Brooke High: A Real Life Legacy

[bcongeli]

Hey. I posted a thread in the general discussion board dealing with my excitement over getting the head coaching job at my alta mater high school.

I was thinking about doing a real life legacy dealing with that (as, I already posted a lengthy post under the topic in the other board).

I just wanted to know, before I started it, if anybody would be interested in reading a real life legacy that begins Monday as I move into my new office. Anybody? At all? Haha. :lol:

[nickm]

Yes, I definatley would, even if it is High School. It would be more in depth and be from the point of view from the ACTUAL coach. I think it would probably be the most entertaining. Plus you can say how kids are improving and even talk about practice not games. I'll be tuning in!

[K Bomber]

I've been where you are and I can understand where you're coming from and what you're getting into

Post it, it could be a neat read.........

[bcongeli]

Okay, so I've decided that I'm going to go ahead and do this. So, you all had better be ready for a long, strange journey. I'm sure some crazy stuff is bound to happen.

First, let me tell you a little about myself. I'm 22 years old and just graduated from West Virginia University last May with my degree in sports coaching. I'm happily married to my wife, Lisa, whom I meant my Sophomore year at college at one of the football games. We are expecting our first child/daughter in December, and is currently going to be named Constantine or Konstantine...Lisa and I can't agree on the spelling. Haha.

Anyways, I had put in a few job applications and hadn't heard anything. Around this same time, the head b-ball coach at my Alta Mater high school decided to resign from his position and take the head coach of the football team since the board of education offered the position to him.

Word has it that the system was going to hire within the system until they got my application/resume. I went in for my interview and got a call the same day telling me the job was mine. I move into my office Monday.

My first plan of business as being head coach is to get last year's remaining team together for a meeting and discuss the upcoming season and what days of the week would best to have off-season conditioning.

I feel as if most of my time in the upcoming weeks will consist of compiling our schedule for the season. Although our OVAC schedule stays pretty much the same every year, I would love to do battle with some schools from Pennsylvania. Although, I'm not sure if they would travel to play such a small team.

Anyways, this post is getting long and I still plan on posting what roster we have left from last year, just so you all know where I stand right now. Until then, good day mates.

[bcongeli]

Alright guys, this is a very unofficial roster. It is just what I have left from last year, according to last year's roster. You will notice right away that we are VERY, VERY senior heavy. That could be a great thing, or it could lead my team to destruction next year. Anyways...here is what I got.

UNOFFICIAL STARTERS
there will be open competition for starters
PG: Joey Gaglione
- Senior
- 5'10''
- 165
- + Great speed
- + Smart kid, 4.0 average
- - May not step into the leader role

SG: Brian Henderson
- Senior
- 6'1''
- 184
- - May be too aggresive, foul trouble
- + Football player, so obviously in great shape

SF: Zeke Falcon
- Senior
- 5'8''
- 131
- - May be too small for this position
- + Speedy
- + Great hands
- + 4.0 GPA

PF: Ryan Prantil
- Senior
- 6'4''
- 204
- +Big force inside
- - Slow
- - Nagging injuries

C: Chris Baldulf
- Junior
- 6'7''
- 264
- + Led OVAC in rebounds
- + Led team in points
- + Hard to push around
- + 4.0 GPA
- - Needs to get in shape

BENCH
Rick Sandreth
- Senior
- 6'3''
- 201
- +Fast for being a big guy
- - Has trouble passing his classes

Chris Goode
- Senior
- 5'7''
- 129
- - Very small
- +Speedy
- + 3.7 GPA
- - Only got 6 total minutes last season

As you can see, our bench is very small. I really need to get some more kids on the hardwood this season. But, with the kids I have now, I can see some good stuff happening this season if they play as a team...not as individuals.

I also have an official "press conference" tomorrow to accept the job in front of the media. We'll see how that goes since I'm not good with public speaking. Haha. I'll fill you guys in about that tomorrow night. Have a good one everybody.[/i]

[Mariners in 2006]

Sounds like a good group of guys, and good luck with your conference...

[foosketballin]

Wow, I think this is going to be more intiresting than any video game legacy! Be sure to say how some practices go and other details of what goes on! Lookin good! :P

[vandnbyriver5]

this is one il read

[K Bomber]

You've got real size issues. You better run, run, run and then run some more

I'm not sure full court pressure is a real answer for you either with your size problems. How fit is your big guy?

[StrikeThree]

Are these the actual kids names?

If so that probabley isn't the greatest idea.

