|
Yappi.com writer WOOSTER-Basketball coaches are among the best dressee coaches in the world. Unlike baseball where the manager wears a uniform.... Like he's ever getting in the game. Please. And let's be honest, football coaches are a little too causal sometimes with ala Bill Belichik and his short sleeved sweat shirt on the sidelines. But for the Triway Titans basketball coach, You'll find a man decked out near the bench with a black vest, tie, purple shirt and black pants and cowboy boots. "I have different kinds of snake skin boots. These are ostrich ear boots. I like to wear boots. I'm a farmer and I have worn boots all my life," the head coach said. "It's something I do and the kids get a kick. The boots that are winning are the ones that are going to go down to Columbus with me." Wooster Triway's boot-wearing head coach is also a graduate of the Triway class of 1976 and a 1979 graduate of Youngstown State University. Just another day in the life of 47-year-old veteran coach Keith Snoddy. After 12 years as a Triway assistant including the last five as freshman head coach, he inherited the program in 2003 as he took over the reins when the winningest coach in the Triway program, Randy Montgomery assumed command of the North Canton Hoover basketball program. Snoddy's first season saw the Titans finish 15-9 and district runner-up to eventual Division II state semifinalist Canton South. Two years later, the Titans broke through and captured the Canton district championship and regional title and put a scare into Upper Sandusky before losing the Division II title game, 94-86. The Titans have won their last 10 of 11 tournament games going back to their 75-51 sectional final win over Central Catholic. Their 10th win came against Cleveland Benedictine 76-63 in a Canton regional semifinal. In his four years, Snoddy is 74-19 at Triway for a winning average of .795. In the tournament, he is 15-3 in the tournament for an average of .833. One distinct advantage Snoddy enjoys comes from his experiences as a winning quarterback at YSU. "Well, I've been through a lot that athletes go through. I've played in college and I have been around what goes on in the locker room and the court," he said. "I feel that my experiences are what have helped me relate to these guys. "I think God gave me an ability to coach and I'm thankful that he did that. God has put me in a good position to be a role model and have an effect on these kids' lives." Snoddy admits that he gets twice the advantage of coaching based on his experiences as a leader, something he brings to the basketball court. Since the four years he has taken over the program, the Titans have remained one of the Division II contenders for the state title. Overall they have qualified for the state tournament three times and have made one appearance in the title game. Snoddy points to that success through the foundation that Montgomery started. "Randy's organization in setting up the program was terrific. I just try to maintain a lot of the things he has done with the younger program, the elementary kids' level up to the varsity level," he said. "I got all my X's and O's from Randy. That is how I learned the game of basketball. Though I was a football player but I loved the game of basketball and I appreciate how much he has meant to me." Three senior players had aspirations of playing for Montgomery when they began their high school careers. Jamie Breneman, Linc Rottman, and Jeff McCartney had plans for playing for Montgomery three years ago. But they have found their niches under Snoddy and those three are a big reason why the Titans have won 78 games and 15 tournament games in the three years of Titans excellence. "They have been terrific. Linc Rottman played for me as a freshman on the varsity team. Breneman and McCartney both played freshman ball and didn't play for me till they were sophomores. But they have been respectful and coachable players and that's a trademark of the Triway program is that our kids are coachable," he said. "That is a tribute to their parents because you can talk to them and they are going to do it. It makes my job really easier." A testament of this also comes from playing their home games inside the home gym, known as "The Pit." The gym is a 1,200-seat facility that has proven to be advantageous for the Titans and a nightmare for opposing teams who have entered this gym. A good case in point is the 97-6 record that Montgomery had during the 90's decade inside the gym. Not too many teams that have come to The Pit have left with a victory. Snoddy attests this to the love of the community fans have of Triway basketball. "Our community has great supporters of Triway basketball. The Pit is full every night and it's a fun experience," he said. "I tell my kids that they have to cherish this forever because not too many others get to enjoy this." "Win or lose, the team often gathers together to say a prayer. They do that on their own. I don't join them there because I want people to understand that is something our players do, I don't force them to do it." "I am thankful to be around an organization and a group of kids willing to so committed to eachother." With the Titans triumph over Cleveland Benedictine, the Titans turn their sights to the Red Riders of Painesville Harvey High School. These two teams are familiar with each other having challenged each other in last season's regional title game, won by the Titans 60-48. Expect Snoddy to have his team of Titans ready for what is sure to be a fast, hard, and physical game but with even greater stakes. The Titans are two wins from returning to the Division II title game. And Painesville Harvey is the next step. "I'll do some studying and then I'll get them prepared to play," he said. Another win over the Red Raiders and the same coach with a flair for western fashion will be wearing the black vest and tie along with a purple shirt and cowboy boots will be leading the Titans back to the Division II state final four. |
|
Yappi Ohio High School Sports | Boys High School Sports | Girls High School Sports | General Sports and Info |