We continue our new Coaches Corner segment with

an installment from Castlewood boy's basketball coach Aaron Williams.

Check this link for past features:

From Aaron Williams:

I grew up near Muncie Indiana, which is a hotbed for high school basketball. At that time 15/16 of the biggest high school gyms in the nation were in that area which I got to play in and later coach in. I went to Jay County High School and played for Mike Lederman who played for the University of Florida in the mid 70's. I went to Grace College in Winona Lake Indiana and played for 2 years there before I got into coaching. I graduated early and got into full-time coaching by my senior year in college. I went back to Jay County and coached Freshmen and Junior Varsity basketball for 4 great years under a great coach named Jim Black who had coached at Arkansas Little-Rock and Lamar University before getting back into high school coaching. At 25 I got my first varsity job at Winchester Community High School in Winchester Indiana. I spent 1 year there before I felt the Lord calling me to come to the Southwest Virginia area where my dad was raised and we went to church.

When I came I actually lived in Kingsport,Tennessee and got a job at Bulls Gap Tennessee where I coached 7th and 8th grade. Quite an adjustment but basketball is basketball. The next year I took a job at Abingdon High School where I spent coaching JV for Sam Blevins and learned the basketball landscape of Southwest Virginia. The Castlewood job opened and they had a tradition of having pretty competetive teams so I decided to apply and was fortunate enough to get the job. This is my 7th year at CHS and so far our record has been 111-44. Overall 255-105 in 16 years in coaching.

The reason I coach is to give kids hope. We have to work hard but we approach every game with a plan to win. Sometimes we know the odds are against us but still we say these are the things we have to do to achieve. Confidence is built through preparation and hard work and that is my job to prepare my team and demand a work ethic that will put them in a position to succeed. I pray that what we do on a daily basis will last throughout their lifetimes.

I am married to a beautiful wife named Heather and we have 3 children Caleb 7, Maggie 5, and Sarah 1. I teach mathematics.

As far as our team this year we are very experienced at the guard position. We have 5 guys who are returning who are very committed and are hungry to get back to the state level of play this year and to achieve more than last years team. I think the key will be how the 2nd group of 5 players progress and if their work ethic and hunger improves. The five who are returning can all shoot it, pass it, and dribble it pretty well. The team is led by Patrick Fisher who was 2nd team all-state last year before a disappointing ACL tear ended his season the last game of the year. Chris Smith a 6-3 senior averaged 12 points a game and has developed into a shooter and driver. Travis Carter is aggressive and can shoot, he is a 6-2 senior. Ethan Collins a 5-11 long-range sharpshooter is a serious threat at the 3-point line. And Ryan Meade a 5-8 junior is a great ball-handler with great quickness. The rest of our roster is Zach Bush 6-1 soph., Ruben Rasnake 6-2 Soph., Eric Summers 6-2 jun., Justin Smith 6-1 soph, and Ben Fields 5-11

soph.

We are calling ourselves Gideon's Army as we are trying to accomplish more with less. These guys are smart and they have heart. I'm looking forward to coaching these kids and consider it a privilege.

CASTLEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Nov 28 Lebanon

Dec 30 @ Honaker

Dec 4 Honaker

Dec 6 @ Lebanon

Dec 13 Virginia High Tournament

Dec 14 Virginia High Tournament

Dec 15 Virginia High Tournament

Dec 27 @ Altavista vs. William Campbell

Dec 28 @ Altavista vs. Altavista

Jan 2 @ St. Paul

Jan 4 @ Twin Springs

Jan 11 Ervinton

Jan 15 @ Coeburn

Jan 18 @ Thomas Walker

Jan 22 Rye Cove

Jan 25 St. Paul

Jan 29 Twin Springs

Feb 5 @ Ervinton

Feb 6 Powell Valley

Feb 8 Coeburn

Feb 12 Thomas Walker

Feb 15 @ Rye Cove

CASTLEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL ROSTER

Travis Carter 6'2" Senior

Ethan Collins 5'11" Senior

Patrick Fisher 6'1" Senior

Chris Smith 6'3" Senior

Ryan Meade 5'8" Junior

Eric Summers 6'2" Junior

Zach Bush 6'1" Sophomore

Ben Fields 5'11" Sophomore

Rubin Rasnake 6'2" Sophomore

Justin Smith 6'0" Sophomore