Whitmer helps GC playoff run
GROVE CITY — Jake Whitmer always knew what his basketball future would hold.
The Slippery Rock High graduate and standout guard during his playing days with the Rockets had designs on coaching from a young age.
“It's something I've always wanted to do,” Whitmer said. “I always knew one day I'd be coaching in some capacity.”
For the past four years, Whitmer has been doing just that, serving as an assistant coach for the Grove City High boys basketball team, first for Jeff Loughry and now for Chris Kwolek.
Despite being just 22 years old, Whitmer has piled up a treasure trove of coaching wisdom.
“He's 22 going on 42 in coaching experience,” Kwolek said.
“I can tell you one thing, I'm not vouching for him to get a head coaching job,” Kwolek added. “I'd be lost without him.”
Whitmer, who is a sixth- and seventh-grade reading teacher at Grove City Middle School, said when he first started coaching while studying at Westminster College he wondered how high school players would take to a coach who was just a year or two older than them.
“I think early on when I was still a college student, maybe I was concerned a little bit,” Whitmer said.
Whitmer actually played against some of the players he was coaching back then.
That, though, took care of itself.
Whitmer is enjoying his time on the Grove City bench — especially during what has become a magical season.
Grove City lost in the District 10 Class 4A championship game to Hickory, but regrouped to win two state playoff games.
They haven't been easy — on or off the court.
Following a first-round win Saturday over District 5 champion Bedford at Winber High School, Grove City's bus got a flat tire on the journey back and the team didn't return home until 3:30 a.m.
“Eleven hours later, we were back in the gym at practice and the team was laser focused,” Whitmer said.
That translated to the biggest win for the program in more than a decade Tuesday when Grove City upset WPIAL champion Highlands, 45-38.
Highlands came into the game averaging 70 points per contest.
The Eagles will get another crack at Hickory Friday night in the state quarterfinals at Sharon High School. Grove City is 0-3 against the Hornets this season.
Grove City has been a standout team on defense this season, a reflection of Kworek, Whitmer and the coaching staff.
“We always tell them you can't control if your shots are going in,” Whitmer said. “The one thing you can control is defensive effort and our guys have bought into that.
“We've had an awesome season,” Whitmer added. “We have great players at Grove City and we've made the state playoffs every year I've been here.”
