3/27/2012 - Lipscomb Perfect Fit For SCCC
Mike Lipscomb’s passion for the game of basketball comes through loud and clear.
From his rapid-fire delivery when talking hoops to his vast knowledge of the game and its history in Sussex County, Lipscomb is truly a Sussex basketball junkie.
Well, the High Point graduate will get his Sussex hoops fix this coming winter as he takes over the women’s basketball team at Sussex County Community College.
SCCC Athletic Director John Kuntz made the announcement last week that Lipscomb, who played for Kuntz at SCCC in the late 1980s, will replace Fred Kressaty who stepped down after two-and-half seasons at the helm.
“When I met with John to talk about the job I said to him, “Are we really doing this?” recalled Lipscomb, who also played baseball at SCCC and was an assistant to Kuntz after his playing days.
“It is surreal. We are doing the full-circle thing,” he added. “It just seemed right. I’m coming back home. I always thought someday I would be back. It was always my dream job to coach here at Sussex.
“In five years they have just 21 wins but I know turning things around can be done and I hope I’m the guy who can do it. It is the right time in my life and my family’s life. I’m ecstatic about the opportunity.”
And Lipscomb should be because if he can’t get the program on its feet, no one can. Sometimes there are perfect fits in life, not too often I mind you, but this is one of those times.
Lipscomb coaching at SCCC is a marriage that began as a courtship (yes, pun intended) when Lipscomb played for Kuntz on the fledging men’s hoops team. It has indeed come full circle and I feel Lipscomb will do a terrific job.
“Mike is well known throughout Sussex County basketball circles and is very knowledgeable about all the local players and teams,” said Kuntz of his new hire. “I have known Mike since he played for me on our first men’s basketball team here at SCCC in 1987. I strongly believe he will do a great job and I look forward to working with Mike and continuing to build our women’s basketball program.”
Lipscomb, who has been on the job less than a week, is trying to make up for some lost time on the recruiting trail. But Lipscomb's work ethic and great relationships with the local coaches in the area should help, but he has a lot of work to do.
“I don’t have much time but my philosophy is that I’m going to recruit all the players in the county including the top ones,” said Lipscomb, who attended more girls basketball games this past winter than anyone else I know.
“If you get one domino to fall, then you get the next one and it all falls into place,” he added. “My job is to take them for two years and then find them a home for the next two years and continue their playing career.”
Lipscomb said he learned a lot from Kuntz and his former high school coach Charlie Kier at High Point and that he will use those lessons when putting together his own philosophy.
He said he would apply what he learned about preparation from Kier, who won well over 200 games and a couple of Sussex County Interscholastic League titles during his tenure in the 1980s-1990s.
He said Kuntz was great at adapting to the talent he had and allowed his players to play.
“That is what I want. I want them to play and enjoy playing,” said Lipscomb. “I don’t want robots out there. I want them to play with passion and with effort and I won’t settle for anything else.”
Defensively, he prefers man, but he won’t be afraid to play zone and some “junk” defenses. He cited Vernon girls coach Billy Foley as a coach who is not afraid to mix up his defenses to keep the other team off balanced.
“We will no longer be a “W” circled on someone’s schedule,” said Lipscomb. “We will play hard every night and I will give them the tools and structure to succeed. There is talent in this county and I will do my best to get here.”
Lipscomb has not set his staff, but he said he will lean on Mike Casserly for guidance. Casserly, a vice principal at Wallkill Valley and long-time hoops maven, has been in coaching for 40 years, and for my money, one of the most knowledgeable hoops minds around.
“Mike will be a great resource for me,” said Lipscomb. “His basketball knowledge is incredible and I will be looking to him to help guide me.”
Like I stated, Lipscomb will do a fine job, and if SCCC doesn’t become a competitive program it won’t be due to a lack of effort.
And any women’s basketball player that is interested in playing at SCCC please call the school and ask for Lipscomb, he will be more than happy to talk to you.
I’ve known Lipscomb for many years and his basketball knowledge and passion for the game are unparalleled. From his days mixing it up on the courts in Sussex Borough as a youth to coaching elementary school hoops, his love of the game burns through when you talk to him.
I only have one piece advice, however. Now that you are a college coach in one of the top junior college conferences in nation, you gotta lose the winter hat, Lipper.
SPRING HAS SPRUNG… Last week’s great weather made it seem like late May instead of scrimmage time in March. But the opening of the spring season is Saturday, a day earlier than normal.
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association moved up the first day because April 1 falls on a Sunday, which was a great idea. Also with many schools on Easter vacation next week, it was good to get that jump start.
But what intrigues me the most is how the good weather will affect all the spring sports in terms of performance. Every team has played all their scrimmages and some teams could be in mid-season form after just one week.
I can’t wait to see and you will be able to see all the baseball, softball and lacrosse highlights on the Sports Beat every Friday and Monday like you have for the last 20 years.
That’s it for now, see you on the sidelines.
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