Ty Wil

Baseball instructor

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

Baseball coach to all ages (D1 record holder). Stand Up Paddle (SUP) instructor. Hesitant to post to social media (b/c less is more, and I prefer less people be on their phones – apologies in advance if you’re reading this), I wanted to dab in creative writing. Most of my posts (like this one) will probably be random, but you may find a common theme around baseball, American made products and a book I’m working to have published titled ‘Where Is God’.

Other areas of interests and avenues I am exploring include providing free foundational investing ideas to teachers/young professionals and writing about Wheeler sports’ stories.

A Christian Dad like others before me, may we can contribute to a better world and encourage folks by sharing positive ideas/content. Blessings!

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

At this point, seems in order to honor Charlie; we should be advocating more for what he symbolized.

Stay in the WORD, share scripture, read, communicate and announce Biblical text that was the foundation and center of his message.

You've clearly communicated Erica is a train wreck, but youre now titering on worshiping her and taking millions on a similar path vs brining them closer to the GOD of this universe, the GOD of Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Lord of Lords, and his SON the Prince of Peace.

Share more about Charlie.
Further what he was preaching.
Stop distracting us and others (it only causes the otherside to win more).
Why was Charlie sharing such messages?
Who was his mentors?
Read more John MacArthurs and what he promoted.

Sure, stay in your lane, but be careful on who you want to be infamous; embody HIS spirit over hers please. Its the same trap of mass shooters, how folks lap up the slop about their history, where abouts, thoughts, and sadly victims are dismissed.

Turn your story back to the victim, broskie.

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

@SahilBloom Aaron Siri strong candidate

Vaccines do more harm than the disease they're 'marketed' to prevent

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

"Coach, My Feet Were Off the Floor!"

Wheeler Basketball - 1962

Opponent - East Union

Setting the Stage

East Union had gone through quite a growth spurt from a few consolidations of nearby schools within a few years.

By the 1955-56 school term, Blue Springs, Branyan, Ellistown, and New Harmony had consolidated, forming the East Union School at Blue Springs. This was accomplished physically by actually moving parts of some of these school buildings and adding them to the school at Blue Springs.

Blue Springs, Branyan and Ellistown were formerly just grades 1-8. Jericho and Macedonia (with grades 1-12) would later join East Union in 1962, bringing an additional size equivalent of two Wheelers into a growing East Union.

Coming over from Jericho High, were two dominate basketball starters and stars Jerry McGill and Miles McDonald (Brandon’s Granddaddy, who played at Wheeler in 2011). These two proved to be a force to be reckoned with; Jerry standing 6’4” and both had gotten married after their Junior year; putting on some additional pounds before entering their senior year.

#55 McGill would go on to play 2 years at Northeast Community College along with my uncle Max and Fred Hall.

During my Uncle’s senior year basketball season (1961-1962), this East Union team now had 6+ returning starting seniors from the year before (given starters merging from Jericho, Macedonia and existing starters from East Union); with some averaging 40+ points a game.

It is probably undisputed that the high school point record holder for state of Mississippi with over 5000 points through high school career; above Monte Ellis, Robert Woodard (from Houlka in the 80s), and even the recent Josh Hubbard from Madison-Ridgeland Academy) is Jerry McGill. Remember, Jerry would score all his points without a 3-point line (3-point line was not added in until 25 years later in the 1987-1988 season).

Now that the stage is set..,

McDonald was now a married, stocky, solid guard who was a very good shooter and knew the game and strategy of basketball well. He would dribble the ball down the left side of the court to #55’s (Jerry McGill’s) favorite spot; handing the ball off to Jerry and then setting a screen for him. Uncle Max (guarding Jerry) would usually slide through any screen, but not with this chunky size guard and his understanding of the game. Jerry would then take one dribble to go behind the screen, and then knock down the shot (being deadly consistently). Good thing there was a 3-point line back then!

After a few rinse and repeats of this play, Wheeler Coach (Richard Arnold) called time out and told Wheeler’s Murf (Mickey Murphy – 5’8” little guard who weighed about 125 pounds and was defending McDonald) to switch to McGill after the screen and grab the ball when #55 bounced it on the floor.

The Wheeler team were all easily coached, especially Murf; and he did exactly as coach had said. So the strategy was all worked out to stop these easy buckets Jerry and Miles from East Union were executing. Again, McDonald dribbled down the left side of the court, handed the ball off to Jerry, and set a firm screen on Max Wilson. Murph switched picking of Jerry and grabbed the ball exactly as coach had instructed after he (Jerry) bounced it once on the hardwood. However, after Murph had grabbed the ball, Jerry continued his shot, raising his arms and ball before shooting and knocking the bottom out of the net.

Coach immediately called time out again and asked Murf why did he turn the ball loose. Murph quickly replied, “COACH, MY FEET WERE OFF THE FLOOR!”.

Post Script –

Year 2002

I personally recall a similar situation in my playing days as an 8th/9th grader for Wheeler. We were intersquading (practicing against each other) and I ended up playing some help defense on the block against Brad Hughes. Brad is 6’5”; and I’m all of 5’6” at the time and probably 115lbs soaking wet.

