Forest Hills Central has had a pretty good reputation for its sports. They have consistently been at the top or near the top of their conference or division and have been notably superior in most sports. The varsity basketball program is true to that statement, as they have consistently had good teams and produced good players, some of whom have taken their talents to the college level. Though the program looks good on the outside, what does it look like on the inside? Who are the past and present coaches, and what do former players have to say about FHC basketball? Let’s take a deeper dive.
Ken George was the head varsity basketball coach at FHC for 24 years. He coached tons of players, one of whom was Kyle Carhart. Carhart took over as the new FHC Basketball coach in 2018 and coached the team for 5 years. While he was coaching varsity, Jordan George served as the head JV coach for the first two years of Carhart’s term and as the varsity assistant for the last three years of Carhart’s term. After 5 years of coaching the boys’ varsity team, Carhart stepped down, and George took over. George has been coaching for the last 3 years and is going into his fourth. So, besides a 5-year break, the George family has been coaching FHC basketball for the last 27 years.
“It’s been a really cool experience for our family because we have shared memories from the program,” Jordan George said. “Some of my best memories are from FHC basketball.”
Both Georges got the job when they were 24 years old, which is a pretty cool fact. Now Jordan gets to coach in the same program he grew up in.
Jonas Vanderwoude was a 3-year varsity player at FHC and is now in his second year at Davenport, where he also plays basketball. He was one of the best shooters in FHC history, and he loves the basketball program.
“The FHC basketball program is second to none. The players who have been a part of the program, the coaching staff, and the success of the program speak for themselves,” Vanderwoude said. “I am grateful to have been a part of FHC basketball.
Though sports are a huge part of high school, every athlete is a “student-athlete,” meaning student comes first. Even more than being a student, being a good person comes before that. The basketball program and community don’t just build good players; they also build good people.
“Being a part of FHC basketball not only helped grow my on-court skills, but it also taught me a lot of valuable skills. For example, having team dinners helped me understand the importance of building relationships and getting to know my teammates outside of just my sport,” Vanderwoude said. “The program has also taught me the importance of being on time, communication, and putting school first.”
Some of your best friends are former teammates or people you played sports with. Lifelong bonds are formed, and you get very close to the people you share the court or field with.
“My favorite part about FHC Basketball is the community that it builds,” Vanderwoude said. “Anyone who has been a part of FHC basketball is a part of a brotherhood, and that is what makes it so special.”
Though a lot of people only see the results, whether that be a season or a game, tons and tons of work go into sports programs, and especially the team and the individuals on that team.
“A lot of work goes into it,” said Carson Schick, a junior here at FHC and a member of the basketball team. “We try to outwork everyone and just be the best we can.”
Programs are built on the past, and to have good building blocks, you need good leaders who will help the future of the program.
“I’ve learned from great leaders before me,” Schick said. “FHC basketball is a brotherhood and helps with everything from being a son, a friend, and a leader.”
Sports are all about having fun, and if you love what you are doing, it will most definitely be fun. High school sports are some of the best times of people’s lives, and memories made during them can last forever. Athletes shouldn’t be dreading practice or games and should look forward to everything. FHC basketball is a program anyone can thrive in and is loved by its athletes.
“FHC basketball has made me love basketball even more,” Schick said. “I have no hate at all.”
