| Suiter replaces Haskins in charge of WHS hoops |
By: Stephanie Sturgis - Press Sports Editor
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Posted: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 4:57 pm
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Double duty — In addition to his work as the head coach of the successful Westview Lady Charger softball team, J.B. Suiter has now been assigned the task of leading the Westview High School boys basketball team.
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The new sideline leader for the Westview High School boys basketball team isn't all that new after all.
Westview assistant coach J.B. Suiter has been elevated to the head coaching position, replacing Brian Haskins, who departed to join the UT Martin women's basketball coaching staff. Suiter's promotion was announced Thursday morning.
"Being an assistant coach here makes it easier to transition into this role. I already have established relationships with them," Suiter said.
Suiter, who served as an assistant coach for five years with the boys basketball team, isn't planning on making drastic changes to the WHS Charger program.
"Like the coaches we've had in place before, I will always work hard and maintain what we've had going here," the new head coach stated. "What Coach Haskins and Tim Britt both did, from the work and effort they put into it, I'm not going to change anything about that."
As for his game plan on the court, the Chargers' new leader is expecting continued progress.
"We will still be fast-paced on offense and aggressive on the defensiv end," Suiter noted. "We will play up-tempo, and we are going to continue to get smarter and better. Those are traits everyone is familiar with in all sports at Westview High School. It's common ground."
In addition to his assistant coach duties with the basketball team, Suiter has been busy building the Lady Charger softball team into a regular contender for the state championship. Westview's softball team made its third consecutive trip to the state tournament in May. He will continue as the softball head coach.
"I'll have a lot more on my plate from a head caoching standpoint, but I am ready," he declared.
As for what he will carry from the diamond into the gym as a head coach, Suiter put it simply.
"The kids have to see you working hard and willing to put in the time and effort too. The kids on my team are who I answer to," Suiter stated.
When Haskins announced he was leaving, scheduled vacations kept the coach from conversing in depth with WHS principal David Byars for two weeks.
"I let Mr. Byars know, but timing-wise, it was not the best. He went on vacation and then I went on vacation, but we met up and I made sure he was aware that I wanted to be head coach," the UT Martin graduate said.
As far as finding a new assistant coach, the search is ongoing according to Suiter.
The Charger boys basketball team finished the 2008-09 season as runner-up in District 13-AA in both the regular season and the district tournament before falling in the Region 7-AA opening round with an overall record of 24-8. |
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