Rausch to guide Estancia girls’ program

Estancia High has hired Tommy Rausch as its girls basketball coach and, in a way, the basketball program as a whole should benefit.

Rausch spent the previous six years as a varsity assistant and lower-level head coach for the boys’ program. He will continue to assist boys’ Coach Jason Simco in a limited capacity.

Rausch, a 1999 Estancia graduate who was a standout for the Eagles’ golf team, was the interim girls’ coach the past month, after being asked to take over the sixth-period girls’ basketball physical education class.

The Eagles went 10-39 the past two seasons, including 3-21 in league, under Ernie Wright. Wright resigned in late March.

Rausch, a walk-on coach, said the most important thing he wants to improve is the players’ mentality.

We won’t repeat that performance,” he said. “Some girls show great leadership qualities. We’re going to change their attitude to a competitive winning attitude.”

After changing the attitude, Rausch wants to focus on the offense. The Eagles averaged slightly more than 33 points per game last season. Rausch plans to shift to an up-tempo style that should not only increase the win total, but fortify the roster, as well.

“We want to push the ball,” he said. “We want to move from [scoring in] the 30s to the 60s and more girls will want to play. Obviously, the easiest shot in basketball is a layup. And if we get more layups, we’ll get more free throws.”

On defense, Rausch said he will first focus on man-to-man fundamentals before moving to more complex schemes.

Simco said Rausch’s strength lies in strategy. Simco, a former player for the Eagles, has coached the boys’ varsity the past two seasons. His coaching tenure at Estancia, at various levels, mirrors that of Rausch.

“[Rausch] is just a gym rat,” Simco said. “He’s here all day, everyday. With a little coaching and a little fundamentals, [the girls’ team] can be tough. Confidence is a big issue. He’ll be great.”

In his month with the returning players who aren’t involved in spring sports, Rausch said he has been received well.

Rausch said that while his main focus will be the girls’ team, he will continue to assist Simco at boys’ games, as he has the previous six seasons.

“Girls will be a priority, but I don’t want to walk out on the boys,” Rausch said.

Rausch, Simco and Xavier Castellano, who will coach the junior varsity girls’ team, are all close friends. All three have coached the past six years in the boys’ program.

Rausch and Simco agreed that with Rausch guiding the Estancia girls’ squad, the basketball program as a whole should run more smoothly.

“Now it will be more of a family,” said Simco, who led the Eagles to playoff berths in his first two seasons at the helm.

“Gym time won’t be an issue anymore. We all hang out seven days a week. We’re really excited about this.”

Rausch sees a bright future, as well.

“I think we’ve got the boys’ and girls’ programs covered,” he said. “We’re gonna maximize both of our gyms.”

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