As an assistant basketball coach at Porters Chapel last season, Chris Etheridge looked across the court and saw a bored crowd. What few fans were in the stands were mostly silent, with little reason to get excited about their team’s slow style of play.

As the school’s athletic director, Etheridge knew that had to change. He was brought in to help rebuild PCA’s declining basketball program, and as the new head coach of the Eagles and Lady Eagles, he has a plan to do just that.

Etheridge will switch from a slow, plodding style of basketball to an up-tempo brand. Three-pointers will rain from the sky and fast-break opportunities will come in bunches, Etheridge said.

“The problem I’ve run into with the Porters Chapel basketball program is we play a slow, boring style of basketball. It’s just not exciting,” Etheridge said, comparing the new system to the one run by the great Los Angeles Lakers teams of the 1980s. “We’re going to pick up the pace and play a fun style of basketball. It’s going to be reminscient of the old ‘Showtime’.”

Etheridge will replace Mike Grzanich, who led the PCA boys to the first state tournament win in school history. Grzanich also helped the Lady Eagles to a 19-9 record and state tournament appearance, but was not asked to come back as a basketball coach.

He will stay at the school as the head coach of the fast-pitch softball program, where he’ll be assisted by Etheridge.

“Mike taught me some things. But Mike is a baseball and softball guy who agreed to help us out in crunch time,” Etheridge said. “Now it’s time for a basketball guy to do what a basketball guy does, and that’s take us to the next level.”

Grzanich said he was disappointed to not have another season of basketball, but wasn’t bitter. He’s a year away from receiving a fitness management degree at Mississippi College, and also works with MC’s baseball program.

The extra free time will allow him to concentrate on baseball and softball, as well as finish his education.

“It’s a little disappointing to know I’m not going to be able to come back. Almost all of my teams are going to be back, and that would be nice,” said Grzanich, who had a brief major league baseball career with the Houston Astros. “I guess I’m more into softball and baseball, and I feel more comfortable coaching those sports.”

Etheridge, 29, spent last season as an assistant for the varsity program and head coach of PCA’s junior high teams. The junior Eagles and Lady Eagles ran the up-tempo system with great success, and a number of those players will be making their way to the varsity ranks this season.

“Our whole plan is to start in seventh grade and build through the 12th grade. Our plan is to run the same fun and gun style, and we’re going to be able to just plug people in when others move on,” Etheridge said.

Etheridge will be PCA’s fourth basketball coach in five seasons, and he believes the constant turnover has hurt the program. One of the first things he told his players was that he is committed to the program.

“My wife and I have laid down roots here. I’ve made a commitment to the church, to the school and to these kids,” Etheridge said. “I’m not looking for a stepping stone or a ladder to climb. They have my word, the school has my word, and now the city of Vicksburg has my word. I’m not going anywhere.”