Ferguson set to take over Hillsdale boys basketball position
JEROMESVILLE — New Hillsdale boys basketball coach Ben Ferguson never has and never will like to use the term “rebuilding year” when discussing an upcoming season.
In early May the 1995 Hillsdale graduate was approved to be the next Falcon coach replacing Ryan Moore who decided not to return after four seasons at the helm.
“I couldn’t be more excited to lead the Hillsdale boys basketball program,” said Ferguson. “There will certainly be some unforeseen bumps in the road. But with trust among the boys in each other and in me, we should be able to overcome those hurdles.
“Ryan did a nice job and had the program turning the corner. He certainly didn’t leave the cupboard bare as we have athletes. The program did graduate some pretty good seniors this year and they’ll be tough to replace. However, I never really liked the saying ‘This is a re-building year’. I don’t think that is fair to the players, especially not the upcoming seniors.
Ferguson said it is time to get busy.
“We have talent, we have great athletes, we have boys with great work ethic and high character,” he continued. “There is no rebuilding here! We are going to reload and change our style of play to match our athletes and were gonna get after it, play hard and play fast. Our defense will be the key.”
Community, coaching involvement key to job success
Ferguson has lived in the community for most of his life and knows just about everyone.
“Kim and I are raising our children here,” he said. “Two of the four currently attend Hillsdale and play basketball, Layla (6th grade) and Lowen (7th grade). I have been heavily involved in coaching basketball in the youth levels within the Hillsdale School District for many years. I know the players very well, I know their parents and in many cases even their grandparents.”
He talked about how those connections with the community should aid in the process.
“I think the familiarity with me by the faculty, administration, other coaches and of course the parents and players certainly helps build trust,” he explained. “I believe the boys know me well enough to know that I demand discipline, professionalism and the drive towards excellence in not just basketball, but all aspects of their academics and behavior on and off the court.’
“It is far more than basketball to me. My coaches played a big role in shaping me as a young man and I recognize the role I can play for each of the boys in the program.”
Ferguson has already met with the players and said everyone has been supportive.
“Hillsdale is a phenomenal community that really supports their sports teams. It’s been that way forever.”
11 applicants apply for position
Hillsdale Athletic Director Jodi Long said there were numerous reasons behind the hire that had 11 applicants, 5 of who were interviewed.
“Ben was very organized and was very knowledgeable about the league schools and our kids in the program,” she said. “He had an extensive plan for summer activities for our MS and HS athletes.”
She spoke about the challenges facing the new coach.
“I see Ben’s biggest challenge as the same challenge we have had in the past,” said Long. “We would like to increase our numbers so we have three teams at the high school level- freshmen, JV and varsity.”
“Kids these days are pulled in so many directions with seemingly year-round sports,” Ferguson said. “Their attention span seems to get smaller. But these boys want to compete, they want to get better, they want to win. They recognize what it takes to do that and it starts this summer.”
Long said Ferguson’s passion for both the sport and the athletes were key.
“He will be visible in the district and will be a great role model/mentor for our young athletes,” said Long. “Ben is invested in boys basketball at Hillsdale and is very passionate about continuing to build Hillsdale Basketball to where it had been in the past.”
Summer camps will begin to integrate the winter plans Ferguson has prepared where defense will be at the forefront of the new regime.
“We have athletes (and) we are going to use them on both sides of the court with a fast-paced tempo,” he explained. “The boys are excited to learn the finer points of the game and are eager to get to the shootout camps and start to learn the finer points of that style of play.
“Defense, defense, defense. In my mind it all starts with defense. I’d put my athletes up against anybody else’s. Now we just have to commit to team defense and everything else will come together.”
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ferguson set to take over Hillsdale boys basketball position
