A dozen years ago, Cam Gatrell began building a program from scratch when he became the head boys’ basketball coach at Montabella. The result was conference and district titles and a return to respectability for a program that had been suffering losing seasons.
When Gatrell took over the program at Beal City for the 2012-13 campaign, there were challenges, but not like those when he started at Montabella.
Under Kaleb House, Beal City had some success. Gatrell is looking to take the program to the level of success similar to that the school has enjoyed in football and baseball.
The Aggies started out 10-4 this season, with an 8-1 record in the Highland Conference. They scored impressive wins over league powerhouses McBain and Manton.
“We’re getting better. We obviously had a late start because of football,” Gatrell said, referring to the grid team’s drive to the state final. “And it’s a new system. It was a rough start. Three of our four losses came early. Since then, we’ve been playing a lot better basketball.”
Gatrell has 10 players on his team, and seven of those played football, meaning they missed at least the first two weeks of basketball practice. The system that Gatrell brought to Beal City was different than what the players had seen before.
“Kaleb did a good job, he really did,” Gatrell said. “Our philosophies are different. It’s a matter of where you want to force guys defensively. Offensively, we run more motion; he did more of the dribble and drive. Those are huge philosophical differences.”
Gatrell had coached and taught at Montabella 11 seasons. He said family reasons motivated him to come to Beal City.
“I live in Lake Isabella, and it’s where my kids go to school,” Gatrell said. “I realized that I have a 5-year-old son who will start at Beal City. I realized I’d be missing his activities if I didn’t come over here. They had a teaching job and coaching. It was a natural fit.”
Gatrell has fond memories of Montabella. “I loved the people there; it was sad to leave,” he said. “I had to do what was best for my family. I definitely miss a lot of people there.”
The Mustangs won three Mid-State Activities Conference titles and a district title under Gatrell.
“Instilling a philosophy,” was among the challenges he had in making the transition, Gatrell acknowledged. “Kaleb had a great youth program started. It was reminiscent of 11 years ago, starting over. But I had a lot of help this time.”
Gatrell said he hopes to work on the summer program. Football and baseball have had state-contending success, and Gatrell is hoping basketball will soon follow suit.
“The athletes are here,” Gatrell said. “Once we get things rolling in the summer, I think we’ll be on par with the other two sports. We can be dominant in all three. I was doing research today, and there’s very few schools to be dominant in all three. I’m looking forward to Beal City being there.”