Vinton County @ Alexander 1/12/09

[akwhitewater]

How dare any of you question the conduct of the Spartans coach! He has given more to this team than any of you so called fans...how many of you would be willing to give up your salary to give your team a "trip of a lifetime"? Coach Guthrie will tell you that when he is coaching he is a prick...but the girls would do anything for him and respect him as their coach..... They work hard and he works them hard! You never get anything out of life if you don't really work for it, you have to want it! And yes, some of the girls probably did need a wakeup call and that is why they set!! From the sounds of things Alex was running away with the game the second half so as a coach myself it would set my starters too... why add insult to injury????

You may not agree with the way Coach Guthrie operates but he produces results and his girls like playing for him. Maybe instead of making accusations you should get out there and talk to the girls and see what they think.

[Hunting185]

Yes, please do talk to the girls. That way you can hear it straight from their mouths.

Money isn't everything. If he gave up his coaching check, that was very kind of him.
Are you related to him? How do you know this information?

[Birdman]

sportsmonster I was not at last nights game but I was there Saturday night and you got beat because Alex. did not work hard. F.H. out worked you until the 4th quarter. Alex looked quicker and gave F.H. trouble on defense causing turnovers and getting offensive rebounds for easy baskets. I could see where he would be upset with the girls effort that night and make the girls run. Most coaches that is all they ask is to give 100% and they play the players that do this no matter what grade.

It is funny the "no excuse for his behavior" comment on the F.H. thread one of the parents was giving him heck for being to easy on them or not being into the game.
sounds like he got on your kid and now you are upset just my opinion.

I would have to take baseballstuds side this time.

[Hunting185]

For your information, I have no kid on the team. I enjoy watching Spartan athletics and was surprised at the game last night as were most in the crowd. I just wanted some input from others on last night's game. That is what this forum is designed for. I gather from a few of you that what he is doing is fine. So be it. Congrats on your win last night. Keep working hard ladies. Keep your heads up. Thanks for your input.

[Hayman]

AK
Simmer down sister.

[JayKay]

AKWhiteWater - Honestly, it depends on the salary, doesn't it? We all know this isn't his full time job, so I'm betting his salary isn't much. I believe most high school coaches get anywhere from $1500 - $3500 in the TVC. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong with those figures.

It's very commendable that he donated his coaching salary for the trip. But more impressive is if he donated his salary, then paid his own way. I will say he has a great group of young women - both off and on the court. They were alot of fun to watch play Saturday night against FH. I'd enjoy seeing a rematch. Too bad that won't happen this year. Congratulations on your win against Vinton County.

[buckfever]

sportsmonster, if you read the paper you would have read where he gave up his coaching checks to this trip. I may be wrong both I think he gave up both basketball and golf. Not many coaches would do this. No money isn't everything but the girls don't always agree with what he does but in the end they see the lesson in which he taught. We are all quick to judge, I myself thought a whole half was a little harsh but that is what he felt he need to do. I also do not think those seniors would intentionally put out a lack of effort, they are hard workers. Sometimes it takes something like this to make kids see that they were not going at 110%. Afterall, these are teenagers we are talking about they need a little push now and then.
He also said that injury has been a problem on the team. When you are hurt you feel like you are giving your all and that might not always be true. One thing about these girls though is they do play hurt. If they didn't like playing for this coach they would let their injuries sideline them.
I feel there is always a method to his madness, don't agree with all the mind games, they don't work on all players but he does get results.
Yes, 2 years ago they went to states and last year they got beat in the district finals by 2 or 4 against oak hill which is a very good team. They took second in the TVC to Vinton co. last year but the 2 teams split their games, Nelsonville York was the spoiler there.

[gt13osu]

The last two games Lauren and Whitney were playing poorly and were not being leaders. That is why he sat them in the first half. If they don't want to play, then they will sit the bench and let the others play. He was sending a message that he doesn't care who he plays, he wants 5 people on the floor that want to play. And guess what, it worked. They came out in the 2nd half, and played like they know how to play. Coach Guthrie has turned this program around. He knows what he is doing. You can criticize him all you want, but he is winning games and championships.

[Hunting185]

sportsmonster, if you read the paper you would have read where he gave up his coaching checks to this trip. I may be wrong both I think he gave up both basketball and golf. Not many coaches would do this. No money isn't everything but the girls don't always agree with what he does but in the end they see the lesson in which he taught. We are all quick to judge, I myself thought a whole half was a little harsh but that is what he felt he need to do. I also do not think those seniors would intentionally put out a lack of effort, they are hard workers. Sometimes it takes something like this to make kids see that they were not going at 110%. Afterall, these are teenagers we are talking about they need a little push now and then.
He also said that injury has been a problem on the team. When you are hurt you feel like you are giving your all and that might not always be true. One thing about these girls though is they do play hurt. If they didn't like playing for this coach they would let their injuries sideline them.
I feel there is always a method to his madness, don't agree with all the mind games, they don't work on all players but he does get results.
Yes, 2 years ago they went to states and last year they got beat in the district finals by 2 or 4 against oak hill which is a very good team. They took second in the TVC to Vinton co. last year but the 2 teams split their games, Nelsonville York was the spoiler there.

