Ottawa native coaches team to Texas title

2006-03-16
CHARLIE ELLERBROCK, charliee@mywebtimes.com , (815) 431-4035

OTTAWA - The joys of winning a state basketball championship last Saturday were not limited to Seneca. They were also felt down the road in Ottawa (Illinois) and in Plano (Texas).

Coach Tom Inman -- a 1981 graduate of Ottawa Township High School -- and the Plano Senior High School Wildcats that same day won the Class 5A state championship in their state, defeating defending champion Humble Kingwood 60-58 at the University of Texas' Erwin Center in Austin.

The victory over Kingwood, which had been ranked No. 14 in the USA Today's national high school rankings, vaulted Plano into this week's No. 24 spot. The Wildcats overcame some injuries and adversity to finish the season with 12 straight wins with a 29-8 record and a title in Texas' largest enrollment class.

"It's been a dream, something that means everything to me and to the kids," said Inman, who has been with the Plano school for 17 years, the last seven as its varsity head coach.

Inman is quick to credit his players, which are to be sure a very talented squad.

The best of which may be 6-foot-5 senior Joseph Fulce, who recovered from missing three weeks with a knee injury in time to help with the title drive and who this week will be watching his future teammates at Texas A&M play in the NCAA Tournament.

Fulce is a cousin of former University of Michigan "Fab Five" star Jimmy King, who has told Fulce on more than one occasion "You're much better than I ever was," according to Inman.

But there's more. He also coached 6-8 forward Eric Zastoupil, who is being recruited by Army; and junior point guard John Roberson, who transferred to Plano from Florida last summer and ended up the No. 1-ranked point guard in the state and the Texas state tournament MVP. Inman feels Roberson can play at the mid-major level.

And there's the squad's 7-footer, junior Anton Korolev, who because of the club's overall talent was only a part-time contributor.

"I've really been blessed with an embarrassment of riches," said Inman. "You know, every mother thinks their daughter is the prettiest girl in the room, but I don't think I'm far off by saying this is the best high school basketball team in the country right now. ... I've been incredibly fortunate."

Inman believes that his good fortune began when he had the opportunity to play at OTHS for the late Dean Riley, watching him take the Pirates to the Class AA Elite Eight his freshman year. He also learned a lot from former coach Don Jobst, the uncle of former Pirates coaches Tim and Tom Jobst.

Inman went to the University of Illinois, then spent some time working as a bartender. After a visit a sister who lived in Texas, he fell in love with the Lone Star State and decided to pursue teaching and coaching career there. He coached at South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas for five years before "catching a break" and joining the Plano staff.

He has no interest in coaching at the college level, but may one day become an agent for a former player, like Fulce. But regardless, he's sure to apply the morals and work ethic taught to him at his prep alma mater.

"Don is my John Wooden," said Inman. "He and Dean were both men of principles and showed that you don't have to browbeat players to get the best out of them, and that it's more important to stand up and do the right thing than the popular thing.

"I thought of them on Saturday. I remembered that the last time I was at state was with the Pirates in 1978, the Craig McCormick team. I thought about Kingman Gym and shooting around there every chance I could, and still do when I make it back to Ottawa. I can almost hear Bruce Springsteen singing 'Glory Days' whenever I walk into that place. That's my hometown and no matter what, I'll cherish those memories forever."