As for size problems... not that bad except at SF ( 5'8 is wayyyyyyyy to short)

[BuckeyePride81]

Never thought about that...

You might want to just use first names, just in case.

[Mariners in 2006]

You should use fake names...

[bcongeli]

I'm one step ahead of you guys. I'm not stupid enough to post real names. The first names are correct. But, last names are either spelled majorly wrong or totally different from the real life counterpart. No need to be worrying about that.

KBomber, I realize I have size issues. My big guy, Chris, was in shape last season but I guess he found the holy meca of fast food or something. He is going to be my biggest obstacle this season, even though he is questionably my best player.

As for Zeke an his size...he probably won't stay there. If I don't get any good kids to come play this year, I'll probably move Rick Sandreth into Zeke's spot. Although, I really wish I could find a spot for Zeke in the starting lineup. He is talented and fast. He could really do some damage.

I talked to the Athletic Director of the school today also. I'm allowed to start training for the boys whenever I want....they just aren't allowed to touch a basketball until a date in the future, as set by SSAC (Secondary Schools Athletic Comission). So, until then, I'm gonna be doing alot of running and weight lifting with the guys. I'm going to call the first official meeting for Monday after school and probably start training Tuesday for the kids whom are interested in starting this early.

I'll keep everybody posted.

[squidpants]

That's awesome man, I will definitely read it. I'm curious about what coaches think and how they plan. Make sure your opponents don't know about this!

[Anonymous]

nice! this should be interesting

if Rick Sandreth can be elligible then that will help w/size issues , from the starters you posted i dont see a size problem on offense - you could run a 3 guard offense and you actually have good size up front, but on defense you will have some real size problems..., well there are a lot of ways to go about it (positions on D can be different then offense , etc...)

hope you get some good athletes to turn out for your tryouts , maybe you will get an unexpected ballplayer or 2

[Martin Dihigo]

^^ oops it put me down as Guest

[bcongeli]

Well, all...I had my first press conference Saturday so the media can get the stories or whatever about the new coach. So, I'm gonna try to remember all the questions and how I answered them. I'll try to get them word for word as much as I can. And, remember, I'm not the best public speaker. Haha. This was pretty hard for me.

Reporter:Sir, you aren't much older than the kids on the team. You just got out of college while they are ready to apply. How can you expect for them to listen to you?

Me:These kids of basketball players. They are a basketball team. And every team has a coach. I am that coach. If they can't respect me, I do not think they will be on the team. In retrospect, I believe, because I'm so young, this team is going to have a real down to earth approach. We're going to have fun this year.

Reporter:How do you think the public is going to respond to such a young coach?

Me:I wish I could say that the public would not play a role in my coaching, but this is high school. Conflicts are bound to happen. I'll deal with them properly as they come.

Reporter:Last season, Brooke had a dismal 4-20 record. How do you plan to improve this?

Me:*Laughing* Going from a 4-20 record to my goal of .500 is a big feat. But, I'm very confident in the kids that are involved with this program. They have talent, they just needed the coach to bring it out. I'm hoping I can be that coach. If not, I'll gladly let the next guy step in because these kids deserve to win.

Reporter:You would let the next guy step in? How dedicated are you to this job?

Me: Dedication shouldn't be a question. I'm young, full of energy, and I want to put my education to work. If these kids get anything out of this upcoming season, I want it to be how to achieve your goals. As rududant as that saying may be, I believe in it. I'm going to be the best coach that I can be and hopefully make these kids the best PEOPLE they can be, while making basketball second.

Reporter:How does your schedule look this year?

Me:We are playing our usual OVAC conference schedule, with an added Wheeling Park game so there won't be a tie between Park, Weirton, and us for the northern region champsionship again. We are trying to schedule more Ohio and Pennsylvania teams. We do have Bellaire (Oh) and Mt. Lebanon (Pa), which both reached their respective semi-finals in the states this pass season. I really want to challenge the team this year.

Okay, that is all I can do for now. The wife wants to go to Bahama Breeze for dinner, so I gotta get ready. When I get back later tonight, I'll finish it up. There were only a few more questions. Until then, good day mate.

[Mariners in 2006]

Sounds like your press confrenece went well and it also sounds like you have a couple of challenging games for the upcoming season...

Nice job on the legacy so far, and thats a good approach you have for the players..."If these kids get anything out of this upcoming season, I want it to be how to achieve your goals."

[vandnbyriver5]

This is very cool.
That reporter almost busted u on the dedication thing, but u made a nice save.

