back, that would even be a bigger plus. Kitchen would be sure to win any assistant over, whether at freshman, middle school or biddy league with his knowledge and passion for the sport.

[THE'GENERAL']

black i like your comment on they all get together to help the kids...lets extend that to whoever the new coach maybe they are going to know the game the success will depend on how well the school,coach,players and parents WORK TOGETHER.

[black76]

Well, it would be a shame to see anyone but Kitchen come away with this job....how often does someone with his experience desire to coach basketball at West? Yes it would be great to see them all work together, but if someone on staff has a negative attitude and in whatever way is a hindrance to the progress of the team it would be easy to spot and they should not be an assistant. General, it irks me that you state the girls basketball has always been a joke...so why is it still? Obviously, your man Phillips was unable to turn that program around....

[THE'GENERAL']

its going to be hard to change that around..there is a bigger problem than just basketball there..when the tough get going you dont quit you work harder to get better just dont give up..until the parents make there kids work instead of letting them walk away its going to be tough..

[THE'GENERAL']

yes i want to see coach phillips as the new boys coach..and no he had no chance with that girls team..he said there biggest problem was there work ethic towards the game and i believe its starting to show in other areas also..will i support a different coach yes i want west to win and they all need support not bleacher critics as we are noted for towards our own coach our own players

[THE'GENERAL']

i dont believe he was turned down at minford.. the hiring commit and school was very impressed with him as a person and his basketball knowledge.. he was a clearly there vote to be the new coach it was certain people in minford throwing very untrue comments about him so the board wouldnt vote on it.. the school thought it would be best if he would withdrawl from wanting the position

[black76]

Jumper, I wouldn't jump the gun with that kind of assumption....the board will get it right, I truly believe that, tell Kitchen to please hang in!