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Show mm un m Krovo High, Coach - "You always have to play your best when you are the best." Though it may come back to haunt him ... his 213-1record at Provo does a lot of oratory. 6 at PHS is a quote from Minnesota Fats, "You always have to play your best when you are the best." It sounds cocky and though it may come back to haunt him, Spencer is letting the record speak for him. His 213-1- 6 record at Provo does a lot of oratory. His success is not without controversy. Area coaches have long disagreed with his philosophy, point spread, and extent of commitment but they also quickly pay their respects. Basketball prospects out of Provo High have been a priority on lists of college recruiters recently. NCAA powers Maryland, UCLA, Notre Dame, A sign in his office Nevada-La- Vegas, s Kentucky, State, New Mexico have joined locals BYU, Utah, Arizona State, Utah State and Weber State in seeking dribblers from PHS. The latest thoroughbred Devin Durrant, a 7 court magician got more cards in March than at Christmas. During league play Spencer was so Washington 6-- about the pressure concerned recruiters were causing his team particularly Durrant, his put his foot down and requested limited contact. But come game time, coaches from BYU and Utah waged a hot race to show face. There was Utah's Jerry Pimm, who usually found a seat beside Durrant 's father, dressed like he just left a Beverly Hills country club, sitting through the game with his arm around "Pop". And Cougar mentor Frank Arnold, who came in his missionary suit and tie. From the 10th row he acted like he just happened to drop in while on the way to the store to get some milk. , Key to Success "Sure, they are successful," commented Springville High School Coach Elliott Jordan, who has played PHS for years. "Contrary to the popular belief that it is the size of the student body, the real story is the community. Jim's players for the most part are sons of BYU coaches, faculty and basically they are better athletes than our kids." He explained it was his opinion that players from Provo have parents that allow them to play basketball 12 months a year and support them playing nearly all their spare time. "For instance, take Steve Pinegar (76), his father is a dentist, a professional person and his son could play basketball all summer. Many of our kids have to work, and their participation in other sports is a must. I know Jim suggests to his players that they be committed to basketball all year around." Springville's recent claim to fame was Scott Phillips, an athlete who led BYU's varsity football team in rushing last year and only started two games. Coach Jordan said, "If I would have even hinted that Scott be involved like Jim's boys, I would be out of the school on my ear. I have to work with the other coaches. I share Points Opponent Provo Ave. 0 1774 1267 68.2 25 1 1700 1188 65 3 1976 23 3 1838 1334 70 6 Opp 48.7 45.6 51.3 1975 23 2 1734 1376 69 3 55 0 14 3 1974 25 0 1839 1336 73 6 53 4 20.2 1973 25 0 1759 1282 70.3 51 2 19.1 1972 23 3 1803 1488 69 3 57 2 12.1 1971 21 4 1681 1301 52.0 15.2 1970 22 3 1612 1260 67.2 64.4 50 4 14.0 Total? 213 16 15,720 11,832 68.6 51.6 17 Year Wins 1978 26 1977 -- -- Loss Ave. Margin 19.5 19.7 19.3 Provo has only lost four league games in last nine years Provo has not lost a league game in six yearr Compiled bj Di k Harmon, Janet Spencer SPENCER'S record is ) at Provo High School remarkable. This statistical data is the only record tally and point total in existence according to COACH JIM (213-16- SL PHS officials. It was compiled through exhaustive research with the primary source the Utah state tournament dating back to 1970. programs S ... His countenance does not seem that of a charismatic Guru, but rather a timid, sometimes shy beet digger ... The mefltoi is countenance silent PHS court i times. His does not seem that of a charismatic Guru, but rather a timid sometimes shy beet digger Humble" Yes 6--5 ' Coach Jim Spencer s Provo High School Basketball Dynasty ge What business does a farm boy from now a man have fooling around with anything related to a dvnastv - n. Uah-Pa- Escalante. Utah the office with the football coach I'm not saying that what Provo is doing is It's just that Jim has asked wrong his athletes to give more in way of commitment, and they have done it Their parents support it Jordan said I wish I could do the same thing, but 1 can t do it here My philosophy is different I think kids should be able to do more than one thing Basketball it Spencer responds. more than a game It s what life is all about A mission president