Coach underminedbasketball players

To the editor

   As teenagers, the basketball players of Manville High School dreamed of moving from JV players to Varsity players. The team is young, comprised of hard-workers with talent. But their dream was shattered.
   Last year’s juniors didn’t return to the team. They would have been our senior leaders/peer leaders. They didn’t want to play for Coach O’Hea after their last season experience. Coach O’Hea’s coaching style has been under scrutiny. The coach needs to learn how to communicate with the players instead of humiliating and embarrassing them. He has to learn how to build team spirit.
   The JV last year was coached by Mike Brandstetter, who left the school district. Mr. Brandstetter’s classroom had players stopping by where they were always welcomed. He always acknowledged them when he saw them in the hall or the parents at the games. That’s why they were 15-2. They had total support, encouragement and enthusiasm.
   No summer programs were offered. This was the first year players were told of a program available. No information, no date, cost, time, etc. Any wonder why only two players signed up!
   Two players quit the team. They told the coach he took the heart and fun out of the game. Coach O’Hea responded saying, "Basketball isn’t fun unless you win." Teammates and parents encouraged the players to return but one player quit again after Coach O’Hea told the player he played as if he was "trying to throw the game." The player couldn’t take the mental abuse and belittlement any more.
   One player was thrown off the team and falsely accused of breaking school policy. The player was cleared and brought back to the team. The Coach still brings it up to players and the newspaper after the incident was closed.
   The players fear if he can do things like this to one teammate what would stop him from doing it to them. Players have no trust in the coach and fear his retaliation. They can not go to their coach with everyday problems, confide in him, or ask for help. Coach O’Hea created the problems the team had this season himself. There is no internal contention between the players, only between the players and the coach.
   Another player quit the team although his teammates wanted him to stay. He said he couldn’t handle the way the coach treated the team. The coach told the newspaper he quit to pursue other interests. The coach also told the player not to bother coming out next season. This player is only a sophomore. Where’s the professionalism, coach?
   One player had returned from a fractured ankle. He told the coach he needed to be taped per physician’s instructions. The coach said, "You’ll be fine." He wasn’t taped and the player refractured his ankle after taking a charge in the first quarter.
   Players who were injured were told to run the court at practice anyway. No concern was shown for the health of his players. The coach never called to inquiry about a player after he was injured in a game.
   At two separate games in January referees approached the parents in the stands and asked, "Why is the coach punishing your kids?" Another said, "Are you going to allow this? Those kids are going to be hurt."
   If you were at our games you’ll remember we usually only play five players for the entire game and sub one player (although we have players who can sub sitting on the bench). The players were looking for a rest during any stoppage in play. The referee actually handed the ball to one player who was sitting on the bleacher catching his breath.
   We lost many of our games because players were exhausted and we were playing against teams with fresh legs.
   These players weren’t brash and over confident as Coach O’Hea claimed in his interviews. What we saw on the court this year were players with no confidence and little self-esteem. They questioned themselves on every move they made. They ran plays like robots, stiff, unsure of themselves and afraid to make decisions and act on their own.
   These players practiced every night at the park and continue to practice. Many of the players belong to weight rooms out of town since our school weight room is not available.
   Maybe the school and administration will realize the problems that exist. These players deserve a fresh start with a coach who can show respect to have respect returned. These players want to play basketball! These boys may never play college basketball but they should never be denied to play high school basketball.
   The players have decided to speak their side of what really happened on the court. This article is written with the input and permission of most of the current MHS basketball team and past players.