April 18, 2018 at 4:36 p.m.
Waters tabbed to lead Bruins
Former Patriot set to begin coaching career at Blackford
Waters tabbed to lead Bruins
Mitch Waters will soon coach against his alma mater.
Waters, a 2002 Jay County High School graduate, was named Blackford girls basketball coach Tuesday.
“Obviously I love coaching,” said Waters, 34, who will keep his post as director of operations at Jay Community Center. “The opportunity (at Blackford) was there and it is close enough (to home).”
After graduating from Jay County, Waters played basketball and baseball for Manchester University. He also had a stint playing professional baseball in Italy.
This is the first time Waters will be a varsity basketball coach. He coached Manchester’s swim team, and has been the junior varsity baseball coach for the Squires.
Waters, a 2002 Jay County High School graduate, was named Blackford girls basketball coach Tuesday.
“Obviously I love coaching,” said Waters, 34, who will keep his post as director of operations at Jay Community Center. “The opportunity (at Blackford) was there and it is close enough (to home).”
After graduating from Jay County, Waters played basketball and baseball for Manchester University. He also had a stint playing professional baseball in Italy.
This is the first time Waters will be a varsity basketball coach. He coached Manchester’s swim team, and has been the junior varsity baseball coach for the Squires.
His basketball coaching experience includes recreational leagues, travel leagues and at East Jay Middle School.
Waters will have his work cut out for him at Blackford as he takes over for Jack Norton, who led the Bruins for six full seasons and the final two games of the 2011-12 season.
Blackford has not finished with a winning record since the 2014-15 season and a year ago was 1-22, including losing its first 16 games.
The Bruins were a combined 36-76 in the last five years, and 46-89 with Norton at the helm.
Waters says it’s his goal to help turn the program around, much like Jerry Hoover and freshman standout Luke Brown did with the Blackford boys program last season.
“I’m hopefully going to develop a good staff everyone respects and just stay very positive and motivating for all the kids involved,” he said. “Continue to work hard at developing the feeder system that (AAU coach) Gary Rhoten has.”
Blackford, which is a Class 3A sectional rival with Jay County, opens the 2018-19 season Oct. 30 at Southwood.
Waters and the Bruins meet the Patriots on Dec. 11 in Hartford City.
Blackford has lost four straight games to Jay County, including in last season’s sectional tournament.
The Bruins’ last win over Jay County was a 34-31 triumph Dec. 17, 2013.
Waters will have his work cut out for him at Blackford as he takes over for Jack Norton, who led the Bruins for six full seasons and the final two games of the 2011-12 season.
Blackford has not finished with a winning record since the 2014-15 season and a year ago was 1-22, including losing its first 16 games.
The Bruins were a combined 36-76 in the last five years, and 46-89 with Norton at the helm.
Waters says it’s his goal to help turn the program around, much like Jerry Hoover and freshman standout Luke Brown did with the Blackford boys program last season.
“I’m hopefully going to develop a good staff everyone respects and just stay very positive and motivating for all the kids involved,” he said. “Continue to work hard at developing the feeder system that (AAU coach) Gary Rhoten has.”
Blackford, which is a Class 3A sectional rival with Jay County, opens the 2018-19 season Oct. 30 at Southwood.
Waters and the Bruins meet the Patriots on Dec. 11 in Hartford City.
Blackford has lost four straight games to Jay County, including in last season’s sectional tournament.
The Bruins’ last win over Jay County was a 34-31 triumph Dec. 17, 2013.
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