Q&A: Coach Eddie Gray (Garner)

It's our last Q&A Session for this week, this time with Garner Trojans' coach Eddie Gray. The Trojans will be traveling to Knightdale High School on Friday in WRAL's Game of the Week. The Trojans will have their hands full with the speed and athleticism of the Knights, but in conference play, anyone can win. Tip time is around 7:30 PM at Knightdale. If you're looking for a great game to go to, try this one out.

1. Knightdale has managed to create a powerhouse program even though they are a very young program. What do you credit this success to?
Coach Battle [Watkins] does a good job with their program. Also, the Knightdale area has a good base population of student-athletes. We knew when they built that school that it would not be long before they would be very competitive in both football and basketball.

2. Does Garner's rich tradition in athletics provide any extra incentive for your team? What kind of pride does the name on the front of the jersey bring to your players?
Even though, Garner is known has a "football power", we are very proud of our basketball tradition. Over the last 17 years, we have managed to win 8 conference championships and 2 sectional championships. Our program has produced players like Donald Williams who went on to star at UNC, David West who plays in the NBA, James Mays who is now playing in the ACC at Clemson. Of course, we use this rich history to help motivate our players. We still stress the concept of the Garner community with all our athletic teams.

3. What has been the most difficult thing for your team to overcome this season?
This is probably the most inexperienced team that I have coached at Garner. We have some good athletes, but many of them do not understand the game of basketball. We have worked hard over the passed three months developing a better "basketball IQ". We have no seniors on the team with varsity game experience. We also have returning players from last years' championship team that have been forced to play difference roles for us this year. We are 3 and 3 in the conference, but we are only a few shots or plays from being 6 and 0. The lack of experience is just something we have to play through.

4. What players have shown that they will be go-to players this season?
Our two returning guards, E.J. Williams and Tyrone Williams (no relation) are the keys to our team. When they play well; we win. Also Milton Chavis is improving with every game and has the potential to be a great player in our league. All three of these student/athletes are juniors.

5. What advantages will your team have over Knightdale on Friday night? What advantages will Knightdale have?
Playing on the road against a team that is undefeated in our conference; not much of an advantage there! But, I hope our guys will view the game as an opportunity and will play hard. Knightdale is very athletic and have some very good 3-point shooters.

6. Do you believe Knightdale is the best team in the conference? If so, why? If not, who is?
"The proof is in the pudding." They are undefeated! Until someone in our conference can beat them, they have to be considered the best.

7. Realistically, do you think your team has the ability to play for a conference championship and a state championship this season?
We go into every game expecting to win. Only a few baskets or freethrows have decided many of our games. Any team can get hot down the stretch and win. The conference is really balanced this year. As far as the state championship is concerned, you have to have the talent, team balance, and a little luck to win it. The Wakefield team has shown us that team play can overcome talent in the play-offs.

8. Many people look at the Greater Neuse this year and see a rebuilding conference. Do you believe that's true, or is there so much parity that everyone is beating up on one another?
It is a young league with a lot of talented juniors and sophomores. This is one of those years where anyone can win on any given night. The only exception to that has been Knightdale.

9. What will be the hardest part about playing Knightdale? What challenges will you provide for the Knights?
We are playing a hot team on the road. I hope our guys are up to the challenge! I will be very disappointed if we don't play hard nose defense. Also we must make them defend us in the post.

10. If you could play any team in the state of North Carolina, which team would it be? Why?
How about UNC or NCSU! I graduated from both those fine institutions. If we played them at home, it would probably be a really good gate! I don't know. The way only season is going; we need to play someone we can beat or someone that will help our athletic budget.

Check back here Friday afternoon for a gameday preview. We'll take a look at key players for both teams, and I'll make my predictions.