The Big Interview: Kirkwood Head Coach John Stigall
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Saturday, February 3rd, just before lunch, Kirkwood Head Coach John Stigall shared a few minutes with @PrepHoopsTN. Coach Stigall helped open the doors to the brand-new Kirkwood High School this fall. When did you consider taking this job?It is something,…
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Continue ReadingSaturday, February 3rd, just before lunch, Kirkwood Head Coach John Stigall shared a few minutes with @PrepHoopsTN. Coach Stigall helped open the doors to the brand-new Kirkwood High School this fall.
When did you consider taking this job?
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.
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?
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] Coach Zavion Williams 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.
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?
We lift and condition like everybody else, but we were fortunate to get some older guys from other schools.
Chance Austin
Chance
Austin
6'5" | SF
Northeast | 2025
State
TN
, 6’6″. He is zoned for us. He came from Northeast. Taetum Carney. We got Prophet Basden.
Tell me about
Chance Austin
Chance
Austin
6'5" | SF
Northeast | 2025
State
TN
. He is the imposing, athletic player?
He is the jumping jack.
Armani Smith
Armani
Smith
6'2" | SG
Kirkwood | 2027
State
TN
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.
Prophet Basden
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.
Taetum Carney
He was an All-District player at Northeast last year. Tough. Early adopter guys. I actually coached his brother at Northeast. So did Zavion.
Aaron Hines
Aaron
Hines
6'1" | SG
Kirkwood | 2027
TN
He is about 6’2″. Defensive-minded. Offensive game is a work in progress.
Bryce Garnett
Bryce
Garnett
5'9" | PG
Kirkwood | 2027
State
TN
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
Clarksville Crossovers
.
Montavious Clardy
Point guard. Small right now. Fits in perfect.
On Zavion Williams
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.