Tim Shoals used a bottom-line approach to orchestrate a historic season with the John Battle boys tennis team. He plans to follow the same blueprint this winter.
After a long run as an assistant, Shoals was recently named as the new boys basketball coach for the Trojans.
“Our short-term goal is to outwork and outhustle every team we play,” Shoals said. “Our long-term goal is to win a district title.”
Shoals has previous head coaching experience, serving as the head boys basketball coach at Holston in the early 1980s and later working as the girls basketball coach at Battle. He has coached under
Doug Mitchell, Jeff Hawkins and Mike Posey in the Battle boys program over the past decade.
Posey resigned after the Trojans posted a 3-20 record this past season.
“I was really surprised when I heard that Coach Posey was going to step down,” said Shoals, son of minor league baseball legend Leo “Muscle” Shoals. “I’ve been an assistant for a while. I love basketball
and I’m excited about being in charge.”
Led by a versatile group of six seniors, Battle posted a 13-4 record this spring en route to its first appearance in the Virginia High School League state tennis tournament. The low-key Shoals credited a
mix of chemistry, perseverance and effort to the landmark run.
“Those seniors worked four years for their success, and we all became very close,” Shoals said. “We had a pool party at the end of the year, and I have to admit there were a few tears.”
Despite the late nature of his hiring, Shoals was recently able to accompany five of his players to a basketball camp at Emory & Henry. The nurturing process actually began with a team meeting this
spring where Shoals outlined his expectations.
“I pretty much have an idea about what our guys can do,” Shoals said. “We’re going to have a bunch of guards, so will have good shooters and quickness. We’ll have to work on our rebounding and post
play.”
The Shoals guide to basketball centers around an up-tempo offense and aggressive defense.
“We want to fastbreak, but our main emphasis will be defense,” Shoals said. “I want to instill in these guys that a sound defense will make your offense. That’s one reason why I will stress conditioning.”
Shoals plans to remain as the Battle tennis coach. And he’s already began the planning process for next season by arranging a summer tennis camp.
“I said during tennis season that good things can happen if you are surrounded by good people, and I’m fortunate to be surrounded by a great bunch of kids and a supportive administration,” Shoals said. “Those things will go a long way.”
agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544
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