Coaches Corner: Crestview’s Jeremy Best

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

CONVOY — They don’t usually get the headlines, but good assistant coaches in any sport are just as valuable to an athletic program as the head coach and the athletes themselves.

With a record of 249-108 at Crestview, head basketball coach Jeremy Best believes in the power of good assistant coaches.

“My assistant coaches are straw that stirs the drink for our program,” Best said. “I have been and continue to be blessed to have Dave Bowen, Tony Springer and Steven Rickard working with our program. They each offer a piece of the puzzle to our program that you is necessary.”

“Dave and I have been together for 16 years and just flat out understand each other and are often thinking the same thing, like an old married couple. Tony and Steven are former players of mine and I’m so proud to have them on our staff. They really love the kids and want to see them be successful.”

“There is a tremendous amount of pride that these three guys have in our program.”

Mark Gregory was on Best’s coaching staff before taking over the reigns of the girls program two years ago.

“I coached with the boys for nine seasons with Jeremy and Dave,” Gregory said. “I loved every minute of it as varsity assistant.”

Coaches and players are enjoying a four game winning streak that has boosted Crestview’s record to 8-3 at the halfway point of the regular season. During that stretch, the Knights have averaged 62 points per game, while allowing 45.

“We are in ‘the process’ right now and our guys are practicing harder, they are communicating better and they are being accountable to each other,” Best explained. “As long as this continues we can be pleased with this group’s progress.”

The Knights are back in action Friday night at Ada, and despite a 2-10 (1-1 NWC) record, Best said the Bulldogs present some challenges and concerns.

“This Ada team is considerably different from what they were about two games ago,” Best explained. “They picked up a 6-7 transfer (Seven Williams) that had to sit 11 games and was eligible to play for the first time last Saturday. He is athletic and provides them with another 6-7 athlete to go along with Connor Frazier, who is also 6-7.”

“They will cause us trouble in the post if we don’t have a team effort on the glass and defending the post, Best added. “This also gives them another option in defending the post, so we are going to have to attack with purpose.”