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Every rivalry has a story, each with several chapters within. Chalk this up as another added chapter within the 'War of the Reservoir'.
Aberdeen boys basketball coach Stephen Grigg, who led the Tigers program the last three seasons, has accepted the girls head basketball coach position at rival American Falls High School. Grigg replaces former head coach Tim Wilson.
The Beavers' newest hire hopes to rebuild a struggling program that has not competed well in recent seasons. American Falls has won only once in the last three years (a span of 58 games), including a current two-year losing streak. The team has immensely struggled against 3A South East Idaho Conference mainstays Snake River and Marsh Valley during that same period, losing games by 30, 40, even 50 points while scoring in the low 20's or teens.
Conversely, Grigg's Aberdeen boys team was coming off of their best season this decade, having posted a 12-10 record and reaching the third round of the 2A South East Idaho Conference district tournament. During his time in Aberdeen, Grigg helped the Tigers improve from four wins in 2014-15, to nine wins in 2015-16, to 12 wins last season.
So why leave a program that is trending upward for one that may be at its lowest point?
"My family and I live in American Falls and we have a 7th grade daughter coming up in the program," said Grigg. "I will miss the Aberdeen boys program for sure, but this was just the right time to take on this challenge."
While Grigg will no longer have to drive up Highway 39 every day to instruct and coach the Aberdeen boys team, he will now face some of the same challenges he did in 2014 when he took over the Tigers program. His experience in helping to rebuild the Aberdeen program should aid in his new task of trying to restore the American Falls program to prominence.
Grigg acknowledges that it won't be easy by any means and that a lot of work needs to take place. He's not wasting any time either. His team played in a tournament in Twin Falls over the weekend.
"It's going to be a challenge for sure," he said. "These girls here haven't played any summer basketball in the last three years. There is definitely a culture change that needs to happen."
Changing a culture is sometimes the toughest step in a rebuild. Grigg is vested in seeing that culture change under his watch. It may take time, but the new coach is confident it will happen.
"We will get there," he said.
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