once told me that the best workers he had who were successful were from two 1 brought up on a farm and had to work, and 2) good athletes. "Young men who fully commit themselves to basketball or other sports learn to work and learn responsibility. I lost my father last year. I feel I was able to accept it because I've learned to live with disappointment, both the winning and the losing and to live with it humbly. "I give this advice to parents: These boys are going to work the rest of their lives, but they have only one opportunity to play basketball A boy can learn responsibility and learn the virtues of work playing ball. "Most boys who say they need to work and have no time for basketball, are not working to contribute to the family income but are paying for a car. With the car comes the gas, acces- sories like headers, fancy wheels etc. "I don't think our boys in Provo are any different ttan those in other communities. We have parents who have set priorities." Carl Ingersoll, coach at American Fork High School has one of the few area teams which has beaten Provo. He says he goes along with Jordan at Springville. "Demanding time commitments from players like he does is good for Jim, but not for my situation. Every one of my kids work during the summer. I suppose Jim gets his boys committed and many of the players at Provo have a goal to play college ball. Look at bis 1977 crew. Both (Greg) Bal-li- f and (Kevin) Nielsen are on varsity scholarships at BYU, Matt Midgley went to Utah Tech and started, Kim Garrett went to Dixie College, and that left only one starter who returned the next year. His name was Devin Durrant. "Few of my players have that as a goal. It would be an extraordinary fact for us to have a player make it in major college basketball. It's a tribute to Jim. It is an inducement and it seems to work," explained Ingersoll. "I have a hard time getting my kids to play with that kind of commitment. I have never had a major college ball player. I come down to the BYU Smith Fieldhouse and I always see Provo High basketball players playing pick up games with BYU varsity players. Heck, they are learning and gunning with the best competition around durAll ing the summer and these Provo guys have to do is walk across the street and they have a challenging game against major college competition. I can't do it at American Fork. "Provo players are playing against better competition than in basketball camps for players their age. He (Spencer) has a good situation, and I'm not trying to take anything away from him. He has five starters on his club, but Elliott Jordan at Springville or I could take his scrubs and they would be starters at our schools. "I have a lot of respect for Jim. I'm close to him. I've only beaten him once in seven years I don't have any trouble getting my kids up for games with Provo," claimed Ingersoll. The Players Speak "Better athletes," and "community" may be good candidates for explanation of PHS basketball success. But as one former player Bruce Bushnell (71) explained, "You just don't fall up the ladder of success. Coach Spencer finds the talent, teaches them what winning is about, and molds them into champions. You won't find a harder - working coach." prepster at PHS, now a junior at Utah State University Steve Pinegar (76) remembers, "He would drill us and drill us and drill us time and time again, so when the time came we knew exactly what to do in a situation. Dedication was the name of his game. We set a lot of rules which were strict and signed a contract with him to obey them. We have to live up to the contract or he didn't want anything to do with us. He instilled in me a winning attitude that I've never lost. He knows how to win. Second place is nothing, taking state and being No. 1 was the goal of the team. When we lost in state competition during the tournament he IHL HhriALD, Provo. game ns By DICK HARMON Herald Sportt Writer Buzzards may hover, but the eagle has not landed Stones die but legends are life t March 1974 Thousands of Provo and Orem High School basketball boosters stood with swollen throats and moist eyes as they watched seconds tick off the giant scoreboard in the University of Utah Special Events Center At the buzzer the lights near the clock read Provo 43. Orem 42 Screams were as thunder as little Kelvin Porter. Bulldog team manager rushed onto the court and grabbed Brett Vroman it was over But for Jim Spencer, PHS head navigator, it had just begun. The win gave him back - to - back state title trophies and a 54 game winning streak. And with it, he nailed a notice of a dynasty on the wall. Since then, opposing teams have