By Derrick Smith

Coaches play a big role in the lives of their athletes. Not only do they teach them about the specifics of the sport they play, they also help their players become the best person that they can be as well. Skyler Kimberlin says that he has learned a lot from his coach. 

“My coach has taught me about more than just basketball,” he said. “He has taught me about  life. Like this year, we are good enough to win state but he still tells us to have that blue collar mentality, meaning not to just roll out there on the court. Since we are Mountain View Gotebo, if we are going to win, we still need to come ready to play no matter what.”

Kimberlin is a senior at Mountain View Gotebo High School. He plays center for the Tiger’s basketball team.  

Along with his coach, Skyler says that there are two other people that have helped make him the person that he is today. 

“My parents are huge role models for me,” he said. “They have taught me to work for everything in life and not just to rely on people to give you stuff.  If you want money, you have to work for it. In the same way, if you want that starting spot on the team, you have to  work for it.”

The success that Kimberlin has enjoyed over his career is not something that is just handed to him. Just like the advice from his parents, he worked hard for it. 

“My work ethic is something that I feel like has helped me a lot,” he said. “I want to be the best I can possibly be so if someone says that they are better than me I’m going to show them they aren’t. And if someone thinks they should have my spot I’m going to show them they would have to outwork me, which won’t happen.  With that being said I am also very humble. I don’t go and tell everyone how good I am, I just let my game do the talking.”