[bcongeli]

This is very cool.
That reporter almost busted u on the dedication thing, but u made a nice save.

Yeah, dude. Tell me about it. There was actually about a five second pause between the question and my answer...I really didn't know how to respond. But, as you said, I think I made a nice save.

The team actually had our first workout tonight. In a little while, I'll update all of you on that. It was pretty interesting to say the least.

[jiblit3]

great legacy keep it up

[J Hall]

this is a great read. I'm looking into coaching high school basketball here soon and this is educational in a way to me lol. keep up the good work and good luck with those guys. i can only imagine how hard it's going to be

[Martin Dihigo]

Reporter:How does your schedule look this year?

Me:We are playing our usual OVAC conference schedule, with an added Wheeling Park game so there won't be a tie between Park, Weirton, and us for the northern region champsionship again. We are trying to schedule more Ohio and Pennsylvania teams. We do have Bellaire (Oh) and Mt. Lebanon (Pa), which both reached their respective semi-finals in the states this pass season. I really want to challenge the team this year.

Okay, that is all I can do for now. The wife wants to go to Bahama Breeze for dinner, so I gotta get ready. When I get back later tonight, I'll finish it up. There were only a few more questions. Until then, good day mate.

Hey keep us updated man , hows the team going. This is def. an interesting legacy. I see you have Mt.Lebanon Pa. on the schedule , thats only like 40 min from me over in Western Pa.... I've always had a interest in coaching and one of my family members coaches the local highschool girls squad.
Anyway *Bump*

[StrikeThree]

Any Updates?

[bcongeli]

There will be one coming soon.

[vandnbyriver5]

great i was worried this was gonna be discontinued

[StrikeThree]

There will be one coming soon.

when is soon?

[K Bomber]

There will be one coming soon.

when is soon?
Sometime before later on I'm thinking...........

[bcongeli]

Finally, an update. It has been a LONG time since I posted anything on here but life is busy. So, here goes nothing...

A few weeks ago, I entered the team into a traveling basketball league under the name, Brooke County Jams. So far, we are 2-3. Not too bad considering our lack of a roster...plus, we really don't run any plays. Haha. We didn't have enough time to practice before the league started so the boys just go out there and play street ball. It is fun to watch.

Anyways, the off season conditioning has been going quite well. I'm very impressed with the amount of effort the boys are putting into it. So far, Joey Gaglione has been VERY impressive. When my wife and I go to the school's new fitness center to walk or for Lisa to get in the hot tub (carrying a baby in your stomach HAS to hurt the back! Haha), I almost ALWAYS see him working out on his own and just taking hundreds of three throws at a time. I love work ethic. And, as I watch him on the court in our traveling league, I can really see him stepping into the shoes as being a leader. He is CONSTANTLY keeping the guys moving around the court, while being there to offer advice during timeouts.

Another thing I'm impressed by (which I know I would be) is Chris Balduf. I mean, everybody told me that this kid was good. But, good was an understatement. We have played FIVE games, with 10 minute halves...Balduf has an unbelieveable 51 rebounds. I don't know whether to credit the bad shooting percentage of the teams we have been playing or if Balduf is really just that good. Also, at this point in time, he is leading the team in points with 104. He has already been in contact with West Virginia University, Pittsburgh, and Rhode Island. This kid has an amazing future ahead of him.

My major concern right now is still depth, but hopefully that is going to be an easy fix when tryouts come along. I'm sure I'll get a few more good ballers to give us depth on the pine.

That is all I can think of right now. I'm sure something else will pop into my head has I mow the damn grass. Haha. If you guys have any questions, post them and I'll gladly answer them.

[vandnbyriver5]

Balduf sounds great, but gaglione i think will be a tremendous leader, good luck
River

[squidpants]

Hey man, that's good to hear about those two guys. Lots of us have been wanting to hear more about the team. Keep us updated, and good luck!

[ut_jazz]

yeah, no doubt, keep it going

[Prince_RIP]

Come baaaaaaack bcongeli! Tell us how it went!

[StrikeThree]

Yes Come back.. :wink:

[Mangol]

I'm an Associate Head Coach for a local Public High School in Pennsylvania (where we are not allowed to, or suppose to recruit players, but some coaches feel it does happen). We'll we wait for the next post, I thought I'd talk about my High School.

In either case, the season starts on Nov 15th (first official practice). We are allowed to have off-season workouts (with basketballs). Anyway, here's a look at our potential Varsity roster:

(names hidden)

E.D. (Sr.)
PG 5' 11" - 155 lbs
quickest guy on the team with great slashing ability, a streaky outside shooter, our best 1-on-1 defender, needed to improve his pull-up jumper off a drive.

