Hardwood business: Grantham producing quality product at Rosewood

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 28, 2014 1:51 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Rick Grantham describes himself as CEO of a business moreso than head varsity girls' basketball coach at Rosewood High School.

The gym represents the work site.

The players handle the workload.

More concerned about the how and not the outcome, a process-oriented Grantham devises ways to make practice fun. The less tedious the labor becomes, the harder the Eagles seem to work.

That method proved productive last season.

Rosewood compiled a 25-2 record and advanced to the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A eastern regional for the first time in three-plus decades. The Eagles' remarkable run ended with a loss to eventual state runner-up Martin Riverside.

Just two starters return -- junior Lexi Mercer and senior Krystal Yelverton.

And like a true CEO, Grantham expects last year's reserves -- Callie Thornton, Nikia Williams and Hannah Daniels -- to step into leadership roles on the hardwood this winter. The trio must help account for losing one-fourth of the team's offense and rebounding to graduation.

"There are three quality hosses I'd love to have back in the barn for another campaign," Grantham said. "The kids who have come back with us understand what we're doing now. This year, we started from the first day (of practice) knowing what we are going to do (and) personnel-wise, we're close.

"We're probably on par or ahead of where we were last year."

Which means, a successful defense of the Carolina Conference regular-season and tournament titles is not out of the question.

An all-state performer and potential Division I recruit, Mercer averaged a double-double -- 25.5 points, 10.1 rebounds -- per game a year ago. Yelverton provided 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.6 steals from her point guard position.

Daniels, Williams and Thornton combined for five points and nine-plus rebounds.

"I've had several people ask me about this year's team, and in my personal opinion, I think we can be pretty good," Grantham said. "I don't know what the outcome is going to be, but I know what the process is going to be. We're going to work hard and each day build on getting better."

And stick by Grantham's philosophy -- no pressure, just play.

He knows the Eagles will make mental mistakes, miss shots and commit turnovers due to their style of play. At the same time, he doesn't want them paralyzed by the fear of failure, but to remain comfortable and have fun on the court instead.

So, when they miss a shot, take another one.

Rosewood hit 36 percent (636 of 1,755) from the floor last season and averaged 62.3 points a game. The Eagles had 304 assists and 413 steals as a team.

Will Grantham see those numbers again?

Maybe not, but he does hope to see the team's field-goal percentage above 30.

"Here's the deal. if you can accumulate enough shots, your 30 percent is still going to be a number where you can win the game," Grantham said. "(Anything) opposite of that, you're going to have to win a low-scoring defensive contest which is not our strong suit because defense is hard, takes tremendous effort and that's not near as much fun as scoring."

The key?

The workers haven't given their CEO the impression that they don't believe in what he is trying to accomplish. They understand that effort and execution begins at the worksite and game day is a chance to apply the tools of their trade.

"If effort and execution are working, we're going to be in good shape," Grantham said.