D-B’s Poore Happy With Inherited Staff, Players
Author's Note: I was fortunate to spend almost an hour with D-B basketball coach Chris Poore recently. We discussed a myriad of topics over the course our meeting. Out of our conversation came a four-part series regarding his first six weeks on the job, the Tribe players and assistant coaches, his offensive and defensive philosophy and the 2017-18 schedule. Below is Part 2 of 4. - Steve Wilmoth
by STEVE WILMOTH
TriCitiesSports.com
June 25, 2017
KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Among the many attractions to the Dobyns-Bennett basketball job for new head coach Chris Poore were the staff and players that he would inherit upon his arrival.
“There were a lot of pieces I knew that would already be in place,” said Poore. “For me, it was easy to come into the set-up and keep things moving and flowing because of that.”
Particularly beneficial were returning assistant coaches Matt Baker and Brandon Reed.
“Coach Baker and Coach Reed have done anything and everything that you could ask for of an assistant coach,” added Poore. “They know the program, how it operates and they had the off-season stuff and the summer stuff set-up.”
Poore did tweak a few things, but the veteran assistants were equally as helpful in the transitions.
“Changes are never easy, but they’ve made this thing absolutely as smooth as it could possibly be,” continued Poore.
An additional assistant was added to the staff in former Cherokee Chief James Scales, who also played for George Pitts at King University.
“James has a good rapport with our players already,” Poore said. “He has a lot to offer our program.”
Poore also notes the work of D-B Strength & Conditioning coach Zack Fleming.
“I’m excited with the staff I’m working with,” Poore added. “I see a lot of stuff we can do and the progress is going to happen.”
Poore said the energy provided by the coaching staff has in turn energized an already hungry group of returning players.
“Player wise, you couldn’t ask for a group to give you more than they are giving,” explained Poore. “They have bought into the program and the philosophies of what we are doing. Every single day, we discus as coaches the progress they are making.”
Poore said that progress has been easy to glean from the outset because of the changes he and the staff are implementing. But the rate of progression has been ahead of the curve.
“It’s a neat thing to see their progression from where we started to what we are trying to change as far as program philosophy and see how they are developing into that,” continued Poore.
Poore quickly noticed two strengths that will characterize the 2017-18 Indians – depth and quickness.
“We have a number of good ball handlers than can get it down the floor and attack the rim,” noted Poore. “We have a number of good decision-makers than can pick you apart and understand the offense.”
The Tribe can go deep into the rotation and still maintain its speed and quickness and the Indians also have a decent amount of size. Any lack of size in some areas is masked by physical play.
“It’s a good balance of things we can mix and match and manage,” said Poore. “Even though the skill set is very comparable among the players, we don’t have any two of the same players.”
Managing the depth and finding a rotation will be key for Poore and the Indian staff when the team returns from the TSSAA dead period than begins today.
“Depth is a great thing, but it’s hard to find minutes for players than need it,” Poore explained. “The last thing you want to do is sit a player for long minutes when he can offer you something.
“Right now we know there are several weapons that we know that we have to have on the floor at some point to be successful. We’re just trying to pinpoint the combinations and when those combinations will work best.”