By DAN BISER

Tyrone Frink knows he can’t fill the shoes of a legend, and he isn’t about to try.

“I can’t even think about replacing what Whiteville High School boys basketball has been all about the past 27 years,” Frink said. “All I can do is step in and do the best job I can possibly do. It’s a new chapter, and I’m happy to be part of it.”

The 42-year-old Frink was named to replace Glenn McKoy as WHS head basketball coach late last summer after McKoy’s initial replacement Kenzil McCall was called to reserve duty. McKoy’s 27-year stint as Wolfpack head coach included 536 victories, 157 losses, two state championships, four regional championships, eight sectional championships, 15 conference championships and no losing seasons.

“That’s a lot of tradition, a lot of pride,” Frink said. “I look at it as something I can hope to help continue while bringing in some new things that will keep the program at a high level of competition. I’m very excited and so far, and our players are working very hard and getting ready for our season opener.”

The Wolfpack basketball teams will open their season on Nov. 28 when they play host to West Columbus High, Frink’s alma mater.

Frink, a former athlete at West Columbus, got into volunteer coaching at Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Fla., during the latter part of his 24-year career with the U.S. Navy. He was hired at WHS this year to teach World History. He was also initially hired as head boys track coach and football assistant coach.

A native of Chadbourn, Frink is carrying the motto of “Excellence On And Off The Court,” saying that he is demanding that the Wolfpack players be just as accountable for actions and responsibilities in the school, home and community as they are on the basketball floor.

Frink pointed out that recently, a few WHS basketball players and other athletes have encountered problems in discipline and other misbehavior in both the school and community.

“We just can’t have that in our program, and everybody has to realize it,” Frink said. “There has to be a commitment to everything.”

Frink said that being placed in the position just before the start of school left him somewhat behind as far as preparing for the basketball season.

“I really wasn’t able to get things organized as far as summer programs and workouts,” he said, “and my initial responsibility was with the football team.

“It’s been a challenge and a lot of long hours, but that is how you need to approach in anything you hope to successful in.”

Frink said he prefers an up-tempo style of play, stressing an aggressive man-to-man defense.

“Playing straight man-to-man is often difficult for high-school players to attain, but I feel that it is a state of mind more than anything,” he said. “If you keep the intensity, battle your way past picks and keep things in control, it can be done well.”

Frink said that Whiteville has the talent to make a good showing in Waccamaw Conference this fall as returning regulars include guards Chris Grant, Harrison Jordan and Sprandon Mahoney and post player Nur Abdullah. He is also hoping that forward Alex Royal can make the same type of impact with the basketball team as he did with the Wolfpack football team this fall.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us,” he said. “Opening against a strong team like West Columbus presents a big challenge and doing well in conference is another main goal.”

During his near quarter-century with the Navy, Frink went to virtually every corner of the world and came into contact all types of cultures.

“I’ve gained a lot from my experiences,” he said, “and now that I have returned home, I want to do all I can to help young people and see that they set a lot of goals and that they are ready to take on what lies ahead for them after high school.”