WAYNE ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy starred in the 1983 comedy classic ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œTrading Places,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ but Wayne High School basketballÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s version might star Sean Meddings and Sam Cochenour.
Meddings was hired as the PioneersÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ head boys basketball coach on Monday, replacing Cochenour, for whom he was an assistant last season. Meddings said heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d be happy if the two simply swap places on the bench.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œSam talked about retiring last year and I told him if he did, IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d love to have the job,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Meddings said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWhen my assistantÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s job is posted, IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve asked Sam to be my assistant. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a great guy.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Meddings teaches integrated technology at Tolsia High. He has coached WayneÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Middle School girls, winning back-to-back county championships, as well as youth and travel ball.
Meddings inherits a young team that graduated one player, Ryan Maynard. Meddings said rising senior Dillon May, a 6-foot-3 inside player, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œis an absolute leaderÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ who has helped 12 to 18 players show up for weight room workouts three to four days a week in the offseason.
Meddings also mentioned returnees Zane Adkins, Ronnie Staley, Cooper Adkins and Isaac Meddings as promising players. Isaac Meddings made 74 3-pointers last season as a freshman.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe have a great sophomore class,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Meddings said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve coached them in some capacity since they were in second grade.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Pioneers fans and others appeared excited about the hiring.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œBest man for the job,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Nick Ferguson said of Meddings.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWell deserved,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ said Huntington St. Joe coach and former Tolsia coach Todd Maynard.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWayne is getting a great coach,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ said Dale Stamper, a Tolsia fan.
Tim Stephens is a sports writer with The Herald-Dispatch.
