Boys Basketball Coach Tom Lyons Dishes Credit to Players

The following questions were answered by Burlington High School boys basketball coach Tom Lyons, in his 15th years with the Red Devils. This season, he led the team to an 11-9 record and the No. 12 seed in the North Division 2 tournament. Unfortantely for the Red Devils, they fell in their opening tilt on Tuesday night as they lost to Brighton on a shot at the buzzer.

What was the key to the team’s success this year?

The past couple years has at times in games, it was more ‘me’ while this team is ‘we.’ The seniors came up to me and I said ‘Coach I don’t care what it takes, I just want to win.’ Each one of them says it doesn’t matter who scores, who gets the credit. It’s been a great year because these kids have been nothing short of fantastic and the easiest team I’ve ever coached.

How much does it help that you’ve been involved for so long with the program?

The one thing is I know each kid since the time they were in travel program, and the type of kids we look for. Our philosophy has always been you have to be a good person first before we consider you being part of the program. You also have to be a good student, and third be a good basketball player.

What’s your favorite part about your job?

The kids. If you have the right kids, players win games. Coaches put you in the situation where if the game is close you get the best situation to get the most out of them and hopefully you come out on top. Players make coaches. I used to be one, so I know. Most coaches around would say that. If you don’t have players and commitment, you’ll struggle.

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