Newspapers / The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, … / Jan. 23, 1992, edition 1 / Page 13
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THE BRUNSWtdffeff ACON THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1992 WINNING BATTLES OFF THE COURT Varsity Team Scores Points By Sticking To Healthy Diets BY TERRY POPE It may take a bowl of Wheaties to prepare MichacI Jordan for a tough gainc. But for the West Brunswick High School varsity basketball team, all it takes is a meal low in fats to prepare for the next op ponent. Before each home game. West Coach Billy Minis takes his team to a Shallottc restaurant where he and his players engage an invisible foe. This war isn't against the Cougars, Scorpions or Wildcats, but against high cholesterol levels and hypertension, or high blood pres sure. The ivv2 Trojan baskcibaii players arc committed to improving their diets and performance on the court this season by eating healthier foods. It is the third year for the team meals program, which is sponsored by a group of Shallottc area busi nesses. The idea was initiated by local businessman John Kinlaw, and from there a group got together to chip in and pay for the meals, said Mims. Dining together also helps to build camaraderie among teammates, but this year the menu includes lessons on which foods to cat and which to avoid, said Mims, who is waging a personal battle of his own against hypertension. "This is the first time we've really placed an empha sis on low-fat foods," said Mims. "The sponsors have been there from day one, but now we're just expanding on it a little." The new focus on healthy lifestyles also produces players who serve as positive role models both in athlet ic competition and among their tcen-aged peers, said Mims. The goal of any coach, he says, is to produce winners off the court as well as on the court. Often, players arc congratulated for hitting a win ning shot, for beating a cross-county rival or for break ing an individual scoring record. But when the shots don't fall and the glory fades, a coach must be more than a strategist. He must offer praise to his players who per form well in life. "That's why I like the idea of doing something good all of the time," said Mims. When Public Health Educator Rita Hatcher of the Brunswick County Health Department heard about the team meals program, she offered advice on what foods would be best for the athletes. She has worked with the cooks to plan meals that help the athletes perform. "Don't let my size intimidate you," Ms. Hatcher told the players at a recent luncheon. After a round of laugh ter, the piayers sat wide-eyed as sue explained her victo ries in powcrlifting. STAfF rHOTOS BY Tt??Y POP* PUBLIC HEALTH Educator Rita Hatcher explains good eating habits with West Brunswick basketball players (clockwise from left) Anthony Moody , I Annie Mitchell, Steve Holmes, Adam Johnson, Shawn Bowens and Jimmy Grissett. Weighing just 92 pounds, Ms. Haichcr won first placc in the 1989 USA Olympic Powcrlifting Com petition in Dallas, Texas, an event televised nationally by ESPN. Her training for that event made her more aware of why athictcs need to eat the right foods, riei coach stressed proper diet as well as practice, practice, practice. "A good coach, with your best interests at heart, will know about good nutrition," she said. A recent dinner for the basketball team consisted of grilled chicken breast prepared with a touch of soy sauce, siir-lried vegetables, a baked potato and sliced peaches. Several hours later, the team won its game against Wallace-Rose Hill. Senior Jimmy Grissctt said his favorite healthy meal is turkey breast wiih rice, hroccoli and fruit. The cooks rarely prepare fried foods, said Shirley Bordeaux, who coordinates her restaurant's menu and schedule to ac commodate the team. RAND NE\ ^ 1992 LASER >$11 QQ^ Z, i I ,-v/V MJJMBform rjrjijj 0*r?UM S*"d??"?OM ot thi i?;uS OtVMPiC Tf AM Plymouth .USA - 999 KV / ? ' * V . ?? * 1991 SHADOW COVERTIBLE Cruise, Tilt, PW, PL, Aulo JUST A SHORT DRIVE TO LORIS, SC CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH tt DODGE we Service All Makes and Models of cars and Trucks SERVICE: Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:30 ? SALES: Mon.-Fri. 9-8, Sat. 9-3 ? ?? r - V- 'l\. fv- w. '\* ? ^ - ? ? - _? SHAWM STEVENSON enjoys a dinner of turkey breast, broccoli and fruit ? a meal low in fats. "It's very hard to get ihcm to cat any kind of vegeta bles," said Ms. Bordeaux. "He (Mims) doesn't fuss at them if they don't cat it all. He lets them eat what they feel comfortable with, which is good." Physical conditioning helps teens avoid the risk of hypertension. But some athletes have died of angina at tacks while exercising or competing in sports, said Ms. Hatcher. Doctors have linked some sudden deaths in ath letes to poor nutrition. The comment brought back haunting memories for several players and Mims, who recalled the tragic death of a former South Brunswick High School athlete lusi year. Sakou Spaulding died of cardiac arrest during a pickup basketball game. He had played on South Coach Gene Doane's 1989 squad. Although no medical link was made between Spaulding's eating habits and his tragic death, Mims said he uses the example to make a point with his play ers that eating right is one of the things an athlete can do to help avoid tragedy. "That has happened," he said. "You read of it hap pening everyday." On the court a person's speed can also be aided by what they eat. said Ms. Hatcher. "Wh.-n von eat foods high in fat, not only does it slow you down in speed," she said, ' but it slows you down mentally." While in high school, Mims said he was often ad vised to eat candy bars before events. Also, team dinners included heavy meals, steak and hnmhurgws or other foods high in fats, he said. The candy bar treatment of fers what Ms. Hatcher calls a "fake energy source". "It's an old wives' tale," she said. "Fruits high in natural sugar work best. It stays with you and gives you that energy that you need." In addition to better performance on die court, better eating habits also help to fight high blood pressure. Excessive intake of salt and a lack of exercise are allies of the disease that affccts one out of every four Americans and one of every' three blacks. "One of the best things you can do is to eat healthy foods," she said. "The other best thing is to practice. But this is the first step. It's step number one." Mims added, "And we're slowly getting there." Shady Oak Florist 579-6715 Early Bird Specials On Roses & Carnations 1 Doz. Roses $50* $65 after Feb. 1; 1 Doz. Carnations $25* $30 after Feb. 1; 1 Doz. Sweetheart Roses $32* $40 after Feb. l We have balloons, wire service, gifts & silk arrangements too. 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The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, N.C.)
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Jan. 23, 1992, edition 1
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