Thank you and also for your information about their titles as well.

[Hunting185]

The last two games Lauren and Whitney were playing poorly and were not being leaders. That is why he sat them in the first half. If they don't want to play, then they will sit the bench and let the others play. He was sending a message that he doesn't care who he plays, he wants 5 people on the floor that want to play. And guess what, it worked. They came out in the 2nd half, and played like they know how to play. Coach Guthrie has turned this program around. He knows what he is doing. You can criticize him all you want, but he is winning games and championships.

Are Lauren and Whitney the only two seniors on the team? There are other seniors? Do you help with the team?

[gt13osu]

Yes there are others seniors on the team. Emily Skidmore got alot of playing time in that game. Heather McClain had an off game and wasn't hustling up and down the floor, that's why she didn't play as much. Jenni Pyle has been struggling with injuries. Practice has alot to do with who play how long in games. Why do you ask how many seniors they have anyways?

[buddyholly]

Let us remember, the season is not over. The Lady Spartans can pull it altogether as they did last evening. Each opposing team presents a new set of challenges for any team. It is up to the coach to figure out how to deal with these challenges and prepare the team to overcome them. That leads to victories. Good luck the rest of the season Lady Spartans.

[Hunting185]

Yes there are others seniors on the team. Emily Skidmore got alot of playing time in that game. Heather McClain had an off game and wasn't hustling up and down the floor, that's why she didn't play as much. Jenni Pyle has been struggling with injuries. Practice has alot to do with who play how long in games. Why do you ask how many seniors they have anyways?

I thought there were more seniors than just the two of them. I did not realize that Emily got to play alot during the game. Good for her. Do you coach the team? You seem to know about the players and how hard they work and about their injuries. Jenni is the only player with injuries? I thought the paper read that there were a laundry list full of injuries.

[gt13osu]

A laundry list full may be exaggerating just a bit. But yes, the Lady Spartans do have some injuries. Whitney has her knee injury, Kayla has an injured ankle, which she re injured during the game but she played through it. Lauren was getting her throat checked out by the trainer before the game. Everybody has injuries, it is just how bad are those injuries, and you have to play through them. Pain is just weakness leaving the body.

And to whoever made the comment about the girls who didn't play this year because of Coach Guthrie...... They are weak. To play for Denton, you have to work and you have to want to work. They didn't want to do that. They wanted it to come easy for them. They weren't willing to put the time into basketball so Denton didn't care if they played or not. He wants girls that have the 3d's. Dedication, drive, and determination. I played for Denton for 4 years and he was the best coach I had.

I am not a coach with the team, but I have close affiliations with them.

[Hunting185]

A laundry list full may be exaggerating just a bit. But yes, the Lady Spartans do have some injuries. Whitney has her knee injury, Kayla has an injured ankle, which she re injured during the game but she played through it. Lauren was getting her throat checked out by the trainer before the game. Everybody has injuries, it is just how bad are those injuries, and you have to play through them. Pain is just weakness leaving the body.

And to whoever made the comment about the girls who didn't play this year because of Coach Guthrie...... They are weak. To play for Denton, you have to work and you have to want to work. They didn't want to do that. They wanted it to come easy for them. They weren't willing to put the time into basketball so Denton didn't care if they played or not. He wants girls that have the 3d's. Dedication, drive, and determination. I played for Denton for 4 years and he was the best coach I had.

I am not a coach with the team, but I have close affiliations with them.

Are you a medical student? A psychology student? You seem to THINK that you know alot about pain and who can work through it and who can't and who you feel is weak and who is strong. You are full of information. Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge. I hope that all the players will keep those 3 D's that you mentioned in mind.

[gt13osu]

Are you a medical student? A psychology student? You seem to know alot about pain and who can work through it and who can't and who you feel is weak and who is strong. You are full of information. Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge. I hope that all the players will keep those 3 D's that you mentioned in mind.

I am a student of the game.

[Hunting185]

Are you a medical student? A psychology student? You seem to know alot about pain and who can work through it and who can't and who you feel is weak and who is strong. You are full of information. Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge. I hope that all the players will keep those 3 D's that you mentioned in mind.

I am a student of the game.

[orange-n-brown 365]

The Spartans will next be in action Thursday January 15th as they travel to Buchtel to play Nelsonville.

dang did they move the school across the street? again:lol:

[buddyholly]

Was the Alex/NY game cancelled?

[Spartan]

Calling the girls weak for not playing this year is uncalled for. Also, there is a difference between being demanding, and being just plain mean. The benched seniors have brought the Spartans sports programs unprecedented success, I find it difficult to believe they deserved such ire from the coaching staff as to be benched. Let alone put into the game when it looked like we were going to lose.
Everybody has an opinion, that is only mine. I have always been and remain a Spartan fan.