Newcomb coach looks to restore stability
By Alastair Lee Bitsoi
Navajo Times
NEWCOMB, N.M., Dec. 5, 2011
(Times photo - Paul Natonabah)
Newcomb's Ishmael Lee (12) powers to the basket against the Shiprock Northwest Falcons during first period action Tuesday at Newcomb High. The Skyhawks soared past the Falcons, 74-37.
Newcomb defeated Shiprock Northwest 74-37 in boy's prep basketball action here at the Skyhawks gymnasium.
Even with the win, Newcomb head coach Herman Gleason said his team still has a long way to go before maturing into a solid team.
"It feels great," Gleason said, adding, "A win is a win. But we have a long way to go."
Gleason, who is in his second year as Newcomb's head coach, reclaims the post he held during the 2008-09 season after a three-year hiatus.
The decision to take up the coaching reigns at Newcomb was no easy task for Gleason, whose son, Hiram Gleason, plays point guard for the Shiprock Chieftains varsity.
The past three years, Gleason said, he followed his son's basketball season.
"It took me a while to give in because I want to be supportive of my son at Shiprock High," he said. "But I seen that the kids needed a role model and needed support."
Seeing the need, Gleason said, he decided to take on the challenge.
To be successful this year, Gleason said the Skyhawks need to buy into his coaching philosophy of character, discipline and respect.
"It's been a little shell shock for them because they have to learn another philosophy," Gleason said. "They have gone through different coaching philosophies."
Under Gleason's first year as Newcomb's head coach, the 2008-09 Skyhawks finished with an overall 15-14 record and 6-6 in district. The Skyhawsk also earned a berth into the New Mexico Class 3A state basketball championships, where they lost to No. 2-ranked St. Michael's, 57-28, in the first round of the state tournament.
"We changed a lot of people's life back then," Gleason said, adding that the goal is to bring stability back to the boys' basketball program. "We've done it before, and that's our plan again."
Gleason is joined this year by assistant coaches Nolan Chee and Greg Bigman.
This year the expectation by the coaching staff is to teach their team basic fundamentals and to never give up.
"Most of the players are floaters - some with varsity and most with JV experience," Gleason said. "We have four seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and one freshman.
"We already know what we need to work on but I'm seeing what players can handle what situations," Gleason said. "A lot of these kids are coming along."
One of the seniors Gleason is relying on for much-needed leadership is guard Harold Smith who has played on the varsity squad the past two seasons.
"I know that he can teach us the fundamentals and teach us right," Smith said of Gleason. "I expect my teammates to play hard. We're improving. I just got to help the young ones improve more. So far it's not like last year, I can tell you that."
In addition to Smith, other key players include Jeremiah Barber, Todd Begay, Arnold Edsitty, Rory Henry, Ishmael Lee, Damian Miller, Jermaine Moses, Lazarus Todea, and Emerson Tsipai.
As the head coach, Gleason said the goal of his coaching staff is to reestablish the program to what it used to be, which includes creating a freshman team that has been non-existent the last few years.
"We're not going to cut," Gleason said. "We don't want to say no to anybody. That is the approach we are taking this year."
With the one victory under their belts, the Skyhawks now turn their attention to the Rehoboth Invitational this weekend where they open with a first-round game against Class 4A Miyamura.
Newcomb's preseason also includes games with Zuni, a doubleheader with Thoreau, and games with Crownpoint and Ramah.
In January, the Skyhawks will begin District 1-2A play, with home and away games against Navajo Pine, Rebohoth, Navajo Prep and Tohatchi.
As far as the district goes, Gleason said it's going to be challenge for his team day and night.
"By far, it will be Tohatchi and Pine," he said. "I don't know much about Reboboth. Pine is always a rivalry game no matter what. But we plan to be in the mix, too."
And to be in the mix, Gleason said, his team will need to be patient.
"We had a hard time running our two offenses from one another," Gleason said. "We are a work in progress. As long as we're disciplined we will win or lose as a team. We will become competitive."