Coaches don’t just coach, but also scout

Scouting opponents takes up a large chunk  of time for many  area girls coaches.

Kenton Ridge High School's Mariah Harris (30) is guarded by Greenon's Krya Dorney during a Division II sectional basketball game Feb. 23 at Xenia High School. Both school rely heavily on scouting to gain an edge on their opponents. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

Barbara J. Perenic Kenton Ridge High School's Mariah Harris (30) is guarded by Greenon's Krya Dorney during a Division II sectional basketball game Feb. 23 at Xenia High School. Both school rely heavily on scouting to gain an edge on their opponents. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic

ENLARGE PHOTO

Scouting gives some extra edge

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By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer Updated 12:36 AM Saturday, March 13, 2010

They’re at every game, lurking in the shadows at the top of the gymnasium bleachers.

They’ve got more clipboards and pens than Office Depot. They watch every tiny detail of a game, hoping they can find any edge on the competition.

By day, they’re high school basketball coaches. At night, however, they take on a second, lesser known gig.

They’re scouts.

For some, it’s a time-consuming obsession.

“If I don’t see a team, I’m uneasy,” said Greenon High School girls basketball coach Gary Falkenbach, who scouted nearly 30 basketball games this year. “I have a great feeling knowing I’m prepared heading into games.”

Falkenbach isn’t alone.

Of 14 area girls basketball coaches surveyed, the average coach watched their opponents play at least 15 times this season, spending 44 hours on scouting live basketball games alone — not including driving or film study.

Coaches agree it’s a no-brainer to search for as much information on your opponents as possible.

“If you were given the questions to a test, do you think you’d do better on it?” said Triad girls coach Jason Malone. “If you knew exactly what’s on it, you’ll be a little more prepared. I always tell the girls, ‘I’m giving you all the answers. Can you take advantage of it?’ ”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365 or mcooper@coxohio.com.

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