In just about any sport, consistency is one of the key ingredients in the recipe for success. But that isn't limited to just the athletes. It's tough for a team to consistently perform well if it has to cycle through different coaching staffs and coaching philosophies.
The Thayer Central boys basketball team has seen its share of adversity. The seniors on the team have experienced two consecutive losing season and three different head coaches. So, when former assistant coach Clint Havel saw his opportunity to provide some sort of stability to the program, he took it.
"The seniors now were sixth-graders when I first got here. I taught them, so I've known them for six years and I understand what they're capable of doing," said Havel, who is in his first year as head coach for the Titans after spending six as an assistant. "I've coached them in JV and freshman stuff the last two or three years for some of them. There was a familiarity I had with them and it has helped."
Havel has tried not to change too much with the program in an effort to not overwhelm his team. Havel said it's easier for him to change some of his strategy rather than trying to get 20 boys to adjust to a new system.
And so far, it's worked.
Thayer Central (12-6) is off to its best start since the 2008-2009 season, when it finished the year 13-7. Havel said one of the key reasons for the success is the level of competitiveness his team brings to the practice floor.
To read more, see Tuesday's Hastings Tribune or the Tribune e-edition.>>>
