Tom Hart Takes Over Cameron Boys’ Squad
CAMERON — For Tom Hart, Cameron always has been and will be home.
So when the boys’ basketball job came open, the 1989 graduate of the school jumped at the opportunity. He was officially named the head coach June 14.
”The big thing is, whether it’s football or basketball or whatever it might be, game nights are a community function in Cameron,” Hart, 45, said Monday night. ”Parents and other people base their schedules on coming to watch the boys or girls or football or whatever the case might be.
”I like that aspect.
”I’ve had a lot of support from parents and alumni — former players — in terms of getting this job.”
This certainly isn’t Hart’s first foray into the coaching realm. In addition to coaching track at the school, Hart has been a figure at Cameron for the last 23 years. He spent 10 years working with the girls’ program, the first seven as an assistant to Mark Witzberger and the final three as the head coach. He then jumped to boys’ basketball and helped his brother, Jack, before working on former coach Chad Clutter’s staff, the last four seasons as a volunteer assistant.
”The program for several years, from the time Jack left and the time Chad came on to the program has been in pretty good shape,” Hart said.
”I want to continue to develop the program.”
That, Hart believes, shouldn’t be difficult. Chad Clutter went home to coach at his alma mater, John Marshall, while sons Ryan and Cole Clutter graduated. The cupboard, though it won’t offer a ton of height, isn’t bare.
”I think one of the goals, is we take every practice one at a time and every game one at a time,” Hart said. ”We have a pretty tough schedule this year. Linsly home-and-home, Trinity home-and-home, the Boggs Invitational down at Tyler Consolidated. Then there is the OVAC Tournament and you throw Bishop Donahue and Bridgeport and Valley into the mix, and it gets pretty tough.
”We play in the toughest Class A section and region in the state. The goal is to get to that sectional championship. I know it’s going to be tough.”
The Dragons will lean on Trey Routt (13 points, eight rebounds) and Ben Hart, who is Tom’s nephew. Colby Brown, the football team’s standout quarterback returns, as do Robert Milliken and Trey Scott.
”We’re not going to make a lot of wholesale changes because we have a lot of kids coming back,” Coach Hart said. ”We’ll tweak a few things, but Chad ran a great program and we’re not going to try to fix that.
”My coaching philosophy/system will be based on our talent and our athleticism.”
Hart, who is the director of the Marshall County Emergency Management, doesn’t have a lot of free time on his hands. But wife, Tiffany, gave her full blessings to take the coaching job.
”The thing about it is, from the time I started coaching when we were dating and got engaged she has been my No. 1 supporter,” Hart said. ”She told me ‘if you want this job, go get it.’ She understands the commitment.
”She is behind me 100 percent and behind those boys 100 percent all the time.
”She is a great inspiration.”
Matt Burge, who was the point guard on Cameron’s 2005 sectional championship team, and Devin Overholt will serve as assistant coaches.
”I have already met with both of them and they have a mind for the game and they’re going to be hands-on, which I really love,” Hart said. ”Both of them are ready to get in there and get started.”
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