MCCORD TO COACH TIGERS

Derek McCord has done it before.

Can he pump life into a basketball program again?

"I think so," he said. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think so."

McCord, who transformed Scott City's so-so program into one of the best in Class 2A in just a few years, was introduced as Cape Central's new boys basketball coach Friday and he was already talking about the rebuilding process.

McCord and new girls basketball and volleyball coach Sheila Midget were approved in a special school board meeting earlier in the day.

Central went 7-17 last year and 8-18 the year before, but with a new, proven young coach and some young talent on the horizon, there was an unmistakable feeling of optimism as Central athletic director Terry Kitchen introduced McCord at the Board of Education building.

"I'm ecstatic," McCord said. "Two nights ago, I had trouble sleeping. It's always tough leaving when you've been at a place for 10 years and feel a part of the community. But Thursday night I tossed and turned with excitement after I told Mr. Kitchen I would accept the job."

McCord knows he's got his work cut out for him and he's not making any guarantees of a dramatic turnaround next year.

"But I'm ready to test the deep end," he said. "I think this is a great opportunity for me to compete at the highest level of high school basketball in the state of Missouri."

McCord's numbers speak volumes.

In 1991, he took over a team that went 13-12 the year before. In his first year at Scott City, the team finished 15-11. It steadily improved and the Rams went through a five-year stretch where they won at least 25 games.

Scott City suffered through losing seasons in 10 of the 12 years prior to McCord's arrival. McCord's worst year at Scott City was his first.

"We had several people apply for this position," Kitchen said. "I can't tell you how thick my folder was with basketball coaches' resumes. Several of the people we interviewed could've taken this job, but when the smoke cleared, there was one guy who stood above them all."

McCord has indeed stood tall among the coaches in Southeast Missouri, but he knows it may take him awhile to get Central to a 20-win season.

"It's refreshing to come into a situation where they're hungry to build a program and where so many people are telling me how anxious they are to get things going," McCord said. "I just hope the school and community will be patient with us."

The first thing McCord intends to do is establish his basketball philosophies and mental approach throughout every grade level of basketball.

"Any time you rebuild, you have to get your system in place," he said.