(Avoca) AHSTW has filled their girls basketball coaching vacancy.
Jason McCall will exit the Viking boys basketball team to lead the girls program. “I’ve been in the boys program the last five years. Part of a great program with a great coach with GG Harris. I learned a lot along the way.” McCall says, “I told myself now is as good a time as ever to take over and take a chance and opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and see if I can replicate some of the things I’ve learned through the boys program and take that to the girls side.”
McCall is a 2014 Clarinda graduate. After attending Iowa State, he started as a volunteer coach with AHSTW. “I learned a lot. It’s a lot of hours. All that time was worth it and put me in a good position.”
Finding tough competition, especially in the offseason, is one way McCall intends to build the girls program. “I think this summer we are going to have a lot of good opportunities to play high level teams. Something in the past is we shy away from wanting to play those teams. I want to play top tier programs. If you want to compete at that level and want to get to state and play in substate you are going to have to see those teams and want to play those teams. That’s something I’m trying to instill in this program.”
He’s ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work with all ages. “I know it takes more than just the high school level. A program is all the way from when they are just kids kindergarten to when they are seniors in high school. I want to compete and play with a chip on our shoulder. I want other teams to know that they’ve played us when they step on and off the court. The competitiveness, the drive, the trust, the hustle, all of those things I think I can get that out of them.”
On paper the Lady Vikes return four starters and 8/9 players that were out for basketball last year. “They are such good girls and that was one of the biggest things for me in switching over is I knew what I was getting into. I knew the type of girls that are here. They are great human beings. They are good kids, they are coachable, and they are going to play their butts off for you. I’m excited to see what we can do.”
McCall replaces Jill Vanderhoof. AHSTW posted nine wins in each of the last two seasons.
AHSTW coach Jason McCall:
