By Sapna Pathak
Staff Writer

Neighborhood News/Bruce Preston Salem High boys basketball coach E.J. Perry isn’t afraid to give his players an earful when he finds it necessary. The Blue Devils hoop mentor said competing with mental toughness is just as important as physical toughness.

For all bench leaders, the goal is the same: Win the game. However, if you believe a number of Neighborhood coaches, there are as many paths to success as there are successful coaches.

Setting the example

Dave Chase, head coach of Hopkinton's boys basketball team, started out as the girls mentor in 1996. In six years, he was 105-21, while the boys were 19-101.

Chase said his decision to lead a losing program resulted from his desire to accept – and conquer – a new challenge.

In his second and third seasons with the boys, the Hawks posted a pair of 14-8 records. This year, the Hawks started 8-0 before losing to Conant on Wednesday, Jan. 25.

Coaching a Class M team, Chase said he's forced to go the extra mile since a smaller school translates into a smaller talent pool. Having his players attend summer leagues, extra practices and participate in year-round weight training help make his club competitive, he added.

“We don't have the luxury of having practice 3 to 4:30, saying, ?See you guys tomorrow,' and winning games,” Chase said. “Other coaches may have more talent to work with, they may not need to work as hard. I'll outwork any coach out there.”

Chase also stresses teambuilding exercises and hosts a Christmas party every year. The off-court activities, he said, are equally vital to his team's success on the court.

“Yeah, you scout and watch films, and prepare game plans,” Chase said. “But sometimes you have to give more and do more for your team. You have to create a family for your players to commit to.”

Following this General's lead

Mike Smith, head hoops coach at John Stark of Weare, has coaching in his genes. Smith's father heads up the boys program at Class I rival Coe-Brown Academy of Northwood.

Two years ago, Smith had to prepare for the biggest game of the season – the state title game against Souhegan of Amherst – after Stark knocked off Coe-Brown in the Final Four. The Generals lost the season's last game.

One year later, JS was eliminated in the state quarterfinals. The entire experience – from title game to early playoff exit – taught the coaching staff, players and fans a valuable lesson, Smith said.

“Once you reach that level of being championship caliber,” Smith said, “people expect nothing less from your team the following seasons.”

At the beginning of last season, Stark's coach told his players to meet the expectations they set for themselves and ignore the expectations of fans.

Fans, Smith said, assume once a team reaches a certain level of success, it'll maintain that level of excellence every year. However, players and coaches must approach every season as a separate entity.

This season, Smith told his team not to concern itself with what happened two years ago. The coach told his group it was his responsibility to worry about advancing to another title game.

“Overseeing a season and looking at the bigger picture is the coach's job,” Smith said. “Playing games and executing is what the players should focus on.”

Consistency is key

After a slow start last year, Manchester West, guided by head coach Colin Burke, earned the 16th and final Class L playoff spot.

Though his team was set to face top-seeded Merrimack, a game the Blue Knights lost, Burke said his method of preparation was the same as it had been all season.

“It was too late to change how we did things,” Burke said. “From day one, I coach as if we're in the tournament, so when we get there, the guys are used to how we'll play.”

Being a Class L program may draw better players, Burke said, but Class L coaches also have to work harder to win games.

“Class L's all about matchups,” he said. “Everyone's got talent … To get good results is one thing, but to repeat those results on a regular basis takes a lot more energy.”

Flexing some (mental) muscle

At Salem High, EJ Perry has been leading the Blue Devils boys basketball team for eight years. Perhaps his best coaching performance was in March 2004 when his underdog club beat Trinity of Manchester in the state semifinals.

Trinity had four future Division I college hoops standouts; Luke Bonner, Chris Lutz, Chad Millard, Chris Brickley and the Pioneers were the favorites to win the state title.

Perry said he made a lot of changes before the big matchup.

Since Salem faced Trinity two weeks earlier, Perry first reviewed the game tape, looking for areas of his team's game he could adjust to produce a win. Along with proper on-court execution, Perry said he's always taken the mental state of his players into account before any big game.

Prior to the Salem-Trinity contest, Perry said Mike Dunham approached him, asking to cover Brickley. The boys had played together as kids and Dunham was confident he could contain his counterpart.

Perry obliged. Mental strength, just like physical strength, breeds confidence, he said.

“(Dunham) was so sure he could take him,” the Salem coach said. “He told me, ?Coach, I've played Brickley all my life. I know I've got this,'” Perry said. “And I had to let him.”

Perry said there was so much psychology involved in the Trinity game. The Blue Devils trailed at halftime, 25-17, and were only 1-for-11 from the free throw line.

Perry said he told his boys to “go out and make history.”

From the sideline, he orchestrated a second-half comeback that handed THS its only loss.

Defense, talent and trust

In the center of the Queen City, Manchester Central head coach Dave “Doc” Wheeler led the Little Green to the Class L boys crown. This year, Central is favored to repeat as champs.

“I virtually scout everybody,” Wheeler said. “I want to know how each team runs and find a formula to defend it.”

He firmly believes defense wins games; his game plans are based on that philosophy. Despite his love of defense, Wheeler said the talent of his players makes his job much easier. Hooksett's Tyler Roche, a soon-to-be Boston College Eagle, and Bryan Tracy are perfect examples, Wheeler added.

“I'm absolutely spoiled being a Class L coach,” Wheeler said. “We have a bigger pool of players to choose from, and I'm going to take full advantage of that.”

Much like Perry, Wheeler said he places great emphasis on the mental aspect of coaching.

Regardless of the score, the Central coach said he always communicates and instructs his players during the entire contest. Away from the game, Wheeler said he employs the same mindset.

“I've got all their numbers in my cell phone,” he said. “I know what's going on in their lives and vice versa. Success comes from building friendships that go beyond the court.”