Polston named fifth girls basketball head coach in Triton Central history

FAIRLAND -- Three years ago, James Polston was brought on to the Triton Central girls basketball coaching staff. Two nights ago, the 2015 TC graduate was named the fifth head coach in the program’s 53-year history.

Polston replaces Bryan Graham, who stepped down as Lady Tigers Basketball (LTB) head coach at the end of the school year. He will remain as the school’s athletic director.

In 18 seasons as head coach of Triton Central, Graham went 350-86 and won eight sectional championships and two regional titles.

“There will be things I will want to change. The good thing about this program, I will be the fifth coach in program history and third coach in 44 seasons. The program is bigger than just one person. There will not be a lot to change,” said Polston, who was officially hired at Monday’s Northwestern Consolidated Schools’ board meeting.

Polston had served as boys basketball assistant coaches at Shelbyville and Greenwood before being asked to be the coach in waiting for LTB – a brand he was quite familiar with.

“It’s a different feeling coming in,” said Polston. “When I was at Shelbyville and Greenwood, I liked being there, but it was always like I am not going to be here forever. I always wanted to be here (at Triton Central). Now it’s nice, there is no more thinking about it. I know I am going to be here.”

Graham informed Polston of his decision to retire as LTB’s coach in late May. The succession plan was then put into place.

“The girls knew it was coming,” said Polston of the change. “It’s always been around. They were kind of surprised but, at the same time, also excited for me. I have a pretty good relationship with them.”

In fact, the incoming seniors were freshmen when Polston joined the coaching staff after the head coach at Greenwood left for Mt. Vernon.

“When I was at Greenwood and coach (Joe) Bradburn took the Mt. Vernon job, I was kind of torn between what am I going to do,” said Polston. “I didn’t really want to be the head coach at Greenwood. I didn’t really know what I was going to do.

“Mt. Vernon was an option, but I didn’t really want to increase my drive from 45 minutes to 55 minutes every day.”

That drive is much shorter these days. Polston and his wife, Abey, and their two children (main photo) are currently living with his parents near the high school campus. Polston’s childhood home will become his home later this year after his parents move into his grandparents’ house which is currently being renovated.

Polston understands the winning traditions established by the last two coaches – Graham and Dr. Larry Pringle (375-153 in 25seasons in Fairland). In fact, he recently found a two-decade old photo of him as a kid wearing an “LTB” shirt.

Polston’s three older sisters all played basketball at Triton Central. Two played for Pringle and the third bridged the gap playing for both successful coaches.

“I can’t tell you how many summer league basketball games and how many regular season games I’ve been too,” said Polston of the days watching his sisters’ games.

With all-time leading scorer Maryrose Felling now graduated, Polston knows there will be more opportunities for players to showcase their skills in his first season.

“Hopefully, the winning stays the same or gets better,” he said. “There will be some things I want to do schematically different, but nothing major. If you look at our height, we are going to have to be fast. We are going to have to play fast and get after it defensively.

“They will have a lot of freedom of movement in our offense. We have a lot of playmakers. With Maryrose gone, we have a bunch of guards and a bunch of players that can show what they are capable of doing.”

Triton Central finished 20-5 in Graham’s final season and lost to Heritage Christian, 59-52, in the sectional championship game.

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