Speas stakes claim to another title
This is an interview I've been wanting to
do for a while. It has very little to do with the
fact that Winston-Salem Prep head track
coach Derrick Speas is one of my good
friends. It's mostly because of the things I
would like to ask him, on the record.
There are a number of topics he and I
joke about in our down time. He kind of slid
away from those issues during this inter
view. But he still gave a good interview. As
soon as I turned the tape recorder on, Speas
went from my boy to coach Speas. It was
pretty funny, actually. That's how he is when
it comes to coaching and mentoring kids. He
takes that very seriously. And, he's a proven
winner.
I mean, he's been associated with all
three of the state championships Winston
Salem Prep has won. When tennis star
David Hopkins won a 1-A state title two
years ago, Speas was his trainer. He trained
the state championship-winning basketball
team. And, he coached his girls to a 1-A
track title over the weekend. I got with
cpach Speas on Monday to discuss some of
those accomplishments, as well as a few
other topics.
Take a look at some of the topics Speas
and I talked about at his home earlier this
week.
Anthony: (Smiles.) What's going on,
coach Speas?
Speas: (Smiles.) Nothing much. Just
sitting here, relaxing. It's been a blessed
year for me and my family. Right now I am
just chilling.
Anthony: Congrats on guiding your
team to a state championship in your first
year at Winston-Salem Prep. That's an awe
some accomplishment.
Derrick: I'm still excited. I find myself
reliving the moment all the time. I'm just
enjoying it.
Anthony: Do you enjoy this champi
onship more than the three you were a part
of at Reynolds?
Derrick: Yes. The ones at Reynolds are
still close to my heart. But this one is price
less. This was my first year as a head coach.
The kids bought into my championship
demeanor. I'm glad to win my first champi
onship as a head coach at Winston-Salem
Prep.
Anthony: Is this justification of your
worth to Reynolds. I mean, it seemed like
you were taken for granted over there. Does
this show certain people what you can do? '
D e r r i ' c k
Well, I don't think it's a situation like that.
The opportunity to be the head coach simply
presented itself at Winston-Salem Prep. Mr.
Watts gave me an opportunity. And, I came
to this school because of him. He is the rea
son I am in the school system
loaay. it an started wun Mr.
Watts.
Anthony: No doubt. You
know you have something to do
with every state title Winston
Salem Prep has won. That's pret
ty cool.
Derrick: This is what I do. I
o hope the community picks up on '
it. I hope people continue to
believe in coach Speas as a coach
and mentor. The proof is in the pudding.
Anthony: What was going on with the
4xl00-relay? How did they get disqualified?
Derrick: They said there was a lane vio
lation. But all white flags went up during the
race. Then, they called me to the center of
the field to say we were disqualified. That
was almost an hour later. I tried to appeal it,
and I wasn't heard. In the long run, the kids
got a little upset because they saw them try
to take something away from us that we
earned. The kids channeled their anger into
that last event (4x400). We improved by 10
seconds from last week. The girls stepped
their game up. Bishop beat us by 8 seconds
last weekend. We beat them by 2 seconds on
Saturday.
Anthony: Do you feel any pressure to
do it again?
Derrick: Not really. I just take it one
day at a time. With us not having a track, we
have to do things the old fashion way.
Anthony: Stop. (Smiles.) How can a
team win a state track title without a track to
practice? I've watched your team practice in
the gym, only clearing two hurdles. We all
Photo by Jeff Sides
Here, W-S Prep head coach Derrick Speas talks things over with David Lindsay dur
ing the City / County Meet.
know there's eight hurdles in a race. How
did you all do it, man?
Derrick: (Laughs.) You have to use it
for motivation. Anything is possible. You
just have .to be ready. We need a track,
though.
Anthony: No doubt. Who are your
main influences as a coach?
Derrick: I'd have to say the late coach
Lemuel Johnson. He was a father figure to
me. I also admire Trevor Graham. He's
taught me a lot as well. And, I can't forget
my track coach in Kansas, Scott
Walkenshaw. He taught me how to evaluate
and spread out talent.
Anthony: What are you usually doing
during your free time?
Derrick: Doing Next Level All-Sport
Training. We're still training some of the
best athletes around the area. During the day
I am at Winston-Salem Prep. I just do what
I want to do.
Anthony: Do you want to coach in col
lege one day?
Derrick: I may have dreams of coach
ing on the collegiate level one day. One day,
maybe even on the professional level. Who
knows? _
Anthony: Do you consider yourself as
the best track coach around?
Derrick: (Smiles.) Pound for pound.
(Both laugh.) I feel as though I am a very
unique coach. I bring a lot to the table. I am
One-on-One
with \ lit It onv llill
a former track athlete. And, I also went
through some of the same things these kids
are facing today. Well, I went through more.
To answer your question ? yes. I've been a
part of five state championships, even when
Carver won it. That's on my resume. So I
want to keep adding to it. I always want to
be the best.
Anthony: What happened to your
career, as an athlete?
Derrick:
Well, I made some bad decisions. Life is
about making the right decisions. Also, there
weren't as many things in place as there are
today. So, it was easy for me to go the wrong
way. o
Anthony: Do you have a favorite
show?
Derrick: I'm an old school gangsta type
of guy. I also love The Wire. I watch a lot of
CSI and crime stories. I've also been watch
ing the Flava of Love repeats. They are off
the chain.
Anthony: (Both laugh.) What's your
favorite meal?
