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Reaching a milestone often allows you to smell the roses.
After 42 years in the coaching profession at the high school level, with 30 of those as a varsity boys basketball head coach, Tuesday evening became one of those moments for Arp's Joe Crawford.
The Arp High School Tigers defeated Harleton 51-43 Tuesday on the road, delivering to their head man his 400th career victory as a head coach.
"I just think the number of kids, I wish I knew the number of kids that had been in those programs and have practiced every day and played those games," said Crawford as he reflected on a gratifying journey.
"This is my 10th year at Arp, my sixth year (since) coming back. And we've been in the playoffs every year. And that says a lot for those kids, not me, but that I can guide them and they can follow," he added.
Following the contest, the Tiger players presented Crawford with a poster & a basketball, both of which, they had all signed. A grateful Crawford exclaimed, "That's awesome boys."
"It's about character. And that shows the character that these kids have, that it ain't all about them. And hopefully that's one of the things that I've tried to teach them. That it's about all of us," he said.
Senior forward Robert Draper led the Tigers with 16 points, with 14 of them coming in the second half. Senior guard Kadaylon Williams added 12, while senior guard Tristen Robbins chipped in 10, including a pair of buckets from downtown.
Taber Childs had 12 points for the Wildcats.
Arp snaps a 5-game skid & is now 11-8 on the season overall, 3-5 in District 16-3A action as they began the second half of league play.
"I'm blessed to be here. There's no other place I'd rather be than Arp, Texas right now. I don't care what our record is or what. This is the best place in America right now," declared Crawford.
The Tigers visit Elysian Fields Friday at 6:15pm.
Joe Crawford Coaching History/Bio:
- 400 career head coaching wins.
- 42nd year coaching, 30th year as a head coach.
- Has taken his teams to the Playoffs in 17 of the 29 (completed) seasons as head
coach.
- Currently in his 2nd stint at Arp 1990-94, 2016-present.
1980-88: Assistant Coach - Henderson (8 years)
1988-90: Head Coach - Buffalo (2 years) Overall record: 31-25, District: 10-10
1990-94: Head Coach - Arp (4 years) Overall record: 83-33, District: 40-8.
Playoffs all 4 years. 2 district championships, 3 Bi-District championships, 1
area championship, 1 Regional Semifinal appearance.
1994-2002: Head Coach - Gilmer (8 years) Overall record: 94-116, District 50-46.
Playoffs 3 years. 1 Bi-District championship.
2002-2006: Head Coach - Henderson (4 years) Overall record: 29-86, District 6-42.
2006-2010: Head Coach - Dallas Christian (4 years) Overall record: 49-61, District 25-23.
Playoffs 3 years. 1 Bi-District championship.
2010-2012: Head Coach - Grace Community (2 years) Overall record: 36-20, District 18-10.
Playoffs both years.
2012-2016: Assistant Coach - Tyler Legacy (4 years)
2016-Present: Head Coach - Arp (6th year) Overall record: 78-55 District 50-24.
Playoffs every year so far. 1 district championship, 3 Bi-District
championships, 1 Area championship, 1 Regional Quarterfinal appearance.
Combined stints at Arp: (10th season) 161-88 overall, 90-32 district.
Henderson High School grad 1975.
Kilgore College grad 1977.
SFA grad Dec. 1979.