Fighting for position in the post, Brad secures the pass and begins working his way against the defender, backing them down towards the goal. I fall back to help defend and double team at the post; Brad picks up his dribble and quickly begins to shoot. I jump to try and block, leaving my feet, but Brad had initiated a head fake; as my jump reaches its peak, Brad begins lifting his hands and elbow to shoot the ball. I now go for a steal or try to knock the ball out of his hands, but miss and slap his forehand – what I notice next is I am still in the air.., having left my feet for quite some time now. My hang time is contributed to me holding on to Brad’s forehand; and his strength and momentum had relifted me even higher in the air!

Technically, a huge and obvious foul committed by me. Unlike Murph 40 years prior, I held on (but had missed the basketball; resulting in a foul).

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

@Mishi_2210 938

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

In the beginning.., https://t.co/26gtn9B9cn

A century ago, they won the 1st basketball championship for Wheeler High school in Mississippi

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

@RetroCardSnaps Keith Lockhart, Craig Biggio, Bret Boone

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

While we’re not sure where the term originated, the north corner of Mississippi had this reference throughout the entire state for being a breeding pool of top, basketball talent and passionate fans. This area in northeast, MS became known as a ‘hotbed’ for basketball. Some contributing factors for the phrase being coined and associated with this region could be that for many years several smaller high schools dominated basketball competition in the area because they had were more accustom to hot physical labor from farming, had no football teams (so were able to play many extra games (often starting in the early fall) than other schools, and the rivalries helped fuel further pursuit of excellence and bragging rights.

Farming and Summer Heat – Mississippi weather is hot and humid, even in the northern part. Physical toughness and endurance were further instilled through farming in rural Mississippi. In the 1950s-1960s, some smaller schools (including Wheeler) only had 8 months of class time due to farming needs. Schools would let out in April (woo-who!); then return to classes in July (boooo!) for 6-8 weeks waiting for the cotton to open; then they’d let out again in September to pick the cotton😲. This gave extra practice time and conditioning in very hot gyms when school was back in session during July, proving to be a big training advantage for playing basketball while many other schools concentrated on football (gyms did not have air conditioning, and some practices were held at night. They’d open up doors at both ends and turn on fans up in ceiling to pull hot air out).

Strong Rivalries – Sticking with the 50s-60s era when the area was possibly still gathering its footing after the depression years and World War II; the only things to do around Wheeler were work, go to church and support your local school. Wheeler, Baldwyn and Booneville became key schools and the heartbeat of the hotbed term being separated by only about 12miles (Wheeler being in the middle). Close to 30 state championships in 1A and 2A are associated between these schools over their history, and numerous more by other schools in Prentiss county, i.e. New Site and adjoining counties. Winning was an obsession in Prentiss County, players were being aggressively recruited, coaches were expected to win, and much money was being bet on games those days.

https://t.co/I4r690XgkB

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

@Dynastus Pretty cool.
Any cost (besides time)?
Use any mortar or natural substance?
How long is this thing?
Two year build?
How deep is foundation?
Think it’ll survive flood or decently waterproof?

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

@HailStateBB ‘98 team had some bats 👀

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

@EmbracingTara Sneaky.., ‘new’; same thought - test them all.

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

@OneGSisneros 💪

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

@PaternalLegacy It’s truly amazing, pause and take in the Creator’s beauty and wonder!

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

@tyromper Learning and training to dunk a basketball would be pretty epic at older age.

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

Three (3) of the most important concepts in sports and life.

1. Never Give It (+ positive mindset) – regardless of the opponent and score during the game, believe you will win (until absolutely mathematically eliminated). Having a strong mindset going into the game is 90% of the battle (the other half is physical ;) - Yogi Berra). Believing is contagious and uplifts your teammates. If you go into the game thinking you’ll lose or have a hard time competing against a stronger athlete, chances are you’re already defeated.
a. The same can be said for life, it’s tough; and few things come easy these days. Don’t give up – keep striving for your goals and pushing for success no matter how long it takes or difficult the climb.

2. You belong – new teammates, new sports, new job, new town, new classmates; it can all feel a little overwhelming and send vibes you may not fit in best with this group. Give it time, work hard and you’ll soon realize you belong and deserve to be there just as much as the next person. GOD the Father created each of us uniquely and wonderful, and as Mr. (Fred) Rogers famously said; you’re loved just the way you are.

3. Everything is not about sports; sports are about ‘everything’. It is easy to get caught up in sports and have your world revolve around them, but more importantly is to use sports and the relationships and experiences learned to apply to your life. Hard work, devotion to the team, putting others and the team above yourself, showing up, pushing yourself to new heights, etc. are all solid take aways from playing and competing in sports.

Be blessed!

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

Are you controlling your time, or are others controlling your time?

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

@SaveYourSons Fear is the mind killer

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

@SupportRequests #0385284138

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

@RonPaul @DOGE An older book, but also a good start if progress has yet to be made on these outrageous spending habits of taxpayers dollars

[Ty Wil @TyWil29]

@elonmuskTN 15