Derrick: I'm a K&W guy, hopefully
that can change in the future.
Anthony: What have you been listening
to lately?
Derrick: I'm a Tupac Shakur guy. But
my daughter is heavy into Lil Wayne. So,
she's making me into a Lil Wayne fan.
Anthony: If you could, meet anyone,
dead or alive, who would it be?
Derrick: Tupac Shakur.
Anthony: How's your love life? I am
sure the ladies want to know if you're single.
Derrick: Coach Speas has been single
for a while But, you know. (Both laugh.)
I'm always hopeful. I have someone in
mind.
Anthony: If you could date any celebri
ty who would it be?
Derrick: Someone like Stacy Dash.
Anthony: Who would win a race
between you and Parkland's Antwan
Hughes?
Derrick: Come on now. (Smiles.)
Coach Speas. Coach Hughes was a good
athlete in his time. But I ran with guys like
Julius Reece, Randy Jones and Sonny
Weaks. It was a different era of athletes.
Derrick Speas, man.
Anthony: (Smiles.) OK. Name the
fastest kid in the city.
Derrick: Hunter Furr. He doesn't run
with the greatest form or technique. You
need to call me, Hunter. But he's got a
tremendous will to win. And, he
rails with so mucn emotion ana
power. You have to bring your A
game against Hunter.
Anthony: All. right. Uh, free
association. Winston-Salem Prep.
Derrick: The best school in
Winston. And, the only school
with two state championships in
one year.
Anthony: Rev. Richard
Watts. (W-S Prep principal)
Derrick: A very blessed man.
A man I really respect.
Anthony: Your grandmother.
Derrick: (Smiles.) That's my heart and
soul. None of this would 've been possible
without my granny, Margaret. She's been
my greatest inspiration through everything.
Anthony: Derrick Speas.
Derrick: One of the best track coaches
ever in the state.
Anthony: Julius "Juice" Reece.
Derrick: He's like my brother. Good
friend.
Anthony: Best running back to play at
Reynolds.
Derrick: Without a shadow of a doubt,
Chris McCoy.
Anthony: (Smiles.) Best sports writer
in North Carolina.
Derrick: It's got to me you. No doubt.
You provide the best coverage of youth
sports in the area, period. You have the best
interviews too. I'm just glad that you are
here, and that you're a friend of mine.
Anthony: (Smiles.) That's what's up. I
am definitely printing that.
. . . ? , ? .. _ _ - File photo
WSSU head coach Bobby Collins is pleased with his latest
signees.
WSSU announces
basketball signees
CHRONICLE STAFF REPORT
Winston-Salem State
University men's basketball
coach Bobby Collins
announced a talent-laden
2008 signing class last week
as he confirmed that four stu
dent-athletes have signed
National Letters of Intent to
play basketball for the Rams
next season.
"We're addressing some
issues and adding some quali
ty depth to our team with
these signees" Winston-Salem
State head men's basketball
coach Bobby Collins said last
week. "We have an opportuni
ty to strengthen our program
with these four talented fresh
men. They are a welcome
addition to the strong tradition
of Rams basketball."
The Rams will strengthen
their backcourt with the sign
ring of three guards, including
a pair of North Carolina
natives. Michael Bfcnner, Jr., a
6-5 guard from Hertford, N.C.
he led his Perquimans High
School squad to a 2 1 -6 record
last season en route to captur
ing the Albemarle Conference
regular season title. In addi
tion to the team title, Bonner
took home a number of indi
vidual honors including being
named the Albemarle
Conference Player of the Year
as well as being selected the
Daily Advance Player of the
Year.
An All-District and first
team All-Conference honoree
he was selected to play in the
North Carolina Coaches
Association East/West All
Star game to be played at the
Greensboro Coliseum on July
21, 2008. Bonner averaged
16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and
4.7 assists per game in 2007
08.
Bonner chose Winston
Salem State over South
Carolina State University
where he was also offered a
scholarship to play basketball.
Joining Bonner at WSSU is
Lamar Monger, & 6-0 guard
from Ahoskie, N.C. where he
led his Hertford County High
Sehool team to the
Northeastern Coastal
Conference regular season
and tournament champi
onships.
Monger chose to join the
Rams over interest from
Appalachian State and Old
Dominion, as well as Furman
and Gardner- Webb, both of
whom offered Monger foot
ball and basketball scholar
ships.
Also heading to WSSU is
Jema^cus McClinton, a 6-3,
175-pound guard from
Chester, S.C. who was the
state of South Carolina leader
in scoring at 26 points per
game last season. McClinton
added eight rebounds and two
steals per game as he led the
Chester High - School
Cyclones to the Class AAA
Upper State championship
game.
Named The Herald's All
Area Player of the Year.
McClinton earned All-Region
3A honors and was named to
the Class 3A Ail-State
team. McClinton turned down
offers from Louisiana Tech
and South Carolina State in
order to sign with the Rams.
Adding some punch to the
Rams' frontcourt will be 6-7
forward Stephon Piatt. A
native of Laurinburg, N.C.,
Piatt led the Fighting Scots to
a second place finish in the
Mid-Southeastern Conference
and an appearance in the
NCHSAA playoffs.
A three-time first team
All-Conference honoree, Piatt
led the conference in blocked
shots during his junior and
senior seasons. A force offen
sively as well as on the defen
sive end of the court, Piatt
averaged 17.9 points. 8.5
rebounds and 4.6 blocks per
game.
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