Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Coach Bill Cossey Knows PHS Talent

It didn't take long for the Prescott School District to find a replacement for Coach Cecily Butler.

Bill Cossey has been hired to lead the Wolverettes into combat for the 1997-98 basketball season. Hailing from Bradford where he coached the senior boys and AAU girls teams, the 14-year coaching veteran is ready to hit the hardwood with the Prescott crew.

Cossey said he's heard about the talent he's inheriting from Butler, who left Prescott for a slot with Genoa Central. And, he's bringing some ammunition with him as well.

Cossey's 15-year-old daughter, Andrea, will be a sophomore at PHS this year, and has played AAU basketball with Traci Graham. She also happens to be about 5-10 and play guard.

While he's met some of the gym rats who play for the Wolverettes, he hasn't met the entire team yet. However, he said the Wolverettes will play zone and pressure defense, while seeing what the other team's defense does before deciding on his offensive strategy. "We're going to mix it up some," he said.

While at Bradford, Cossey's Eagles were used to running a three-guard offense because they were short on height. Here, he said, a four- guard offense may be utilized to match the talent on hand.

Cossey was familiar with Prescott from his daughter's dealings with Graham in AAU play. He contacted Prescott Athletic Director Jim Gober, visited the area and was hired.

"It all seemed good," he said, "and happened pretty fast."

Cossey also coached at Cave City, where he had future University of Arkansas sensation Ricky Madlock. He was the coach at Grubbs and posted a total of 84 wins in three seasons.

The Cossey's come from a basketball family. He played through high school and at Arkansas College, now Lyons. His wife, Paula, played, as did their other three children. "It's in the bloodline," he said. Paula is the new counselor at PHS. Cary, his oldest son, is a student assistant coach at the University of Central Arkansas. Angela, the oldest daughter, has transferred from UCA to Northark junior college where she will lead the basketball team from the guard slot. Brian, 19, is attending UCA on an academic scholarship.

That leaves Andrea to play for the Wolverettes from a basketball family.

Cossey is not unfamiliar with this area, nor the teams therein. He knows the coaches from surrounding schools, especially at Gurdon -- Prescott's arch rivals on the hardcourt.

While he said the area felt like home from talking with Coach Gober, the Cossey family is searching for a house to rent.

He said they've already started packing and getting ready for the move, but don't have anywhere to move to as yet.

The Prescott School Board officially hired Cossey and his wife during their regular session, Tuesday, June 17.