Bill Cameron took a teaching job in science at Cathedral High. Little did he know that would lead to another project with other kinds of experiments and diagrams.

&uot;Coach (Roy) Garcia was curious about my experience in coaching and asked if I would be interested in coaching boys basketball,&uot;&160;Cameron said. &uot;I told him, ‘sure.’&uot;

Cameron, 52, coached basketball at Martin Junior High in the 1970s.

Cameron graduated from Natchez High in 1965. He heard through a friend that Cathedral was looking for a science teacher.

&uot;I’ve known Coach Garcia for years and played ball with (Cathedral coach) Ken Beesley,&uot; Cameron said.

&uot;I really liked the school and know a lot of the parents who have kids going there,&uot; Cameron said. &uot;They have a great academic program and the students are superb.&uot;

Cameron replaces Mike Durr, who is coaching the junior high boys this year.

Cathedral finished 7-13 last year. The Green Wave moved up to Class 2A from 1A this year.

&uot;It’s a matter of the boys having to learn me and I’m having to learn them,&uot; he said.

The learning process will take a little longer as nine of Cameron’s basketball players are playing football.

&uot;It’s going to be a challenge until we can get everyone out here,&uot; he said.

Cameron said his first team at Cathedral will not have a lot of size or experience.

&uot;But they have a lot of heart,&uot; he said. &uot;There’s a lot of camaraderie on this team. They have great teamwork and are very self-disciplined.&uot;

Cameron knows the Green Wave will have their work cut out in Division 6-2A.

&uot;But I told the guys they have to compete within themselves to be able to be competitive,&uot; he said. &uot;We have to work together.&uot;

Cameron said he believes the condition the team will be in will be Cathedral’s strong point.

&uot;We will be strong in the fourth quarter,&uot; he said. &uot;We’re going to see things through to the end.&uot;

Cameron said he will use a basic offense and defense.

&uot;We’ll use a lot of give-and-go and pick-and-roll,&uot; he said. &uot;We won’t press a lot unless we have to.&uot;

Cameron said the game or the players has not changed much since he coached in the ’70s.

&uot;It’s the same game using the same skills,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s fun getting back into it. I love the enthusiasm these guys show. The fun part is going to be seeing them improve over the season.&uot;

And as for his philosophy?

&uot;I&160;tell them all the time to push themselves hard and be good sports,&uot; Cameron said.