Enter Craig Stork who has some big gym shoes to fill.
Jim Smith, superintendent of Bethel-Tate Schools is pleased with the new head coach and enthusiastic about his arrival as the head honcho of the Tiger boys.
“We are very pleased to get coach Stork here at Bethel,” he said.
Stork is a graduate in education from Northern Kentucky University. He began his college education at the University of Cincinnati.
A graduate of Madeira High School he played basketball wing and forward for the Mustangs and he also lettered in football where he played as a defensive end and a tight end. His head coach on the Madeira hardwood was local legend Jim Arnold.
Stork began his cage coaching career under his mentor at his prep alma mater. From there, in order, he has coached at Milford one year, in New York City two years, Roger Bacon one year, and for the past seven years he has taught physical education and coached basketball at Finneytown High School.
“I appreciate the opportunity to become a part of the community of Bethel,” he said.
Stork has some knowledge of the Bethel-Tate program and the Southern Buckeye Conference.
“I’ve seen Bethel play and I’ve seen their fans. It is obvious to me they are hard-working people and they care a lot about their basketball program. The people of Bethel really support their kids,” he said. “The Southern Buckeye Conference has had some good teams like Bethel, and then Western Brown and Goshen have had good teams, too.”
He explained what his first-year edition of the Tigers will appear like.
“On the court on offense we will play a motion offense with a lot of cutting and screening. The defense will probably be man-to-man, but it can also be zone. It depends on the personnel.. . .
Off the court I want the kids to be of and have great character. I want them to help out and serve their community. . .
“I hope to continue the success Bethel has had the last couple of years. It is a winning basketball program. This will be a great situation.”