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This letter was penned and submitted by Greenville High School head boys basketball coach, J.C. Eaglesmith, to his 2008-09, Varsity basketball team.

Least We Forget

We projected going in, that this would be a tough season, facing much taller and experienced teams every night. Even so, we prepared to meet our obvious “vertical challenge.” Then, early in the season, to complicate matters even more, we were left with only five players and no bench.

Senior Co-Captains, Taylor Gipe and Matt Reed stepped up to lead us, and along with sophomore, Justin Posch and freshmen, Tucker Willits and Chris Brown, we faced opponents without the benefit of substitutes. When junior, Justin Fogleman decided to join us, we finally could benefit from bench relief. Then senior, Tommy Rogers came on to provide a squad of seven players.

The Northern Section of the CIF includes some 60 plus varsity basketball teams. Our varsity ranked third in steals, 23rd in rebounds and 30th in assists. These statistics show the spirit of “no quit” character in honorably representing Greenville High School, which is equivalent to, #1 and “Champions of Hustle.” 

Yes, we would have certainly enjoyed having the “Big Shiny” (scoreboard) light up in our favor more often, however, each of you will always be illuminated by the bright spirit  … Click the headline to continue reading this LSN Story

Story submitted by Greenville head coach J.C Eaglesmith.

The Greenville Indians traveled to play Providence of Orland Wednesday night. The game was played at Corning’s Maywood Middle School’s fine gym.

The Indians arrived with an enhanced seven player roster from the previous limitations of mostly five players. The 1st quarter saw senior co-Captain Taylor Gipe led the Indians charge, drawing three consecutive fouls as he went to the basket, converting 4 of 6 free-throws & also hit a jumper. Greenville led 10-8 after the 1st. quarter. Masked freshman guard Chris Brown led the Greenville charge in the 2nd quarter., but turn-over’s plagued the Indians and erased their lead and Providence led 24-22 at halftime. Even though Greenville was on their way to executing 21 steals & 44 rebounds, their repeated & consecutive turn-over’s effectively eliminated their opportunity to secure the victory. Providence outscored Greenville 24-22 in the 2nd half for the 46-42 victory.

Gipe played perhaps his best over-all game with 17 pts, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals and 1 block. He has been asked to play both point-guard & wing alternately and has done a fine job.

Senior Tommy Rogers joined the team on Monday & gave a good initial effort with 6 pts, 12 rebounds,  … Click the headline to continue reading this LSN Story

Submitted by Coach J.C. Eaglesmith

Friday – Jan. 23rd

@ Portola – 70

Greenville – 16

Again, as with Quincy, we’ve been provided copius opportunity to practice against full-court presses—- even when down by 30 points or more!

Portola’s ball-handling & rebounding skill levels were far above ours.  Mostly due to the full court press.  Portola was easily on their way to scoring 100 with a 48-14 at the half.   We decided to hold the ball & utilize the shot-clock throughout the 2nd half, which negated our own scoring, hence the 70-16 final.  Several fans & family supporters asked why they continued pressing with such a large lead.  Of course the answer was; 1) Because they can— it is legal you know!  and  2) They have a need to (they have that answer).  Portola did finally back off the press in the 2nd half & dropped down into a zone, which allowed us to hold on to the ball for most of the 35 second shot clock and also let the clock run down on their last possession without shooting to finally end the game.  So even with these tactics the score (70-16) was not that close! Haha

In coaching I’ve required players to value three basic principals:  1)  Be Honest  … Click the headline to continue reading this LSN Story

Submitted by Greenville High School Head Coach J.C. Eaglesmith

The Greenville Indians started the season with a nine player squad described as “comparatively inexperienced & vertically challenged.”  After battling through two tourneys against mostly more experienced & taller opponents while going 1 – 5, four of the most skilled players (3 Starters) decided not to continue. This left the Indians with only five players & two practices to prepare for the next tourney.

When one of the remaining five players was not able to travel, that tourney trip unfortunately was cancelled. The five player squad courageously faced opponents, of course without benefit of substitution, and came to be respected for their determination & hustle as the “Die-Hard Five.” The Indians celebrated when a sixth player was recruited from on the Greenville campus and came out to assist the team. But then, one of the original five sustained a season ending injury away from the Varsity basketball program and the Indians returned to the “Die-Hard Five” status. It is remarkable that the Greenville Boys Varsity Basketball team continues despite obvious limitations & extraordinary obstacles, and continues to take-on their scheduled commitments every night with determination, hustle, and without excuses.  Interscholastic high school sports  … Click the headline to continue reading this LSN Story

The Quincy High Trojan basketball team never let up against an out-manned Greenville High squad en route to a 70-20 victory in the conference opener for both teams Tuesday evening (1/06).

Quincy built a 33-10 halftime lead and kept the gas on in the final two quarters to record the 50 point victory. Greenville is limited to just six players in uniform, one of whom, just joined the team in recent days.                 

Quincy is now 4-6 on the season, 1-0 in Feather River League play. The loss drops the Indians to 1-8, 0-1 in league.

Quincy will next face Live Oak High School in the East Nicholas tournament, Thursday, Jan. 8th, while Greenville will be at home to face Herlong, Friday, Jan. 9th.

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Submitted by Greenville High head men’s basketball coach J.C. Eaglesmith.
Greenville Boys Basketball may be seen as “in transition” & striving to become more competitive.
We often hear the term “turning around a program” with the implication is that in all happens by simply “pulling-up the ol’ boot straps.” Well, fact is, often the ol’ boots are too weighted down by non-cooperation & the straps just tear off !  Hence, for interscholastic competition, the task requires development of a sound home & community networking with a quality athletic infrastructure at school.  Unlike the college & professional levels (of course) we can not pre-select—so we must grow—quality.  Let’s haul-off & present a process which includes dedication & commitment to:
1) The establishment of a Youth Basketball program (which was initiated last Winter).  Here is where we plant & nourish the positive conceptual goal to become a student/athlete.
This will also include an alcohol/drug free life-style directly promoted by adult modeling & leadership.  Lack of this early teaching/experience has been obvious at the Boys Varsity level for several years now.  Also, the decrease in student enrollment factor as a result of closing of the lumber mills in Indian Valley.
2) Offering clinics for coaches of Youth  … Click the headline to continue reading this LSN Story