ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 14, 1995 TAG: 9512140010
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: DUBLIN
TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
Because Buddy Farris is in his first season of coaching the Pulaski County High girls basketball team and in his first stint as a varsity coach, the easy decision would be to call him a rookie bench boss.
Yet when a fellow graduates from college at age 35, finds his life's calling when he is in his late 30s, and has been pursuing his current career since 1978, as Farris has done, it seems reasonable to assume that the term ``rookie'' would not be entirely appropriate.
Some men who were 51 years old might even be offended if you call them that.
Farris, who does happen to be 51, isn't the kind of man to take offense so easily.
``I've always been old,'' he said.
However, that shouldn't be taken as an indication that maturity precludes passion.
``He kicks more chairs than Coach Reedy did,'' said Lisa Skeens, the Pulaski County point guard.
That would be Rod Reedy, Farris' predecessor and the man widely credited with building the varsity program into the perennial contender that it is. Reedy cashed in on the aforementioned success and moved on to a position as an assistant coach at Radford University.
Inevitably in such a changing of the coaching guard, comparisons between the administration of the original sage and that of his successor arise.
``I think the biggest change is that the team is more together this year,'' said Mandy Sexton, one of four new starters who have joined Skeens, the only returner, in the lineup. ``Last year, the seniors were the team. It was like the seniors then everybody else. We are more bonded now.''
That sort of polarization isn't going to happen this year, at least not along senior-underclassmen lines. There are no seniors on the team at all this year.
Farris hasn't been shy about tinkering with success. He's junked most of the old system the Cougars ran and installed his own. Early indications are that the Cougars intend to press and run more than they have.
Practices have been different, too.
``He runs us,'' Skeens said. ``A lot.''
A puzzled look at why this might be considered a hardship crosses Farris' face.
``I don't get tired a bit,'' he said.
Right now, those who run are fewer in number than at any time previously this season. Injuries have depleted the ranks to an almost alarming extent. Sophomore Sarah Donald, at 6-foot-2, the team's tallest player, is suffering from an inflamed knee. Trina Williams wrenched her back during conditioning. Lea Hallstead went up for a layup and ended up crashing into the bleachers, a collision that left her with a bruised hip. Missy Shirah sustained a concussion when she cracked heads with a Gar-Field player.
And so on.
As for the impact of these casualties (all of which are believed to temporary for right now), Farris isn't sure.
``I have no idea how good or bad we're going to be,'' he said.
Indications are that that the Cougars are going to be pretty good, if not sooner, then later. The Cougars split their first two games with perennial Group AAA power Gar-Field (a loss) and Woodbridge with freshman guard Katrina Williams averaging 23 points per game. Presuming others continue to make progress, then Pulaski County should be at the very least a Roanoke Valley District contender.
All of this would have been hard for Farris to conceive of as a young man. All indications were that he was going to move into the family dairy business, but enough mornings waking up at 2 a.m. to run deliveries curdled his desire to make money in milk.
After that, he married, did some time in the service, went to Bible college in Atlanta, and planned on a career in the ministry. By and by, he came to the conclusion that the pulpit was not for him because his innate shyness made speaking to crowds a problem.
Back to school he went, this time at Milligan (Tenn.) College, where his studies led him (after he graduated at age 35) to his current post at Dublin Middle School. There, he's taught physical education and coached hoops (boys since 1978 and girls since 1980). He's also spent a lot of time working with middle school-aged girls basketball AAU teams.
When Reedy checked out and headed for Radford, Farris was a natural choice to succeed him.
If you're wondering how coaching dovetails with his other interests, Farris will tell you.
``I feel like if can be a good example to these players and teach them some things, then I will have fulfilled my ministry,'' he said.
In that case, he might consider being a little easier on the courtside furniture.
LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: RAY COX/Staff. Pulaski County High girls basketballby CNBcoach Buddy Farris: ``I feel like if I can be a good example to
these players and teach them some things, then I will have fulfilled
my ministry.'' color.