garnered about as much out of playing Provo as listening to a warped Johnny Mathis record at the junior prom. That year, Spencer was awarded the Dale Rex Memorial award at BYU -the Cougars' highest athletic plaudit. In 1974 he was named the National High School Coaches Association "Coach of the Year'' for district 6 a honor given to him again in 1976. Combine those with honors in siate, region and others it gets monotonous But the music goes on. w Spencer's Basketball Dynasty Molding And Gunning Down Foes All-America- 1 puuiifig His wife Janet says the coach is a a farmer But his plantation is the hardwoods, and his seeds gangly spirited youngsters with a will to win "There is a lot of pressure He lives it so much in his personal life He uses me as a sounding board sometimes," said Mrs Spencer, "There have been a lot of tense moments, but also a lot is satisfaction. The satisfaction comes in seeing them become successful men in the community and leaders." "He idolizes John Wooden We have every book he's ever written They are underlined and thread bare He goes to every basketball camp that John is attending," she said Spencer has "dynasty written in his eyes He defends his point spread, "1) It's not fair for the front line players to perform their best and then be benched for a superior performance, 2) Many of the players who would replace the starters have already played in a junior varsity game. Would it be fair to play them a game and a half and the varsity players only a half a game0 3) It is an insult to beat a team with anything but your best, 4) When you win big you have a huge advantage over them when you play them again. Sometimes it backfires though. 5) The team needs playing time to prepare for state com- worker, SSSSSSSPSSSHksVfcSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHnV dfltfttnin - petition. "Having a killer instinct is imperative, you cannot let a team get the momentum away from you. One of the things I worked with Devin Durrant on was that killer instinct. He is a super nice young man and when we would be ahead by 20, sometimes he would let up. Greg Ballif was the opposi's, he would send up his satellites and keep bombing away." Spencer said it has paid off at Provo. Other coaches have agreed. "One of the greatest compliments I've ever had is that every varsity player I've coached has had the opportunity to go on and play ball after high school. It may not have been major college, but they have had offers. "Another compliment to me is the year Frank Arnold of BYU told me that every player he has received from Provo High is well coached in the fundamentals." "I may not be the best coach in the state, but I feel I can say I am the hardest working in terms of time and energy. "There is a saying I've liked through the years, don t mind sweating in the summer, but I don't bleed in the winter.'" FOR THE THIRD time, Coach Jim Spencer holds a made by Skyline's All American Danny Vranes, now "Sure I follow John Wooden. I think state championship trophy won by Provo High School. a member of the University of Utah basketball team. that if I had to pick an idol it would be This time it was in 1978. In 1977, the trophy eluded Provo has been to state competition every year since him. He has control on the bench, he is Provo by one basket with seconds left. The basket was Spencer has been at the helm. a coach's coach and worthy of any "I would feel very safe in saying Tradition coach to copy. I've never heard him gathered us all together and said Now we are out of it, if there are any of you every player that ever started for" me Dynasty. The word covers a lot and swear or tell a dirty story and never that do not want to play in the consola- at Provo High School have been a "B" includes many abstract terms. It seen him lose a game because of his tion games you don't have to. I won't or "B" student. I have never had a comes from a Greek word meaning temper or a technical. student ineligible because of his lord and ruler. Could Provo roundball "I have a copy of his book "Practical blame you.' " basketball is a really have even a remote connection Modern Basketball," and as far as I'm Durrant calls him "One of the grades. Playing to the term? concerned it is the bible of basketball. hardest workers I know. He stresses privilege." Monte Groesbeck, academic According to experts the only basketDynasty? The answer could be and on committment he's big practice, counselor at Provo High supported ball team in the history of the sport answered by the National Federation of discipline." Spencer's claim with PHS cagers and that ever deserved the label of High School Athletics, but