I recently had a chance to sit down with Coach Spurgeon and talk about this years team, as well as, some current projects evolving that relate to the basketball program. This is the transcript from that interview.
Talk to me about your returning group?
CS: The returning core are very talented and very hard working. They have shown a lot of dedication since I’ve been here. They are kids you want to be in the foxhole with. Slater, Sammy and Stu really round out the group nicely.
Define your team in a few words?
CS: Hard-nosed, unselfish
What kind of expectations do you have for this years team?
CS: I have high expectations for this year’s group. They work hard and play right. As our ball-handling and fundamentals improve, we could become a “giant-killer.”
Can you talk to me about the seniors of your team this year?
CS: There are 5 Seniors total. Very good group. Joe, Zell and Josh have been at the center of the basketball programs’ turnaround. Slater and Stu play valuable roles.
How competitive will the Portage Trail Conference be this year? Where are we positioned?
CS: We are positioned in the top half of the league. I’ll be curious to see how it all pans out. I think the championship runs through defending champs Streetsboro. Streetsboro made it to the regional finals in Division 2 last year. A lot of parity.
Describe your coaching philosophy?
CS: My coaching philosophy is simple. Go find the 7 toughest kids you can and teach them to D it up, take care of the ball and shoot it. Zone/man/motion/set offense/fast break….. all that stuff is nice. But, if you don’t have kids who are tough – you’re in trouble. You can’t teach toughness retroactively. You have to find it. East Canton is a good place for me because a lot of parents here have raised some tough kids.
East Canton basketball is in its 75th year. What is the program doing to celebrate that?
CS: We have a very rich tradition and plan to celebrate it throughout the 09-10 season. Things being planned include but are not limited to:
• a 75th year glossy edition of Hornet Hoops
• the formation of a Basketball HOF committee
• Alumni Weekend 2/19/10-2/20/10
Alumni Weekend will feature Alumni Recognition Night at Friday night’s game followed by a mixer in the Davis Gym and an Alumni Game(s) Saturday night.
Can you talk some about the youth program at East Canton?
CS: This year we have 73 kids grades 3-6 playing in our Saturday league. It’s a ton of work setting teams, covering the site, running concessions and as of right now coaching a 5-6 grade team, but I know it’s good for kids and pays off in the long run at the Varsity level. The community is a huge help. Larry Wilson was phenomenal with his youth program and that’s what I’m trying to recreate with the league and camps.
How would you compare the players of today with the players during your playing days?
CS: The good ones are the same or better. They’re tough and they have trade craft. The average ones aren’t as good. We only played the major sports. Average kids had to really work to role players in the major sports. Today, there are so many other things for kids to do. The OHSAA is doing a great job of getting more kids involved by adding sports, but it dilutes the major sports by pulling the moderately talented kids who used to be role players away into the smaller sports though a promise of easier success. It’s a double-edged sword… success is good for self-esteem but it borders on false praise.
Who are your coaching role models?
CS: My father, Larry Wilson and the entire Perry Staff, Bob Dukiet, Rich Venuto, Tom Mcbride and Joe Bogdan. There are a ton of guys that have influenced me. I’m not sure I’ve ever had an original thought. My entire philosophy is a conglomeration of those I’ve been around.
How many years have you put in coaching? How many as an assistant and how many as a head coach?
CS: I started coaching a boy’s club team for Tim and Dave when I was in high school. Worked camps in college. I have 1 year of Jr. high, 8 as JV/Assistant Varsity, and this is my 3rd year as a head coach.
Your a teacher, what classes to you teach?
CS: Physics, Physics FV, Physical Science, Physical Science CP, Sepup, Genetics, Ecology, OGT Prep… East Canton is a small district – so you have to wear a lot of hats. I really love teaching here.
The program recently moved from D4 to D3. can you Elaborate on the affects of that?
CS: It really doesn’t matter to me. If I had my way, we’d go back to one division.
Talk about the new facilities being built?
CS: Awesome! Our community really came through. We took advantage of the state paying 2/3 of the bill and are in the process of building a top notch facility. It’s a wonderful thing for the kids of this community. Basketball-wise, we’ll have an advantage.
What's your favorite pre-game meal?
CS: Potato soup at John’s
Do u still keep in touch with your high school teammates?
CS: Yeah. We were a lot like this team (only much bigger – I was the smallest starter)…. a band of brothers. We have all spread out since high school, but when you spend the amount of time together under those circumstances – it’s a bond that never fades. We still run into each other at camps, state tourneys, etc… and we always pick up right where we left off.
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