Prather takes the reigns at Hillcrest
Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
The boy’s basketball program at Hillcrest Christian will kick off the 2010 season next week when they travel to Vicksburg to take on St Aloysius. The boy’s program at Hillcrest has established itself over the past decade as one of the premier in the MAIS having won three Overall Championships and three State Titles.
With most programs change is inevitable and Hillcrest is no exception. James Crain, who spent six seasons as the Cougar’s head coach and compiled a 167-53 record, departed last spring to take over the boy’s program at Simpson Academy in Mendenhall.
Taking over the program will be a familiar face to Hillcrest supporters. Wes Prather was named the new head coach back in May and has had a hand in coaching at all levels at the school for the past four years. Prather knows the challenges associated with taking the reigns as head coach and that first challenge will be replacing lots of talent that graduated last spring. Gone are starters Austin Hartzog, Caleb Baucum and Josh Rogers.
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One on one with Wes Prather
What’s your coaching background?
“I attended Mississippi College and Hinds Community College. I graduated from Hillcrest in 2003 and started coaching 5th and 6th grade my freshmen year of college. I just kept moving up on through the years and have been the head coach for Junior Varsity for the past 4 years. I have also been coaching 7th and 8th boys and assisting both High School teams the past 4 years.”
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What brand of basketball will you bring to the varsity level at Hillcrest?
“I hope to bring an up-tempo type style to Hillcrest Varsity basketball. I liked to push the ball when I was playing and I like for my kids to run the floor, so we will see how it works out. I believe in defense and I think with the personnel we have coming back we can play defense the entire length of the floor. We will be a fast paced team that likes to pressure the ball and capitalize on mistakes. I believe we will be a deep team so I think we can keep fresh legs on the court.”
Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
The boy’s basketball program at Hillcrest Christian will kick off the 2010 season next week when they travel to Vicksburg to take on St Aloysius. The boy’s program at Hillcrest has established itself over the past decade as one of the premier in the MAIS having won three Overall Championships and three State Titles.
With most programs change is inevitable and Hillcrest is no exception. James Crain, who spent six seasons as the Cougar’s head coach and compiled a 167-53 record, departed last spring to take over the boy’s program at Simpson Academy in Mendenhall.
Taking over the program will be a familiar face to Hillcrest supporters. Wes Prather was named the new head coach back in May and has had a hand in coaching at all levels at the school for the past four years. Prather knows the challenges associated with taking the reigns as head coach and that first challenge will be replacing lots of talent that graduated last spring. Gone are starters Austin Hartzog, Caleb Baucum and Josh Rogers.
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One on one with Wes Prather
What’s your coaching background?
“I attended Mississippi College and Hinds Community College. I graduated from Hillcrest in 2003 and started coaching 5th and 6th grade my freshmen year of college. I just kept moving up on through the years and have been the head coach for Junior Varsity for the past 4 years. I have also been coaching 7th and 8th boys and assisting both High School teams the past 4 years.”
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What brand of basketball will you bring to the varsity level at Hillcrest?
“I hope to bring an up-tempo type style to Hillcrest Varsity basketball. I liked to push the ball when I was playing and I like for my kids to run the floor, so we will see how it works out. I believe in defense and I think with the personnel we have coming back we can play defense the entire length of the floor. We will be a fast paced team that likes to pressure the ball and capitalize on mistakes. I believe we will be a deep team so I think we can keep fresh legs on the court.”
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Will you run a similar system to what Coach Crain ran?
“There are things that Coach Crain ran that I will run, and there are things that we will do different. I have picked up a lot of basketball from some great coaches the past few years so I plan on picking things that will give our team the best chance of being successful. This team is a different make-up of the past teams we have had at Hillcrest so we will adjust to what fits us best.”
.Will you run a similar system to what Coach Crain ran?
“There are things that Coach Crain ran that I will run, and there are things that we will do different. I have picked up a lot of basketball from some great coaches the past few years so I plan on picking things that will give our team the best chance of being successful. This team is a different make-up of the past teams we have had at Hillcrest so we will adjust to what fits us best.”
What are the biggest challenges this season?
“Anytime you have a new head coach it will be a challenge to the players. I think the transition for me will be easier because I coached all these kids in Junior High, but some new things might be difficult for the players to pick up. Being a young coach is a challenge in itself, but I believe in my players and I am looking forward to keeping our program where it always has been. I don’t look at challenges as a bad thing, but as an opportunity to grow, and I am looking forward to growing with this team.”
“This year’s group of seniors was really the reason I got into coaching. I have been their head coach every year except for the last two in High School. I am really excited that the timing worked out for me to be their head coach in their final season at Hillcrest.”
“Anytime you have a new head coach it will be a challenge to the players. I think the transition for me will be easier because I coached all these kids in Junior High, but some new things might be difficult for the players to pick up. Being a young coach is a challenge in itself, but I believe in my players and I am looking forward to keeping our program where it always has been. I don’t look at challenges as a bad thing, but as an opportunity to grow, and I am looking forward to growing with this team.”
“This year’s group of seniors was really the reason I got into coaching. I have been their head coach every year except for the last two in High School. I am really excited that the timing worked out for me to be their head coach in their final season at Hillcrest.”
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Hillcrest finished the 2009/2010 season with a 28-5 mark and will be a force this season in District 3AA.
