January interview with the Coach, Coach AC Woody, Head Coach Midway High School Lady Waves
SORSN: First off, Coach congratulations on the big victory Friday night against Grace Christian. Tell us what you saw Friday night from the Midway team that you liked.
Coach Woody: We had more points than they did when the final buzzer sounded.
SORSN: Coach, this team appears to have improved since the start of the season and the players seem to have rallied and closed the ranks a bit. Talk about the players that you think have made the biggest improvements and the most impact from November to January.
Coach Woody: Hali Morris – her strength and rebound is what got our attention and now she is becoming a scoring threat.
SORSN: The basketball season turns over quickly and leaves you little time to savor wins or sulk about losses. This week brings Coalfield and Harriman on the schedule. Tell us what you know about each and what the Lady Waves are preparing for this week.
Coach Woody: Coalfield is one of the top 3 of our toughest opponents. Harriman is # 1 in our district. We are preparing by having NO FEAR.
SORSN: Coach you are currently 3-7 overall, but your three wins have come in conference. Where does this team need to improve to stay in the conference race as the season winds down?
Coach Woody: Each player I expect to bring their best and establish a identity for our team. We are working on becoming a team that our opponents have to prepare for, instead of us preparing for them. Keep it simple and do what we do well is what we are working on.
SORSN: Coach you learned from three masters of the game: Coach John Gaston, Coach Dewayne Arp and SORSN.COM’s backyard neighbor & kung fu master, Coach Michael (Knight) Hayes. Tell us what you learned from each of those coaches.
Coach Woody:
John Gaston – fundamentals
Dewayne Arp – no favoritism
Mike Hayes – speak loud so there is no misunderstanding
SORSN: Coach you were known in your heyday as a player that never minded venturing into the paint and mixing it up with the larger players on the floor (to put it mildly). What does it take for a guard to develop that type of fearless mentality and have you been able to instill that spirit into your guards?
Coach Woody: Playing football with cousins when they are young is a great way to instill no fear!! Come watch them play and see what you think.
SORSN: Coach conditioning plays a big role late in the season, tell us about the Lady Waves ridge running tradition that we have heard about through the rumor mill.
Coach Woody: Ridge Running is a great experience and we get a lot out of it. Multi surface, plenty of ups and downs for developing different muscle groups, we learn a lot about our teammates. Even what work best on ticks, snakes, and poison ivy.
SORSN: Coach there were many members of the media present Friday night including the Knox News Sentinel, the Karns Reader, and that other local publication, the Monroe, er Roane County News. However, as you know, only one publication provides the most complete coverage, all the time (perhaps some of the time) of Midway athletics.
Coach, could you tell us and the world wide web where the people in the “know” go for all sports South of the River?
Coach Woody: SORSN.COM baby!!!!!!!!! GO GREEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MHS Lady Waves are entering into the most important part of our season. We would like to invite you all to come out and give a big ole GO GREEN cheer. We appreciate all of you who support us in so many ways it means a lot.
SORSN: Coach thanks for the time and good luck with the rest of the season.