December 25, 2024

Panther connections

Panther connections: West Nodaway head coach Brandon Phipps of Creston addresses his team at a recent home game in Burlington Junction, Mo., with assistant coaches Cole Thompson (left) and Cole Crawford, both of Creston. Phipps, Thompson and Crawford were teammates in Creston under coaches Jim Calkins and Billy Hiatt, as 2014 graduates. Each of them has a connection to nearby Northwest Missouri State University. Phipps is athletic director, fitness PE strength and conditioning teacher in addition to his basketball coaching duties at West Nodaway.. Crawford is a PE student teacher at West Nodaway in finishing his Northwest education degree, and Thompson is a student at Northwest. "When I got hired, we had openings for assistant coaches and I wanted guys who think like me when it comes to basketball," Phipps said. "Those two were in the area and I was excited to bring them on. We probably have stolen from all of the coaches we had in Creston, from youth on up." The Rockets are currently 4-7 as they get underway in conference play after a rugged non-conference schedule. Their progress can be tracked through the Missouri High School Athletic Association's website. (Contributed photo)

West Nodaway head coach Brandon Phipps of Creston addresses his team at a recent home game in Burlington Junction, Mo., with assistant coaches Cole Thompson (left) and Cole Crawford, both of Creston.

Phipps, Thompson and Crawford were teammates in Creston under coaches Jim Calkins and Billy Hiatt, as 2014 graduates. Each of them has a connection to nearby Northwest Missouri State University.

Phipps is athletic director, fitness PE strength and conditioning teacher in addition to his basketball coaching duties at West Nodaway.. Crawford is a PE student teacher at West Nodaway in finishing his Northwest education degree, and Thompson is a student at Northwest.

"When I got hired, we had openings for assistant coaches and I wanted guys who think like me when it comes to basketball," Phipps said. "Those two were in the area and I was excited to bring them on. We probably have stolen from all of the coaches we had in Creston, from youth on up." The Rockets are currently 4-7 as they get underway in conference play after a rugged non-conference schedule.

Their progress can be tracked through the Missouri High School Athletic Association's website.