 "Photo: Ted Copeland/The Olympian")
 "Photo: Ted Copeland/The Olympian")
 "Photo: Ted Copeland/The Olympian")
 "Photo: Ted Copeland/The Olympian")
Less than two months after the resignation of Paul Felker, a new coach has been hired to helm the Olympic College women’s basketball team.
Tammy Helwig, A women's basketball coach and teacher at South Kitsap High School was hired by OC Athletic Director Barry Janusch to fill the head coaching position.
“I think she is very energetic and very knowledgeable,” said Janusch. “I think she will help get this program going in the right direction.”
Helwig brings more than 25 years of basketball coaching experience to the Rangers, her first coaching endeavor came at age 15 and since that point she has coached young children, military teams, high schools, and summer camps.
One of the key struggles for the women’s basketball program this season involves recruiting and establishing a full roster. Helwig intends to use her connections from her past coaching experiences as a way of accomplishing this. With connections in other states, Helwig intends to look into recruiting from Colorado and Montana.
“We have had a lot of success here at South with kids continuing to play,” said Helwig. “Probably most of my team this year will be kids I have coached there who still want to play.”
According to Helwig, she holds an 85 percent victory margin after coaching at South Kitsap High School for five years. Helwig spent the four years prior to her current tenure coaching at Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor.
Balancing out her time as a coach, Helwig will be teaching mathematics and aviation at South Kitsap High School. Education plays an active role in her coaching philosophy.
“One thing that seems to be a problem with a lot of athletes who can’t play at the four-year level is academics,” said Helwig. “I always believe that your biggest opportunity is education, so for me recruiting is not just about playing basketball.”
According to Helwig, there are currently six prospects who have agreed to play for the team this season. This includes sophomores Keri Leaverton and Jessica Jordan, who played with the Rangers last season.
A key component of her basketball knowledge, Helwig played on the Montana state team while in high school and after graduating in 1978, went on to play two seasons at the Air Force Academy. At 5’8”, Helwig spent her playing years int the point guard position.
As the fourth OC women’s basketball head coach in five years, Helwig said she intends to stay in her position for an extended period of time.
“I think that I can build it because I have a good rapport with the people in the leagues over here,” said Helwig. “I believe in the community college program, I believe the whole attitude and philosophy of junior colleges in this state is a good one.”
From a strategic perspective, Helwig said she intends on reinforcing fundamental skills with the team, such as left handed layups and jump stops.
“I coach a very simple game,” said Helwig. “Basically push the ball up the floor and play really aggressive defense. I like layups, it is the highest percentage shot in the game.”
Helwig will begin open gym practices on the first day of fall quarter, and intends to lay the foundation for a strong OC women’s basketball program.
“I have wanted this position for about five years,” said Helwig. “I’m looking forward to actually having the opportunity to coach at this level and I’m excited … (I) want to make sure this program gets back into top shape in the next couple of years.”
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