2012 695Hoops Coach of the Year Teresa Waters answered a few questions for us recently. Coach Waters is one of the most succesful and respected coaches in the DMV. She talked to us about growing up on the Eastern Shore and her coaching career.

1.    695:  Where did you grow up?

Coach: I grew up on the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland in a small quaint town. This little historical town of Snow Hill had/has one red light. My family consisted of both parents, Randolph and Shirley and 3 siblings, Greg, Sylvia and Randy. I am the middle child.

2.     695: Did you play ball growing up? 

CaCoach: I played basketball in high school and college. In high school, I played at Snow Hill High. This was my livelihood. During the time I played, the division of classifications did not exist. I played in the first two state tourneys. In my junior year, we played against Parkville (which was probably 7X bigger in population) and lost by 5. In my senior year, we played against Sherwood (also much larger population) and lost by 2. It was heartbreaker. Our high school basketball teams were the powerhouse team on the Eastern Shore for many many years. We would live, eat and breed basketball. I can remember being able to play pickup ball on Sundays with the boys only after attending church. Structure and discipline were a major part of my upbringing, which in result, is also still a major component of my coaching.

My older brother, Greg and my sister, Sylvia were my idols. At the time when integration was an option and we attended a predominantly white school, Greg was the All-American Boy, an outstanding student, basketball player, baseball player and musician. My sister, Sylvia was the All-American Girl that was the first head African American majorette and cheerleader. They set the foundation for me and I did everything they did and then some. We all inherited the infamous #15 (Greg, Randy/my younger brother who was probably the most talented athlete of all; and a host of cousins and niece).

I can vividly remember for my Sweet 16th birthday, the only wish I had was to obtain a new hoop in our back yard which I did receive. I loved this game. We did not have the 3-pt. shot but I was definitely known to be a scorer. I played the 2-guard position but could have easily played the 1 and or 3-guard. I was surrounded by other talented players that equally loved the game. I averaged 24.2 points per game. I also held the school record for the most points scored in a game with 39 points (which was only half of  a game). 

During my era, scholarships for girls were just coming into fruition. I attended JFK College in Wahoo, Nebraska on a full ride but did not remain there after realizing the school was not fully accredited. Instead of sitting out for an entire year, I attended Bridgewater College during the second trimester since they were familiar with my playing ability due to attending camps in the summer there. This wasn’t my fit and I consequently ended up playing at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on a full ride.

3.    695:  How did you get started coaching? Where have you coached?

Coach: Immediately upon graduation from college, I was offered a teaching position in Howard County at Oakland Mills High. I knew that I always wanted to be involved in basketball and teaching and coaching seemed like the logical occupation as the opportunity presented itself. I have only coached at two high schools – Oakland Mills  and River Hill. Prior to coaching on the high school level, I did serve as the director of a recreation center in the summer on the Eastern Shore and had the pleasure of coaching boys.

4.     695: What type of challenges do you face at River Hill?

Coach: Regardless where you are, challenges are inevitable.

Internally, River Hill has a very competitive environment. We all thrive to be the very best team that we can be. Expectations are high. Stakeholders (i.e. parents) can be your biggest asset or your biggest liability. I have been  very fortunate to have such great resources at my fingertip and the support afforded as such. However, it can be a double-edged sword.  It is human err for parents to have an ultimate focus, their kid. However, I pride myself on being fair and true to me, true to my coaches, true to the entire team which is frowned upon, of course. I don’t play favorites, never have, never will. So, when someone does something for our team (which we have been fortunate to experience), it has to be for the right reason and not be for subliminal reasons.

Externally, a challenge often encountered is the fact that various players have moved to our school district as has other schools. Whenever this happens to my program, it is always magnified by a few haters. It has been assumed that I recruit which is complete nonsense. I am flattered that parents see me as role model, a leader and a coach/person who is genuine. Build and they will come is a motto another outstanding colleague shared with me.  I pride myself on being fair, sincere and will go the extra mile to assist players in their future endeavors regardless of where they play/who they play for. What you see is what you get….I am real.

5.    695:  What do you do to stay sharp and improve as a coach?

Coach: I watch a considerable amount of basketball on TV. I am not a fan of NBA basketball because I don’t think it is indicative of team play. I will watch it during playoffs though. I do watch the WNBA but I really enjoy watching college basketball (men & women). It is a bit depressing when March Madness is over.  I also subscribe to multiple periodicals and have an extensive library of dvd’s from many college coaches. I am a firm believer that when you stop learning, you stop growing. I will forever be a student of the game. 

6.    695:  Who has had the biggest influence on your coaching style and philosophy?

Coach: There are a few people that have made an impact on my coaching. I believe everything begins from the onset. My parents first and foremost have instilled in me a strong work ethic through observing what they did as young parents with four kids. They instilled discipline, structure, perseverance and commitment. Secondly, my high school coach, Brenda Jones has been a positive influence. She was tough as nails and her coaching style reflected it. She taught me mental and physical toughness.

7.     695: What are your biggest pet peeves as a coach?

Coach: I don’t like using profanity. I feel that you can deliver your message in an effective manner tactfully. I believe it is degrading to the player(s) and even more so, a negative reflection of the coach.

Another area is receiving input from people who really know very little about the game. There are always people offering advice that possess very little credentials and have nothing to show.  I have learned the hard way to never receive counsel from unproductive people, never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how. So, ultimately I have learned to surround myself with people that don’t have an ulterior motive. My circle is constant and has changed over the course of the year(s).

8.    695:  What do you think of the overall direction of the girls game in the DMV?

Coach: We have some extremely talents players in the area. Unfortunately, with my demanding schedule, I cannot see as many teams play outside of our corridor as I would like. I do know that we have a great pool of talent in the Baltimore Washington Metropolitan area and that the opportunities are endless.  It is my hope that the girls value each and every one of them. To be able to attend college free of charge and to keep your eyes on the prize, the degree and the journey that goes along with being a student athlete is awesome.

9.     Coach: Have you ever been involved in AAU basketball?

Coach: No I have not. I would think coaching AAU is a piece of cake in comparison to coaching high school. In AAU you are able to create your own team by not being restricted to coaching players in one area. I feel like AAU should provide the players with exposure that they would not otherwise receive. If you are fortunate to have an AAU coach that is on the same page as you and understand it is about the player, that is a wonderful thing. However, if this not always the case, it places the player(s) in an awkward and difficult position when returning to her high school team. I must admit that I do enjoy watching the AAU tournaments and being able to see so much talent.

695:  What else do you do besides coach?

Coach: My profession is teaching and I teach a variety of business courses (i.e. Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Financial Management, Principles of Business, Principles of Marketing), serve as the Instructional Team Leader for the Business, Career and Research Development, Computer Science, Family and Consumer Science and Technology departments. I am the advisor for Future Business Leaders of America which is the largest and oldest business student organization in the world and at our school. We have had tremendous success on the region, state and national levels.

I am the District V Rep for HoCo, the Region 3A East Director for MPSSAA.

In the summer I employ multiple students in the community as I the owner of a small seasonal business.

Lastly but certainly not least, I like spending valuable time with family!

695: Thanks for your time.

Coach: Thank you.