Bartow Basketball | "The Home of Champions"

Coaching Staff

Head Varsity Coach- Terrence Mcgriff

863-640-3743 terrence.mcgriff@polk-fl.net

Assistant Coaches

Marlon Austin

Larry Tucker

863-534-0160 ltucker.parks@cityofbartow.net

Head JV Coach/Varsity Assistant- LeDarion Jones

863-205-5119 ledarion.jones@polk-fl.net

JV/Varsity Assistant-Robert Webb and Jamal Mitchell

Coaches Bio's

Head Coach

Terrence McGriff

To the Yellow Jacket Basketball family:

Thank you for coming to support the Yellow Jacket boy’s basketball team this year! What an exciting time for us! Welcome to the 2007-2008 season. A season of promise is forthcoming!

As you enter into the Jacket’s nest, stop and take a moment to look at the many churches, businesses and individuals who support the program financially by purchasing banners. I ask that you support them by visiting their establishments. Show your thanks to those special people by supporting their business/church endeavors. Support the Yellow Jacket Faithful! They are a part of our basketball family.

Also, as you get ready to cheer the Jackets to victory, think of the many people that go unnoticed to make your experience here possible: the ticket taker who greets you at the front door; the announcer who keeps you informed during the game; the volunteers who serve you at the concession stand; the custodian who makes sure that the gym is clean before you enter; they all play a vital role in the success of this program. They are a part of our basketball family. The Yellow Jacket Faithful!

Before our players take the court, there are special people who make sure that our players are at their peak. The parents of these young men deserve the credit. These boys have great integrity and character. Very little of that was taught by us! The players came to us with those positive traits! Remember as you cheer in the stands that the boys on the floor are someone’s child. Cheer like you would want someone to cheer for your child. The parents are a big part of our basketball family. The Yellow Jacket Faithful!

Special thanks go to my coaches and their wives. Thank you to each wife, for allowing your husbands to be positive role models to these young men. It is a lot of personal sacrifice, with your own families, that you allow your husbands to spend so much time here; your sacrifice doesn’t go unnoticed! To the men that I work with, Coaches Austin, Tucker, Jones, Webb and Mitchell, Thank you. Fans, as the team plays this season, remember the long hours that these men put in. They do it because they love the kids, the community and this basketball program! You guys make it fun to coach here. I feel like I have 5 more adopted brothers. You are faithful Yellow Jackets!

Finally and most importantly, the players -- no the student-athletes -- that enter the season! Fans, each time the game enters the final moments, whether we win or lose, remember that these young men are student’s first, athletes second. They are here to get an education and to prepare for their futures. The boys have put a tremendous amount of time in during the spring, summer and fall in anticipation for this year, academically as well as athletically. Our team G.P.A. for the first nine weeks was 3.27, and 8 out of 11 varsity players had at least a 3.0, the best in my 6 years here. Congratulations and keep up the good work academically!

As our student-athletes sing the schools’ fight song before and after each game, remember the vast work they have put into making this season special. From lifting weights and running stadiums; to hours upon hours in the gym working on the fundamentals of shooting and ball-handling on their own; to long and grueling practices, they have paid the price for success. They are worthy of being champions, and the faith that they have exhibited will pay off. The Yellow Jacket faithful!

Fans, welcome to the 2007-2008 basketball season. Kick back, relax, and enjoy your refreshments and the exciting game. And remember, just by being here, you are apart of the basketball family here. YOU ARE THE YELLOW JACKET FAITHFUL!

A Good Name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1

The McGriff Years

YEAR RECORD FINISH

2002-2003 6-21 district semifinals

2003-2004 15-12 district quarterfinals

2004-2005 8-18 district quarterfinals

2005-2006 15-15 district runner up, regional quarterfinalist

2006-2007 17-9 district semifinals

Head JV Basketball Coach

Varsity Assistant

LeDarion Jones is an Alum of Bartow High (1992-1995). He lettered in two sports, cross country and basketball. He was a three year starter under Coach Austin. He was a member of the last team that won a district championship with a record of 26-6 and also played in two regional finals 94’ and 95’.

Coach Jones played his college ball at Clemson University before transferring to the University of Wyoming. While at Clemson he took part in two NCAA national tournaments while reaching the Sweet Sixteen his sophomore year. At Wyoming he helped lead the Cowboys to two NIT tournaments. At Wyoming, Coach Jones was recognized nationally for his accomplishments on the court as well as off the court. He was an Academic All-American, a recipient of the Arthur-Ashe Award (Two years), and he also made the All-Tournament Conference team his senior year.

Coach Jones graduated with a degree in Industrial Technology Education. Soon after, he pursued a career in basketball, playing professionally in the states and overseas (Switzerland and France).

Now Coach Jones resides in Mulberry, Florida with his wife, Nikki and their gift from God, LeDarion Jones, Jr. He teaches technology at the Compass Charter School located at Bartow Middle School. Coach Jones attends Providence Church of God in Lakeland where he has been a member for 7 years. Coach Jones believes that anything is possible with God by your side, because without faith and positive direction he wouldn’t be the man he is today. He constantly works with kids developing the MSBDL (middle school basketball developmental league) for middle school age kids which also doubles as a feeder system for the high school basketball program. His mission with this league is to develop productive young men and women on and off the court.

This will be his 6^th year coaching the junior varsity team. He is really looking forward to the upcoming season because the kids have worked so hard during the off season. Coach Jones’ #1 priority is helping direct these student athletes in the right direction academically as well as strengthening them mentally and physically so they may overcome the many obstacles in life. Last but not least, he is also dedicated with the great coaching staff in turning this program back into the heavily respected and feared program of the past.

