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Old Rivals Join Forces at I.R.

This story appeared in the Dec. 10, 1998 TV Times

Faced with perhaps his most extensive rebuilding project in more than a decade, Indian River boys basketball coach Pat Kelly has called upon a former rival for help in 1998.

Jerry Peden, a highly-successful coach at Sussex Central and Cape Henlopen, has joined Kelly's staff after a one-season coaching hiatus. Kelly and Peden will serve as co-coaches and attempt to mold a young team into a Southern Division contender.

"Pat's been after me for two years so finally I said yes," Peden said. "I think the two of us work well together."

Peden stepped down as coach at Cape Henlopen after the 1997 season because of heath concerns. But after spending nearly two calender years away from the game, losing 50 pounds and getting his health problems under control, Peden decided to join forces with the man he'd coached against for 13 years.

"I can see some things where he's making a big impact in certain areas," said Kelly, who insisted Peden be a co-head coach and not just an assistant. "He's real good on fundamentals."

The coaches have a huge challenge facing them this season. The Indians lost their top seven players from last year's Southern Division championship team, including standout guard Dartez Major.

The core of the 1998-99 team is sophomores and juniors and the magnitude of the rebuilding is illustrated by senior starting point guard Antoine Stratton, who wrestled last winter instead of playing basketball.

"It's a project the results of which will be determined down the road," Kelly said, noting defense must be the team's strength.

Kelly is pleased with the coaching arrangement so far, noting he and Peden have input into all aspects of the team, not just certain areas of expertise.

"We work well together, we both have input in all areas. There's so much to do, it's hard to split," Kelly said. "Both of us have to engage in the way we coach. Neither of us can be stand offish."

Peden, meanwhile, isn't sugar-coating the rebuilding task that lies ahead.

"It's an uphill battle here. I mean this is major," he said. "It's a real challenge because Indian River's always been good in basketball. We're going to have to be patient."

Coach: Pat Kelly (14th year) and Jerry Peden (1st year)

Last Year: 18-6, Southern Division champion

Key Losses: Dartez Major, Jon Harmon, Andrew Kelly, Justin Blake, Ty Phillips, Travis White, Derrell Purnell

Key Returnees: G Anthony Jones, jr.; C Mike Lord, jr.; G-F Ryan Shelton, sr.

Newcomers: G-F Keshawn Gibbs, so.; F George Cole, sr.; F Dortez McCray, jr.; G Larry Floyd, sr.; G Deandre Matthews, so.; G-F Jamal Bivens, sr.; C James Bratten, fr.; G-F Gary Matthews, sr.; G Antoine Stratton, sr.; G Jon Arbeene, sr.

Outlook: Having lost his top seven players from last season, Kelly faces his biggest rebuilding project in more than 10 years. Jones, Lord and Stratton are solid starters and Gibbs is a promising prospect but there is still plenty of uncertainty. "Defense will have to be our strength," Kelly said. A repeat of the South title is highly unlikely.