Sider Basketball

[Black@Orange]

Do we have program in the making , or will we be hiring a new coach in the next year or or two? It seems that we can have some sucess or at least compete on the lower levels. But when we get to the high school level, or when we get to the varisty level we don't have a clue. I know that basketball, is usually not the most important sport on the Westside. But it it would be nice if the kids would not have to adjust to a new coach every other year. Its the same in all sports, except for football, and softball. Coach Smith is in his first year,and needs some time to implement his style. But some of the parents and some of the explayers have not been very patient. With our administration I don't see them hiring Bobby Knight (even though he would be perfect on the Westside) or any other name you ever heard of. Baseball seniors have had 3 different coaches. What do we need to do?

[Cameron34Crazie34]

We need better attitudes. Good basketball teams have kids that know there roles and what they need to do for the team. AND WE LACK THAT! I love basketball, it by far my fav. sport, but West has struggled and I have still been there to watch them almost every game, I mean almost EVERY game. West kids just see basketball as a fun time while their not in the weight room or on the football field. I hate to see us keep getting a new coach every year or two, not only does that hurt the kids but it hurts our program. If a coach keeps seeing that we have a new coach every year they are not going to want the job. Until our kids get better attitudes and get the will to win basketball games we are going to struggle with our program. I've told the JV coach this year that I enjoy watching his kids bout more than I do the Varsity team. I just hope this JV team stays with it and keeps their heads on and does something when they get to Varsity ball. West has ALOT of athletes but they haven't felt what it is like to win on the basketball court. I hope West can get with it and build a basketball program. LETS HOPE FOR A GODO REST OF THE SEASON!

GO SIDERS!

[TAR HEEL FAN44]

Yeah, I saw some problems when you guys played West Union. I should never see a parent arguing with a coach before the game, it happens but is should not happen. I really dont like the style of ball they are playing (too many 3's) but every coach has they own style. I wish you guys the best and good luck to you in the rest of the season.

[DaRecGuy]

I will give you a perfect example of why West will never be good at basketball:

While attending the Burg game at West close to the visitors bench, one of Barrick's big men took about a 15' jump shot, he immediately sent a sub to the table for the kid. When he come out Barrick spoke to him loudly and said "that is not your role on this team, its to rebound, so DO IT!!! Some of the West parents sitting behind me said well if that was my kid "I would go down there and give that coach a piece of my mind!"

This is EXACTLY the problem, Barrick is the best coach in the area and gets the most out of his players every year. Could you see any good basketball coach wanting to come to West and put up with this. I don't and until it changes West will never be consistantly winning at basketball. I agree with Crazie that the JV team needs to stick together and maybe bring their coach with them to Varsity.

[Interested In All]

Orange& Black,I think the first thing West needs to do is hire a coach that will also be a teacher in the system.It gives him stability,it lets the kids know he will be around and isn't there just to coach, but be there as a teacher and be involved in more than just basketball.When you are there as a teacher you are around your players,other students, teachers,administration and you develop a different working atmosphere and rerlationship which a coach needs .He needs those people behind him and his kids to make things a positive for his program and build interest.I am from the West side and we had someone last year that steppeed in and did a really nice job that the players seemed to like as well as the parents.He basically left from what I heard from the Coach Triplett that he wanted a teaching job as for the reasons I just explained.I feel he would have stayed had this happened for him.He has had a rough time at Green from what I read in the paper trying to build the program at Green and has since stepped down.I know he was profesional and was accepted by most all at West last year.I'm sure he would be available if the current coach does not remain.Just my opinion and you asked

[THE'GENERAL']

the only reason i think kitchen could accomplish what he did last year was because they had the football coach right behind him for discipline issues.i really feel this way now after what happen at green. i also agree we need to be consistent with coaching but what keeps making this coaches leave or never apply?

[Interested In All]

General,I don't think discipline was the problem at Green from what all the newspaper articles said.It was because of some kids that were cut and then the one that was cut because of his attitude.Thats what I understood.

[Black@Orange]

Just got home from the Oak Hill game. We are now down to 2 seniors. Alfie is one of the best players in the county. He will never get credit for it because of our record. There was times tonight were we had basically our freshman team, with mabey a sophmore, on the court. I know that we had some kids quit, and had some kids suspended for this game. And foul trouble.
But i have another question, would we be better to leave the jv group together, and compete if not win every game? It seems the varisty can lose the games all by there selfs. And i'm not blameing the players, i'm blameing a lack of depth, and a lack of coaching.
I do think that the last 3 games we have been playing better.But the way the coaches split up the playing time does not make sense. You get 5 quarters a night. They will put a player in for a minute or so and then take hime out. Thats his quarter over with in a minute or less. And give up the jv game to save quarters for the varisty even though there not going to change the outcome of the game.
I know that the coaches are trying there best. But sometimes you have to change your coaching to the players you have to coach. And sometimes you have to give the coaches a chance. We are the West Side we are in this together, lets try to make the most of it.

[Interested In All]

Orange & Black,I was there last night and you are right Bricker is one of the best in the SOC and this area.He's a really nice athlete that is a strong competitor.As far as keeping the jv team together with all the underclassmen that we have they should probably stay together .but still the varsity comes first, but as I'm sure you know the varsity season is basically a loss.If the coach chooses to play this style of ball that is his choice,but I felt from the onset of the season that he would be in deep trouble playing like this when he got in to socII games.He doesn't have enough tallent or experience to play at that pace or style.With kids being suspended and seniors leaving I feel that there is probably a lack of discipline and the kids have never bought in to what the coach wants to do plus it shows a lack of respect they have for the coach. Whos fault that is I don't know.Guess we will have to see where all this leads to

[THE'GENERAL']

as i understand the team lost a couple of players thursday night. the coach still had planned to allow the jv team play together to win or be competitive. when that happen the night before the game plans had to change. the young guys west has have been awesome to watch but i personally dont feel they are ready for varsity basketball yet. lets let them play all jv then fill in for varsity when needed. alfie is going to be the main focus on the varsity anyway, and the younger guys seem to play as a team and not individuals. I am in support of the coaching staff and I know it will take a year or two to get your style and system in place. Good Luck the rest of the year. Boys stick together and play

[sidersports]

starting last night our jv team is now pretty much our varsity and our freshman team will be our jv. a bunch of kids have quit because of playing time and upset being moved to the varsity from the jv. our new varsity and our new jv team hasnt even had a quality practice yet together before the oak hill game and now the wheelersburg game. hopefully we can regroup and have an exciting finish to the season with over half the season yet to play.