The Big Interview: Kirkwood Head Coach John Stigall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saturday, February 3rd, just before lunch, <strong>Kirkwood Head Coach John Stigall</strong> shared a few minutes with @PrepHoopsTN. Coach Stigall helped open the doors to the brand-new Kirkwood High School this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>When did you consider taking this job?</strong><br>It is something, the possibility of starting a new school in the school system that I enjoyed being in, and had some success in, was always intriguing to me. To start from scratch and call my own. I knew that this had the possibility of something special.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>It feels to me, kind of like Mt. Juliet's head coach [Troy Allen] leaving for a new school in Green Hill. Both of you are good coaches that are starting something new in a new building. Sure, the facilities are going to be nice. But it is a leap of faith. What are some hurdles you have seen?</strong><br>It has been a hard year. A whole lot of work. We are lucky to get some older guys to transfer in from Northeast and Rossview. We have a great group of freshmen. That is what we are super excited about. Last night we had four freshmen on the floor at one time. That was appealing. The hardest thing is...establishing pride and program identity. We set the tone from Day 1. [Assistant] <strong>Coach Zavion Williams</strong> and I, we were together at Northeast. Just establishing culture. Something that didn't exist a year ago. Our guys have bought in. We have an amazing group of young men. Absolutely no discipline problems. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>I saw you guys play 2 games on-demand. You seemed to be a fit, strong team. Some of that is probably from before they got to Kirkwood, but do you guys do anything different?</strong><br>We lift and condition like everybody else, but we were fortunate to get some older guys from other schools. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1967755' first='Chance' last='Austin']</strong>, 6'6". He is zoned for us. He came from Northeast.<strong> Taetum Carney</strong>. We got <strong>Prophet Basden</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tell me about [player_tooltip player_id='1967755' first='Chance' last='Austin']. He is the imposing, athletic player?</strong><br>He is the jumping jack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2309002' first='Armani' last='Smith']</strong><br>He has been the best player on every team he has played on since sixth grade. Maybe younger than that. He is physically gifted. He has a great feel for the game. And he works at it. I think his ceiling is unlimited. Shooting is something that he has worked on. Last time I checked he was our best three-point shooter percentage-wise. He is like 6'1" right now. He is so strong. Not bench press strong. Basketball strong. He is sturdy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prophet Basden</strong><br>Started for Rossview this summer. He had 24 last night. Last night was a big game for us and Prophet kind of took over. He guards so well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taetum Carney</strong><br>He was an All-District player at Northeast last year. Tough. Early adopter guys. I actually coached his brother at Northeast. So did Zavion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2398586' first='Aaron' last='Hines']</strong><br>He is about 6'2". Defensive-minded. Offensive game is a work in progress.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2278560' first='Bryce' last='Garnett']</strong><br>He started last night. He has been on fire, as of late. Small. Shooter. He can really shoot. He is striking fear in anybody's heart, when he walks into the gym, but he can play. His older brother was at Northeast last year. They have been around the scene for awhile. Let's 5'10". He plays with [program_tooltip program_id='2076136' first='Clarksville' last='Crossovers']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2510498' first='Montavious' last='Clardy']</strong><br>Point guard. Small right now. Fits in perfect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>On Zavion Williams</strong><br>He knows me. I know him. He is great. When this opportunity came up, it was a no-brainer. He was the first guy that I called. His jersey is retired at West Creek. That is instant credibility. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->