Check out the video here!
Winter sports bring a whole different vibe. You’ve got the cold, the competition, and the constant battle to keep your car from turning into an ice block. But for Montague’s winter coaches, Kris Maddox (wrestling) and Nick Thaler (boys’ basketball), this season isn’t just about wins and losses—it’s about building character, resilience, and relationships that last way beyond high school.
For Coach Maddox, one of the best parts of coaching wrestling is watching kids push past their limits. “It’s amazing to see them grow—not just physically, but mentally. Wrestling tests you in ways you don’t expect, and when they finally break through those walls, that’s when the real progress happens.”
Thaler sees the same thing in basketball. “We get to be with these kids from the time they’re wide-eyed freshmen to when they’re leading as seniors. Watching them mature, figure things out, and become leaders—that’s what makes it all worth it. It’s not just about one season. It’s about the bigger picture.”
Of course, kids tend to stress over things that, in the grand scheme, aren’t that big of a deal. That’s where Maddox and Thaler step in. “They get caught up in the moment, and we try to help them focus on what really matters,” Maddox says.
A strong team culture is key, and for Thaler, accountability and responsibility aren’t optional. “If we want these kids to grow into tough, resilient people, we have to set the bar. Holding them accountable, teaching them responsibility—those are life skills, not just basketball skills.”
Maddox is all about team chemistry, too. “It’s not just about practice. Grabbing food together, doing community service—those things build trust. When a team is tight off the mat, they push each other harder on it.”
That trust translates into how a team plays. “Basketball isn’t just about talent,” Thaler says. “It’s about knowing your teammates have your back. When they trust each other, they communicate better, play harder, and fight for one another.”
Wrestling has its own version of that. “Wrestlers have to take ownership of their matches, but they also need teammates to challenge them in practice and support them from the sidelines,” Maddox explains.
And then there’s mindset—the secret weapon of every great athlete. “The most successful athletes aren’t always the most talented,” Thaler says. “They’re the ones who can handle challenges, learn from mistakes, and keep improving.”
When it comes to pre-game rituals, every sport has its own thing. Wrestling? Totally individualized. “We warm up as a team, but after that, it’s up to them. Some listen to music, some visualize, some say a quick prayer,” Maddox says.
Basketball? More of a group effort. “We have a set warm-up, and those locker room talks before games are huge. It’s a time to reset, pump each other up, and get locked in.”
Beyond the game, both coaches make sure their teams do more than just play. Movie nights, community service, team meals—it all builds that connection. “When they understand why we do these things, it brings them together in a way that matters,” Maddox says.
And at the end of the day, how do they define success? Spoiler alert: it’s not about trophies. “Success is about growth,” Maddox says. “If these kids walk away from this sport knowing they learned something about themselves, we did our job.”
Thaler sees it the same way. “If we only focus on wins and losses, we’re missing the point. The real goal is to help them become better people—stronger, more confident, and ready for whatever comes next. When that happens, the team wins no matter what.”
Really, that’s what makes a season great. “If these kids leave knowing they gave it their best shot, learned something, and had fun doing it, that’s a win in my book,” Thaler says.
Interested in more content from us? Check out our website catchmarksports.com, our Facebook page, or our YouTube page!
