with CHUCK VANDENBERGPCC EDITOR
DONNELLSON – The Central Lee/Holy Trinity rivalry simply got amped up a little.
Former Fort Madison Aquinas and Holy Trinity Catholic girls mind advisor Jay Baldwin had been established on Wednesday evening once the girls that are new mentor at Central Lee.
Baldwin replaces Lane Weirather whom took the Hawks to within one game for the state competition year that is last junior phenom Mya Merschman.
Baldwin is really A coach that is two-time of 12 months because of the Iowa Girls Coaches Association, and had been a Southeast Iowa Superconference Coach of the season on five various occasions during their 10-year run that ended in 2008 at HTC.
He stated the hire by Central Lee Superintendent Dr. Andy Crozier and strategies Director Jerry Ireland had been a “whirlwind” and occurred therefore fast he hardly had time for you let his family recognize.
“They called me personally plus it ended up being like a romance that is whirlwind. I chatted in their mind for 45 mins then about ten full minutes later Jerry said and called they desired to provide me personally the task. I hadn’t also chatted to my loved ones about it,” Baldwin stated.
Baldwin happens to be the coach that is assistant Holy Trinity Catholic’s males group under John Hellige through final period. He said that has been the part that is toughest regarding the choice.
“JohnI had,” Baldwin said… I love that guy and that took everything. Him and I didn’t know what to say“ I struggled trying to call. John is one of those dudes I’ve been with us and been buddies with forever.”
The Central Lee and Holy Trinity Catholic rivalry is just a healthier an element of the Lee County sports and Baldwin stated this move makes it better still for the fans.
He stated he’s plenty of buddies within the operational system plus the region so when the ball rises, it is a pastime, but prior to and after those friendships will be the larger component.
He said he’s really knowledgeable about the Central Lee group of fans additionally the school includes a big following.
“That’s the largest thing. Everyone loves that they pack the home,” Baldwin said. “They have actually a following that is great really passionate fans. I like it once the fans are typical loaded in, you’ve got the scent of this popcorn, and it’s 0 degrees outside – that’s an adrenaline rush in my situation.”
Baldwin is originating down hip and leg replacements throughout the cold weather and said he’s never ever felt better. He stated the pain the bones had been which makes it difficult for him to focus, however now there ought to be no limitations as he’s walking up to two miles a time along with his health is way better.
The Hawks are come down a 16-win period where Des Moines Christian place a nine-point victory when you look at the local final to help keep the Central Lee girls from a vacation to your state tourney.
Merschman completed 2nd in the state in Class 3A scoring with 25.3 points per game, shooting very nearly 58% through the industry.
Other people contributors which will return add Makayla that is freshman Morrison eight points per game and Ella Sanders at only over five points per game. The 2 combined for eight panels per game.
The 58-year-old mentor stated he’sn’t had time for you to look deeper to the system apart from viewing them play during boys/girls double headers recent years years.
“That’s a beneficial and a poor. We haven’t had a chance to have a look at a lot of any such thing other than viewing them play prior to the boys’ games”, he stated. “I don’t understand a lot about what’s taking place. Until then, the twelfth grade material is supposed to be taking a look at Huddle and reviewing some tape.”
Baldwin will likely to be joined by former Burlington Notre Dame standout Taylor Hickey, who’s played college ball at Quincy University.
“It would be good to possess some youth regarding the work bench and she can relate solely to them. I’m the guy that is old the work bench so that it’s good to own that liaison there. But she’ll definitely bring great deal to your dining dining table having played in senior school and college.”
The overall game, Baldwin said, hasn’t changed a lot. He stated girls basketball is much a lot more of a method game, because frequently you don’t have the celebrities that will just just take a game over.
“You perform underneath the rim therefore to speak,” he said. “It hasn’t changed much, nonetheless it taxes you to find out techniques to make things take place. Groups need certainly to interact. You don’t have actually to really have the most readily useful athletes, but you can accomplish things. if they’re for a passing fancy web page”
Baldwin led Fort Madison Aquinas into the state competition 2002 and 2004, after which took Holy Trinity Catholic straight right straight back their year that is last in.
He could be the next varsity sports mentoring hire in 2010 as ihookup Chuck Banks had been employed in April to simply simply just take the Hawks football program over.