Rangers stay in routine en route
to title
By Tim Chambers
STAR Staff
tchambers@starhq.com
MURFREESBORO -- Thirteen basketball players,
one team manager, four coaches and, of course, the all-important
navigator, "Big" John Taylor, got to know the town of Murfreesboro
quite well this week.
Yes, the excitement for the Unaka Ranger basketball
team is running at an all-time high, but for these 19 individuals,
it was doing what they do best that kept the players as cool
as cucumbers.
The daily menu was pretty much the same -- a
good breakfast at Shoney's, followed by some relaxation back
in the room. Game-day preparation and walk-throughs are routine.
Thursday featured a practice at a local sports
complex, but the only thing missing was a basketball. A trip
to the local Wal-Mart would take of that problem. In every
room, you would find a PlayStation with some competitive games
going on.
Cody Collins, Rusty Chambers and Tyler McCann
roomed together all week. To most they are known as "The Three
Stooges," but PlayStation seems to keep their minds off other
distractions.
"We couldn't sleep the night before the Temple
game," stated McCann. "So Rusty, Cody and I just played our
video game late into the night."
Said Rusty Holtsclaw: "Tyler and Rusty can't
hang with me. I am the king of basketball, but not wrestling."
The entire team disagrees with Holtsclaw, otherwise
known as "Delbert," "Big Nasty" and "Precious," but he takes
it all in stride.
Definitely, Rusty and Tyler echo the entire team.
They are the masters at PlayStation.
"Rusty can't handle me," said McCann. "He has
no heart when it comes to NBA Live."
Adam Buckles said: "It will be a long time before
I could eat another meal at McDonald's. We've wore it and
Wendy's out this week."
And team manager Alex Daniels had the same sentiments
for Shoney's.
"I don't know if I can handle another breakfast
bar until next basketball season," he said.
Josh Jones just smiled and said: "I want to enjoy
this as long as I can."
Mike Walsh, who became a varsity member in January,
feels like Unaka has a good shot at going back next season.
"If we can find someone to step in for Rusty
and Cody, we could be very good next year," Walsh said.
Josh Lowe and Tee Blevins, both sophomores, were
enjoying the ride. They remember Chambers, Collins and Jones
playing against Ezell-Harding at sophomores, and now here
they were in the championship game.
Maybe, just maybe, with a lot of hard work, they
can return to the Big Dance, but the ride ended on Saturday
for the senior players, yet the road has been paved for many
years to come.
Chambers, Collins and Jones, the three seniors,
have laid a foundation that will never be forgotten. They
will long be remembered as the first senior class ever to
win a state championship at Unaka High School.
The celebration on the floor was one that will
never be forgotten, but for the fans in stands, the party
was just beginning.
No one will ever forget the year 2004 and the
road to the state championship for the Unaka coaches, players
and fans. It's a ride that will never be forgotten.
For "Big" John Taylor, whom every player loves
and respects, what a joy, you deserved it.
To first-year assistant Larry Bowling, a job
well done.
Chambers summed it up best when I mentioned coach
Richard Thomas along with coaches Donald and Johnny Ensor:
"I love each coach with all my heart. When you spend four
years with someone, they become like family. My high school
coaches, along with my elementary coach, Kenneth Chambers,
will always be family."
To celebrate the state championship, each player
was treated to a free buzz-cut that left each head as smooth
and shiny as the gold ball which they had won.
Nineteen individuals who have become as close
as brothers, a state championship and memories for a lifetime
-- it's just another routine day for the Unaka boys basketball
team in the town of Murfreesboro.
Note: A reception and celebration is planned
for the team at the Elizabethton Ingles today at 5 p.m.
