Rector thrilled with opportunity

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

New Tiger Cubs' boss to observe, evaluate

Bryce Rector had not yet been a part of the Greencastle High School boys' basketball program for 24 hours yet, but Tuesday evening's meet-and-greet session gave the new Tiger Cub boys' head coach a great first impression.

"The fact that you're coming out to something like this shows me the support already that this community gives to its basketball program," said Rector, speaking to approximately 50 parents and players prior to an open gym session. "I have 'basketball buzz' right now even though it's the middle of June. I can't wait to get moving."

Rector was hired Monday night to revive a Tiger Cub program that has gone through losing seasons in three of the last four years and recorded just five winning seasons over the last 15 years.

Despite the high temperature inside the McAnally Center on a warm summer evening, Rector feels privileged to be working in such a storied building.

"It's got to be one of the best facilities in the state of Indiana," Rector said. "There is great support here from the administration, teachers and community. It's a perfect recipe to become in and build a program."

Rector said he will allow the assistant coaches from former coach Troy Greenlee's staff to conduct the program through the moratorium week in July as they have done since the school year ended, and will then become fully involved.

During that time, he will be getting settled into Greencastle and get acquainted with his new players while observing and evaluating them to see what he needs to work on when practice begins.

"Personnel is going to determine a lot of what we do," Rector said. "Defense and rebounding are going to be our two main focuses -- you can win a lot of games just from doing those things better than your opponent does."

The Tiger Cubs graduated four seniors from last year's team, led by Ryan Coble. The Anderson University-bound guard was the fifth-leading scorer in the state last year at 27.9 points per game.

Other departed seniors are Zack Wilkerson, Jacob Lewis and Jacob Sanders.

Leading the returners is junior-to-be guard Colin York, who had 15 of Greencastle's 48 points in the season-ending 64-48 sectional loss to Western Boone. Senior-to-be center J.T. Matthews had five points in the sectional game, while classmate Nick Costin added two. Senior-to-be Devin Clar and sophomore-to-be Alex Costin both played but did not score.

Rylan Lucas (senior-to-be) and Jack Hutcheson (junior-to-be) were both underclassmen on last year's roster, as was 6-7 sophomore-to-be Trey Wood.

"We are really going to work to play efficient offensive basketball," Rector said. "We will work to score in transition, but also in the halfcourt through moving well and playing really solid team basketball. We want to avoid turnovers and try to find ways to get our teammates open and playing together."

One other seemingly simple goal is also on his list.

"We have to come out and work harder than our opponents on a daily basis," he said.

Rector is looking forward to the challenge of playing in the tough Western Indiana Conference, which should become even more difficult with the addition of Indian Creek next season.

"When you have something to prove, there is nothing greater than a challenge," he said. "Coming into a tough conference will do a great job of preparing us for the end goal of competing in the sectional. Playing that schedule will help in doing that."

Tri-West won the Class 3A Sectional 25 title at Frankfort last year, and also went on to win the regional title before losing to Evansville Bosse in the semistate round. Other sectional opponents are Lebanon, North Montgomery, Western Boone and Crawfordsville.

Like most young coaches, Rector has a solid background of former coaches from which to draw his coaching style and methods.

He lists former coach Brian Carr of Muncie Burris and current coaches Brian Klein (Blue River Valley) and Jason Young (Avon) as his mentors.

"They don't make them better than any of those three," Rector said. "They are my 'go-to' guys as far as playing style and how to do things. In the college game, I don't think there's much better than Tom Izzo [of Michigan State]."

Rector knows the time will pass quickly before the season officially begins in early November.

"I have a lot of energy built up already," he said. "I can't even tell you what it's going to be like that first day of practice."

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  • The Tiger Cubs have a history of being under-achievers", maybe that will change now. Good Luck to the new Coach.

    -- Posted by nphs92 on Wed, Jun 22, 2016, at 8:18 AM
  • I can only hope that the back door politics that infest almost all other aspects of Greencastle athletics leave this guy alone so he can actually coach and his style not be cramped by a few connected community members that think their kid should play even if they suck. Good luck coach! You may need it.

    -- Posted by Vernie1 on Fri, Jun 24, 2016, at 6:08 PM
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