B.T. (Sr.)
SG 6' 2" - 165 lbs
very athletic, good intercepter defender, a great off the dribble shooter, leaps out of the gym, great ability to create a shot, when none is available (late game). Everyone wants him on his team in pickup games and no one wants to guard him. A potential grade eligibilty issue - 1.8 GPA.

B.L. (Jr.)
SF 6' 1" - 150 lbs
right hand strong, with weak left, long wingspan with quick hands, threat in post, very athletic, and quick leaper, great slashing guard who reads when to pull-up and when to dunk, a much improved pull-up jumper. A potential grade eligibility issue - 2.3 GPA.

S.B. (Jr.)
PF 6' 3" - 180 lbs
the on court leader, great shoot (a slow release though), a solid scoring threat from inside and out. Not a great leaper but solid strength, not the quickest guy on the floor, but decent.

The Center Position is in a tossle up at this point.
D.D. (Sr.)
C 6' 1" - 225 lbs
Great defender and passer with quick feet, a decent shot from <15', thinks he can dribble. A good role player offensively, willingness to set allot of screens and get few touches.

(option)

D.J. (Sr.)
C 6' 4" - 190 lbs
A huge wing span and a powerful right drive that routinely draws a foul or a charge, has no left hand unless it is blocking shots, understands defensive concepts, not the greatest leaper but average for height, still needs to add weight (too late for that).

Bench:

B.S. (Jr.)
F 6'3" - 185 lbs
Nice set shot, but needs time to get it off, solid rebound, a step slower then most.

G.J. (Jr.)
F 6'1" - 170 lbs
Shys from contact, good post move, limited rebounding skills, solided defensive awareness, no leaping ability.

C.M (Sr.)
G 6'0" - 155 lbs
very athletic, yet very raw, can drop step dunk (yes no lie he is only 6 foot), has great hangtime, can handle the ball well, solid shot off the dribble. Downs, did I mention very raw, he knows how to play, just not with others, and grade eligibily the last two years - 1.4 GPA.

M.T. (Jr.)
SG 5' 9" - 140 lbs
will probably be our starting shooting guard next year. A great shooter, who only likes to play offense, and gambles allot on defense.

What are some of the issues the coaching staff are addressing this season?

Height, we will probably be the smallest team in our division. It is the first year (in my 5 years with the program) we don't have a 6'6" or better center. Whoever draws the job of guarding the center will always be playing against someone between 6'6" to 6'9". We think we will be able to play with or dominate at the guard position and play tough man-to-man in those position, but will have to provide allot of help to the center position.

Our cross town rivals, will most likely start:

PG: 6'0" (Sr. potential all-county)
SG: 6'2"
SF: 6'4"
PF: 6'6" (Sr. all-county player as junior)
C: 6'9" (So. potential all-county)

Only one person on that roster is a threat from the perimeter, but most of them can handle the basketball. This is a very strong line-up and they will probably win the division. We have two potential all-county players, but most likely just one at the SG position.

We should not have many issue with scoring, but sharing the basketball could be an issue for the 1 thru 3 spot. We're not sure if we have enough basketballs for how often these three like to shot.

Grades, lets not even get into it! Over half our kids come from a split family, two of the kids on the varsity squad don't even know who their parents are. Our grade policy is you can not be failing two classes, so yes you can be failing one. We are on a block schedule system, so you only have four or five classes per semester.

It gets really frustrating, you'll see a kid that could potentially benefit the program, but you find out he is a third year junior, an eligibility nightmare.

We are a half city, half suburban school district, which creates all kinds of chemistry issues. I could devote an entire post to this topic.

With what we've got, we are debating if we play allot of zone. It is the earliest we've introduced zone into the practice plan, and remains to be seen if we can be successful at playing zone when traditionally we've been a man-to-man program.

Last thing, we hold individual workouts three times a week and fall weight lifting twice a week. We get about 50% participation for various reasons. We usually get more for individual workouts then weight lifting (obvious reasons).

Most improved player since last year is B.L. who will play the 3 spot. He doesn't have a father and relies on others for rides. If he can't get a ride he doesn't show up. He is a workhorse when you can get him into the gym and I sometimes wonder how good he could have become if he would have shown up more often.


- - - - -
I wonder if some of these issues could play into College Hoops, such as player's ambition and attitude, team chemistry, outside influnences (such as drugs), and the big-one grade's eligibility.