Crossing enemy lines

Former McLain coach Shea Seals, 28-23 as a head coach, moves to Booker T. Washington where the rival Hornets have won 10 state championships in 25 seasons.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/highschool/article.asp...readcrumb=Basketball


By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
4/24/2007


New BTW coach Seals embraces championship expectations


Shea Seals will experience two honeymoons this year.

The second one occurs this summer, in Cozumel, Mexico, after he and his girlfriend, Rosa Balandran, are married.

The first honeymoon is happening now. Since being introduced last week as the new Booker T. Washington High School head boys' basketball coach, Seals has been showered with congratulatory phone calls.

"Everyone I've seen and talked to, they've been nothing but positive," Seals said on Monday. "I haven't felt any negativity from any of the Booker T. alums I've encountered. I feel supported by everyone."

For a 31-year-old with relatively little experience, Seals has been given a heavy assignment. After one season as a volunteer assistant at McLain High School (his alma mater), Seals was the Titans' head man for two seasons. His record was 28-23.

Now, he takes over at Washington. For some schools, a state tournament appearance is the defining mark of a successful season. In the opinion of many Hornet fans, a Booker T. season can be considered a success only if it ends with a state championship.

I don't know if Coach Seals will see these e mails, but I just want to congratulate him. I believe he'll do very well as head coach of the Hornet Hive. I'm not able to go to very many games that Booker T. Washington has, but The Hornets have always had my support ever since I gratuated. Coach Seals I wish you nothing but success at BTW.

David C/O 90 Graduate.