East St. Louis boys basketball coach Ray Coleman’s team is taking care of business on the court with a 13-2 record overall and perfect 7-0 mark in the Southwestern Conference.
Off the court, the team is sporting some of the best academic work on campus so far this season.
Coleman has received the full support of principal Jethro Brown. With the belief that academics and life skills are more important than the outcomes of ball games, Coleman has changed the atmosphere in his second season as Flyers head coach.
His overall record at East Side is 36-9. In his first year, Coleman led the Flyers to a 23-10 record and a berth in the IHSA Class 4A Supersectionals.
Coleman was not a popular choice for the head coaching job by some in the community because of his no-nonsense approach and passion for young people. He had his share of critics on a daily basis, and particularly during and after games. But, those who do it for personal reasons should really take notice of what Coleman is doing.
“It’s more than basketball,” Coach Coleman told me in a interview after last year’s sectional final playoff loss to Normal Community.
It’s also a ministry for the young men through hard work and discipline by being held accountable both on and off the basketball court.
“I want these young men to win in the game of life also.”
There are no sagging pants and no skipping classes. There will be discipline for team infractions.
And the new-look Flyers are turning heads with teachers, and administrators as well. Assistant coach and confidant Ferris Williams, who is a truancy officer for the district as well, has been a major contributor to the program with his discipline program.
College coaches are seeing a difference as well as coach Coleman and his staff answer visits and contacts from college coaches.
The Flyers (13-2) are led by one of the most talented guards in thep state in junior Deshauwn Munson. The former Lincoln Middle School legend was coached by Terrell Herring, who is now the boys volleyball coach at the high school.
Joining Munson as one of the top 100 players in the country is 2011 Summer Michael Jordan Camp MVP Brandon Johnson. He is a talented 6’3” swingman who can score, defense and play any position. The dynamic pair are a nightmare for the opposition most nights.
Montez Williams (6’6) Sr. , Johnny McCray, (6’4) , Philip Lockhart, Deavis Johnson, and Justin Smith form a solid nucleus that supports the flyer stars. Last week at the Highland Shootout in and a potential Class 3A regional final preview in late February, East Side whipped there cross- town rivals Cahokia 66-50.
Munson had a game high 23 pointts and 10 rebounds to lead the Flyers. A key moment for that game and the Flyers new reputation under Coleman came at the midway mark of the second quarter with the Flyers leading 16-11. Cahokia’s Tyrone Golliday was called for a technical foul in a exchange of words with Munson.Â
Munson laughed off Golliday and went to the Flyers’ bench with his teammates. Brandon Johnson hit two free throws, then Phillip Lockhart hit a bomb from the left wing. Game. Set. Match. The Flyers never looked back in blowing open the game and sending a message to all haters.
“We have a classy program,” Coleman told local reporters after the game. “We are not going to lower our standards to talk trash with them. Just play ball is what I told my team.”
Ironically, Munson nor Johnson started the biggest game of the year because they both were late for morning shoot- around practice.
“No player is bigger than the team concept in this program,” said Coleman. “Players, coaches, managers, we all hold ourselves accountable as a team. Our program from the freshman level through the varsity level has kids who have bought into the team discipline in our basketball program. The kids have done a great job on the court and classroom, and understand we hold each other accountable.”
The program under Coleman seems to be in great shape for the next couple of years with the junior varsity, sophomore, and freshman teams all undefeated this season. Despite the success, there are still people who coach and work in the district who are trying to persude students to take their skills to other schools.
These haters are prevalent within our community.
Ray Coleman is a blessing for our program at this time. Trust me!
