WEST BASKETBALL

[Westfan]

My opinion is yes they were talented but they never totally meshed as a team. Its always seemed to me that West players are more like street ballers than basketball players because they aren't learning the fundamentals at an early age. Play Zone or straight man-to-man against us and were fine. Pressure us and we can't handle it.

This is where a coach that understands, cares, and intends to be here for a while can make a difference. You can have a great class or two come through and be good in a sport. But to sustain excellence, you need a program from the grade school up. I noticed one of the first things that Tripplett did as football coach was have a week camp for the grade school kids. Really good to get the kids interested and the coaches on the same page with the HS coaches. That's how you build a program and basketball should be no different.

But to answer your question, yes they should have been much better.

[Westfan]

Siderman,To your knowledge has West taken applications for the basketball job yet or have anyone in mind

I don't know jumper. If I hear something I'll let you know.

[black76]

One thing for sure, I will be interested to compare experience of those applying with that of Kitchen.

[black76]

Jumper, no, I do not think they would hold it against him, and we would all be thrilled if he would apply. I doubt Coach Kitchen is even aware of the fact that people are speaking up for him. Yes, I believe he would get the job! The kids need him!!!!!!!!!!

[Westfan]

Black76 and Siderman.Do you think West would still hire Coach Kitchen if he applies or hold it against him because he wanted a teaching position and people spoke up for him against what they were doing in not giving him a position to teach

She said he could apply and substitute almost daily if he wanted to. That would help him get his foot in the door I would assume. At that time if a position would come open that they intended on filling that he is certified to teach; it would seem hard to me for them to deny him especially with the schools liking coaches to be teachers.

From what I heard, I believe if he wanted the job, and it wasn't filled, he would get it. I may be wrong, but that was my impression.

Like I said, I don't know the man personally, and with benefits being so important important for a job with the costs of things today; I can't blame the man for not wanting the position without a full time job. But I really think he's a fine coach and I really wish he would apply.

[black76]

Jumper, if Kitchen is going to not apply due to money in the basketball program....heck, it is easy to do camps and so forth to start making money...you have to start somewhere...Kitchen has the backing at West to be the coach if he wants to and the teaching job will come. That is what BUILDING a program encompasses....it isn't easy, but it is rewarding....and would establish West in basketball on the map, like I said before, the kids need him....there are some very talented kids coming through in the future and deserve the kind of coaching Kitchen can give them. I sure hope he thinks long and hard about it and takes a chance on West....I really believe the teaching part will fall into place.

[TheSportsGuy]

The names I heard that have applied for the West job were Tyson Phillips and Jason Hurd.Who are these guys

Phillips is the high school girls coach, Hurd coaches middle school boys.

[knowledge]

Jason Hurd could be a potentially good choice, I believe he has a son who is in the 5th grade, and is apart of a very talented group of senators at the peewee level. Maybe this would turn the program into success for the future from the ground up. Tyson Phillips knows the game as well. I would like to see Chris Dunham remain involved with the program as well, very passionate and enerjectic about his program and alma mater.

Any more names being tossed around in sider land?

[THE'GENERAL']

i think tyson would be a great choice for west but after talking to him he hasnt applied for this position.

[Westfan]

If the administration will let Kitchen pick his own asistants he wants from jr high up he is going to apply Monday from what I understand

that's great news

[black76]

From what I understand, half the parents and kids of girls varsity basketball want Tyson gone. That does not speak well for him, even though people say he is a nice guy, they also wish he would step down from the girls varsity coach....has he ever won a game or had disciplined practices? Also.....the Hurd guy has absolutely no experience at the varsity level and has been known to say very bad things re: other coaches and staff at the varsity level in several sports....as I stated before, I watched the 7th 8th grade boys several games and came away with a feeling that the kids had been let down, very talented and no execution, discipline, or game plan.... .against teams with coaches with experience at the middle school level , it makes West kids look bad.....so how on earth would he be of an help to a VARSITY program, coaching against Norm Persin, etc....that would be embarrassing. The Durham kid is a great kid and can't say enough about him as a person and that is all I will say.


That is great news regarding Kitchen, wow, that will really be the right choice for these kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What an exciting thing for West!