“When I think of Bartow Basketball I think of excellence, integrity, dedication, perseverance, and toughness. We have worked to not only shape these student athletes but to bring the tradition back to this program that has produced some of the best athletes in the state of Florida. The pieces are finally coming together and I think the players are up to the task and will do a fine job of representing what they wear on their chests, “BARTOW”. Hopefully, we can get back to the “GET YOUR HAT, YOUR COAT, AND LEAVE” days, and give this great community something they are proud to associate themselves with.”

“LET’S GET OUR SWAGGER BACK”

Assistant Coach

Larry Tucker – Coach Tucker is a Site Director with the City of Bartow where he oversees the Carver Recreation Center and the Polk Street Community Center. He has worked for the City for over 15 years. Coach Tucker is married to Gail (25 years) and has one daughter, Markisha and two sons, Jason and Jamal who both played basketball for Bartow High; he has four grandchildren.

Coach Tucker is a member of St. Paul M. B. Church in Pierce, FL where he serves as President of the Usher Board. He gives God credit for all of the many blessings he has and continues to experience. His strong faith in God is what helps him to devote himself to helping these young players strive to be the very best that they can be. Coach Tucker has assisted with basketball here for the last thirteen years and is looking forward this year to a winning season! The players have worked extremely hard and have shown tenacity and dedication to the program as well as respect and confidence in the coaching staff. This year’s team has shown more of the characteristics of a family unit than a school basketball team. They are anxious and enthusiastic about the upcoming season. They are aware of the uphill battle that is ahead of them this year with a tough schedule and are anxious to take on the task at hand. Coach McGriff and the entire coaching staff have labored untiringly to instill in these young men the confidence and integrity that is required to get the job done both on and off the court. Whether winning or not, the team is on one accord - together.

In addition to all of this, Coach Tucker still finds the time to run a youth summer basketball league and dedicates whatever is necessary to make it a great event for the youth of the community.

Marlon R. Austin

Coach Austin has been coaching basketball at Bartow High for fifteen years. Coach Austin was the JV Coach for six seasons, with an overall JV record of 108(W) – 24(L). During this time his team was county champions during the only Polk county tournament for JV teams. For two years, Coach Austin was awarded JV COACH OF THE YEAR throughout the Polk County Area. From 1987-1997, he served as assistant Coach for the Varsity Basketball Team along side his brother, James “Jim” Austin. During this period Bartow was district champions in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994 and 1995. Coach Austin was part of the ’87-’88 State Championship Team coaching staff, with a record of 34(W) – 1(L). He was also on the ’88 -’89 State Runner Up coaching staff with a record of 33(W) – 2(L). During this time the Yellow Jackets won 38 consecutive games. They were the 10^th ranked team in the Nation. His coaching ability has carried him to Springboro, Missouri, Jonesboro, Arkansas and to all of the prestigious holiday tournaments in Florida, such as The Kingdom of the Sun Tournament, the Great Florida Shoot-Out, and the City of Palms Tournament. He is a very experienced coach that has an enormous amount of knowledge and enthusiasm for the game of basketball. He does an outstanding job of teaching players. Coach Austin is excited to begin his 16th season. His most memorable moment since returning to Bartow was defeating Lake Wales in the 2005 – 2006 District Tournament. He has high expectations for this upcoming season. Coach Austin is married to Angie Austin and he has two children, Marlon J. Austin, who is a senior on this year’s team, and Angel. He is also a minister at Acts Praise and Worship Center in Bartow. He is a man of great faith!

THE JACKETS TAKE IT BY FORCE!

Coach Rob Webb

I was born and raised in Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor, Michigan where I attended Ypsilanti High School and played 4 years of basketball for the Braves. As a junior, I played against Ervin “Magic” Johnson in the 1977 Michigan state basketball championship, class 5A. We lost, but the experience of playing with one of the best to have played the game is something I’ll always remember.

I met my wife Laura while working in Ann Arbor and we were married in 1987 and moved to Florida. Laura and I have 2 sons, Robbie (a senior) and Steven (a junior) at George Jenkins High School. As a family, we enjoy vacationing to Cedar Point, visiting family and old friends. Both Laura and I were brought up in strong Christian homes and are trying to raise our children with the same values and Christian upbringing we had.

I’ve worked for the Polk County Tax collector for the past 13 years. My second job, coaching, is something I find very rewarding and have always had a passion for. My first coaching job was at Kelley Recreation Center in Lakeland. I then became involved with the Lakeland Fire USSSA team and the 14 and under team. I found that I couldn’t be a spectator and offered my help to Coach McGriff and eventually became an assistant. This team went on to win the 15 and under boy’s State Championship in 2005 and competed in the national tournament in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. When this team finished their 16 and under season, I then became head coach of last years 12 and under team. This team played on every championship Sunday during the season and we won our first tournament in Pt. St. Lucie. The relationships my wife and I have been blessed to have through coaching with the Fire and at Bartow, (the kids and the coaches) is something we are thankful for every day.

I am looking forward to the upcoming season at Bartow. We, as a coaching staff and our players, have great expectations for both the JV and Varsity team. I don’t think people realize the time and commitment these young men and coaches put into this program, late nights, weekends, holidays, but ask one of them and they’d do more. That’s what makes this group special.

I am honored to be a part the Bartow High School coaching staff, and am thankful for the opportunity to work with the coaches and young men here at Bartow.

“Anything in life worthwhile DOESN’T come easy,

If it does, it won’t last”

Coach Rob Webb

Bartow High School