Spalding gets the nod

The man who says for a long time he was better known as the baseball head coach who used to play basketball for Marion County High School will return to the hardwood after focusing solely on baseball for the past 13 years.

MCHS Basketball Head Coach Tim Peterson named Chad Spalding, also MCHS' baseball head coach, to the coaching staff for the boys basketball team recently.  Spalding will be in charge of the junior varsity squad and will be an assistant for the varsity squad. The spot was vacated by former assistant Josh McKay, who retired from coaching after last season after more than 20 years of coaching.

Spalding played on the 1992 basketball team that won the 5th Region tournament and went to the state tournament for the first time in the program's history. He played from 1989 to 1992.

Spalding's experience with winning certainly can't hurt.

"I bring some extra enthusiasm and passion to the game," he said. "Being in the school with Tim will help with having a good relationship with the players."

Peterson agreed that Spalding's presence in the school will be beneficial.

"He does a great job with baseball. The kids respect him and will play for him. We'll compliment each other well," Peterson said.

Peterson will also be more visible in the hallways this year as he is moving out of a situation that isolated him from the upperclassmen. Now instead of teaching in solely the freshman academy, he will be teaching a mixed level of grades.

Spalding said he looked forward to reentering the basketball atmosphere.

"The atmosphere is a blast," he said. "With district tournament play and the student involvement, that's fun. I love having to scream at somebody who's only five feet away. That's what I miss about basketball."

Peterson said he's asked Spalding to join him a few times to no avail. Peterson even talked to a few other candidates before Spalding changed his mind.

Spalding has already gone to work with the team as they have begun summer league play.