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A look into Oak Ridge men's, women's basketball this season
OAK RIDGE, Texas -- Both Oak Ridge High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams enter the 2014-15 season with new head coaches. Along with that, the War Eagles begin play in a new district, joining The Woodlands, College Park and Conroe to form District 16-6A with Humble ISD schools Kingwood, Atascocita and Summer Creek.
Neil Laminack steps into the War Eagles nest from Marble Falls, where in the last two seasons compiled a 25-45 record that included a 2-22 mark in District 25-4A play. He replaces former Oak Ridge coach Joe Price, who retired.
The War Eagles went 19-8 last season with a 6-6 district mark and an area playoff appearance.
Laminack enjoyed success as the head coach at Cathedral Christian in Beaumont, Iowa High School in Louisiana, and Houston’s St. Thomas, where he won the 2008 TAPPS Class 6A state championship. Over those years Laminack won three district and two region titles, advancing to the playoffs in five of eight seasons.
His training includes graduate assistant at the University of Memphis under current Kentucky head coach John Calipari.
Seniors Cameron Prejean, Luke Baker and Conner Ervin are among the leaders for the 2014-15 War Eagles.
Deidre Vasquez takes the reins of the Lady War Eagles program. She coached for nine seasons at Conroe (2002-2011), taking the Tigerettes to the postseason six times.
Vasquez has 17 years of coaching experience, starting at Madisonville and running through Sam Houston State University as an assistant coach from 1991-95.
Along with Oak Ridge veteran assistant coach Debbie Belanger, the Lady War Eagles also welcome in assistant coach John Chancellor, former Barbers Hill High School and Houston Stealth semi-pro head coach. He is the son of Van Chancellor, U.S. Olympic Gold Medal winner and head coach of the 4-time WNBA champion Houston Comets.
Seniors Kelsey Scibek and Kameron Boren are among the leaders this season for the Lady War Eagles, along with seniors Jasmine Mitchell and Jamy Smith.