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Cardone loses interim tag for Owls

Thursday, March, 27 By Mike Abelson
Staff writer

After a year as Timberlane Regional's interim head boys basketball coach, Paul Cardone had the interim tag lifted.

"It feels great. I am very excited," said Cardone. "I didn't know what they (the athletic department) were going to do. It was like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders, but once the thanks and congratulations were over, it was time to take a step forward."

Cardone played at Timberlane 18 years ago and coached for 12 years under former coach Dan Habib. Even though he is coaching at his alma mater, Cardone feels a little out of sorts.

"It's different. It's the same as it was 12 years ago with the same officials, locker rooms, and gymnasium, but it's different. During a time-out, instead of encouraging and consoling the kids, I have to draw up a play and make it my time-out."

Cardone learned a lot during his first year at the helm.

"The biggest thing that I learned was how to manage a game," said Cardone, whose club narrowly missed the playoffs with a 5-13 record. "I was an assistant under Dan for 12 years, but this is much harder. Early on, you are worried about everything, and it wasn't easy opening up at Salem (which repeated as Class L champion this winter).

"There were many times that I questioned my own knowledge and experience when going up against veteran coaches, but you have to feel comfortable in your own skin. We once had more young kids playing basketball. Now there are more options like hockey and wrestling.

However, Cardone feels confident with the way his 2008-2009 squad is shaping up,

"Next year we return six, three of which were starters. We weren't big this year and we won't be big next year either, but anything can happen," said Cardone.

After one year with the Owls, Cardone is quite content with his job.

"The experiences and memories that I have gained from my time with these 12 kids were amazing. I told them at the end of the season that no matter how long I coached that I would never forget them. The first few weeks after the season I felt lost. I got so used to seeing those 12 kids every day, and then it was over. I mean, I was seeing them more than their parents were."