Wildcats Assistant Basketball Coach Joe Garcia was the guest on KSST and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coaches Show this past Saturday (January 18). For weeks, Head Coach Clark Cipoletta had planned a trip out of town Saturday to see former player Keaston Willis and the University of the Incarnate Word play his alma mater Stephen F. Austin. Coach Garcia commented on a lot of things including the Wildcats’ Friday night loss at Greenville, 41-38 in the district opener for each team. Coach Garcia graduated from Yantis High School and from Texas A&M-Commerce. He coached previously at Yantis and Campbell before coming to Sulphur Springs this school year. Coach Garcia coached both girls and boys teams at Campbell. This is his twelfth year to coach. His Wildcats JV team has a record of 9-8. Coach Garcia said his JV team plays hard and with grit. He said during Wildcats varsity games Coach Cipoletta has him charting Wildcats’ defenses and results. Coach Garcia said he also keeps track of fouls and time outs for both teams during a game. He said he also works with Assistant Coach Sean Coleman on defensive calls. Concerning the Wildcats defense against Greenville, Coach Garcia said the Wildcats were not terrible or great. He did say the defense gave the Wildcats a chance to win at the end. He noted the Wildcats only allowed 41 points over four quarters, which he said would win most games. Coach Garcia said the Wildcats struggles mainly were on offense Friday. He said the Wildcats had opportunities down the stretch but shots would not fall. Two poor offensive quarters plagued the Wildcats. They had a 2 point first quarter and a 4 point fourth quarter. Coach Garcia said the Wildcats will have a target on their backs during each district games and will get the other teams best game. He said Greenville reacted like they had won a championship game after winning Friday night. He called the game very intense. Coach Garcia said rebounding was a war, especially in the fourth quarter when possession of the ball was so important. One of his coaching mentors was a middle school coach in Yantis, an ex-Marine, Coach Franklin. Coach Garcia said the basketball culture in Sulphur Springs is awesome with great community support. The Wildcats, 0-1 in district play and 18-7 overall, are currently ranked #9 in Class 5A by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. Greenville also made the poll this week at #21.