they claim Provo's other consensus their scholastic merits. no record of coach's records is kept on was perennial NCAA chamd a Brett Vroman, The Point Spread The Bruins used to run up UCLA. the national level. pion at UCLA before transfering to But 213 wins and 16 losses demands a Spencer has had his share of dirty scores too. The Wizard of Westwood, Nevada - Las Vegas, was drafted in the looks and even verbal ar- John Wooden would gun past opponents lot of trumpet calls. mutterings fourth round of the NBA draft by rows And the beat goes on ... following games because of "run- and throttle his way to the end of the Philadelphia. a score," a trademark in recent ning up He said, "Coach Spencer really does by Provo basketball teams. his homework and is trying to find new years There are coaches in the region that to lot a He goes things about the game. denounce strongly for leaving of camps during the summer and he his startersSpencer in the game with a 30 point kids it to his gym open always has not because they feel they are lead pays off. He stresses the fundamentals being stabbed, but because the knife is and team work. He used to tell us that being twisted and jammed to the hilt. team accomplishments are far more Both Jordan and Ingersoll have felt important than individual goals," said the Provo blade. They both admit it Vroman, who scored half of Provo's 43 didn't feel too good, but are "still alive points in the 1974 state championship and remembering." game despite playing on a broken foot. Provo has won by an average of 17 "He used to tell us to never worry points per game over the last nine about what the other team did and if we seasons. Several coaches remember all played to potential we'd win," noted games in which Provo's first five were Vroman. still in the game with minutes left in Another superstar at Provo High, the fourth quarter and the scoreboard Gifford Nielsen agreed with Vroman. like Provo 68, something reading "Coach Spencer is a technique Visitor 34. oriented coach. He drills, drills, drills. Jordan said, "My philosophy is to Coach Doug Scovil at BYU was another give every player playing time because of my coaches with the same he has earned it. I remember playing philosophy. They are the kinds of Jim one year when his first substitute coaches that know what it takes to win. was sent in with four minutes remainHe taught me to be a winner, and how ing in the game and we were behind by to handle myself in tough situations. He 30 points. The reason the player came gave me a super base for my athletic out was because he was in foul trouble. career," stated Nielsen. "I would rather lose by 30 points than Stewart Morrill, former PHS big one or two points. I don't cry about it. man who was later a star at Gonzaga I'll remember it, but I won't cry. I have University, a Big Sky Conference been stung by him a few times. He has team member and a professional changed and mellowed out lately. They basketball player in Europe, is current- could have really socked it to us lately ly the assistant coach at the University but didn't." of Montana. He remembers only one Ingersoll says he does not agree with year with Spencer, since he graduated Spencer's philosophy, but does not find in 1970 after Spencer's first year at fault with him for practicing such a PHS. "We have remained close tactic. "Others have chosen not to put friends. He sells his players on being him on their schedules because he will winners and encourages them to play run up the score on them. Much of the ball," said Morrill. criticism has come from envy. You When asked about being a winner, can't bitch and crab about it, though, Spencer said, "I stress winning. The you have to come back and beat him player is more important than the and make him pay for it. That's the game, though. First in my players' whole philosophy of basketball and lives should come his family, secondly what makes it so great. his church. But after that it is basket"I've played Provo early in the ball before girl friends or anything season when all I had was boys right off else." the football field and I knew we would Where does school fit in then? get beaten. I didn't tell my players, but "School is a priority. Basketball is a I scheduled them because I wanted to EMBRACING EUGENE Jim Spencer savors the25thmoment. reward for doing work in school. I plav the very best. Certainly they have of the The victory was his PAULSEN following his third always assume my players are "A" had a dynasty at Provo," said In 1978 with no defeats. Provo state Coach year championship, students," explained Spencer. 1 IIP i center-forwar- -- all-st- |
