Off-Court

• Grades - "Student" Athletes - Our goal for our Team G.P.A. this year is to be above 3.5. 

• Respect teachers
  • Don't embarrass yourself, don't embarrass your school, don't embarrass the program

• Drugs and alcohol - Our basketball team is a family... if out, use each other as support.  If you see someone in a position they shouldn't be in, DO SOMETHING about it.  Don't let a teammate hurt themselves or the team.

1^st Offense - 20% suspension (5 Games) + Extra Conditioning

2^nd Offense - 40% suspension (10 Games) or Dismissal from Team

Pre-Season

• Cut Policy - We do have a cut policy here at Helias.  It is impossible for us to field a basketball team of 35 kids.  We will keep 16-18 this year (grades 10-12).  My least favorite thing to do as a coach is cut a player but it has to be done because of 1. lack of uniforms, 2. lack of bench space, and 3. lack of skill

• Grades, Citizenship, Work ethic, Dedication to team, Respect (Other than skill, these are a few credentials that go along with being a Helias Crusader).

Closed Practice Sessions

• The gym doors will be closed during our practice sessions.  Normal practice time will run from 3:15 until 5:30 pm.  This rule is in place so we can simply cut down on distractions and get done what we need to get done. 

Pre-Game

• Be there - be at practice.  If not, someone takes your spot.  If hurt and can't practice, someone takes your spot.  We are a team, and if one man is down, we have to keep moving forward.  If hurt, be at practice, watching from the sidelines... picking up execution on defense and offense and supporting teammates.

• Early is on time - if practice starts at 3:15 p.m. after school, you are expected to be in the gym, dressed and ready to go by 3:10.  You don't show up for an interview on-time.  You show up early.  Practice is your interview for the team... every day.

• We respect the basketball floor in everything we do.  We don't spit on it, we don't hit it, WE DON"T CURSE ON IT.  We respect it and the people on it... whether they are from Helias or not.

• Are you hurt... or are you injured? - You WILL have nicks, scrapes, and pains during this basketball season.  You are expected to play with such pains.  If you are injured, let's take care of it.  (Sprained Ankle rule/Ice bucket, tape it up tight)...Our trainer will be very aggressive, as will I, in getting our athletes back on the court as soon as possible.  We will not do anything that will prolong the injury or make it worse. 

• Dress in full practice apparel.  We don't bring attention to ourselves... we play as a team, we dress as a team...Team Shoes will  all be the same... Haircuts - Off the ears, out of the eyes (Coach's Discretion).

• Dress the way you play - we will demonstrate class and respect... and be all business off the floor and on the floor.  We will prepare a game plan, and execute it.  We will demonstrate class before we step on the floor in our appearance.  (Ties, dress pants, button down shirts.)  We will also leave the same way we came... with class.

During the game

• Being on a high school basketball team is a privilege... not a right.  I can play FIVE players at a time.  It is not my job to please parents or players with playing time.  This is not a sport or a team that is about equal playing time.  As a coaching staff, we will put the best product at that time on the floor.  A lot goes into "earning playing time" (talent, position, work ethic, practice, production, attitude, team unity, mental toughness, etc.).   

• We will demonstrate class on the floor.  We will maintain composure (whether we're up 20 or down 20)... and maybe even get that pivotal call late in the game.  Officials are human too.

• Stand and support - EVERYTIME a player substitutes out of the game, the entire bench will stand and applaud that player.  If you aren't standing and supporting, you are clearly not tuned in... or clearly not offering your support.

• EVERY player has a role.  To be on a varsity bench is a privilege... not a right.  If you are one of those twelve players, you have a direct part in performance... whether it's on the court, or supporting and being a motivating force on the sidelines.

• I do not substitute for mistakes.  I do however substitute for lack of effort or focus.  If you make the same mistake over and over again, you should probably improve your skills/focus in order to be on a varsity floor.

• Recognize the pass - We ALWAYS point to the man that gives you the assist.  If you score, chances are you received a pass to do it. 

• Recognize the charge - The best play in basketball... you create a turnover, the other team's best player is one foul closer to fouling out, and we create momentum.  The entire bench will STAND and recognize the best play in basketball.  Someone gives up his body for the team, we get out of our chairs and show respect.

• Players, DO NOT dispute an official.  If you do, whether by words OR body language, you are demonstrating that you have lost focus.

• Players will not receive a TECHNICAL.  If you do, you will be supporting your teammates from the sidelines.  The coaching staff will make an executive decision on how long you sit.  It could be 1, 2, 3, or 4 quarters depending on the severity of the technical.  (There are a few exceptions to this rule - 1. Intentional foul 2. Hanging on the rim, etc.) In 10 years of coaching, I have had 2 players receive a "well deserving" technical foul for disputing an official in competition.  They both sat the remainder of the game. 

• Huddle - we quickly huddle before every first free throw attempt.  Here, you will be instructed by the point guard on what defensive or offensive set to execute the next possession.  In order to do this, all five players must sprint to the foul line or paint to receive the set. 

• Timeouts - Timeouts provide a coach time to instruct the team.  Everyone is huddled around the coach and the five people in the game.  ALL EYES are on the coach giving instructions.  If eyes wander to mom and dad, girlfriend, (etc.) this shows a lack of focus. 

Parents during the game

• Encourage your team! ("Be a good teammate")
  • Let officials officiate
  • Let players play
  • Let coaches coach
  • Show Class in the Stands

• Be there! - It means the world to your son and our staff.  We appreciate your support and will not have a successful season without it. 

Post-Game

• We arrive as a team... we will leave as a team.  It's important to travel as a team to and from games... after wins AND losses, after playing 32 minutes or none. 

• If there is an emergency and your son needs to ride home directly with you, the parent, alert me in person.  An emergency is certainly an extenuating circumstance in which your son may ride home from a game with you.

• Leave the way you came - Just because the game is over doesn't mean we stop practicing our philosophy of class and respect.  We will leave the same way we came... in a tie, dress pants, and a button-down shirt or travel gear.

• Straight to the locker room - At halftime, we SPRINT to the locker room.  It's awful to watch a team leave the floor dejected at the half, and "lumber" into the locker room.  We do not lose motivation, we do not lose intensity, we do not give up.  We simply get better.  Immediately after the game, we do not stop and talk to the papers, to parents, or friends.  We address "family' business in the locker room first.

Parents Post-Game

• Please do not approach me with a concern after a game (win or loss).  Please use the proper chain of command (Player, A.D., Coach).  Our administration can then set up a meeting with all involved (Coach, Player, Parent) at the appropriate time, and I will be in a much better position to field your concern. 

Contact Information

Josh Buffington (Head Coach) 573-635-6139 - jbuffington@heliashighschool.com

Joe Rothweiler (Head Varsity Assistant) - jrothweiler@stpeterjc.org

Brad Dempsey (Head JV) - brad.dempsey@cathedralschooljc.com

Antonio Sykes (Head Freshman) - asykes@mail.crmc.org

Doug Light (Athletic Director) 573-635-6139 - dlight@heliascatholic.com

• Practice Schedule and Bus Schedule are posted on Helias Basketball Website.

Thanks for your support.   We are looking forward to a great season!

Coach Buffington and Staff