I have known Ed Smith off and on since his Brentwood days, which was a long long time ago. I am not friends with the guy but we talk when we see each other. He probably didn't know my name until I started working for the newspaper and covered his games. But I am sure he had seen me before, and he probably at least one time wondered who I was. The reason for this is because he had several very interesting clashes with my brother when he was at Monroe Academy and it was me probably at least once sitting behind his bench and yelling things that only a fan can yell.
But that was a long time ago.
I don't know how long Ed had been at Stratford, but I know it has been at least 8 to 10 years, and probably longer. I have always thought that he was a pretty good basketball coach, and he was always interesting to watch because, well he yells a lot. Ed yells at his girls and the officials and pretty much anyone he can find to yell at, and he usually has that pained look on his face while he is doing it .His teams always play very hard, and they respond to him in a positive way I would say he is a bit old school in his approach, but I don't have a problem with old school.
You see, I am old school too.
He doesn't mind winning games with defense, because well, he has to win games with defense. He just does not have that many skill players on the offensive side of the basketball.
I first saw Stratford play this year the first time they played Tattnall. They were coming off of a loss to FPD in a game where they scored 13 points. I am not talking 13 points in the first half, I am talking about 13 points in the entire game. How does a team bounce back from a bad bad loss like that ? Well they beat Tattnall that night to start a five game winning streak, which included wins over Wilkinson County and yep, FPD. And somehow, someway, Stratford won the region and have a first round bye in the state playoffs.
Lets stop the presses right now.
Ed Smith is the coach of the year in this state and probably any state this year.
Why?
Because he is winning a region title with a team that just is not quite there yet.
Now, make no doubt about it. This team will not with the state championship this year. I think everyone knows that. But that does not make for a disappointing year.
Lets talk about some of these girls. Aysha Roberts the only senior who plays, has to be at least 22 years old now because I think she has played varsity basketball for 7 or 8 years. I mean she has always been on the team right ? This young lady is the epitome of the team player who knows what she is supposed to do on the court at all times. She does not load up a stat sheet and before this year I doubt she had scored 100 points in her entire career. Look at that same stat sheet and see that she scored 14 points in the region championship game. She has led this team this year and has scored when needed while playing major defense against major players. I think I have heard that she plays like 4 varsity sports and she is the kind of kid that makes an entire school better. She has certainly made this basketball team better.
I have seen Carey Woodcock do a little bit of everything on the basketball court over the last few years. She was just a 3-shooter for a few years but has become a total offensive threat this year and has expanded her ability to put the ball on the court and get to the basket.
Stratford lost Evans McCook with a broken ankle and that will surely hurt, but it just means that its time for freshmen Nadia Reese, and Mary Mitchell to shine even more. And please don't forget Drake Miscall and whoever the coaches add to the rotation with McCook gone for the year.
One thing is for sure. With Smith , Cassell and Wall on the bench, they will not get out-coached.
I will see the Central girls play tonight and what a job Shelia Toombs has done with that team. Look for them to win one or two games in the tournament. FPD probably has the best player in Macon with Kate Patterson but they lack the consistency to go too far and the same can be said for Tattnall this year.
But really what do I know. I hope a local team steps up and makes a run
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