By David Jenkins
Staff Writer
Farmersville extended its reach all the way out to Dallas County in search of a new head boys basketball coach.
In the end they found they found Wester, who replaced two season floor general Kendrick Broadus.
“Several things drew me to this position. The first thing that drew me to this job was the community and school district. As a graduate of Celeste High School, I am very familiar with the town and the district. I have always admired how the district has excelled in education and in athletics,” Wester said. “Second, I like the size of the town and the school district. It is not to big and not to small. The third thing that attracted me to this position was the kids. I have always had a great deal of respect for the Farmersville student-athletes in how they conduct themselves and compete in each and every competition. I want to Thank Mr. (Jeff) Adams, the School Board, Coach (Sammy) Burnett, and Mr. (Wayne) Callaway for giving me this opportunity and entrusting me to lead the basketball program. I am excited about the opportunity and I am looking forward to leading the program to the next level.”
In addition to basketball, he will assist with varsity football and track.
The new floor general spent the last five years at Mesquite Poteet and just wrapped up his 19th year in the coaching field.
Wester, a Celeste graduate, started out his career at West Mesquite, moved to the head spot at Lone Oak and returned to Mesquite for the post at John Horn.
He coached New York Knick Quincy Ace, while at Horn.
From there he moved on to his most recent position at Poteet.
“Throughout my 19 years of experience, I have been exposed to many philosophies and a part of some very successful programs. I have realized it is about the kids and building relationships with them,” Wester said. “An athlete does not care how much you know until they know how much you care. I have learned that championships are not won on paper. They are won with hard work and in the hearts and minds of players.”
He added, “I have shown in my 19 years to win the hearts and minds of my players. I am a relationship driven coach. I have also learned that great teams play for the name of the front of their jersey and not the name on the back. Great teams also focus on the little things, because winning is merely a by-product of focusing on the little things. I will bring discipline, a great deal of passion, and energy to the program. We will compete each and every day and posses a refuse to lose attitude in all that we do.”
This past season the Pirates finished 11-15 overall and qualified for the playoffs in fourth at 6-6 in District 12-5A.
In the Class 5A Region II opening round they fell 75-54 to Dallas Wilson.
Wester takes over a Farmers team that endured their fare share of ups and downs.
Behind an underclassmen heavy roster, they ended up 6-22 overall and 4-10 for sixth in a tough 13-3A.
Before the season even started the Farmers lost four-year varsity member Jaelon Clark to a knee injury.
Wester will look to turn things around next season and the return of nine athletes should help.
Expected back incoming seniors Jason Luke, Josiah Davis (coming off a leg injury) and Emmanuel Moreno, juniors Caleb Twyford and Tory Brown, and sophomores Cade Twyford, Malique Jones, Kobie Sheriff and Elijah Carroll.
“I have seen the team play and I am very excited about the talent and the experience they gained last year. We will focus on playing “TEAM” basketball with an emphasis on defense. Throughout the season, we will develop our culture of “Do What We Do” which will come from our core values,” Wester said. “These core values are the foundation on which we will build our program. They are instrumental for life long success and helping our athletes become successful in the game of life on and off the court. Each and every day we will compete utilizing our athletic ability while constantly improving our fundamentals. We will focus on the little things in everything that we do.”
All of those Farmers will compete one final season in 13-3A, with 3A Region II finalist Van Alstyne, semifinalist Whitewright, area qualifiers Commerce, quarterfinalist Tom Bean, Lone Oak, Leonard and Caddo Mills.
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