The Shelbyville News

 

Jeff Gorrell's athletic department budget took a pretty big hit the last few weeks.

Both the girls' and boys' basketball teams won sectional titles meaning celebratory T-shirts had to be purchased and super-sized team pictures must be ordered.

Of course, half of the financial dilemma is of his own doing. Gorrell also serves as the boys' basketball coach and in his two-year run, the Mohawks have two sectional championships. That's more than a lot of coaches get in much longer careers.

"It's definitely been fun," Gorrell said after the Mohawks lost to Bethesda Christian Saturday morning in the first regional semifinal game at Martinsville, 47-45. "There are a lot of great coaches that never get this opportunity. I've been fortunate enough to get two of them.

"Last year (winning my) first sectional was a great experience. This year I had a chance to work with the players over the summer. We knew we wouldn't be as talented. We knew we had to work all spring, summer and fall to get ready for March. That's what you build for. You like to get a lot of wins during the season but it all builds toward the sectional and beyond."

Not too bad for a guy who believed he put away his coaching whistle when he accepted the athletic director's job at Waldron in 2006.

For now, Gorrell the basketball coach is saying all the right things about a possible return.

"We have to get back to work," Gorrell said. "We will take a few days off then get back in the weight room. Our young players have to realize we're not content with just getting into a sectional and maybe winning a game. We've won two here in a row and we want to try and continue that."

Waldron, like most schools, is always searching for ways to save money. But when athletic teams win, tradition mandates money be spent to commemorate the event.

So don't be surprised if spring baseball games cost $10 to watch. And it may cost $5 to park at a tennis match. And I'm almost sure the price of a soda just went up at the concession stand.

So what will sway Gorrell to stay on as basketball coach?

Maybe the play of James Horine Saturday.

The sophomore forward developed all season under the auspices of senior Cody Hurst.

Horine scored nine points in the fourth quarter to help his Mohawks defeat Southwestern in the sectional semifinal game. One night later in the championship game, Horine scored eight of his 10 points in the third quarter to help Waldron close in on Edinburgh.

Then with Hurst sidelined for the regional with a broken hand, Horine shined with 19 points and five rebounds.

"James really stepped up," Gorrell said. "When Cody went down, that was James' call.

"He had some huge rebounds down the stretch and hit some big shots. He was undersized compared to (Mike) West down there... there's not too many middle linebackers that guard you in the post like that."

West, the Bethesda Christian senior, was referred to as "Baby Shaq" by an opposing coach that faced the Patriots earlier in the season. And while West's team prevailed, Horine had the better game.

Surprisingly, Gorrell the basketball coach admitted he has been talking with Gorrell the athletic director about next year.

"It sure would be nice to come back and coach," he said. "Maybe other people have other plans for me."

If Gorrell returns, getting a regional win at Martinsville after losing two games there by a total of three points is a top goal.

"We're due for a win here in this gym," Gorrell said.